Friday, October 31, 2008

More “Not Exactly” Reminders

We continue to examine some of the claims of Mr. Obama and seriously wonder if maybe the truth might not be better in the long run.

I was a professor of Law—Not Exactly, you were a senior lecturer on leave.

I was a Constitutional Lawyer—Not Exactly, you were a senior lecturer on leave.

Without me, there would be no ethics bill—Not Exactly, you didn’t write it, introduce it, change it, or create it.

The ethics bill was hard to pass—Not Exactly, it took just 14 days from start to finish.

I wrote a tough nuclear bill—Not Exactly, your bill was rejected by your own party for its pandering and lack of all regulation, mainly because of your nuclear donor, Exelon, from which David Axelrod came.

I have released my state records—Not Exactly, as of March 2008, state bills you sponsored or voted for have yet to released, exposing all the special interest’s pork hidden within.

I took on the Altgeld Gardens asbestos mess—Not Exactly, you were part of a large group of people who allegedly remedied Altgeld Gardens. You failed to mention anyone else but yourself in your books. The evidence of asbestos in Altgeld Gardens remains today.

My economics bill will help America—Not Exactly, your 111 economic policies were just combined into a proposal which lost 99-0, and even YOU voted against your own bill.

I have been a bold leader in Illinois—Not Exactly, even your own supporters claim to have not see bold action on your part.

I passed 26 of my own bills in one year—Not Exactly, they were not your bills but rather handed to you, after their creation by a fellow senator, to assist you in a future bid for higher office.

After those little reality checks it is time to “cleanse the palette.” I have a short video from a “real” American who clearly understands and loves his country. We don’t know his name. He is not advertising himself but rather his heartfelt and hard won beliefs.

The claim is made that the video has been viewed 11,000,000 times. That number would represent roughly 3% of the American people. I would be much more comfortable if that were 30% and not 3%. Please share it with anyone you can hold down long enough to view it.

I choose to believe that we are populated with more folks like this vet than we are with community organizers. I find their selfless devotion to their fellow citizens far more valuable to the nation.

I beg you, make no assumptions about this election. Your vote, and the vote of every single person you know is required if we are to continue this experiment in liberty. I hope by now that you realize that it is seriously threatened. You may possibly think your part is small; it is not and it is vital.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Could it be Worse than Carter?

I frequently allude to James Earl Carter’s administration (1977-1980) as the low point in the performance of American presidents. In the intervening twenty-eight years the people have only chosen one Democrat to assume the White House. His clumsiness and clueless foreign policy was supposedly balanced by his role as a Sunday school teacher. The peanut farmer proved no match for the leader of Iran and was embarrassed and politically damaged as a result of the hostage crisis. He did approve one lame attempt to rescue them but it took a total change of attitude in the oval office to resolve the matter.

Ronald Reagan took office in January 1981 and the hostage issue was concluded the very next day. It was well understood that Reagan would brook no such nonsense and the hostages were returned.

Mr. Carter also left us with another matter which provides interesting theater for those who follow such things. It was he who signed into law the registration of eligible young men for the military. Most liberals are unaware of this and are genuinely shocked when the truth is demonstrated to them. I thought of this as I thumbed through a newly acquired World Almanac 2008. In the process, I came across another set of very interesting facts.

In the aggregate, over the last sixty years, the highest average prices for crops occurred in 1980! Judging from my latest trips to the super market, I would have certainly thought that untrue. Obviously, there are exceptions, but on the whole, that has been the high water mark for the crops of US farmers. I love farmers and I love to see them financially secure but I also realize that their bonanza is a burden for consumers. Let’s take a look at some prices for comparison:



Commodity-----------1960———1980———1999———2006

Corn, bshl--------------$1.00--------$3.11-------$1.82-------$3.20

Soybeans, bshl---------$2.13--------$7.57--------$4.62------ $6.20

Wheat, bshl------------$1.74---------$3.91--------$2.48-------$4.26

Hay, 480# bale-------- $21.70-------$71.00-------$76.90------$109.00

Cotton seed-----------$42.50-------$129 00------$89.00------$110.

Peanuts--------------- $10.00------$25.10--------$25.40------$17.20

Potatoes---------------$2.00-------$6.55---------$5.77------- $7.42

Rice-------------------$4.55------ $12.80------- $5.93--------$9.75

Oats, bshl.-------------$.60--------$1.79---------$1.12--------$1.87


If you need more commodities, check page 92 of The World Almanac 2008, World Almanac Books.

These sky-high prices may not be attributed to the current pressures on many of them. Their use in bio-fuel production has elevated the price in an unnatural spiral. The prices shown here, especially 1980, were the result of extremely high interest rates and fiscal mismanagement at the highest levels of government. If prohibitive interest rates ban buying tools, you must reduce your production. When the production is decreased and the demand remains the same or increases, the market price soars. The biggest failure was the farmer’s ability to stay liquid and increase his output to take advantage of the escalating price. If you can’t get the money to buy the seed, fertilizer, pesticides and fuel to plant the crop you can’t reap the benefits.

In the midst of all this and to assuage his guilt over the poor, Carter engineered the Community Reinvestment Act and set up the failure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and other important financial institutions. So what does this have to do with our current situation?

In my Opinion, Obama is Jimmy Carter to the 10th power. Carter’s socialism was tempered by his misinterpreted Deacon’s view of the world and his failure to read all of text in the Good Book and not just that which justified his social ends. I do not believe that Obama gives a whit about the text and only uses those hunks and chunks which justify his excuses for the socialism he adores. Although all of Carter’s friends were not saints, they at least showed a measure of caring for the country. He was not totally surrounded by those who seek the outright destruction of America as we know it. Unlike the current candidate he did not court the likes of Ayers, Wright, Rezko, Alinsky, Dohrn, Phleger, and on and on and on.

Be not deceived; this is no hick Georgia peanut farmer who threatens the republic. It is a well packaged, expertly merchandised, deceiver of extreme talent in community disruption. His denials not withstanding, he is in the company of those with whom most of America disagrees if they only thought about it. He mocks God with his pretenses, lies about his true background, and has no intention of modulating his actions. Do not foolishly believe that his disrespect for life extends only to the unborn. Unlike most candidates, I truly believe that he will attempt to implement his ideas during a presidency. God help us all!

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Even a Blind Hog . . . .

You know the rest. Like many mini-homilies, it has the cruel ring of truth. Howard Stern is not one of my favorite media personalities. I find him overbearing, sometimes gutter minded, and a person who appeals more to a teenage boy mentality than adult. I do, however, defend his right to speak his mind whether I agree or not. He needs little encouragement to do so.

This particular segment came up and I reluctantly admit that it is priceless. It is a verification of a long held belief about the motivation to back a specific candidate. It’s short and will give you special insight into the minds of those who support Obamunism.

Early in our journey with Christ, we are often imbued with strong emotional feelings which drive us to associate with believers, teachers, preachers, congregations and then spread the word. We soon discover that emotion is insufficient to share the gospel with others. It is then we turn to our scriptures for support; to learn the essential truths about the Figure to whom we assign our devotion. We may then study, discuss, share, and continue the learning process until we draw our last breath. It is then we are able to not only objectify our Master but become a capable witness.

It’s not enough to isolate individual events in the gospel story. Yes, walking on water, feeding a multitude, resurrection of the dead, and retention of the stories of various miracles is an important part of the reason we turn our eyes and hearts to Christ as we do. More important is linking these events to the total experience and then in turn realizing how they affect our life for eternity. Our baptism is not an end but rather a scant beginning. I believe it is our growth from there which leads us to the ultimate association with the Divine.

The folks interviewed on the link above are obviously driven only by one very small aspect of the candidate. Given the answers to the interviewer’s questions we may conclude that they only share one common and emotional belief. The easy path is to dismiss their responses to ignorance and a failure of self-education. I seriously doubt they have done enough research to understand or for that matter, even hear what the candidate has promised for them. It is far more likely that they, in their minds, look at the TV screen and see a mirror image with a far better vocabulary.

As I inventory the public figures for whom I have tremendous respect, I find Thomas Sowell, Clarence Thomas, William Raspberry, Tiger Woods, J.C. Watts, Michael Jordan, and many others who embody the characteristics which I see as important. I admire them because of the qualities which they project in their lives and their well-reasoned approach to life. I would happily vote for any of them for any office they might seek. I would do so because of demonstrated accomplishment and attitude and for no other reason. I would also encourage you to do the same. Each has a repertoire of good works, public service, faith, and belief in America.

Unfortunately, to my knowledge, none are currently running for office. Too bad! Only one, Thomas, has a position in government and only one, Watts, has previously held one. To accept skin color as either an endorsement or a disqualifier is just plain foolishness. It is degrading to view it either way. I have lived long enough to remember seeing “colored only” signs on restroom doors, “whites only” on public water fountains (that’s ‘bubblers’ for you cheese heads,) and hotels with single race signs. I would fight to the death to avoid the recurrence of such signage. This emphasis on skin color is a cancer on the body of America. Dare I say that to exploit it is “unpatriotic?” Yes, I shall, and note that it is the antithesis of everything I hold dear about my country.

While there is no mandated “right to vote,” there is certainly a responsibility as a citizen. There is also an unlegislated duty to understand the issues, fit them to your own moral code and beliefs and act accordingly. The sightless pig finds his reward by chance. We have the opportunity to form our opinions by research and prayer. Please do both.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Focusing on Sarah

At last! Jan and I have had our 15 seconds of fame. We will do our best to share with you the picture which was on the web site of the Kansas City Star—along with fifteen others. As part of the early bird crowd which eventually swelled to 15,000, we were close enough to be included in one shot taken over Sarah’s shoulder. It’s okay though, you can still just call us Cec & Jan even though we are now celebrities. Our normal titles of “King of the Road” and “Queen of Buzzard’s Ridge” are not necessary.

You may have a slight bit of difficulty figuring out just which ones we are so I’ll help you. Notice at the top of the shot there is a kid perched on his dad’s shoulders (he was there for the entire affair.) From that reference point move your eyes to the right and note the handsome, debonair gentleman with the dark ball cap with a pale yellowish insignia and very dark glasses. Yep, that’s me.

Jan is easier to locate. From the kid, move even further to the left and spot a mass of “pink” at about shoulder level. A tip from Jan, if you go about a third of the frame directly above the top knot (the abbreviated Pentecostal hair insert) on Sarah’s head you will see, under that McCain/Palin hat, my bride.

This photo which you are about to see states the thrust of the entire proceedings—the focus was on Sarah. It should have been and it was. For photography buffs, you will appreciate he was using a wide open ƒ stop with an extremely limited focal range on a dull cloudy day. This allowed him to use a higher shutter speed and avoid the normal problems shooting in the midst of a jostling crowd. The result was an excellent picture of Palin with utter disregard for two of her biggest fans. But, hey, we can at least claim we were photographed together.





In later discussion we expressed our concern about the affect, the cold day had on Sarah. We tossed around ideas about what sort of wear she had chosen to resist the damp discomfort. We then concluded that we really shouldn’t be too concerned about an Alaskan’s ability to deal with cold weather.

Seriously, it wasn’t about us and it really wasn’t about her. It was about American citizens taking the opportunity to express themselves about a slate of candidates who oppose killing womb bound babies, high taxes, gun control, sharing the wealth with those who haven’t earned it, maintaining government in the form it was originally created, and most important, God. I still find it amazing that 15,000 Ozarkians turned out on that raw day to demonstrate that level of enthusiasm.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Monday, October 27, 2008

Monday Morning Rant 61

One of the dubious advantages of being married to a school teacher, a bus driver, or a healthcare worker is the opportunity to sample the “disease of the day.” They graciously acquire these through their associations at work and share them with the rest of the family at home. After an active 50 years of full time employment I look back upon 8 hours of sick leave caused by medication for the pain of the extraction of nine teeth at one sitting. I was too drugged to safely drive. That was all; 8 hours in 50 years and I voluntarily turned down work.

Now, in retirement, I can enjoy the sore throat which Jan brought home for our mutual enjoyment at my leisure. Yes ladies, like many men, when ill, I retreat to infantile behavior and require care much beyond the norm. She had it last week so she is able, from experience, to share the news that death is not imminent. I do seem to remember that the standard treatment when I was a kid was Ginger Ale and ice cream. I think I’ll try self medication.

Biden Strikes Again

Well, the plot thickens in the news of the day. I was pleased that Joe Biden had an opportunity to be interviewed on a local South Carolina news station. Unlike the comfortable, cozy little chats which the MSM offers, he found himself confronted with a news anchor who asked some questions about his running mate based on his quotes and verifiable facts. View the video and enjoy this one in a million occasion. Here is an actual newsperson asking penetrating questions without emotion; what a concept.

Rather than ignore the matter and move on, the campaign decided to childishly chide the station, plead unfair practice and inform the station that they had been banished. Had they not done so it is highly unlikely it would have come to anyone’s attention and the typical “Biden Says” (B.S.) would have gone unnoticed by anyone not in the immediate viewing area. Don’t you love it when they squirm?

The Department of Peace and Non-Violence

If you want a peek at what to expect from a liberal government populated in all three branches I offer H.R. 808. This little jewel is comparable to something that George Orwell might have dreamt up—or the JCRB. It is in the process, having been introduced by John Conyers (D-MI), and acquiring co-sponsors which include all the usual suspects.

Andy Mc Carthy does a far better summary than I on the NR’s Corner so I shall I quote:
“At least we know what will become of that 25 percent of the Defense budget Barney Frank wants to slash from the protection of Americans.

The DC Examiner reminds us that already proposed in the House (HR 808) is the creation of a new, multi-billion dollar, cabinet-level monstrosity: The Department of Peace & Non-Violence. (Thanks to Dr. Andy Bostom for calling this to my attention.)

The DPN-V would house such vital new agencies as The Office of Peace Education & Training, the Office of Domestic Peace Activities, the Office of International Peace Activities, the Office of Technology for Peace, the Office of Arms Control and Disarmament (ACM — notwithstanding that Barnie (sic) seems to have that covered already), the Office of Peaceful Co-Existence and Non-Violent Conflict Resolution, and, of course, the Office of Human Rights and Economic Rights. (Emphasis added.)

This, natch, is separate and apart from Wage Insurance (aka "Spreading the Wealth"), Obama's proposed Global Poverty Act (aka Spreading the Wealth to the Globe through the UN), tax relief for oppressed classes such as trial lawyers (aka Spreading More Wealth to Top Democrat Donors); and gasoline subsidies (aka Spreading the Wealth to America's enemies who are hurting now that oil is down to about $60/barrel).
Too bad Sarah Palin is too dumb to come up with an agenda like this — you can see why so many top conservative thinkers are flocking to the Obama ticket.”

Take a minute and click on the above links and enjoy the bureaucratic maze of platitudes and good intentions which mask intrusion into the lives of each and every American. You really do need to know what these folks are up to.

McCain vs. the Juggernaut

Many pundits assure us that this election is history and we barely need to go to the polls to fully realize the outcome. Bill Kristol has some thoughts and an important quote from Abraham Lincoln:
“Bill Kristol editorial in TWS. A particularly nice ending:

If Obama wins, we wish him well. But for now, we can only echo the words of the 30-year-old Abraham Lincoln. On December 26, 1839, responding to the confident prediction of one of his political opponents "that every State in the Union will vote for Mr. Van Buren at the next Presidential election" and that Lincoln's opposition to the Van Buren forces was therefore bound to be in vain, Lincoln responded:

“Address that argument to cowards and to knaves; with the free and the brave it will effect nothing. It may be true; if it must, let it...The probability that we may fall in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just...Let none falter, who thinks he is right, and we may succeed. But if after all, we shall fail, be it so.”

As it happens, the Whig ticket Lincoln supported won that 1840 election. So might the party of Lincoln again.”
The electoral victory margin was actually: William Henry Harrison 234 – Martin Van Buren 60. And we think that today’s predictors are unique!

No Apology Offered

I considered trying to make amends for allowing this web log to stray from our avowed purpose. I concluded that nothing of the sort is necessary. Zion Beckons will make no apology for defending the unborn or contributing our tiny voice in protest to the potential destruction of this nation “under God.” Not only is it a practical matter but I also believe it is in concert with the will of the Master that we do so. I feel that nothing at the moment is as vital as the protection of our liberty here and now and the futures of our heirs. Without our actions today, they will have no tomorrow.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Different Church, Same Page

Some folks are so insistent on propagating their concept of the faith that they forget the principal object of our mutual worship: Jesus Christ. My personal tolerance is for anyone who offers that which I am sure would please God. When any church offers a message to that end, I applaud and rejoice in their effort.

That is the case with this offering. I can’t remember whether this was forwarded on email or I happened on it while surfing the net. I can’t imagine that anyone involved in sending this message would object to me linking to it and sharing it with our readers. (Ed. comment: It was actually forwarded to me and I forwarded it to everyone on my email list.)

So, click away for a realistic look an important matter. It is my belief that our readers will be more than ready to understand and support the message.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon