Powers That Be?

And who, pray tell, might that be?

John Conyers (D-MI) has indicated that the House Judiciary Committee has lost interest in the investigation of ACORN. When questioned, he responded: “Powers that be decided against it.”

This is an extremely powerful committee post in the House of Representatives. Obviously, he is not the grand poobah and is influenced by the agenda of others. However, given his seniority and high position as that particular committee chairman, there are an extremely limited number of persons who could exert influence. Offhand, only two in government office come to mind: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi or Barack Obama.

Anyone who is alert enough to sit up and take gruel should be aware by now that this outfit operates 40% of its budget on federal funds. That would be at least $31,000,000 since 1988 and does not include block grants hidden in affiliates. For a look at their record I recommend you click here if your computer tolerates Adobe script. Otherwise, just Google “ACORN gov’t funds” and ruin the rest of your day.

Since you followed the above link you are now conversant with the tactics by ACORN to unduly influence elections. The law is clear (Federal Law US Code 18, chapter 1913) on the matter and prohibits lobbying with congressionally allocated funds and makes it a federal offense. The purchase of a single postage stamp with those funds for any electioneering purpose would qualify as a crime.

I suggest that the next time you are caught speeding through a village or apprehended filching a pack of gum in a convenience store you simply tell the officer that the “powers that be" have already decided on your innocence. Better yet, tell it to the IRS when you file a bogus return.

The only laws I can think of that deserve to be etched in stone are the Ten Commandments. All others have available legal recourse either to be overturned by a suitable court with appeal or, rejection by the governing body which enacted it.

By suborning his public trust as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee to “powers that be.” John Conyers has assumed the posture of a mere lackey.

Are you about sick of all this yet?


In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

What a Mess!!

There are more than a few things which are stuck in my craw this morning. Not necessarily in order of importance—they are all important—but just as they come to mind.

We continue to find ABC firmly established as our new Propaganda Ministry in the White House. Typically, the keepers of the “truth” are shunning any input from all counter arguments to the complete takeover of the health care programs. I can easily see why “the one” would choose to have the pros at ABC airing his talking points instead of the nearly totally inept press secretary, Gibbs. In fairness; repeating falsehood, denial and covering for the boss can’t be a fun job for the press secretary. Despite accusations concerning Charles Gibson’s sleeping accommodations at the White House and changing in-house venues on a near constant basis, the message remains the same: we won and we will do as we please. Separation of church and state is a viable concept. How about, we try separation of media and state. Better yet, butt out and let the people decide their own destiny for health care.

For those firmly ensconced in the “if you don’t like the weather wait and it will change” school we have this unsurprising discovery. The lawyer for the Competitive Enterprise Institute commented on the stifling of documents from the Environmental Protection Agency:

“This suppression of valid science for political reasons is beyond belief,” said CEI General Counsel Sam Kazman. “EPA’s conduct is even more outlandish because it flies in the face of the president’s widely-touted claim that ‘the days of science taking a back seat to ideology are over.’”

Apparently Kazman is not on any schedule for kick-backs when the infamous “cap and trade” scheme is implemented. It would be enlightening to learn how many officials in DC have invested their cash in environmental stocks to take advantage of this suppression. I’ll bet Al Gore is on board as usual. He who lives in a home which is a green disaster never saw an inside deal he could turn down. I would be concerned about libel here except that every part of the preceding sentence is extremely easily documented.

Moving on in the interest of being an equal opportunity critic of both parties; what in the world was Mark Sanford thinking? The governor of South Carolina ( R ) has brought shame to the concept of matrimony, disgrace to the political establishment in his home state and personal abandonment of any further political future. In a solid admission of his errancy, he has verified his involvement with an Argentinean woman. About the only thing left unsaid in the matter is what’s wrong with American women. Do you really have to fly 6000 miles to find a woman who’ll accept you?

If you missed the details of the Walprin firing I suggest you click on this link. It will bring you up to date on the attempt to thwart the Inspector General’s findings on the mayor of Sacramento and his dealings with AmeriCorps. From a practical coincidence I can fully understand the workings of the 77 year old mind. Their blatant obfuscation of the inquiry would have been enough to throw him off his game by its audacity. The poor fool was operating under the impression he should be doing his job. Obviously, a man of character and principle is a toxic presence for the current administration.

I continue to believe that the objection mounted on the entire Sacramento thing, while the investigation is legitimate, is only a cover up for the mess in NYC with CUNY. That one is measured in millions as opposed to the “chump change” in Sacto. If that IG is persistent; expect another firing.

So for July 4th, 474 locations have scheduled Tea Party protests. Some will be small local affairs with little significance and some will be huge in comparison. In Atlanta , where the organizers anticipated at least 20,000 showing up, the event has been cancelled. It appears that the property where it was scheduled belongs to a heavy Obama contributor and sympathizer. By invalidating the permit, the people’s voice may be stifled, and this major metropolitan area could be deprived of their right to speak out..

Simon Properties are the ones who cancelled and we found that they operate over 350 shopping centers and stores nationwide. For anyone who is interested in a mini-boycott in retaliation, here is the list of Simon Properties. The site is fairly easy to navigate and will easily produce the site of your closest mall. I guess I am just doomed to shop Wal-Mart for the rest of my life. Just kidding! If they don’t have it: I don’t need it.

Most of this was gleaned from this article which appeared on the Pajama’s Media website by Bob Owens.

I would like to think that now I have this all off my chest, my life will all be puppies, kitties, and lovely posies. The only consolation I have is that none of this affects my relationship with God—if I don’t let it—therefore, all will be well.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

It’s Just his Thesaurus Talking

Following a link supplied by Rich Lowry of National Review Online, led me to this op-ed by Jim Hoagland of the Washington Post. Rich quotes and comments as follows:

“But the president and his advisers still have not adjusted policies and tactics being overtaken by events. This is clear both from the initial "caught in the headlights" reaction by Obama as he temporized — albeit with steely skill— and from accounts of diplomatic and other official sources here."

He goes on to make this point:

"The administration's words suggest Obama is caught in a political version of the theory of relativity — that he moves along a predetermined course that prevents him from seeing the new situation in Tehran exactly as it occurs. He clings to the pre-election paramount goal of keeping alive the chances for a nuclear deal with any government in Tehran.

Focusing now, and narrowly, on obtaining the highly improbable nuclear accord neglects the moral and historical dimensions of mass protest in authoritarian societies such as Iran's that are vulnerable to new communications technology. Such moments release a moral energy in once-submissive populations that rulers must crush, accommodate or yield to. Whatever their ultimate choice — crushing is clearly the initial one — the ayatollahs will never be the same.”

Although the purple prose of “steely skill” is laughable, one finds Hoagland’s opening sentence even more suspect.

“The most serious challenge that Iran's Islamic rulers have ever faced caught President Obama and many European leaders by surprise.”

We have become so accustomed to seeing every middle-eastern nation portrayed as being barely removed from the Stone Age that we fail to recognize that advances in technology and awareness of political reality are actually present in those country’s peoples. The most casual observer of the scene would recognize that thirty million votes counted in under an hour are symptomatic of electoral chicanery. It is doubtful that either the above mentioned leaders or—more important—their intelligence services were in the least surprised.

In greater clarity, Hoagland submits: “Such moments release a moral energy in once-submissive populations that rulers must crush, accommodate or yield to.” On the streets of Iran’s major cities this is demonstrated by young men and women facing well armed goons in Kevlar and helmets with rocks. The current death toll, measured now in teens, will no doubt either accelerate dramatically or be reduced to zero except for those who would be slain in the aftermath for their prior efforts. They are trying to overcome the tyranny of an oppressive regime with the most fundamental of weapons.

In Gen 4:8, we read of the most celebrated slaying known that was accomplished not with an AK-47, a grenade, or an IED, but with whatever was at hand; club, bare hands, a primitive tool, or, a rock. The Bible doesn’t specify the device. It does continue with Cain’s ill considered retort to God; “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The essence of this rude response can be seen in the administration’s remarks concerning the uprising in the streets of Iran.

He (Obama) is right in understanding that trading one despot for another is unproductive. However, trading one’s life for the freedom and liberty of one’s people is a concept which all true Americans should easily understand. Our history is replete with examples of those who have sacrificed all for that principle. It is often ignored by those who are driven by the quest for power alone and at their personal peril.


In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Monday Morning Rant 97

What a great Father’s Day. My daughter sent a golf scorecard which showed Tiger Woods with a 73 and under “Dad”, a 73 also. Inside the card she guessed that it would be the very best “”tie” I could ever wish for. She does understand me!

Sunday morning at church with Jan, Lee Parsons was on his game and covered what the Lord expects from fathers. Had he left it up to me we would have been out of there a half hour earlier—just be like Lee. God expects us to live up to the title. Lee has certainly done so. He “fathers” his flock with great care and abundant love.

Priceless Headline

It appears that Washington , D.C. does not have the corner on “losing their marbles.”


“ Greece's New Acropolis Museum shines spotlight on missing Parthenon marbles “


IG Firing

As it now stands, the inspector general who found fraud in the mayor’s office in Sacramento over misuse of federal funds has finally been formally accused by the administration. They have trumped up a senility charge as a result of one meeting’s worth of garbled testimony.

There is little doubt that they would certainly recognize memory loss, confusion, and garbled speech. As confirmation take a minute and check this Youtube entry of “the one” for all you need to know about a baby who lost his “blanky”--read that teleprompter.

Let this serve as a reminder to those who still are deceived into believing that this man has any sort of gift for public speaking. He is a reader, albeit a talented reader, who is apparently incapable of any manner of original thought. As stated previously, my high school speech teacher would have roasted him on a spit for his disorganized mumbling and bumbling and sent him off to Harvard with an F in sophomore Speech.

The country’s in the very best of hands!?!

Pen Knives as Armaments

I can not possibly imagine either of my grandfathers dressing in the morning for any occasion be it grubby dirty work or church without dropping their pen knives in their pockets. My father, a Podiatrist surrounded with sharp instruments, carried a pocket knife every day of his life. When my dear wife’s father died, the family invited me to take a memento from his belongings as a memory. From items lying on the dresser top I chose his double bladed miniature folder which he had carried routinely. Recognizing the importance he placed on that fine piece of work I respect it as a private treasure which he valued.

Each of these men were upright members of their community, gentle, and the finest of citizens with no felonious intent or action to their names. They all shared the knowledge that a sharp blade at hand was an indispensable tool. They taught me as well to keep a finely honed edge close at hand for the common and numberless everyday uses.

I carry a Frost “ Cheyenne ” single blade folder with a 2 1/8th inch 440C Surgical Steel blade when I am around the place or on the road. For occasions that require that I use lesser bulk, I carry Dick Shepard’s (my late father-in-law) smaller and lighter knife. When I pass, I guarantee my son’s first question will be: “Where’s Dad’s knife?”
As if there were not enough insanity prevalent in the existing nanny state we have become I am lifting this entry by Dave Kopel in its entirety. This close to Father’s Day, this takes on all the more importance.

“From Dave Kopel:

Obama administration moves to ban 80% of folding knives:

Under the 1958 federal Switchblade Act, switchblade knives are not importable into theUnited States , and may not be shipped across state lines. On May 21, U.S.Customs & Border Protection (CBP) proposed the revocation of four previous Ruling Letters; the effect would be a drastic expansion of the definition of non-importable knives. The organization KnifeRights warns that revocations would outlaw approximately 80 percent of the current market in folding knives.

The federal law does not apply to the mere possession or carrying of knives, but as KnifeRights explains, many state and local bans on possession or carrying are parasitic on the federal definition. Accordingly, if the proposed Customs change goes into effect, many millions of people who own or carry pocketknives would instantly be defined as criminals.

The National Rifle Association and other Second Amendment groups have issued alerts about the proposed change, but the KnifeRights website is the key source for detailed information. Founded in 2006, KnifeRights is still a fledgling organization; they do good work, and I am pleased to be a member.

[Note: I added text to clarify that the 80% figure is for folding knives.]”

Further reading of some of the offered links will reveal that the ban will also include folding devices like my Leatherman Tool which opens to a pliers, screwdriver, awl, etc., etc., and finally a blade.

I had a lady threaten me with a skillet once. Since she was extremely skilled with that utensil, I wisely backed off and now await the banning process to save me from further threats of assault. Seriously, It does raise the question of just how much control can we as citizens of the United States endure?

The 4th of July

In thirteen days, Americans will celebrate the 233rd Independence Holiday . I have a suggestion: this year make a contribution to your country and attend one of 376 currently scheduled “Tea Party” events to lend your voice to those who protest the abridgement of our freedoms. If you will click here you will find a web site which locates each one, by state, which you can plan to attend. It gives the time, location, organizer, addresses, rough outline of the program and extra events. I guarantee you will never meet nicer people or be in a safer environment. Go, have fun, express yourself, enjoy and support the freedoms so many gave their lives to protect. Thank you. We’ll be in Springfield , MO , waving the flag and talking to anyone who will listen.


And finally

We had a couple of dogs visit our house this week. Jan discovered a mother with one pup left standing in the road as she went to work. Naturally, she called me to come pick them up. Come I did and brought them home to food, water and an all-out effort to find them homes. The mother had obviously had several more in the litter.

The puppy was about as precious as puppies get. Five weeks old and on the verge of being weaned, she now has a home in our local flower shop with the daughter of the owner. The mother was delivered to a nearby town to join a family who dearly love dogs. Although of unverifiable heritage, the puppy bore all the characteristics of a basset hound to be. She was cinnamon with white feet and a face to die for and she captivated every one who touched her.

From finding to final delivery we only had them forty-eight hours. I credit God for every aspect of the resultant success.

In His abiding love,


Cecil Moon