Drink the Kool-Aid

I can’t really say whether these YouTube entries are actually meaningful or just a lame crutch I use to express my inner-most feelings. More likely, I am just jealous that I don’t have the computer capacity and the wit to put them together.

Although this one has little subtlety, it does present an accurate view which I have of the current administration. I read much from leftist pundits who accuse me, as a right-wing extremist, of being unwilling to have an open mind. I am guilty as charged in this case. I truly believe their accusations are based upon my reluctance to blindly accept their ridiculous propositions without examination. Regardless of party, one should, in my opinion, continue to plumb the depths of reason to determine the actions of all politicians.

There are certainly parts of our laws which could benefit from some fine tuning which would require amendments to the Constitution. The first and foremost would be the enactment of term-limits for legislative posts. Lifetime sinecure for politicos from “safe” districts is a notion the nation can ill afford. If you require examples of this due to failure to follow the business of government you should never be allowed near a voting booth again. Part of my thinking is anecdotal and a result of self-realization that my personal thought processes are not as clear and sustained today as they were ten-twenty-thirty years ago. The written word is available for editing before publishing. Off the cuff speaking (see: Joe Biden) is another matter entirely. Old age, wisdom and mental acuity are not always resident in the same body.

That brings to mind the second suggestion. We need legislation and/or amendment which require that the legislators be subject to each and every law which is passed without exception. No further enactment should include exemption of politicians as a separate and “royal” group. If they are not comfortable with Medicare and Social Security as opposed to special medical facilities (Walter Reed?) and life salary continuation let them get a real job. Were it that citizens had a guarantee of such benefits until death.

For my third issue, I would confess that I do not sense the intent of the founders in their formation of a Supreme Court with lifetime occupants. More study might reveal some profound truth which has escaped my cursory examination of the issue. It would be easier to understand an “emeritus” position on the court with limited input but still retaining influence. Granted, some people do continue to “ripen” with age and manage to avoid the ravages of advancing years but there is no absolute guarantee. Lifetime establishment of any person in any office is typical of dictators, tyrants, and kings and should not be found in a free republic.

As a reminder, the Kool-Aid reference is to the mass suicide in Jonestown, Guyana on Nov. 18, 1978 by 909 “temple” members who had established a Marxist colony there. Among the additional nine deaths was that of Congressman Jim Ryan of California who had come to investigate the welfare of some of his former constituents. The actual catalyst for the mixture which was drunk by Jones followers was Flavor Aid and mixed with potassium chloride and potassium cyanide. For further information please see this Wikipedia article.

This established the erroneous “Kool-Aid” as a metaphor for mindless devotion to a political evil and its tragic result. Blindly following on the basis of platitudes and projection of goals which are too good to be true led these people to their demise. If nothing else was accomplished, their actions in Jonestown demonstrated the futility of mindless devotion to a leader or an inherently evil cause.


In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Bravo!!!

Take four minutes and watch this terrific performance which at first seemed an impromptu effort. So far, I have managed to find an excuse to watch it four times and it gets better each time. Give yourself a break and watch this.

In a world beset with horrendous problems, this artistic effort banished them all. It’s hard to say whether I was more impressed by the dancers or the audience reaction. God bless them both and I earnestly pray we may see much more of the same.


In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Another “If” Apology

I read with great interest this morning the entries on Senator Claire McCaskill’s web page. Among the items located there, was the lead with what poses as an apology for the treatment of her constituents who called at her Saint Louis office on Friday last.

I have taken the liberty to quote some extracts from her remarks (in the original font) and followed them with some observations of my own. It is painful to write criticism of one’s own senator but the actions in St. Louis obviously reflect upon her judgement as well as those who were on site.

“I think we learned from Friday and will do better in the future. In return I hope those that are protesting refrain from banging on the windows and doors continuously. Thanks so much.”

What was learned on Friday is that the American people are sick and tired of hack politicians with nothing but their own selfish interests on their agenda. Further. To avoid “banging on windows and doors,” you might suggest that the employees: ANSWER THE DOOR! If this rag-tag bunch of un-organized patriots with their vicious leashed Cocker Spaniel with signs expressing their thoughts are seen as threatening, one suspects they may have touched a nerve.

“My apologies if anyone was offended.”

Senator McCaskill, the use of the word “if” is not compatible within any apology. You know very well that the actions of your staff were reprehensible for public servants causing offense to the aggrieved parties. When one does not clearly understand the nature of their offense the use of “if” implies that no harm may have been done. This equivocation is unseemly and demands a forthright response to those you hurt. Words matter and the use of “if” attacks both your sincerity and intelligence. You said it so don’t expect any apology from me for pointing it out.

“I still regret the way we handled the protest, and hope that all those that want to express themselves feel free to protest peacefully at our office anytime.”

Senator, are you saying the police were derelict in their duties? What arrests were made of your constituents in breech of the peace? Were they cautioned to stop their “rowdy” behavior? We are aware they unlawfully directed the group to use the sidewalk across the street instead of the legal walkway directly in front of your office. The group immediately complied. The use of “protest peacefully” implies that there was behavior that was not peaceful. Perhaps knocking on the door is now considered an “un-peaceful” act.

After the issue of the infamous Cap and Trade bill soon coming before the Senate, I should not be surprised by duplicity. She announced early on that she had reservations about the bill and preliminarily opposed it. I welcomed the news that my senator had the good sense to see the evil inherent in that legislation. Subsequently, she reversed her thoughts on the bill and decided she should follow the lead of the president. I found myself betrayed once again over an issue of vital importance to our nation. She is not at fault; I am. I should, in my dotage, have known better.

My negative perceptions are now reinforced by the debacle at her offices in St. Louis. Courage is not her long suit. Neither is legitimate apology.

What many in government, the press, and the upper reaches of our coastal elites fail to realize is that those of us in middle-America have opinions about our country and the direction it is obviously headed. They see us as provincial, old-fashioned, and ignorant. What they don’t see is hardworking citizens who treasure what we have and wish to preserve our faith, our values and our Constitution.


In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Monday Morning Rant 101

Jack Barry brought the message in Miami, OK yesterday and it was marvelous. I shall probably extract some of his thoughts for further examination in later posts. I had never heard him preach before and now wonder why. In a small congregation, depleted by vacations and other pressing issues, we found the remainder hanging on his every word. Good job Jack!

I truly believe that I was exceptionally eager for the ministry this morning. The drive over, always a treat, brought to mind what a fabulous country we live in. The tidy homes in the towns and well tended farms reminded me of the industrious God fearing folks who live there and see to keeping the gifts of the Lord in good shape. It is difficult to imagine what drives our politicians to wish to destroy such a remarkable land.

A Day to Remember

We have been besieged the last few days with memorials and tributes to the 40th anniversary of the moon landing. Like other signal events, you can probably remember exactly where you were. Lost as it was in the hoopla over the moon landing, is another event which is not only un-celebrated, but which many would like to forget. It is the 40th anniversary of Mary Joe Kopechne’s death.

To refresh your memory I shall quote from Power Line:

“I thought I would take a moment to bother you all, ladies included, to remind everyone that this is the 40th anniversary of the infamous Chappaquiddick incident in which an inebriated Senator Ted Kennedy marked a reunion of his brother Bobby's "Boiler Room" girls by driving one to her death off the Dyke Road bridge.

This manslaughter might have been forgiven if Kennedy hadn't decided to evade responsibility for the accident and cover it up by failing to report it, trying to co-opt one of his aides to cop to being the driver, and then leaving them to try and fix it for him for over seven hours.

Worse, Mary Jo Kopechne, whose drowned body was found in a position trying to eke out the last molecules of air within the submerged car, was left to drown by the self-involved Senator, who chose not to seek immediate help.

After proceedings by a Kennedy-friendly judicial system in Massachusetts, Kennedy was found guilty of leaving the scene of an accident and had his driver's license suspended. But perhaps the crowning event was Kennedy's appalling nationally-televised apologia, which I remember viewing on TV, and which still reigns as probably the worst and most self-indulgent political pitch ever.

He may be "the Lion of the Senate", but I will never forget Chappaquiddick. For the uninitiated, a must read is Leo Damore's excellent book Senatorial Privilege.”

I remember well. My family and I had stopped south of Toledo, Ohio for breakfast that morning and I picked up the Blade for more news on the Moon attempt. At the bottom of page 17 was about ten column inches with a report of the incident at Chappaquidick. It was sketchy at best but really stated all I needed to know. A girl had been killed and the man responsible was nowhere to be found.

He has been increasingly visible ever since. In the intervining forty years, I have watched my kids grow to adulthood and have children of their own. I have seen incredible changes in our country—some good, some not so good. I have witnessed natural beauty blossom around me and had an opportunity to grow closer to the Lord.

Mary Jo Kopechne was denied all of this and the opportunity to live her life. Ted Kennedy and I both know why she never smelled another beautiful rose or held a precious baby of her own. My prayer is that they are both dealt with by God within His full range of mercy and wrath.

Public Servants at Work

The Tea Party “terrorists” were hard at work last Friday. About thirty plus showed up at Sen. Claire McCaskell’s regional office in a Saint Louis suburb. Their goal was to speak to her representative there and advise their discontent with several issues soon coming before the Senate. That body will soon entertain the “Cap and Trade” bill and shortly thereafter, the health care initiatives. The largely gray-haired contingent carried signs and posters expressing their displeasure with these issues and others and wanted their voices heard.

They were refused entry!

Further, those inside the office locked the doors, drew the blinds and eventually called the cops. When the police arrived they were admitted to the building and shortly thereafter advised the patriots to go to the other side of street and abandon the public sidewalk in front of the building.

I believe that the above narrative pretty much tells you all you need to know about both Claire McCaskell and her minions. In addition, it sums up the attitude of this entire administration when it comes to reasonable discussion of any issue. The meme appears to be “my way, or the highway.” The country’s in the very best of hands.

On the other hand, I was greeted warmly at Roy Blunt’s regional office in Springfield and my opinions were actually solicited. I shall here repeat my invitation to join us all in Washington, D.C. on 10, 11, and 12th of September. Let’s all go have some fun banging on locked doors and looking at drawn blinds. Maybe we can all get arrested together.

And finally

No rain here for about a week so we are stuck dragging hoses to protect the flowers from the continued drought. If God can give me that much beauty for my pleasure; the least I can do is take good care of His gifts. The upside is the mowing of the four acre grass patch is less frequent as a result. See, there is a blessing in everything if you just take the time to search it out.

Brother Barry came up with an illustration I had never heard of or thought about thoroughly. If we had $86,400 deposited in an account for our exclusive use daily and were challenged to use it for the best advantage, could we do it? Understand that at the end of the day the account returned to zero with the unused part forfeited. As the next day began, the same amount would be there for our use.

He likened this to the opportunity we have to use the 86,400 seconds which we receive daily. Our gift from Him is here for today and begins again tomorrow. How many seconds to act in kindness? How many to call an old friend? How many to share the benefits we have received from the Lord? How many to share a testimony?

At the end of the day are we ready to account for our stewardship of that precious time? My thanks to Jack for the example of how to evaluate the gift of time the Lord has given.


In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon