Dear Ones,

I thought that you might like to see a shot of Jan and some of her closest buddies. She's showing off the new laptop we just bought. As you can see, they are all pretty impressed.

Be assured that I will do every thing in my power to learn how to use the thing and adjust to Vista Home Premium. I have to hurry because I am entitled to upgrade to Windows 7 when it comes out this fall so I have the opportunity to relearn everything one more time. Everybody and his brother on the net had notified me that I was operating an antique system (Windows 98) and they would no longer support it. Heck, it was only ten years old.

As a consequence of the purchase, we now have 1600% more random access memory, 540% more hard drive, an Intel Core 2 Duo T6500 processor and a gazillion more things I don’t understand. We are still saddled with “Wild Blue” for our satellite service which is fine if the wind doesn’t blow, the rain doesn’t fall, the snow doesn’t drift, the birds don’t alight in the vicinity and you can tolerate a download speed of 100 kps. The wonder of it is that it only cost about a 3rd of the one it replaced.. What do you think? Can I outlive the usefulness of this one too?

The toughest part of finding the right unit is locating one which is not geared for games, music, and endless video. By foregoing those questionable uses, the price really comes down. I have been assured that the nine cell battery will hold a charge for 7 hours and that the carrying case is bullet proof. Since I plan to take it to DC in September, that may come in handy..

If any one is curious, it is a Toshiba Satellite A505-S6960 which, as near as I can tell, is only available at Best Buy. A geek in Monett dumped the entire contents of the old one into the new unit in under two hours. It’s really weird to see all my old mistakes still remain. At least he didn’t charge extra for the opinionated writing in the “documents” he transferred. Seriously, I am grateful that the guy took the time to learn what he has and did a job which I had no possibility of accomplishing. I will admit, however, I was insulted that he transferred in two hours that which it took me ten years to accumulate.

One further drawback is the onboard satellite set-up. I am informed that if I go to Starbucks or Barnes and Noble and buy a cup of their lousy coffee and a stale muffin I may avail myself of their WI FI for no charge. I surely hope they don’t check my politics in advance.

Anyway, I managed to get this written so maybe it will not be the daunting learning experience I predicted. In the change over, it is possible I may not miss a lick. Please pray for my patience. It’s been wearing pretty thin today.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon


P.S. In the interest of reinforcing to you the mutual respect and high esteem in which we hold one another, I have included a photo of Cec with his new laptop. I think it captures the essence of the dear man:

Love,

Granny

Honduras on Fire

First, a disclaimer; I have no personal and hands-on knowledge of the current problems in Honduras. Like you, I read reports in the news, listen to our president, and try to gain intelligence by reading between the lines and using common sense. To balance my input I have the advantage of personal friendship with missionaries who have spent many years in the country, have come to love the people and understand the local political scene. As a result, there a few things which should be made clear.

Most mainstream media reports include the word “coup.” There is no coup. The lawful government in accordance with their constitution ousted the president for an unlawful act. Their presidency is constitutionally mandated to serve only one term for reasons which should be apparent to anyone who has followed even slightly the politics of the region. The Latin American tendency is for their chief executives, once in office, to alter the governing style to a Marxist dictatorship through gradual usurpation and control afforded by continuous “fake” elections. Since the constitution of Honduras specifically prevents this, any attempt at circumvention is seen as an illegal activity. If general elections this fall did not occur; then, and only then, would the word “coup” be appropriate. For confirmation of this condition refer to Castro, Chavez, et al..

To appease his despotically inclined masters, our president has lined up in support of the one who is in violation of local legal canon. Whether by projection, lack of knowledge of Honduran law, or sheer animas for the Honduran people he has laid protest to their entirely legal recourses. Today’s news reveals he claims the allegiance of about fifteen others in our congress to support him. Those persons remain un-named for good reason. To identify them would serve only to increase the mounting town hall protests for meddling in the business of other sovereign nations. Even though this is just a “side bar” in the daily news, it is strongly indicative of the position the president has taken on the rights of otherwise free peoples.

The Honduran government and the people of that country deserve better at the hands of the United States. There is absolutely no justification for our executive and his cronies to intrude into the internal affairs of this beautiful country. The Honduran’s understanding of liberty is exceptional among their neighbors and should be encouraged. The illegals, who flee to the United States, are from the countries with shaky oppressive regimes who seek freedom from the oppression which our president has espoused. This is just one more outrage to add to the mounting, steaming pile.


In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

I’m from the government and I’m here to help…

In a spirit of good humor, Frank J. at IMAO offers his take on government run enterprises: (Note: Clicking on the link may expose you to coarse language and adult situations.)

“But, there are some of you, I’m sure, who aren’t yet convinced. So, as a loyal American (who doesn’t want to be flagged), I present other reasons to let the government run health care. Here are things that will present excellent examples of how government-run organizations (regardless of the level of government) operate:

Amtrak
The quality of public schools
The NEA funding of porn
The DMV
Oil for Food
Paying farmers to not grow crops
Student visas
The TSA
FEMA
The IRS”
We at Zion Beckons realize that furnishing the names of all the efficient agencies in Washington is a Herculean job so we have decided to add some of our own.

Cash for Clunkers
EPA
USPS
The VA
DHS
The 42 & counting czars
And last but not least. The Department of Energy who has maintained a policy of NOT allowing new nuclear generation of power, NOT allowing complete exploitation of oil exploration and drilling, NOT using fabulous amounts of natural gas, NOT supporting a domestic coal industry, and moving our solution to energy needs to intermittent windmill generation and flashlights you shake to generate the power for LED bulbs.

All together now, let’s sing one more chorus of” “The country’s in the very best of hands….” While you may find some of the above entries amusing, it is a tragic situation. I have seen pictures of famous body builders who in their advancing age and ebbing ambition have let their buff physiques go down hill and were left with sagging skin and a generally cadaverous appearance. I have always been saddened to see their former fitness gone to seed. I am even more saddened to see a robust, courageous nation sapped of its financial strength and losing the vigor to regain its youthful outlook and the energy which built it.

As a nation, we can no longer allow the republic to fall victim to sloth, laziness, and the ennui which apparently permeates our society. It is time to say, enough! We must stand strong as individuals and fight for those values which built the greatest nation on the face of the earth. Be it in a town-hall meeting, on a street corner, in the barber shop or from a podium at a rally, the awful truths must be addressed in no uncertain terms. We cannot wait for the guy next door to speak up. Your preacher won’t intercede for you. Obviously your representatives are out of touch with your needs. Forget party labels: we are Americans and deserve to have the country we grew up in back.

Cloistered in their own little universe, our politicians have little genuine contact with their constituents. Please notice how surprised they are to find screaming grannies and aging vets stomping and ranting for equality, justice and their God given rights. Past the “deer in the headlights” look that they almost universally wear is the amazement that you, yes you, have a concept of the crimes they wage against the populace.

I do not, under any circumstances, recommend violent response. I abhor the thought that it may someday break out. I do realize also that incidents of physical response—on both sides—are on the increase. When people are ignored, shunned, put down, and subjected to condescension, they often become irrationally physical in their response. It is part of their primal nature to fight back by the most natural means available. When reason fails, they resort to fists. When fist fail they resort to clubs. When clubs fail…. You can easily see where this leads. Ed.: Please note: Granny with a Pitchfork—that would be me.

Pursuing a personal agenda is not leadership. Barring leadership at the top of our government and substituting gasoline to quench the fires of discontent does little to still the angst present in much of the citizenry. I am sorely afraid that the interval until the next election allows far too much time to achieve a prompt democratic solution to the problem. To avoid a conflict of ideas is impossible but it is our responsibility as the “sane ones” to keep it just that—sane. It behooves us not to rise to the bait offered by agitators. It is also necessary to become equipped by self-education on the issues to reasonably argue our positions. Oppressive government is deathly afraid of an informed citizenry. Look carefully at the dozens of recent You-Tube offerings of town hall meetings if you doubt it.

As the risks increase, we continue to encourage you to participate. If you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem. Please investigate every opportunity to make your presence felt and your voice heard. And this time, please remember to pray in advance and not wait “until all else fails.”


In His abiding love,


Cecil Moon

Let’s Get it Straight

About the only real benefit of getting old is that you don’t have to study history because you have lived it. I have lived it since 1932 and John Dingell (D-MI) has done so since 1928. Not only were we both aware of the events of 1964 as adult men but he was a member of congress from Michigan’s 15th district and had been since 1955. When his father, John, Sr. died he was appointed to the open seat.

In an interview on XM radio yesterday morning with Ed Schultz he said the current protests against the health care issue reminded him of the protests to the Civil Right Act in the sixties. He compared the current protestors to the KKK and white supremacists.

He should know. He was one of those in the party which led those protests. The persons who mounted the strongest attacks against the Civil Rights initiative were members of the Democrat party. If anyone was in league with the KKK and white supremacists then, it would have been the very persons who now identify opposition against health care in the hands of the government as Nazis and “a mob.”

Few will object to this mis-characterization of actual facts at the time because with the condition of our school system—a government controlled enterprise—history, if taught at all, has been cleansed of adverse reportage of actual facts which cast a detrimental light on anything with a liberal bent. Lacking conservative Republican support in both chambers of the congress, the Civil Rights Act would have died aborning. Does 54 years in the House of Representatives give a man the right to participate in an outright lie?

For those who were absent the day they discussed civil rights legislation in history class, asleep, or badly mis-informed, here is a brief summary of some of the congressional figures who were the principal players. Howard W. Smith (D-VA) was chairman of House Rules Committee who blocked the pending legislation for consideration by the body. Sen. James Eastland (D-MS) was chairman of the Judiciary Committee who blocked forwarding of the bill. Richard Russell (D-GA) led the initial filibuster of the legislation. Robert Byrd (D-WV), yes, the same one who is an admitted ex-Klansman, mounted a Senate filibuster for 14 hours and 13 minutes. Although not directly involved in the legislative blocking, do you remember the name Gov. Orville Faubus (D-AL)? Since when did either the word conservative or Republican start with the letter "D"?

Prior to this date the Congressional Quarterly reported: "Although the Democratic-controlled Congress watered them down, the Administration's (ED: Dwight David Eisenhower “R”) recommendations resulted in significant and effective civil rights legislation in both 1957 and 1960 - the first civil rights statutes to be passed in more than 80 years" ("The Republican Party 1960 Civil Rights Platform," May 1964). It reported on April 5, 1963 that, " A group of eight Republican senators in March joined in introducing a series of 12 civil rights bills that would implement many of the recommendations made in the Civil Rights Commission report of 1961." This is a non-partisan document reporting the actual history of part of the civil rights movement.

When the bill finally struggled to the floor of both houses, we have the following quote: “The Congressional Quarterly of June 26, 1964 (p. 1323) recorded that, in the Senate, only 69% of Democrats (46 for, 21 against) voted for the Civil Rights Act as compared to 82% of Republicans (27 for, 6 against). All southern Democratic senators voted against the Act. This includes the current senator from West Virginia and former KKK member Robert C. Byrd and former Tennessee senator Al Gore, Sr. (the father of Bill Bradley's Democratic opponent). Surely young Bradley must have flunked his internship because ostensibly he did not learn that the Act's primary opposition came from the southern Democrats' 74-day filibuster.” (Emphasis added)

Leading up to the introduction and subsequent passage of the legislation here are a few extracts from witnesses before the committee—from the Congressional Quarterly, 1963: 344-46:

Rep. Joe D. Waggonner Jr. (D-LA) said "without apology" that he believed "it is neither illegal nor immoral to prefer the peaceful and orderly separation of the races, without discrimination or rancor of any kind," and said "pure equality is Communism."

Rep. Albert W. Watson (D-SC) said "The racial problem is preeminently a Southern problem; in the South it can only be solved by Southern people, both white and Negro. Legislation by an only slightly familiar Federal Government can only inflame an already very difficult situation."

Lt. Gov. C.C. Aycock (D-LA) said the proposed bills "ignore the civil rights and civil liberties of homeowners, businessmen, professional men, and all persons other than the minorities who are sought to be protected…. The central government just does not have the constitutional authority to dictate to the individual citizen the persons with whom he must associate or the manner in which he must use his property, or what individuals he can or cannot serve in his place of business."

It is often told to children that they should “respect” their elders. I disagree! Respect is not granted, awarded, conferred, entitled nor should it be purchased. It is only valid when it is earned. To fabricate from whole cloth a myth of an anti-civil rights culture as you and your cronies in the Democrat party have done to the Republican party in the face of your bigotry and trampling of the right of other races is unconscionable. In the current mess we face, shame is common sir, but, you have earned it.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon




(Much of the research for this post is taken from R.D. Davis’ 1999 post on the Project 21 website.)

Continuing: Truth about health care

You were teased in the rant with ten references to the Health Care Bill in the “Rant 104.” Here follow twenty more references to the bill which further demonstrate the lies offered by its supporters.

PG 85 Line 7 – Specifics for Benefit Levels for Plans = The Govt will ration your Healthcare

PG 91 Lines 4-7 – Govt mandates “linguistic appropriate services.” Translation: for illegal aliens

Pg 95 Lines 8-18 – The Govt will use groups (i.e., ACORN & Americorps) to sign up individuals for Govt plan

PG 85 Line 7 – Specifics of Benefit Levels for Plans. (#AARP members – your care will be rationed)

PG 102 Lines 12-18 – Medicaid Eligible Individuals will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. No choice.

pg 124 lines 24-25 – No company can sue GOVT on price fixing. No “judicial review” against Govt Monopoly

pg 127 Lines 1-16 – Doctors/ #AMA – The Govt will set compensation for you

Pg 145 Line 15-17 – An Employer must automatically enroll employees into Govt plan

Pg 126 Lines 22-25 – Employers must pay for health care for part time employees AND their families.

Pg 149 Lines 16-24 – Any Employer with a payroll of 400k & above who does not provide public option pays an 8% tax on all payroll

pg 150 Lines 9-13 – Any employer with a payroll between 251k & 400k who doesn’t provide public option pays a 2-6% tax on all payroll

Pg 167 Lines 18-23 – Any individual who doesn’t have acceptable Health Care according to the Govt will be taxed 2.5% of income

Pg 170 Lines 1-3 – Any nonresident Alien is exempt from individual taxes. (Americans will pay)

Pg 195 – Officers & employees of Health Care Administration of Govt will have access to all Americans financial and personal records

PG 203 Line 14-15 – “The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax” Yes, it says that

Pg 239 Line 14-24 – Govt will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors, low income, poor affected

Pg 241 Line 6-8 – Doctors, doesn’t matter what specialty you have, you’ll all be paid the same

PG 253 Line 10-18 – Govt sets value of Doctor’s time, professional judgment, etc.

PG 265 Sec 1131- Govt mandates & controls productivity for private Health Care industries

PG 268 Sec 1141 – Govt regulates rental & purchase of power driven wheelchairs

Look for about twenty more detailed issues from the same bill tomorrow. As bad comedians say: “we’ve got a million of ‘em.”

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Monday Morning Rant 104

A very interesting service was observed at Fellowship Baptist on Sunday morning. Lee Parsons, the pastor, obviously bedeviled by the current administration, trod dangerously close to the line which separates church and state. The forces which urged him so close to the barrier were certainly not of his origin. In my opinion, he is indeed, a holy man. His primary concerns are not of this world but rather focused on the hereafter. He clearly senses the danger to America and especially the efficacy of faith in our nation, as under attack.. He is sincere and a man, who, I believe, would never intentionally distort the truth. He offered some sobering thoughts with the usual solution—God Almighty. As usual, I was in near universal agreement.

A Bitter Pill

It is rapidly becoming a reality that the White House’s favorite tactic of massive frontal assault to get dubious legislation passed is becoming far less effective. They “crashed” the house with the Cap & Trade bill with all the warning of a fall down the basement stairs. We were suddenly involved in this travesty of a bill which none had read, few understood and even fewer even wanted. The collective we is used here to describe the population, not the lawmakers in the house—although, they didn’t/couldn’t read it either. The Representatives in the House followed the lead of their master in the White House and since they have an effective majority, passed it on a nearly perfect partisan split. By illustration of this dubious tactic, it is possible that passage in the Senate may become more difficult.

To forestall the predictable repeat of a successful strategy, the voters arose, enmasse, to publicly and very vocally object to the pending health care bill. It is yet another behemoth of a thousand pages which would centralize all health care within the control of the government. Even casual reading of the bill reveals that direction as its primary goal. In answer, our representatives will have to rely upon the American people to raise the primary arguments and protest to defeat this vile piece of federal takeover of a private choice.

In the process, the conservative effort to defeat this legislation through popular objection has been labeled as Nazi, mobocracy, strong-arm, racist and other demeaning, derogatory, and completely inappropriate terms. To counter the protest, the supporters of the health care bill are enlisting paid goons, union members, and anyone else who will “play for pay” to front their cause. Amidst accusations of being a functionary for the “insurance industry” or “paid by other vested interests” the detractors of the health care plan are actually citizens of a very normal stripe. All they really have on their mind is getting an extremely invasive government out of their lives. Of the dozens of folks I have met at rallies, tea parties, visits to politicians headquarters and parades: I have yet to meet one—1!—who has received one thin dime to participate. They pay for their own expenses. They buy the gas, make their own signs, buy their own lunch and stand in the sun or rain and voice their own personal opinions. They exercise their rights under the First Amendment.

So far, I can firmly document only one victim of thuggish physical tactics from the leftists. Kenneth Gladney was attacked by three SEIU members while vending “Don’t Tread on Me” flags outside an event in Missouri. Mr. Gladney reported that his oppressors were white men wearing SEIU t-shirts who expressed racial threats in addition to the attack. Mr. Gladney was hospitalized and has sought legal counsel to pursue charges of assault and hate crimes consistent with the racial epithets.

Want some truth?

Forget the lies Obama is spreading. This was lifted from Giovanni’s World and covers one man’s effort to read the bill and find the truth. This will be a continuing feature every day until it all printed. This runs to several pages but needs to be considered one feature at a time to gain the full impact of the duplicity is fully exposed.

Here’s the truth…Part One

Pg 22 of the Health Care Bill mandates that the Govt will audit the books of all employers that self insure

Pg 30 Sec 123 of HC bill – Establishes a Govt committee that decides what treatments/benefits you get

Pg 29 lines 4-16 – Rationing of health care

Pg 42 – The Health Choices Commissioner will choose your benefits for you. You have no choice

PG 50 Section 152 – Health Care will be provided to all non US citizens, illegal or otherwise

Pg 58 – Govt will have real-time access to individuals’ finances & a National ID Healthcard will be issued

Pg 59 lines 21-24 – Govt will have direct access to your bank accounts for elective funds transfer

PG 65 Sec 164 – This is a payoff subsidized plan for retirees and their families in community orgs (ACORN).

Pg 72 Lines 8-14 – Govt is creating an Health Care Exchange to bring private plans under Govt control.

PG 84 Sec 203 – Govt mandates all benefit pkgs for private plans be in the Govt health care exchange

We will have the rest of this during the next few days. Take the time to absorb the full impact as you pile one detail on top of the next. It’s pretty scary.

And finally

The country’s in the very best of hands. Here in the peace and quiet of the Ozarks it is hard to believe that this country is approaching the crossroads so rapidly. I mowed the front two acres yesterday and my greatest concerns were avoiding rocks and making clean corners. As I proceeded, I was constantly amazed at my good fortune in having this idyllic spot to care for God’s gifts.

1 pm update: We are being delayed this morning in posting the “Rant.” So far, the rain, thunder, lightening and wind have produced over a half inch in the rain gauge and two dogs under the bed. Our apologies for the late posting but it is an inescapable reality when one’s ISP is satellite. We are just too deep in the woods to avail ourselves of the modern facilities. We are thankful to even have the wireless connection.

2 pm update: The gauge now shows .8 and has turned to a steady rain. We still have thunder and the dogs remain in their safe place.

3pm update: We now have 1.1 inches and the sun is peeking through. I’ll give it a try to get this posted. Wish me luck.

This is a reminder of the upcoming event in Washington, D.C. on the 10, 11, and 12 of September. I would certainly be overjoyed to see you there. Please give it some thought. Also check on neighboring events if you can’t swing the trip to D.C. As has been pointed out previously, we need huge numbers to make this a success. These politicians are not geniuses and it takes a very large club to get their attention. Come on—the more the merrier.


In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon