Monday Morning Rant 138

Our local Weather Underground forecast was for ice pellets and snow with little or no accumulation for the weekend. I took Granny to work at 2:30 pm Saturday because she’s still a little skittish about driving on icy roads. By the time I went to pick her up, the “little” snow was over 5” and still falling. I was the second car through until I got to town. At 32º, the snow is largely slightly frozen water and a shovel full is about all I want to handle.

The snow has encouraged a solid fraternity among the birds. They are lined up upon the deck railing alternating species (cardinal, dove, junco, finch, etc.) waiting for an orderly opportunity to hit the feeder. Every once in a while, one will notice the cat staring hungrily out the window and flee but that is about the only thing which causes flight. They even tolerate me opening the door on occasion. They are a joy to watch.

It Passed – What Now?

Nancy Pelosi wrecked our Sunday even more than the calls that church had been cancelled. The house passed the Senate version of the bill and now the fun continues. Apparently Bart Stupak and the gang don’t feel quite as strongly about the abortion language as he previously maintained. I’m not real sure I could sleep well with that many dead babies on my conscience. But, hey: he got a ton of airport maintenance out of the deal.

While the Democrats rejoice over their slight of hand, payoffs, pork promises, Cornhusker kickbacks, bribes, threats, coercion, and outright bullying, there is yet much for conservatives to be joyful about. First, it is now unnecessary to vaguely describe that bunch for what they are—they have proven the point. By lining up squarely on the side of socialism, they remove all doubt from the undecided or naïve observers of the political scene. It is no longer theoretical; it is a fact that they are anxious to destroy the United States of America.

We need to look at the Naval Marshal General of Japan, Isoroku Yamamoto, to whom this quote is attributed: “I fear that all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.” He allegedly said this in the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. He, of all people in the Japanese high command would have learned this from his experience gained at our War College and his years at Harvard. The war was eventually won by those millions of Americans who were willing to sacrifice their all to see matters to a successful conclusion.

Most citizens of a conservative bent realize that the socialization of medical services is also an outright assault on American values and our way of life. I do not believe that Obama, Reid, and Pelosi have the wit to realize the wrath which they have created in the American people by these actions. That is true because they show no awareness of the recent critical election results events in New Jersey, Virginia, and Massachusetts. Those election upsets occurred before they actually moved to formalize their advancement of an enlarged government. They are also willing to ignore nearly every pollster who reports the distaste which the electorate has for the proposal.

Those who are fighting vigorously against these actions are benefiting from the exposure and folks are learning new names of otherwise little known solons and legislators. We are gradually becoming familiar with a new set of patriots coming from our congress. The names Paul Ryan R-WI, McConnell R-KY, Pawlenty of Minnesota are just a few who come to mind. There are others who will soon become household names as we the people seek to become acquainted with the Adams, Paines, Madisons, and Jeffersons of our day. There are more than a few genuine patriots in the conservative opposition and they deserve a hearing. We have all had a fine opportunity to recognize duplicity in a politician by now.

The passage of the bill has done more for the revitalization of conservatism than any number of Tea Parties, stump speeches, mailers, political rants, right wing blogs, posters, and parades could ever accomplish. Every day, more and more people refer to the US Constitution in blog comments and submit it as evidence of wrong doing on the part of our federal legislature. I am convinced that the civic education which the citizenry seek on their own is vastly better than that which they would ever receive in a classroom. It has suddenly taken on an entire new importance. Further, they are coming to recognize a scam on the part of congress far more readily.

From this point, henceforth, every representative and senator will have to prove his worth, regardless of party, plus his dedication to the constitution. More people will actually listen to what he says rather than make a judgment based on his personality. Great hair and a clean pressed suit are only props—ideas matter. If your guy can’t explain what he is doing, he is the wrong guy. He should be able to make the least politically literate understand what he proposes.

If any single factor in the lead up to this travesty deserves high praise, it would be that new/old function in America—the Tea Party. Lacking top-down leadership and any unified direction other than the U.S. Constitution, this newly rediscovered factor in American life has proven a definitive force. This effort represents one of the few times in our history where a huge block of the electorate has bonded on a single cause and pressed to be heard. Those who don’t wish to be troubled by citizen patriots avoid them at their peril. We (and I say that bursting with pride) are of a mind, bursting with faith in our country and our God, and eager to defeat those whom we see as enemies of the state. We do not seek a memorial bridge, a framed certificate, or a statuette; we want our country back. We collectively wish no other reward than liberty.

The Democrats will claim a huge victory and then denigrate those who oppose them. That is just the way they do business. But, “it aint over until the fat lady sings,” and you will be able to catch that act in early November.

And finally

An old (I’ve known her for sixty plus years) dear friend of mine in Cedar Falls, Iowa sent me this joke. Knowing her well, I’m certain that she and her husband haven’t come down from UNI’s victory over Kansas in the annual March Madness tourney. Today of all days, I find it most appropriate.

“In Washington, D. C, an old priest lay dying in the hospital. For years he had faithfully served the people of the nation’s capital. He motioned for the nurse to come near.

“Yes Father?” said the nurse.

“I would really like to see President Obama and Speaker Pelosi before I die,” whispered the priest.

“I’ll see what I can do, Father,“ replied the nurse.

The nurse sent the request to the President and Congress and waited for a response. Soon the word arrived: President Obama and Nancy Pelosi would be delighted to visit the priest.

As they went to the hospital, Obama commented to Pelosi, “I don’t know why the old priest wants to see us, but it will certainly help our images and might even get me re-elected. After all, I’m in it to win."

Pelosi agreed that it was a good thing.

When they arrived at the priest’s room, the priest took Obama’s hand in his right hand and Pelosi’s hand in his left hand. There was silence and look of serenity on the old priest’s face.

Finally, President Obama spoke. “Father, of all the people you could have chosen, why did you choose us to be with you as you near the end of life?”

The old priest slowly replied, “I have always tried to pattern my life after our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

“Amen”, said Obama.

“Amen”, said Pelosi.

The old priest continued, “Jesus died between two lying thieves; I would like to do the same.”

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon