Saturday, March 27, 2010

Is There a Problem Officer?

It is my prayer that none of our readers has ever uttered that idiotic question. Of course there is a problem! Can you seriously believe that he stopped you to swap recipes for apple crisp or compliment you on your taste in fuzzy dice hanging from your mirror? He already knows the location of the nearest Krispy Crème Doughnut shop and doesn't’t need your directions. Be patient, he will explain it shortly after he politely asks for your license and registration. Or worse, after he extracts you from the vehicle and places your hands on the roof of the car and asks you to spread your legs. If you take note that he has undone the retaining strap on his holster you are in deep doo-doo.

The odds are 9999 to 1 that you already know the problem and are just waiting for the first round of a judicial encounter. For all the criticisms of law-enforcement, they are extremely unlikely to make a frivolous traffic stop or interrupt a citizen pursuing his normal daily rounds just for grins.

To answer the question; the problem is you.

We’ve heard the mother—sister, brother, father, uncle, et al--who hears the judge’s sonorous sentence for murdering, in barbaric style, a house full of people exclaim in a tear filled plea, “My little Rollo wouldn’t do that.” This generally comes after two weeks of valid testimony and possibly, a confession. Regardless of his pleas, the perp knows full well who the villain is but may not admit it.

What this all boils down to is fully understanding that all too often when a person is wrong in either thought or behavior he will stubbornly insist on his own righteousness. In the above example; what family would wish to admit they spawned a sadistic killer? Why give away an easy verdict when you can scream your innocence?

One thing which I have always admired about the Catholic Church is the ordinance of requiring confession of sin. That necessity to purge the missteps of the preceding period forces a level of acknowledgment of one’s imperfection of which all are subject. To make that vocal admission to an agent of the Lord brings an important reminder of human frailty. At the heart of the issue is the penitent’s ability to recognize the truth of his personal condition. And, he must be willing and ideally, eager, to repent.

Herein is the answer to most if not all of the problems which plague our society. When confronted with the truth, rather than accept it, we are more likely to ask, “Is there a problem officer?” In quiet private moments, some introspective thought may well reveal the truths which we hold dear need re-examination. Is it possible that in that accumulation of data which we call a brain, we may have some seriously false information? Would we be willing to input other ideas and concepts which may alter our thinking? Can we finally acknowledge that 2+2 does not equal 3? Although a simplistic example, there are many who would argue into the night the truth of it. We see it done daily in our news sources, taught in our schools, and at political rallies.

As a personal and anecdotal example I submit that relief from personal addiction came only after certain truths became apparent. It became necessary for me to acknowledge to myself that I was a drunk with all the distasteful habits which accompany that affliction. It was also necessary to realize that a price had to be paid to recover and return to a normal life. In the words of the “Big Book”, “my life had become unmanageable.” That was thirty years ago and any subsequent success in my life since is directly attributable to confronting the truth and allowing God to direct my life. He does not intrude where He is not invited but willingly accepts a sinner.

So as a result I am now healthy wealthy and wise. No, actually I am now old, poor and continue to be amazingly stupid on occasion. However, the gifts I have had since are immeasurable and constantly reward me for one of the few really good decisions I have made in my life. He has returned the love of my family, provided sustenance as needed, insured a measure of forgiveness from those I injured, and returned me to a state of normalcy. To ask for more would be greedy in its epitome.

This example is not cited to be praise worthy. It is simply an example of what the affect of understanding the truth can bring. It does require that the lies must cease. Yes, we may continue to be incorrect in our conclusions or falter as a result of fallacious input. But for successful recovery from the deceits of life, we must be open to constant correction and re-evaluation of that which we assume to be facts.

Even as I type, I am one click away from an unending source of confirmation of fact which I may represent on the page. Only laziness can keep me from verifying information of which I am unsure. How many? How high? What percentage? How old? Who knew? It’s all there—not just for me—for anyone with the wit to check it out. Even the occasional typo is self-corrected or underlined making it difficult to even make an unintentional mistake. One can only ask where was this stuff when I struggled with English Comp?

In the final analysis, we are by nature frail and fallible beings but only exacerbate matters with any intentional reshaping of the facts. In the process, here’s a little bit of advice. If you wish to take the counsel offered here I recommend you find role models other than those you might see on TV, in higher education, among the political classes, or just about anywhere where money is changing hands. If you know people that you suspect or actually know have been beaten by life and made the turn around successfully, check them out. A lot of crazy uncles qualify under that definition. I personally prefer the advice of a man who rolls the thought on his tongue before speaking over the ready retort artist.

Most important, never, never, never be tempted to lie to yourself. We have the capacity to be our own best friend or also, our worst enemy. We are penalized by that deception. Don’t fall for the political correctness and misrepresent your condition. Learn to be comfortable with who you are and drop any false pretense. You will find folks pleasantly surprised by your honesty. You might even become the role model they were looking for.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Friday, March 26, 2010

Piled Higher and Deeper

With a complicit main stream media, the Democrat Party is playing their imagined threats to themselves and others to the hilt. Yesterday, (scroll down) we discussed Maurice Schwenkler and the Denver incident which was the doings of those firmly aligned with the Socialist (aka: Democrat) party and their continuing false accusations, innuendo, and shameful pleas for the bad guys (Republicans, Tea Partiers, conservatives, et al.) to stop that which they have not done.

This is political posturing in its finest hour. I am certain that Kenneth Gladney is relieved to know that his pain and suffering was caused, not by SEIU thugs, but by those in the Tea Party movement. In a sick way, they are right. Absent the protest of genuine Americans to on rushing control and cancellation of our God given rights, Mr. Gladney would probably not have been present. As it actually happened, he was assaulted and video tape exists which confirm not only the attack but the perpetrators identity. Further inquiry revealed that they were indeed; SEIU operatives and they were the ones who, as a gang, beat Mr. Gladney.

Perhaps the most amusing story to come out of this fictional tale of right-wing violence is from Cincinnati. The report was circulated that Rep. Driehaus’s (D-OH) office suffered a broken window from an attack on Sunday. His office is on the 30th (!!!) floor of a downtown skyscraper. I hope they catch the perpetrator because there is a major league contract waiting for anyone who can throw anything a vertical distance in excess of the length of a football field with that kind of force and accuracy.

It is all reminiscent of a first cousin who was about a year younger than I who had mastered the art of lying to assign blame for every one of our boyhood pranks on me. Being younger and smaller was an advantage he parlayed with the adults and it prevented me from settling the issue out behind the hen-house. I had been taught—rightly—that I should not take advantage of those weaker than I. As an adult, he became a Democrat, and not surprisingly—a bank president.

Each time I read or hear a liberal source, with his emotional dial set at 9+, complain of the impending doom as a result of right-wing protesters and the rest of us “angry mobsters,” I return to the memories of my sub teen youth. This must be a recent realization on their part inasmuch there was little complaint when George Bush was the object of threat and derision. On the contrary, the thought of Bush hung in effigy, the target of thrown shoes, or Hitler comparisons simply brought joy to their hearts and warm feeling down deep inside.

The comparisons to my juvenile tormentor serve as a painful reminder to pray for the return of the adults to our nation’s capital and especially its capitol. “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” I Corinthians 13:11 KJV

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Maurice Schwenkler Rides Again

Would someone please tell the Democrats to freshen up their playbook? The accusations currently being hurled by the DNC of threats, harassment, vandalism, spitting, and racial epithets in response to the recently socialized medicine bill are reminiscent of Denver in August of ’09. We do remember Maurice Schwenkler and the “attack” on the Denver Democrat headquarters don’t we?

As a reminder, Maurice, (May I call you Maurice?) during the run up to the election saw an opportunity to bring public shame to the detractors of Obama. He rode his bike downtown to the location (West 8th & Santa Fe) and with a shirt pulled over his head, proceeded to break 11 windows in the office. After $11,000 worth of damage had been inflicted he attempted to leave the scene of the crime. An alert Denver cop observed the infraction at 2:20 am and gave chase, easily catching the felon.  Here's the original story in the Denver Post

He was charged with felony mischief and later fined $5000, given one year probation and probably told: “to straighten up.” Subsequently we discovered that Maurice, aged 25, had compiled a significant history with strong ties to the Democrat Party. It would also include an arrest in Minneapolis and a charge of disturbing the peace at the Republican convention there. It was a terrible disappointment to the DNC who were confident that they had a right-wing kook and not a loyal and faithful transvestite party member. (ED. This is not a gratuitous slur.)

Given his former association with the SEIU and prior violent history, one might be tempted to think that the Democrats jumped the gun here in a fit of anxious anticipation.

In the aftermath of passing the most onerous legislation in memory, the socialized medicine debacle, the DNC is not content to enjoy a tenuous victory. It is their obvious desire to discredit their detractors as well. Unfortunately for the Jackass Party, the ubiquitous video cameras have put the lie to  to their accusations of racial comments by Tea Party activists. No absolute credentials are required among protesters so infiltration by either side is not only possible but highly likely. The event served little purpose other than to exacerbate the discourse and further damage any cooperative efforts which they might seek.

It is entirely possible that sooner or later, some less restrained and sober liberty loving right-winger may snap and actually inflict some damage. Our prayer is that our differences many be worked out peaceably. This becomes more difficult to anticipate when the other side insists upon tarring every utterance and action with the brush of accusations of racism and trumped up reports of violence.

As we observed in the case of Maurice, the truth placed the responsibility where it belonged: at the feet of the Democrat Party. Deal with it!

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

“When in the Course of Human Events, …..”

Well now, that certainly has a familiar ring to it—unlike the cracked bell which was rung July 8th, 1776 to alert the citizens of Philadelphia to the rest of the document.

Listening to the tales of coercion, earmarks, job offerings, cash exemptions, and short hops on Air Force I to gather the votes for passage of socialized medicine, one’s mind does return to that famous document. It goes on:

“.. it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Law of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.”

And on it goes. The Declaration of Independence outlines the grievances and the remedies proposed. The primary feature in all that verbiage is fairly simple: We are sick to death of you and your tyrannical behavior and we are going to opt out. We don’t want to play with you any more so, go home. And; take your Hessians with you.

That was the mood of the vast majority of the American people back in the late eighteenth century and it closely mirrors the attitudes so prevalent today. Succession legislation in state house across the country and sharpening of the conservative legal minds to thwart the obvious usurpation of our ideals has become commonplace. The recent passage of socialized medicine is simply the icing on the cake. To believe that that issue is an end point is to display hopeless naiveté. It is rather just one more step in the bankrupting of the nation leading to its ultimate downfall.

Grab your copy of the Declaration and read it carefully. Savor the words to understand the intent. The founders carefully outlined their grievances which they had presented to the crown and which were ignored. As you review that document, question whether it has pertinence to today’s situation. How much of it could legitimately be presented to the cabal in Washington? Keep in mind that we had been in a state of open warfare with the British for over fourteen months when the document was presented. Many had already paid the ultimate price for hard won liberty.

There is a point when realism must necessarily overtake fantasy and the body politic must see America as it is today, in the cold light of rapidly accelerating demise. Although rarely stated as such, the battles at Lexington and Concord were an attempt to thwart gun control. The purpose of that march from Boston was to seize arms stored near Concord. The Colonials had a store house of cannon, ammunition, powder and small arms for their eventual use in the defense of vanishing liberty. These basic tools of insurrection were recognized by the oppressors as an impediment to their continued tyranny. The vigor of the defense of these supplies was a major factor in the selfless acts of courage displayed so readily by the citizen militia.

The time has come to recognize the shared emotions and lifetime aims we all have with those noble heroes. We must clearly distinguish between the stated objectives presented in our Constitution and the ignoble goals of our current leadership. We are not that far removed from those events. Personally, I have been an eyewitness to nearly one third of the life of this nation. One of my early role models, my paternal grandfather was born a scant ninety years after the presentation of the Declaration of Independence. Sadly, the period I have seen has been one rife with the degradation of our founding documents and the subsequent movement to Marxism.

We must acknowledge that America is under assault as surely as the seventy odd patriots on the green at Lexington. Just as Jonas Parker, on that fateful day (4/19/75), disobeyed the order to retreat and met his death in the first fusillade, we must be prepared to retain the greatest of all gifts; our liberty. Countless men since have followed his lead and fought with the vigor, born of desperation, which he displayed to preserve that cherished ideal.

The only remaining question then is; how will you respond to freedom’s call. Are we willing to rise to the defense of the greatest gift which God has ever presented to a people? Liberty comes with a serious price and will require sacrifice beyond comprehension. We must accustom ourselves to this fact and prepare for its defense.

Freedom isn’t “free!”

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Cross posted at Conservative Firestorm

Man’s Best Friend and Trust

  
For those with beloved pets, this picture will raise all sorts of individual emotions and responses. For me, it was a surety that the soldier and his dog had achieved an astonishing level of mutual trust and affection. I am extremely proud of both of them for their duty and shared respect in getting the job done. Take a look.


I can’t imagine what would provoke me to jump out of a perfectly good airplane in the first place. Regardless of the outcome, he couldn’t be in better company. These two are making this jump over Afghanistan but we are not informed of their purpose or eventual mission. A big hat tip to Knowledge is Power for the picture.

I have been privileged for my lengthy years to have had many similar sized companions to share my adventures. Each provokes a warm recollection of their nobility. My current best buddy, Maggie, (a Rottweiler/red bone hound mix) was a “walk-on” about three years ago to replace my beloved yellow Lab, Ashley. It would appear that God does not want me to be “dog-less.”

This is Maggie and this renegade is GUS lurking under the sofa. He barks and she bites which I view as a fair division of labor. At 65 and 14pounds respectively they are a handful and the kind of pals who keep an old man young.

Again, congratulations to the young man and his dog who spend their time in the defense of liberty for all of us.


In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Monday, March 22, 2010

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