<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495</id><updated>2011-09-05T05:04:53.741-07:00</updated><category term='Soros'/><category term='Muslim Sharia law'/><category term='media'/><category term='electorate'/><category term='Kennedy'/><category term='Muslim'/><category term='George W. Bush'/><category term='weight loss'/><category term='Obama/Ayers'/><category term='Oprah'/><category term='alternative fuels'/><category term='Al Gore'/><category term='Kenya'/><category term='Pickens'/><category term='peace talks'/><category term='NOAA'/><category term='unborn'/><category term='abortion laws'/><category term='Politics'/><category term='CNG'/><category term='Roe v Wade'/><category term='AGW'/><category term='Odinga'/><category term='Islamic terrorists'/><category term='Annenberg Challenge'/><category term='Ayers  Rezko  Wright'/><category term='Burris'/><category term='Marxism/Socialism'/><category term='Mumbai'/><category term='Reid'/><category term='CNN'/><category term='Blagojevich'/><category term='Mombai'/><category term='president-elect'/><category term='Obama'/><category term='Global warming'/><category term='MSNBC'/><category term='story in the Denver Post'/><category term='Wasilla Bible Church'/><category term='convicted felons'/><category term='sanctuary'/><category term='Puppet'/><category term='Fox News'/><category term='Arson'/><category term='Koranic Studies'/><category term='Clinton'/><category term='Constitution'/><category term='Demagoguery'/><title type='text'>Zion Beckons</title><subtitle type='html'>All of the entries on this site are © Cecil L. Moon or designated contributors, with the following exceptions: those which were posted by the blog's owner and editor, which are the property of Janis S. Moon, but may be posted freely elsewhere as long as they are not edited without our consent, and attribution and a link to this blog are provided.</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><link rel='next' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default?start-index=101&amp;max-results=100'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>806</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-7623768212044000250</id><published>2010-10-29T19:31:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-10-29T19:31:02.656-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Countdown</title><content type='html'>I'm&amp;nbsp;certain Cec was pretty ticked off to not be able to vote. I'd vote twice if I could. I even have his voter registration card. But please, please, please, don't become complacent and think that a conservative win on election day is automatic. Remember, some &lt;em&gt;will&lt;/em&gt; be voting twice. Or three times. The left have come up with all kinds of "October surprises" and it wouldn't surprise me if PBO arranged a terrorist attack on election eve, declared martial law and canceled the&amp;nbsp;election. And there would be our American Revolution.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;These entries will be short and far between for a while until I get my act together. My get up and go got up and took a hike. Bear with me.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;God bless you all. God bless America.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Jan&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-7623768212044000250?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/7623768212044000250/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=7623768212044000250&amp;isPopup=true' title='3 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/7623768212044000250'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/7623768212044000250'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/10/countdown.html' title='Countdown'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>3</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-1114415107174012089</id><published>2010-10-23T20:51:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-10-23T20:54:03.911-07:00</updated><title type='text'>A Son's Farewell</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;It has been twenty-two days since my husband breathed his last. It seems like years; it seems like seconds. Rather than post his obituary I decided to use his son Martin's eulogy, delivered at Cecil's memorial service at Fellowship Baptist Church in Aurora, Missouri,&amp;nbsp;on October 4th, 2010,&amp;nbsp;following the Honor Guard. Here it is in its entirety:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;"I am Cecil Moon’s son. I would like to thank my mother Marjorie and [also] Jan for their help getting the information together for this. Cecil L Moon Jr. was born in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Marshalltown&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Iowa&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; on &lt;/span&gt;&lt;date day="31" month="3" year="1932"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;March 31, 1932&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/date&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;. His parents were Cecil L. Moon, Sr. and Anna (Frank) Moon. &lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;He attended a campus school at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;placename&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Iowa&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placename&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;placetype&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;State&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placetype&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;placetype&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Teachers College&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placetype&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Cedar Falls&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Iowa&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;. In 1945, When he was thirteen he moved &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;West Liberty&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Iowa&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; with his mother.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;She taught business subjects at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;placename&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;West&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placename&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;placename&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Liberty&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placename&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;placetype&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;High School&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placetype&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;. He played on the basket ball and football teams, but his talent was really with music.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;He sang baritone solos and sang in the chorus, in addition he had parts in some of the musicals and was in the church choir. Delivering papers and working in a grocery store he saved up money for a new Conn Trumpet. &lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;He was talented trumpeter in the school band.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In his senior year of High School he won first place in both trumpet solo and baritone voice solo work.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;He was also chosen for Boys' State while in high school.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;After high school Cecil and two friends took jobs with the FBI in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Washington&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;D.C.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;He was a record's clerk and also worked in the photography lab developing film.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;When he received notice of being drafted into the service, he enlisted for a 3 year stint in the Army Security Agency.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;He trained at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Ft. Devons&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Massachusetts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; for Morse Code Intercept Operation. In 1952 before that training started he married Marjorie Wilkerson, they had attended high school together.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;They lived in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Boston&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; and he commuted to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Ft. Devons&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Mass.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;He was then sent to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Germany&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; in January 1953 and remained there until his enlistment was complete.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Marjorie joined him for two years in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Heilbronn&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;country-region&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Germany&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;He never did use the Morse code training.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;He volunteered to be a driver for officers on a part time basis and also ended up being the supply sergeant at the base.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;After returning from Germany He and Marjorie resided in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Denver&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;CO&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;. In 1956 they had their first child, Cecil Lee the Third and in 1960 had Martin Thomas. In 1962 The Family moved to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Boulder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;CO&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; where Cecil managed a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Homestead&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; house Furniture Gallery. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;The family moved to small farm in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Missouri&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; in 1965. In addition to farming 120 acres, He worked selling carpet as a manufactures representative all over the mid-west. In 1972 Cecil and Marjorie were blessed with the birth of Jennifer Cathleen. During that same time Cecil went to work for a Catalog Showroom chain called Ardan’s and sold the farm.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Cecil worked in management and helped open and establish other new stores in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Topeka&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Kansas&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; and then in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Las Vegas&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Nevada&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;. A quick study and masterful salesman, he earned an excellent reputation as a Sales Manager. Both his sons also worked for the same company.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;In 1976, Cecil and Marjorie were divorced and he started his own business. He traveled around selling Indian Jewelry and Art. Cecil operated this business for many years and opened two stores during that time called Cochise Trading Company. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;In July 1983 Dad met Jan Rames at a Blue Grass Festival, and married her a year later. Cecil and Jan moved to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Colorado Springs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;, CO where he operated his own store. In 1988 he took a job as a bus driver with Greyhound. While working for Greyhound He and Jan moved to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Wisconsin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;. During a strike on Greyhound, he left and went to work for Rite-way Bus. &lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;There he planned and drove bus tours for German tourist to the western &lt;/span&gt;&lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;United States&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;. Using some German he picked up in the Army and all of the knowledge of the west he picked up in his travels, made him a consummate tour guide, probably his favorite job. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Cecil retired 1999. &lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;He and Jan moved to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Las Vegas,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Nevada&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;, lived there for five years [and]&amp;nbsp;then they decided to move to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Midwest&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;. They found a nice place close to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Verona&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; and moved there. He worked for a Honeycreek Golf Course part time and became an avid blogger with his own site, Zion Beckons.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;So those are his resume' points, but there is much more to Cecil Moon than that.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;I will try to tell you about my Dad and what he did in his life, but what I really would like you to do is this, while you are listening to me or later on when you reflect on his this, if you knew my Dad, remember him fondly and know what I know. He had a deep and abiding faith in his Lord, a love for his family and a huge desire to preserve our great country. He was about God, Family and Country. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;He was a lot of people, a soldier, a salesman, a farmer, a mechanic, a carpenter, a painter, a salesman, a musician, a manager, an entrepreneur, an author, and for sure he was an American.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;He was a fun guy, quick to laugh and tell a joke. He was an entertainer. He could pick up his guitar and sing old country songs to crowds of people or sometimes just to his family. In a crowd he was the one laughing a little loud and enjoying those around him. My dad liked to be happy, he was not one to mope around and be depressed. Very much extroverted, he had a talent for bringing other people out of their shell. It may have been why he was such a good salesman. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;He loved travel. When he was only six years old he rode a bus all by himself to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Waterloo&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Iowa&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; to see his dad. During his teen years he had a motor bike, and that is just what it was, a bike with a motor, called a whizzer which he rode all the way to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Colorado&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Iowa&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;. He would even hitch hike, just to travel. Most of his jobs, especially the ones he liked, involved travel. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Driving was favorite. His last big trip was to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Prudhoe Bay&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Alaska&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;, which is in the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Arctic Circle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;. If you have seen the show Ice Road Truckers, that is were he went. No fear, just slapped a couple of extra spare tires on the roof, and threw a bed in the back, and off he went to dip his toes into the icy waters of the bay. He even golfed the northern most golf course in the world while he was there. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Many memories of my dad involved driving, and cars. When he was teaching me to drive, we went out on a decent, but deserted stretch of highway outside &lt;/span&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Las Vegas&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;. He told me that “since I would do it anyway, to mash the pedal and not let up until we were at a hundred!” We were in a 1968 Buick Rivera, with a four hundred and thirty cubic inch V-8. I stepped on the pedal and off we went. When we got to a hundred he coached me on how to handle the car. First he asked me if it felt like the front end was floating, I said it did. He told me, 'that’s because so much air is going under the car, the front end is floating and the tires don’t have as much contact.' He told me not to make any quick steering changes and that if we had a blow out, we would die. Then he asked if I had enough, and I had, so he had me slow back down. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;I have lost track of how many road trips I have been on with him. Always the same, Oreos, peanut M&amp;amp;Ms, bologna, Coke, diners for dinner, gas up and get going. If you knew my dad you know we aren’t making any time standing here. Funny thing though, he taught me how to read a map, but he never needed one much.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;My dad traveled in cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, ships and planes. He sailed both oceans, even drove the destroyer USS Fitzgerald. He had been to all fifty states and a few foreign countries. He could navigate his way around &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Paducah&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Kentucky&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; as easily as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Los Angeles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;. Johnny Cash had a song called “I’ve been everywhere”, Dad used to sing it and for him it was true.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Many of you probably don’t know that he was on a couple of TV game shows, he was on “Wheel of Fortune” with Chuck Wullery, for couple days and won a bunch of prizes, he and my brother were on “Block Busters” with Bill Cullen, but that time lost pretty quickly. He did stuff like that. Things we might not try, he would try. He was not one to feel constrained by convention and I think that his life reflected that. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;We could refer to him as Colonel Cecil L. Moon, because he was a Kentucky Colonel. Membership in the Kentucky Colonels can only be given by the sitting Governor of the Commonwealth. Only the Governor knows the reason for bestowing the honor of a Colonel’s Commission on any particular individual. An I must admit my dad never shared that reason with me. I can tell you this a recent Governor made this comment about the qualities he considered for membership; '&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Each time I have the pleasure of bestowing a membership to this exceptional organization on an individual, the great tradition established by Kentucky’s first governor, Isaac Shelby, lives on. The name Kentucky Colonel has become synonymous with strength of character, leadership and dedication to the welfare of others. Just as Isaac Shelby declared his trusted militia members to be his &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Kentucky&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; Colonels, I see in you those things that place others above self' &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"&gt;Sounds fitting to me.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;When Christmas came around he and Jan would go to the local Sears store and buy something to wear and a toy for every grandchild. He had a lot of grandkids. All told, he had twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren, ranging in the ages of thirty-two to one. I remember when our daughter had her second child I called dad to let him know. He asked what the “little critter’s name was”, I told him Masina. There was a pause and he asked what sort of name was that? I told him it meant Moon in Samoan, (my son in law was from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Samoa&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;), there was another pause, and then he came back and said, “well that’s very respectful, how is the mother? I know he loved his grandchildren, but the real deal is, he liked the girls more.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;You really can’t talk about my dad’s life and not mention the Green Bay Packers. I think it was some kind of virus he and Jan picked up in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Wisconsin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;. He was an avid supporter and is on the list for season tickets. My sister and I visited Jan and dad in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Wisconsin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;, and he gave us the grand tour. We went to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Oshkosh&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; to visit the airplane museum, we went to the paperweight museum (yawn), and much to my sisters consternation we went to the Koehler museum, yep the folks that make toilets, she actually loved it. The real prize for me however, was the visit to the Packer hall of fame and Lambeau field. After all of that he took us to a Brewer’s game, (who he liked almost as much as the Packers). It was a good time, and was a good glimpse of who my dad was, we drove everywhere.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Dad had just got his thirty year chip from Alcoholics Anonymous a short time ago. Actually he told me about getting the chip an hour before he died. He was proud of his affiliation with that organization. He traveled to give talks at meetings, and sponsored new members. He even had me attend a meeting one time to see what it was all about. He felt very strongly about how AA changed his life, and believed in the program.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;He defended what he believed in passionately, but always had an open mind. When I was in grade school, he was asked to play guitar and sing at the local Elks Club. His performance was enjoyed and they asked him to join. A lot of my friend’s dads were members and I thought it would be cool if he was too. When I asked him why he didn’t join his answer was straight on. He told me 'I won’t join a group that won’t allow a black man to join.' He wasn’t trying to teach me anything, although he did, and he wasn’t grandstanding, he was just holding to his beliefs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Some of you may have read his blog, Zion Beckons. If you have, you know his political stance, you know how strongly he felt and you how eloquently he could state his position. Without a doubt my father loved &lt;/span&gt;&lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;America&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;, and was an unapologetic patriot. He was a life time member of the NRA and attended the 9/12/09 Tea Party march to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Washington&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;D.C.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt; Whether you agree or disagreed with his politics, you have to admire the tenacity he showed supporting what he felt was absolutely critical to preserve what he considered good and decent about his America. &lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;He was an interesting collection of qualities that seemed somewhat incongruent. He was an eloquent speaker, but I’ve heard him cuss like a sailor. I’ve seen him crank start a John Deere “A” tractor with a breaking bar, and sell a two carat marquee diamond. He has been to Broadway plays and truck shows. He could play the classics on his trumpet and Blue Grass on his Guitar. His life had a very wide range.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;I have seen my Dad in many, many situations. The most memorable to me are ones that reflected his love and faith in God. Cecil Moon had a strong faith in God, and Christ as his Savior. He was far from perfect, trust me, but I never saw his faith waiver. He got himself in some tight spots, but I never saw his faith waiver, I saw him face horrible tragedies, but I never saw his faith waiver, and I saw him see success and good times, and his faith did not waiver. He was a sinner, he knew it, but he kept his faith in Christ always. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;This Eulogy is just an attempt to summarize a life of seventy-eight years. I told you he was a lot of people, however If you asked him he would tell you, I was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grand father, a friend to many and a child of God. That is my father’s life."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Cecil Moon is missed more than you can possibly know.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;In His amazing love&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial;"&gt;Jan&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-1114415107174012089?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/1114415107174012089/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=1114415107174012089&amp;isPopup=true' title='3 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1114415107174012089'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1114415107174012089'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/10/sons-farewell.html' title='A Son&apos;s Farewell'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>3</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-666760669131349938</id><published>2010-10-01T22:58:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-10-01T22:58:50.114-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Cecil Lee Moon 1932-2110</title><content type='html'>Dear Friends&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is with more pain in my heart than you can imagine that I must tell you of the passing of my husband Friday evening. He had a massive heart attack and the damage was too extensive to allow any kind of repair. The doctors did all that was humanly possible, but, as Cec said to me on many occasions, when the Lord was ready for him He would take him, and arguing that particular issue was rather pointless.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'll do my best to keep up&amp;nbsp;Zion Beckons because it was his passion. We must fight the good fight and take our beloved country back. The loss of one voice will mean the even louder voice of one determined granny. I'll try to put together an obituary in the next few days.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;God bless all of you and keep up the noise. I love you.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Love &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Granny&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-666760669131349938?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/666760669131349938/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=666760669131349938&amp;isPopup=true' title='5 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/666760669131349938'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/666760669131349938'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/10/cecil-lee-moon-1932-2110.html' title='Cecil Lee Moon 1932-2110'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>5</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-8276272593532235684</id><published>2010-09-28T07:31:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-28T07:31:46.089-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Whoa Nelly !!</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A word of apology in advance of fact may be necessary.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;For the next few days, I shall be involved with those who practice the medical arts.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;A kind and loving God has kept me free of such involvement for over seventy years when I had my tonsils removed as a wee child.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Your kind attention is always welcome and I regret any interruption in our lines of communication.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The details are unnecessary to relate since I have little experience in such medical matters and would probably mis-report the issues involved.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Offer prayers for the care-givers as they strive to tolerate an unlikely and stubbornly obnoxious patient.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Meanwhile—keep up the good fight as best you can and remain true to that which sustains our liberties and God given rights.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-8276272593532235684?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/8276272593532235684/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=8276272593532235684&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8276272593532235684'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8276272593532235684'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/whoa-nelly.html' title='Whoa Nelly !!'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-5920270686342472869</id><published>2010-09-27T09:18:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-27T09:36:14.170-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Monday Morning Rant 166</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;The following article is from the Washington Examiner and is a must read.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It constitutes a “clear and present” danger to the electoral process and the success of the republic as an entity.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;All due credit is given to the Tea Party group in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Texas&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt; who recognized that threat and doggedly followed up. Once the electoral process is corrupted, the nation is in dire peril.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Do not be deceived and think this is exclusive to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Texas&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Every trip we make to the local polling place should include a vigilant attitude and the courage to complain about any observed irregularities.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Read On!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 22.5pt 0in 2.25pt; mso-outline-level: 2;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Local Tea Party group may have uncovered massive vote fraud in Texas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 4;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;By: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/bios/mark-hemingway.html"&gt;&lt;span style="text-transform: uppercase;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ac0505;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mark Hemingway&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Commentary Staff Writer&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 4; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;(This comes directly from the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;Washington&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt; Examiner and is unedited.)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;date day="26" month="9" year="2010"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;09/26/10&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/date&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt; 3:35 PM EDT&lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;The &lt;i&gt;Examiner’s&lt;/i&gt; Mark Tapscott wrote about this &lt;a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/local-tea-party-group-may-have-uncovered-massive-vote-fraud-in-texas-103823128.html"&gt;&lt;span style="color: purple;"&gt;story over a week ago&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, but now &lt;a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/23/voter-fraud-houston-tea-party-truethevote-texas/"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ac0505;"&gt;Fox News is reporting on Tea Party activists in Texas uncovering vote fraud&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;When Catherine Engelbrecht and her friends sat down and started talking politics several years ago, they soon agreed that talking wasn’t enough. They wanted to do more. So when the 2008 election came around, “about 50” of her friends volunteered to work at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Houston&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;’s polling places.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;“What we saw shocked us,” she said. “There was no one checking IDs, judges would vote for people that asked for help. It was fraud, and we watched like deer in the headlights.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Their shared experience, she says, created “True the Vote,” a citizen-based grassroots organization that began collecting publicly available voting data to prove that what they saw in their day at the polls was, indeed, happening — and that it was happening everywhere.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;“It was a true Tea Party moment,” she remembers.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;True the Vote appears to have made some pretty significant discoveries, including one blockbuster revelation possibly connecting the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to vote fraud in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Houston&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Their work paid off. Two weeks ago the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;placename&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Harris&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placename&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;placename&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;County&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placename&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt; voter registrar took their work and the findings of his own investigation and handed them over to both the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Texas&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt; secretary of state’s office and the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;placename&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Harris&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placename&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;placename&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;County&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placename&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt; district attorney.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Most of the findings focused on a group called Houston Votes, a voter registration group headed by Steve Caddle, who also works for the Service Employees International Union. Among the findings were that only 1,793 of the 25,000 registrations the group submitted appeared to be valid. The other registrations included one of a woman who registered six times in the same day; registrations of non-citizens; so many applications from one Houston Voters collector in one day that it was deemed to be beyond human capability; and 1,597 registrations&amp;nbsp;that named the same person multiple times, often with different signatures.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Caddle told local newspapers that there “had been mistakes made,” and he said he had fired 30 workers for filing defective voter registration applications. He could not be reached for this article.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal;"&gt;There’s a lot more to the story at the link. It’s an inspiring example grassroots activism.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Erik Scott Shooting by &lt;city&gt;&lt;place&gt;Las Vegas&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/city&gt; Metro&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Lacking full information on this event, I have shown reluctance to make a report. If you haven’t heard of it, the basic nuts and bolts are as follows.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Erik Scott and his girlfriend were shopping at Costco in Las Vegas and in selecting an appropriate cooler were observed unwrapping some bottles to see how the fit in it.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In that process, an employee, when Scott bent over, noted that he was armed.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;He had a legal firearm, with a legal permit for concealed carry.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Nevada&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt; also has a lawful provision for open carry.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The employee then called “Metro” to inform them of the “armed man” in the store.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Although no sign or other indication of store policy was posted, the store has an internal rule disallowing customers with firearms.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Las Vegas Metro responded to the call, asked the manager to clear the store, and encountered Scott and his friend as they made their requested exit.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In the process, officers—several—gave conflicting orders to Scott and apparently felt threatened in confronting Scott who had his arms raised as requested.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In the melee which followed, Scott was shot four times in the back and once under his upraised arm.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Scott died of his wounds.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;The store was well equipped with internal cameras to substantiate any actions which take place within.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Metro also has a firm policy of recording all 911 calls to their dispatcher.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In both cases, we find that Costco’s tapes of the proceedings are suddenly unusable and Metro refuses to release a copy of the recording of the employee contact.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The latest on this tragedy is available on &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://confederateyankee.mu.nu/archives/306160.php"&gt;Confederate Yankee&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;which is following the story and the subsequent investigation very closely.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Once you become more familiar with the details, you may and will draw your own conclusions.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;As a dedicated believer in the Second Amendment, as I read this ongoing story, I find much to be suspicious of in the store policy and the police reaction.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Also the absence of corroborating evidence in the unusable tape and the missing 911 call raises red flags as to the management of what should have been an encounter with little or no danger to anyone involved.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;If you have even the least interest in firearms and their usage, you need to become familiar with this story.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;And finally---&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;As mentioned previously, the hummingbirds seem to have departed for a warmer climate.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It has become seasonably cool here so it’s easy to understand their haste.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;On the other hand, the gold finches, cardinals, etc. appear to be so attached to their daily input of seeds to not even be tempted to leave.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Some wintered straight thru last year.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Both categories will continue to be fed until I am absolutely convinced they have departed.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;I owe it to both since they are of equal joy to observe less than 10’ over the top of my keyboard.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;We have accumulated 11.35” in the rain gauge since the first of September.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;This promises a winter yard with some remaining color and perhaps an even cut before I retire the lawnmower.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The remaining question then is; how is a geezer going to get equivalent exercise to match that 20 mile plus stroll every week or so during the non-growing season?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;On second thought, I’m certain Granny will figure something out.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Meanwhile, stay well and thank God for your blessings.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-5920270686342472869?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/5920270686342472869/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=5920270686342472869&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/5920270686342472869'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/5920270686342472869'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/monday-morning-rant-166.html' title='Monday Morning Rant 166'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-3726489101842207543</id><published>2010-09-25T12:27:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-25T12:27:14.673-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Stop Lying!!</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;As a people, we in the &lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;United States&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt; have been subjected to an almost continuous series of lies for the past four years.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Obviously, the greatest of these has been the murky background of our president.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;We have become accustomed, as citizens, to an endless supply of information, easily verified, about every candidate who has ever aspired to that office.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Our former watchdogs—the press—had kept us up to date with far more information than we could absorb about every minor facet of their existence.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Even the most trivial information is obscured in mystery.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;A quick Google search will reveal that former president; Warren G. Harding wore size 14 shoes.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;His immense girth would have required proportionally large feet to support him.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;No one questions the veracity of that stated measurement.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Substituting Obama for Harding we find responses ranging from 9 ½, 12, &amp;amp; 13 ½ on the first page.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;This is not an issue of any real importance so what is the point of not having a definitive answer?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Do his feet enlarge and then shrink during each day?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Back in the rude rural community, in which I was raised, a popular expression was: “He’d lie when the truth would do better.”&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;For those who constantly extol the virtues of the president (the media and his minions) this is common practice.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It extends well past the size of his feet to discussions of domestic and foreign policy, social issues, pending legislation,&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;cap and trade, military matters, socialized medicine, taxes, the housing crisis, and unemployment.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;True to form, each is approached from a Pollyannaish perspective, with solutions and their appropriate numbers snatched from thin air.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;For example, the socialized medicine initiative is rife with examples of a program billed as being a money saver.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The OEM, responsible for reporting actual fiscal outlay, has not seen it that way.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Even the speaker of the house (I cannot bring myself to mention the name of that harridan) assured us we would have to pass it in order to read it.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Insurance companies are withdrawing from the market place in droves and doctors are retreating from Medicare practice as a result.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;These people are realistic evaluators of the fiscal aspects of their enterprise and realize that what was presented as savings is an absolute lie.&amp;nbsp; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Who in their right mind ever turned any enterprise over to the federal government as a cost cutting device?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The stimulus package was advertised as assuring the public that they would, as a result, benefit from a fixed unemployment rate of 8% or under. The reality has been 9.5% with slight variables.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Once one factors in those who have just plain given up on finding suitable employment, it is realistically estimated at 16% plus.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Those responsible, including the president, were well aware that this was a lie.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In spite of claming to reduce the deficit, we find it soaring to a level equivalent to the total achieved in our 225 year history.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Those who observed this benign and generous nation over our existence have seen us use our treasure, the lives of our youth, and our strength to protect their freedoms, secure their safety and rescue them from both manmade and natural disaster.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;How then, can the president go abroad and apologize for our country as the provoker of evil in the world.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It is little more than the furtherance of the lie.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Another earthy phrase comes to mind as we watch the rats jumping from the sinking ship which is our administration.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;“It’s enough to gag a maggot.”&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Even the hardened liberal left has recognized that association with a serial liar is a perilous path to success even in a world of liars.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Many have retreated to the warrens of academia to nurse the wounds of their proximity to Obama.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Many however, remain to further the false doctrines and twisted reportage of actual facts.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Even the media has, through dropping readership and loss of viewers, become aware of decreasing revenue streams resulting from their obvious devotion to the fully committed socialist president.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;There is now awareness on their part of the importance of self-preservation.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The sale of Newsweek for $1 is indicative of that realization.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This raises the question, then, of the biggest lie of all.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Obama is not dedicated to the greatest constitutional republic the world has ever seen.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Even though he swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the &lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;United States&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;; in so doing he ascribed to yet another lie.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Even those not really paying attention should, by now, be able to understand that his dedication is the exact opposite.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;He has done his level best to exercise the Cloward/Piven strategy to seek the destruction of the republic.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;He seeks to accomplish, by destroying our financial base, the ends which aggressors have failed to achieve by force of arms.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;We are currently being led by the most aggressive socialist ever to have sought the office.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;As we approach the second anniversary of the worst election result in the nation’s history, we need to, as a people, understand clearly our role in reversing the mistakes of the past.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;We must “man-up” and admit that we made a serious mistake.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;We must absolutely insist upon the restoration of truth from our leadership, the media, and our neighbors.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;We can no longer be comfortable listening to a continuation of a string of lies, distortion of fact, and misrepresentation.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;If you are reading this post on your computer, there is an automatic assurance that you personally have the means to fact check every word which comes from the mouth of the prevaricator-in-chief.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Rather than assume that he is humble and sincere; recognize that his agenda seeks to destroy the &lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;United States&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;As a father with a near score of grandchildren I urge you to recognize the horror of the legacy which these innocent youngsters and yours will inherit.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It will not be one of ease and luxury compared to the rest of the world and our previous history.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Instead they will share in the responsibility for a mammoth debt from the moment of their birth.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;As I returned from the Tea Party event on &lt;date day="12" month="9" year="2009"&gt;9/12/09&lt;/date&gt;, I brought my mind back to leaving the Capitol Mall.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;I noted at the time that the grounds were absolutely clean with no evidence of 800,000 people having been there.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;As we age and then depart this earth will we take the same care to leave the republic free of debt and being a useful citizen on the world stage?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Or, will we leave a legacy of slavery to our socialist masters and the wreckage of imprudent finances?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The answer rests upon our actions over the next five weeks and the events of November 2, 2010.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The result will depend upon you.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;God help us all.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-3726489101842207543?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/3726489101842207543/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=3726489101842207543&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/3726489101842207543'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/3726489101842207543'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/stop-lying.html' title='Stop Lying!!'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-5831167681018324590</id><published>2010-09-25T06:00:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-25T06:00:00.403-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Attention Wal-Mart Shoppers!</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;I was unable to resist this tale of woe from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Alliance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Ohio&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It appears that Jim Brienzo, at the conclusion of a “shopping” foray at Wal-Mart, went out an open side door instead of using the checkout lines near the front.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Once outside, Brienzo, decided to hide out in a dumpster parked beside the super center.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It was not mentioned whether he had the $1000 worth of merchandise he had lifted, with him in the trash.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Soon after becoming “safely” hidden; along came the trash truck, picked up the dumpster and dumped Jim and the largely cardboard contents into the interior and activated the compactor mechanism.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Jim, unable to extricate himself, called a friend who in turn called 911.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The truck continued on its rounds and picked up several more dumpsters full and added to Brienzo’s problems.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The police, by using GPS tracking of Jim’s phone signal, were able finally to locate the truck and direct it to the nearest trash facility.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Once the contents were dumped, they still couldn’t find the thief until they sorted through the mess in search of his faint calls for help.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;After experiencing repeated compactions in the rear of the truck, he was fairly easy to apprehend.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;If you want to experience “breaking every bone in your body,” Jim’s escapade will serve you well.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;This latest will only enlarge upon the existing 26 page “rap” sheet he already has—if he lives through it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;It surely brings new meaning to “clean up on aisle 8.”&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Or better; maybe a quote from Bill Engvall: “Here’s your sign!”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-5831167681018324590?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/5831167681018324590/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=5831167681018324590&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/5831167681018324590'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/5831167681018324590'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/attention-wal-mart-shoppers.html' title='Attention Wal-Mart Shoppers!'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-3442680447218989388</id><published>2010-09-24T17:38:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-24T17:38:42.490-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Testimony of Christopher Coates</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;U.S.&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt; Commission on Civil Rights&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;date day="24" month="9" year="2010"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;September 24, 2010&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/date&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Zion Beckons encourages its readers to read, in full, the testimony of Christopher Coates before the &lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;U.S.&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt; Commission on Civil Rights.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;By doing so you will not be subjected to the widely varied interpretations of those who have “cherry picked” his remarks.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Your franchise as a voter is what is at stake.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: purple;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/full-text-of-christopher-coates-testimony-to-u-s-commission-on-civil-rights-pjm-exclusive/"&gt;To access the file, simply click here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;You are adults and are free to draw your own conclusions from this text of Coates’ remarks.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;No further comment is required.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-3442680447218989388?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/3442680447218989388/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=3442680447218989388&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/3442680447218989388'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/3442680447218989388'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/testimony-of-christopher-coates.html' title='Testimony of Christopher Coates'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-1074021445754713341</id><published>2010-09-24T11:07:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-24T11:26:33.844-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Chris Christie; Against All Odds</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"&gt;A popular topic of conversation consistent with what is hoped to be a general upheaval in the political balance of power in November is: who would be the best candidate to face Obama in 2012.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It is a cold fact that “best candidate” is defined truthfully as: “who can win.”&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Those who are aware that your host spends too much time in absorbing political matters frequently ask for my take--as if I had a crystal ball.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: black;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"&gt;As a general rule, I distrust the usual suspects because of loyalty to the establishment party (Republican) greater than an absolute commitment to the people.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;I discount some others as being too much of a lightening rod to attract an impassioned response from the Democrats.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Name recognition and reputation are strong factors as well.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;Absolute and unequivocal devotion to the principles outlined in US Constitution is probably the strongest qualifier.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Thankfully, this is not an issue of immediate necessity.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"&gt;I am, however, compiling a short list of those who appear to have the best interests of the population in both their head and their heart.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;No less important, is the will, the intellect, and the competitive spirit to actively seek the office.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Those who know me well and have been subjected to my life long prejudices and opinionated views are shocked that Gov. Chris Christie has made my personal list of suitable candidates.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"&gt;His short lived tenure (Jan. 19, ’10 to date) as New Jersey governor has demonstrated executive abilities well in excess of expectations.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;With a hostile legislature, he has none-the-less played them like a banjo and managed to keep soaring demands on the treasury under relative control.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;When presented with a bill for an inflated budget, he vetoed it almost before it hit his desk.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;When the override vote was taken; most of the “yea” votes had somehow vanished in the face of his wrath.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"&gt;His credentials as a “social conservative” were boosted in a recent decision regarding the financing of Planned Parenthood ($7.5 million) in New Jersey.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;When he ended the support, the legislature countered with a bill to reinstate the finances of killing New Jersey’s unborn by a margin of 30 to 10.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Christie responded with the now familiar veto and the override failed by 23-17.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;This in turn forced closing many of the abortion provider’s facilities for lack of funding.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Although the amount of money involved is trivial in the grand scheme of things, it is augmented by a show of active support to those who treasure each and every human life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: black;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"&gt;He has also demonstrated support for other conservatives involved in races of national importance.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Meg Whitman of California asked him to attend a rally in support of her efforts for election to the governorship of California.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;When a heckler rose to scream at Whitman, Christie intervened &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: black;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"&gt;&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://gawker.com/5646257/chivalrous-chris-christie-saves-meg-whitman-from-heckling-madman"&gt;(see tape)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span id="goog_980988185"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span id="goog_980988186"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;and quelled the disturbance.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;His modulated response to the man’s rant served to contrast intellect over insane passion.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Most important was his willingness to support another conservative candidate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"&gt;Fortunately, Chris Christie simply adds to the ever increasing stable of potential opposition to “change we can believe in.”&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;He presents a man of exceptional experience with a back ground of actual work who understands a paycheck and what it really takes to acquire it.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Keep your eye on this guy who rightly claims that his problems with New Jersey take precedence over all other current issues.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Until they have a satisfactory solution he may be hard to convince to even run.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: black;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-1074021445754713341?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/1074021445754713341/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=1074021445754713341&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1074021445754713341'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1074021445754713341'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/chris-christie-against-all-odds.html' title='Chris Christie; Against All Odds'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-5121349249115062444</id><published>2010-09-24T07:19:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-24T07:23:42.195-07:00</updated><title type='text'>“A Rendezvous with Destiny”</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Ben Howe has surpassed every previous effort in the production of this video.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;He has managed to capture the entirety of the tea party movement, shown the various faces of America, identify the problems and offer the solutions in a mere 3:06 minutes.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Whether you are convinced we are doomed or hold confidence in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;America&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;, to return to its former glories; you need to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.redstate.com/absentee/2010/09/24/november-is-coming/"&gt;see this video as shown on Red State.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; The title on &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;placename&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Red&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placename&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;placetype&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;State&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placetype&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt; is “November is Coming.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;To better get the vital importance of the closing spoken words, we present them here so that you may savor them at leisure:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 16pt;"&gt;“You and I have a rendezvous with destiny.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;We’ll preserve for our children, this, the last best hope of men on earth or we’ll sentence them to take the last step into a thousand years of darkness.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Ronald Reagan&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Thanks to you for taking my suggestion and thanks to those past patriots for holding &lt;/span&gt;&lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;America&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;, dear to their hearts.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-5121349249115062444?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/5121349249115062444/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=5121349249115062444&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/5121349249115062444'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/5121349249115062444'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/rendezvous-with-destiny.html' title='“A Rendezvous with Destiny”'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-4434035365131441799</id><published>2010-09-23T09:00:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-23T09:17:21.324-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Religion of Peace</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The following were extracted from a more comprehensive article posted on &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://normanhooben.blogspot.co%22storm'n/"&gt;"Storm'n Norm'n"&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;. &lt;/span&gt;These are the high points spread over the last forty-two years or our relationship with the religion of “peace.”&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Go to his website for a more complete rundown.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;“1) In 1968, Sen. Robert Kennedy was shot and killed by:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Answer:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt; A Muslim, male extremist between the ages of 17 and 40&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;In 1972 at the Olympics in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;Munich&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;country-region&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;Germany&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;, athletes were kidnapped and massacred by: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Answer:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt; Muslim, male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;3) In 1979, the U.S embassy in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;Iran&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt; was taken over by: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i&gt;Answer:&lt;/i&gt; Muslim, male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 &lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;4) During the 1980s, a number of Americans were kidnapped in Lebanon by: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;i&gt;Answer:&lt;/i&gt; Muslim, male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;5) In 1983, U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut were blown up by: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i&gt;Answer: &lt;/i&gt;Muslim, male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;6) In 1985, the cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked and a 70-year-old American passenger was murdered and thrown overboard in his wheelchair by: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i&gt;Answer: &lt;/i&gt;Muslim, male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 &lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;7) In 1985, TWA Flight 847 was hijacked in &lt;city&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;Athens&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;, and a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;U.S.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt; Navy diver trying to rescue passengers was murdered by: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i&gt;Answer:&lt;/i&gt; Muslim, male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;8) In 1988, Pan Am flight 103 was bombed by:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i&gt;Answer:&lt;/i&gt; Muslim, male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;9) In 1993, the &lt;place&gt;&lt;placename&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;World&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placename&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;placename&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;Trade&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placename&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;placetype&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;Center&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placetype&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt; was bombed the first time by:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;i&gt;Answer:&lt;/i&gt; Muslim, male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;10) In 1998, the &lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;U.S.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt; embassies in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;Kenya&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;Tanzania&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt; were bombed by:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Answer: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Muslim, male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;11) On &lt;date day="11" month="9" year="2001"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;Sept. 11, 2001&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/date&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;, four airliners were hijacked; two were used as missiles to take out the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;placename&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;World&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placename&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;placename&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;Trade&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placename&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;placetype&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;Center&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placetype&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;. Of the remaining two, one crashed into the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;U.S.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt; Pentagon and the other was diverted and crashed by the passengers. Thousands of people were killed by:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i&gt;Answer:&lt;/i&gt; Muslim, male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 &lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;12) In 2002, the &lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;U.S.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt; fought a war in Afghanistan against: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Answer:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt; Muslim, male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;13) In 2002, reported Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered by:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i&gt;Answer:&lt;/i&gt; Muslim, male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Footnote: At &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Fort Hood&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;Texas&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;, another Muslim, 39, killed 13 people and wounded 30 others.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: orange; font-weight: normal;"&gt;_______________________&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;The above, seen as a group, should indicate to any sane reader, that it is possible that Islam is not really the “religion of peace.”&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Evaluating the cult of Islam, which encourages lies about the “faith” in “scripture,” should be easily accomplished through observation of their history.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Get used to it: they&lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt; hate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt; you, they &lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;hate &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;your system of government, they &lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;hate &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;your success and life style and they &lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;hate &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;your failure to bow down before the onslaught of Sharia Law.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;In contrast, our country has welcomed millions to our shores because they &lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;loved &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;the concepts embodied in our constitution and the God-given rights it was crafted to protect.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The intent of immigrants from Muslim lands is not to achieve assimilation into our society but rather to change it to their own &lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;hate &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;filled ideology which reflects a Stone Age mentality.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Those who submit that our hostile relationships with Islamic entities are a result of recent actions by our government need to be reminded that the “teachings” of the Koran were in existence long before we ever became a nation.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The stonings, beheadings of the unbelievers, and the absolute subjugation of women have been a part of the cult for centuries.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Unfortunately, the only way to defeat this ongoing threat is by a demonstration of force so powerful as to be impossible to ignore.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Islam is made up of human beings whose sense of self-preservation will over-ride all else, even a cult mentality.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The longer our nation withholds that exhibit of our absolute power; we shall continue to be subject to intentional outrage.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;How many repetitions of 9/11 must we endure before a mature attitude in our seats of power finally takes that step?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;God, help us.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;To defeat the unimaginable, we must do the unthinkable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-4434035365131441799?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/4434035365131441799/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=4434035365131441799&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/4434035365131441799'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/4434035365131441799'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/religion-of-peace.html' title='Religion of Peace'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-5592542961692165033</id><published>2010-09-22T12:37:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-22T12:37:36.846-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Yamamoto: A Voice from History</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Isoruku Yamamoto (1884-1943), was the Naval Marshal General of the combined Japanese fleet during the early part of World War II.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Part of his early education included work at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;placename&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Harvard&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placename&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;placetype&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;University&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placetype&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt; where his most important educational accomplishment was gaining familiarity with the people of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;United States&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;A common assertion is that he gained the highest post at sea to keep him separated from radical militant forces in the homeland who viewed him as insufficiently aggressive.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There is a quote attributed to him which is widely mentioned and more than believable.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Upon learning the success of the attack on &lt;place&gt;Pearl Harbor&lt;/place&gt;, he remarked: &lt;b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"&gt;“&lt;/b&gt;&lt;b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"&gt;I fear that all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"&gt;.”&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;As an eye-witness to that historical period, I see his remark as understated if anything.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Every man, woman and child was absolutely committed to the US response to the sneak attack on our homeland.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It suddenly became the universal goal to seek redress for that assault.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Those citizens who had rarely agreed on any issue were absolutely united in their response to the atrocity at Pearl Harbor. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"&gt;Recruiting stations had lines which stretched well around the block.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;As the war effort progressed, women were removed from the cook stove and replaced men on the production lines.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Suddenly the word “essential” (for the war effort) entered every vocabulary to define only those purposes of labor which supported our mutual response to the attack.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Yamamoto’s fears were well grounded.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"&gt;That was then; this is now.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;As we neared the 60&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; anniversary of the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, America suffered another attack which came as an unexpected shock to the nation.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Although we suffered fewer casualties at Pearl Harbor (2402 total dead) we did not witness an equivalent national response to the loss of nearly 3000 lives on 9/11.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;As each retaliatory action was formulated, it met an active opposition.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Certain factions had objections to foreign operations to run down Al Quaeda in various Mid-Eastern locations.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Many were unwilling to sacrifice what they considered freedoms for enhanced national security.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Rather than an all out response we found a government crippled by instances of partisan politics.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"&gt;We have even lowered ourselves to the point where we are considering allowing our avowed enemies to erect a “victory” monument practically on top of the site where fellow Americans were innocently slain.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Apparently, “outrage” has a “use by date” which has expired like that carton of milk you bought two weeks ago.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Lesser events; the USS Cole, the barracks in Lebanon, the Fort Hood massacre by Major Hasan, the first unsuccessful WTC attack and others, all, are virtually ignored as the assaults on America by Islamic interests continue.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It appears that the “sleeping giant” which Yamamoto referenced has not only nodded off, but is comatose.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Those patriots who recognize the threat from radical Islam are hooted down as racists, bigots, and warmongers.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Given the resources available to the United States to bring this outrage to a halt; the response is best described as tepid.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"&gt;Part of the research for this piece included a visit to the casualty lists from Pearl Harbor.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;On one, each person is named, the site of death, rank, and the home town or state given.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Poring over the list it becomes quickly apparent that no state or region was exempt from casualties.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Every corner of America was seared with the pain of a lost loved one.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;An especially tragic note was logged when the deceased had a close relative (brother, son, etc.) also lost in the attack.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;This is, of course, typical of military units.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Being part of the armed services is an automatic exposure to people from random parts of the country who are part of your training, assignments, and finally become your closest and most dependable friends.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Regional differences are overshadowed by the central purpose of operating in defense of the United States and covering for each other.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"&gt;Obviously, in the 9/11 attacks, the victims on the planes were from a wide variety of different countries (70) and states.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The Pentagon victims were also from diverse places.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Those who perished in the towers and the first responders both fire and police who lost their lives were essentially local residents.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The hardest hit were residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Even today, many locals in your neighborhood will have a firm recollection of a nearby kid who lost his life or was injured during the attack on Pearl Harbor.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Unless they live in the New York metroplex, it is unlikely they can relate that personally to the WTC attack.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In this regard, 9/11 does not have the same universal scope.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"&gt;Even considering the previous observation, the question remains: why has this even more serious attack on our country been unable to match an equivalent commitment to response?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;When FDR sought a declaration of war with Japan it passed 99 to l.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;A few days later, a declaration against the balance of the axis powers passed unopposed.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Today, we find a war-funding bill in congress stalled by partisan bickering.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In 1941, such opposition would have been run out of town on a rail wearing nothing but tar and feathers.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Today, it returns to committee for further consideration.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"&gt;Fortunately, we find a sea change in the national will.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It is not universal but it is emerging with strength and vigor to reformulate the national mind.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The “establishment” politicians are already feeling the heat of those who recognize our national purpose; who gradually assume more of the leadership roles and seek even greater responsibilities in elected offices.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Neither side of the aisle is immune from this onrushing tide of political correctness which has replaced common sense, and both sides are subject to rejection by the people who sent them there.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"&gt;The time has long past that we, as a nation, recognize that 9/11 and Pearl Harbor are sufficiently equal as to require an equivalent response.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;If our leadership fails in this regard, we can kiss this country “good-bye.”&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;To continue to mis-identify the threat from the radical Islamic cult is suicidal for both our citizens and the nation as a whole.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;As a citizen, it is your responsibility to get involved in the governance of your country and oversee its return to sanity.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;I’ll see you at the polls in November.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-5592542961692165033?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/5592542961692165033/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=5592542961692165033&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/5592542961692165033'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/5592542961692165033'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/yamamoto-voice-from-history.html' title='Yamamoto: A Voice from History'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-5078697550400052368</id><published>2010-09-21T10:16:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-21T10:16:27.471-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Jimmy Carter now most ‘Superior” of Ex-presidents</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;It has to be true because a fine “Christian” like Jimmy Carter wouldn’t lie.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;To better understand just exactly what the former president had to say, we shall provide a link to &lt;u&gt;&lt;span style="color: #606420;"&gt;first read, MSNBC"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;to avoid any accusations of political bias.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;They have not only the video of the interview but also the printed text for your study and evaluation.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;As one who survived the one-term Carter administration, I am free to report that he never met a dictator (oppressor, commie, despot or Marxist) he didn’t like.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;After his removal from office at the hands of the American people with the election of Ronald Reagan (by 8,416,813 actual votes and an electoral margin of 489 to 49), we found the saner heads in &lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;Iran&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt; recognized the difference and promptly released the hostages.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The malaise of Carter’s soaring interest and a moribund economy were abated and the constitutional republic commenced its return to a normal healthy state.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In retrospect we reviewed the roster of former presidents and universally decided that he held the crown as the absolute worst the nation had ever endured.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;Almost every family has a “crazy” uncle or a “loony” aunt who provides a constant source of embarrassment.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;As a national family, we have Jimmy Carter.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;What other president ever lost a confrontation with a crazed rabbit while in office?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/972968/posts(link"&gt;(link to text)&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="http://iconicphotos.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/jimmycarter-vs-rabbit-jpg1.jpeg?w=700&amp;amp;h=526&amp;amp;imgrefurl=http://iconicphotos.wordpress.com/2009/05/25/jimmy-carter-rabbit-incident/&amp;amp;usg=__UG9sXnUv2n-Sq-UwOqwgfCmgea8=&amp;amp;h=526&amp;amp;w=700&amp;amp;sz=65&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;start=40&amp;amp;sig2=dPY4CnHXaZQ5wpDrdeC_qg&amp;amp;zoom=0&amp;amp;tbnid=CHyaNQqmue4gAM:&amp;amp;tbnh=105&amp;amp;tbnw=140&amp;amp;ei=Z-KYTLHBHsP48Aai7NXoDw&amp;amp;prev=/images?q=Carter+and+the+rabbit&amp;amp;start=20&amp;amp;um=1&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;sa=N&amp;amp;rls=GGLG,GGLG:2006-39,GGLG:en&amp;amp;tbs=isch:1&amp;amp;um=1&amp;amp;itbs=1(link"&gt;(link to picture)&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp; We should probably be more sympathetic to a dangerous encounter with a buck-toothed furry assailant except it provides one of the few amusing anecdotes of an otherwise damaging and undistinguished career.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;Jimmy, give us all a break and go back on your meds.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-5078697550400052368?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/5078697550400052368/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=5078697550400052368&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/5078697550400052368'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/5078697550400052368'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/jimmy-carter-now-most-superior-of-ex.html' title='Jimmy Carter now most ‘Superior” of Ex-presidents'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-8575460726606466913</id><published>2010-09-20T12:26:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-20T12:26:44.400-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Sarah Palin – Tonto or the Lone Ranger?</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;The relationship of Tonto and the Lone Ranger on the movie set which featured the unlikely blending of the two lead characters had an interesting component.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Who among us geezers does not remember at a Saturday matinee, Tonto referring to the Lone Ranger as “Kemo Sabe?”&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;At least, that was the anglicized version of what we heard.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Actually, it is a Spanish expression--“&lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;que no sabe”&lt;/i&gt;—which roughly translates to “he knows nothing.”&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Now, review in your mind, the endless times, as a kid, you heard Tonto repeat those disparaging words.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;One can only wonder if Sarah Palin ever referred to John McCain with the same expression.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In 2008, she certainly aptly filled the definition of a “faithful Indian companion.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Her position now and then has not changed one iota, I might add, neither has mine.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Since I first heard her speak in front of Bass Pro in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Springfield&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Mo.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt; in 2008, she left an impression which has only been enhanced since.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;She fully understands the role of the people in their own governance.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;This fact has escaped the leaders of the major political parties on both sides of the aisle and they both stand aghast at the results of their failures.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;She may be an established enemy of the grizzly and the moose but she poses a far more deadly threat to the RINO and the donkey.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;In their hide-bound allegiance to party regulars, they stand amazed at her success in isolating the problems which face the country.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Does that mean she is the obvious inheritor of the position of leadership which the Tea Party intentionally shuns?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Quite the contrary, Palin routinely ducks the constant questioning and refuses to identify as the titular leader of the movement.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;By doing so, she remains aloof from the requirements of party affiliation and insists upon recognition of the role of the individual citizens.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;By elevating them to their rightful position as determinants of their own governance, she strengthens both the populace and deprives the opposition of an easy target.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Make no mistake, once someone declares a position of leadership, the opposition will be out in full force against the threat with investigations, personal attacks and warped historical perspectives.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;(Cf: see O’Donnell, Christine)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Paul Goldman has an article in—of all places—&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/16/AR2010091606348.html"&gt;the Washington Post&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;on Sarah Palin and her influence on today’s political scene.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;If you consider the source, you may choose to ignore it.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;I encourage you not to do so because, even from a “liberal rag,” Goldman has given thought deeper than the usual obvious Palin bashing.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;As usual, a commenter on &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/what-ever-happened-to-camille-paglia/"&gt;Instapundit&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;observed in a separate entry on “what ever happened to Camille Paglia”&amp;nbsp;a particularly good bit of insight which is relevant:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;“23. Viator &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Maybe there is another reason the Tea Party isn’t a third party (yet).&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Has Sarah Palin saved the GOP?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;“Consider: If Newt Gingrich or Glenn Beck held Palin’s political clout, they might very well have used this power to encourage independent conservative challenges, figuring the resulting GOP chaos would rebound to their benefit. Palin rejected this course, even though it probably would have been in her political interest.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Consider also that Palin has received no credit for being loyal to a party establishment that continues to treat her with maximum low regard. Americans have never sent to the White House an individual rejected four years earlier as a vice presidential nominee. So it is doubtful that Palin stuck with the GOP because she hoped to be rewarded with the chance to lead it in 2012. Think about it: A lesser person would have opted for payback, not party.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;That the GOP establishment fails to appreciate the debt it owes her is reflective of the elitist outlook that is contributing to Tea Party activism nationwide. Leaving aside the substance of her policies, there is no denying the “populist conservative” roots of Palin’s politics. She is a “bottom-up,” not a “top-down,” leader, a rare commodity on the national scene.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;I agree with “Viator” on his appraisal of Palin as “heir apparent” to the role of probable candidate and her entitlement.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;She has definitely exhibited that rare quality among politicians—class.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Do I think she should run for president?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;That’s a toughie.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Personally, I can’t think of any reason why she would want to other than salving her ego.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It’s hard to imagine why anyone would be willing to trade an established residence in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Alaska&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt; to move to the snake pit that is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Washington&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;D.C.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;..&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It would require the absolute sacrifice of everything which she has stated she holds dear.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;I am personally convinced that she holds her role as mother in high regard.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Is that incompatible with the presidency?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It would have to be a factor.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Perhaps she could commute to help Todd with the next salmon run.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It’s a job no sane person would seek just for the money.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Fortunately, as Obama proved so well (even a blind hog finds an acorn now and then,) it is a decision which is not necessary at the moment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Whatever Sarah Palin decides, we have the inescapable truth that she has altered the political landscape for the better.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;I’ll bet she will do something really radical.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;She’ll probably pray about it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-8575460726606466913?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/8575460726606466913/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=8575460726606466913&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8575460726606466913'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8575460726606466913'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/sarah-palin-tonto-or-lone-ranger.html' title='Sarah Palin – Tonto or the Lone Ranger?'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-8845649122688876990</id><published>2010-09-19T22:27:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-19T22:27:40.488-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Monday Morning Rant 165</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;We lead off this morning’s rant with what is perhaps the most asinine remark of the week.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The “Reverend” Jessie Jackson, in this short clip from &lt;a href="http://www.breitbart.tv/jessie-jackson-jesus-didn’t-speak-english-us-shouldnt-be-english-only/"&gt;Andrew Breitbart&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;asserts that “Jesus didn’t speak English; US shouldn’t be English only.”&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Jessie: is it possible that Jesus didn’t speak English because the language, as we recognize it, would not become available for centuries to come?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Two millennia passing have seen a considerable change, not just to English, but every other tongue as well.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Few today are fluent in the languages in use at the time of Christ’s reign on earth.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Even Latin, which is still taught in a few of today’s schools, was not yet in current vogue at the time of Christ.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Its principle value today lies not in popular conversation but to gain a clear understanding of the roots of English and its accompanying lessons in grammar.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;The remark demonstrates a fundamental flaw in logic and dependence upon a ridiculous premise to support a serious discussion.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Jackson&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;’s time would be far better spent attempting to eliminate the corruptive influence of “ebonics” in our speech which serves only the further confusion for those who can least afford it.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;The “Reverend” might also do well to review the havoc caused, as seen in Genesis 11 (KJV), by the confounding of the language.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In their conceit (sound familiar, Jessie?) the people built a tower, better to access heaven and demonstrate their supposed power.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;One takes from that reassurance that God and His Son, Jesus Christ, both have linguistic skills which far exceed that of any other known source.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;On the expectation of some mighty changes in the American political scene this coming November, perhaps “Reverend” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;city&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Jackson&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/city&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt; might wish to turn to Longfellow’s “King Robert of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Sicily&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;” for a timely bit of advice: &lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;“Deposuit potentes de sede, et exaltavit humiles.”&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;If your Latin is a little rusty or you don’t happen to have the Tales of a Wayside Inn handy, it translates to: &lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;“He has put down the mighty from their seat and has exalted them of low degree.”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;September 19&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt;, Talk like a Pirate Day!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Aaaargh!&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Hope you had a great day. &lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;To give you some reference material to improve your pirate jargon, here is an excerpt from The Seaman’s Manual (1844) by Richard Henry Dana, Jr.:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN" style="font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN;"&gt;“Lift the skin up, and put into the &lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunt_(sail)" title="Bunt (sail)"&gt;bunt&lt;/a&gt; the slack of the &lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clewgarnets" title="Clewgarnets"&gt;clews&lt;/a&gt; (not too taut), the &lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leech_(sail)" title="Leech (sail)"&gt;leech&lt;/a&gt; and foot-rope, and body of the sail; being careful not to let it get forward under or hang down &lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abaft" title="Abaft"&gt;abaft&lt;/a&gt;. Then haul your bunt well up on the yard, smoothing the skin and bringing it down well abaft, and make fast the bunt gasket round the &lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mast_(sailing)" title="Mast (sailing)"&gt;mast&lt;/a&gt;, and the &lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiggermast" title="Jiggermast"&gt;jigger&lt;/a&gt;, if there be one, to the tie.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN" style="font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN;"&gt;Ever since we read this, we have been very careful to “haul our bunts well up on the yard.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Understanding Sarah Palin&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Hot Air poster, &lt;a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2010/09/18/the-palin-card/"&gt;DOCTOR ZERO&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;has come up with some superior observations on the subject.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;For just a teaser, here is a quote from his entry:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;“Obama would be making a deadly mistake by calling out Sarah Palin for a political cage match.&amp;nbsp; Let me put this bluntly: virtually no one in &lt;/i&gt;&lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;America&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;&lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt; gives a damn what Barack Obama says about &lt;/i&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"&gt;anything&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt; at this point.&amp;nbsp; What could be more predictable, and less interesting, than Obama’s opinion on any given subject?&amp;nbsp; Who wants to contemplate the economic wisdom of a guy who looted the Treasury for a trillion dollars, with less benefit than we could have achieved by stuffing hundred dollar bills into random cereal boxes?&amp;nbsp; Who’s excited to hear about the next plan to convert taxpayer dollars into Democrat campaign funds?&amp;nbsp; Who’s hungry for another hour of tedious excuses about permanently broken markets and the titanic dead hand of George W. Bush?&amp;nbsp; Who wants a lecture on ethical business practices from the titular head of the party that gave us Charlie Rangel and Maxine Waters?&amp;nbsp; What use is another hollow foreign-policy speech from a man who sees no global adversary to rival the menace of &lt;/i&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;Arizona&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;?&amp;nbsp; Even Obama’s supporters don’t hear anything he says any more.&amp;nbsp; There’s nothing left to hear.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Palin, on the other hand, commands attention.&amp;nbsp; Lots of it comes from people who dislike her, of course, but she definitely gets people talking.&amp;nbsp; Many of her detractors have a surprising ability to quote her verbatim, stretching back for weeks.&amp;nbsp; Obama’s critics need Google searches to remember what he said yesterday.&amp;nbsp; They can only recall that it was boring, and expensive.”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Do click on the above link for the rest of this informative piece.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;I guarantee your understanding of the current political scene will be improved.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"&gt;Ecclesiastes to the Rescue&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A friend at church handed me this and he was right; I can use it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“I have often wondered why it is that the conservatives are called the ‘right” and liberals are called the “left.&lt;br /&gt;By chance I stumbled upon this verse in the Bible:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ecclesiastes 10:2&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“The heart of the wise inclines to the right, &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"&gt;&lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;but the heart of the fool to the left!”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"&gt;And Finally&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I had previously noted some strange markings on the pavement of the bottom road this week but didn’t fully understand their meaning until we drove to church this morning.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The first bike I passed was not unusual.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The second and third piqued my curiosity.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Shortly there after, it dawned on me that we were in the middle of some sort of event.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Given the rural nature of the route, their collective carelessness may have been excusable.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;However, riding three and four abreast on a narrow rural road seems like a risk which greatly exceeds the benefits of the exercise as a whole.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;A bike and rider don’t stand much of a chance in a conflict with a 4000+ lb. SUV.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;By extending as much courtesy and latitude as possible, we managed to cover the seven miles without killing anyone only to find the finish line was on the road in front of and across the street from the church.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In spite of the rousing welcome extended to each finisher who crossed the line, the sound did not carry into the sanctuary and the service was as peaceful as our enthusiastic preacher would allow.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;We also have an active congregation.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;They love the Lord and are more than willing to raise their voices accordingly.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Life here on the ridge is busy as we prepare for the cool weather in the offing.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;We are both more than ready for a little relief from 90° + days.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The hummingbirds are busy packing for their trip south.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The lawn is becoming leaf strewn with the produce of the pin oaks.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It may now be safe to observe that this has been a nearly “snake-free” year.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Personally, I haven’t seen a copperhead or other poisonous variety all year.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;I think they are there but either I am getting less able to see them or somehow, they are blessedly absent.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;If so: it’s proof enough there is a God, that, and the blessing of living in this little patch of wood.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-8845649122688876990?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/8845649122688876990/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=8845649122688876990&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8845649122688876990'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8845649122688876990'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/monday-morning-rant-165.html' title='Monday Morning Rant 165'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-3251221454742634</id><published>2010-09-17T09:43:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-17T09:53:09.015-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Much Ado About Nothing</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;The ever dependable Drudge Report had two separate items this morning which concerned routine behavior treated as news.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;To a geezer with a mid-western background raised in the thirties, neither was really remarkable in any way.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Let’s deal with them individually.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“Teen rides his horse to high school.”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Wow, that’s a stunner!&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In a story extracted from &lt;a href="http://philly.com/philly/news/20100916_Gladwyne_teen_takes_unusual_transportation_to_Haverford_School.html"&gt;"Philly.com."&lt;/a&gt;,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;we find Roby Burch atop his Percheron, “Jet” on his way to tony &lt;/span&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;placename&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Haverford&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placename&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;placetype&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;School&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/placetype&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt; for classes.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Roby and his dad arranged for a nearby paddock near the school so Jet could stand and munch oats and a little hay while the boy attended his sophomore classes.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;If you click on the link you will learn about Roby’s interest in animals, his &lt;/span&gt;&lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Montana&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt; experiences, and his family’s support.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The opening sentence of this piece describes this as “routine” for a good reason.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;As I type, at 9:30 AM, rest assured that our closest school (approximately 2 miles away) has no less than a half dozen horses--or more--patiently waiting for the riders to complete their absorption of their daily dose of readin’, writin’ and ‘rithmatic.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Unlike Roby, they didn’t shed their jeans, put on slacks and hang up their hard hats when they arrived.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;They were dressed alike with dark blue pants, worn blue shirts and straw hats.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Saddles may or may not have been part of the equipment for the horses that are contentedly grazing in the school yard.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;At morning recess, they will uniformly check on the horse’s welfare before they take up the continuous ball game which generates more enthusiasm from the participants than the “Phillies” could ever hope for.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;From the horse’s point of view, it’s a welcome break from pulling the variety of equipment which waits back at the farm.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;We note here that the teacher’s buggy is parked and her horse has joined the others.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Since this school ends with the eighth grade, these kids are all at least four years younger than Roby.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Granted, the traffic encountered by these youngsters riding to school is minimal compared to Roby’s experience.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It does exist however and the locals are very much aware of the presence of riders and buggies in our neighborhood and yield to the slower transportation.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Those who live adjacent to this community respect them as individuals and their “ways” as well.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It does make it very difficult to see a boy riding his gelding to school as “news.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“Jail for NJ gym teacher who grabbed boy by the ear”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;From &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.trentonian.com/articles/2010/09//16/news/doc4c924be447317727703929.txt"&gt;The Trentonian&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;we find twenty-five year teacher, Allen Rushing, who resigned after a February 2009 confrontation with a student, has been sentenced to 90 days.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;His crime: he grabbed a disorderly kid by the ear and threw him out of the class room.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Apparently, he made repeated requests for the student to leave and he did not comply.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The judge, Frederick DeVesa, noted that there was likely “a degree of provocation.” but coupled that with other complaints about Rushing in making his ruling.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Now I fully understand the assertion that; “the lunatics are running the asylum.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;As I recall my school days, even the slowest and most willfully stupid kid at any level recognized that mis-behavior in a class taught by “coach” would not be tolerated.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;He might let a non-athlete girl slide but a boy at any level of physical accomplishment was fair game for his wrath.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Considering the large number of convenient appendages available to assist in control of classroom miscreants, the kid got off lucky with the coach’s choice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;As a home experiment, I encourage you to grab your own ear; exert as much pressure as you can and be amazed at how difficult it is to realize any actual pain--discomfort yes; pain—no.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Where the ear goes, the body will follow.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Keep in mind how many kids of both sexes submit to piercing their lobes.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;I shudder to think of how many instructors I have known who have used this device to encourage some kid to move.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Reports of ears being torn off or damaged in the process are non-existent.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In today’s world of “politically correct” behavior, the mere act of actually touching a student is unthinkable.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Finally,&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;“Kid rides horse to school,” “mother bakes cookies,” “teacher throws kid out by the ear,” “dad goes to work,” “preacher is down on sin,” are not headlines which deserve our attention.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In doing further research, I found that Drudge no longer had either article featured.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;He could then focus with clarity on items which reflect the situations, both nationally and regionally, which do matter.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;If nothing else, both of these items demonstrate how detached we have become from the realities of life.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Is it any wonder we can view with success the attempts made by some folks to return the nation to fundamentals.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;By lending importance to these lame tales, we find only those who are willing to trivialize the real problems facing the country.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;As I typed this piece, an old song, revised, kept going through my head.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;“If I sent a horse to you,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;for every time you made me blue.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;“I’d have a room full of&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;horse-sh…..oes.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-3251221454742634?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/3251221454742634/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=3251221454742634&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/3251221454742634'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/3251221454742634'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/much-ado-about-nothing.html' title='Much Ado About Nothing'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-8440838309333911047</id><published>2010-09-15T18:35:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-16T08:14:07.094-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Christine O’Donnell and the RNSC</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Before we undertake to understand the last twenty-four hours of electoral activity, let me state clearly that I favored Mike Castle for the nomination in &lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;Delaware&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;I had read the gossip about O’Donnell and figured that Castle, warts and all, was the better choice.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Those registered Republicans in &lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;Delaware&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt; disagreed with me and elected Christine O’Donnell as their standard bearer in the upcoming run for the senate seat.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;They live there, they read the local papers, they listen to the local talking heads on radio and TV, they have the pulse of the local needs of the citizens of &lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;Delaware&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt; and they chose O’Donnell.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Apparently, there are more Tea Partiers in &lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;Delaware&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt; than I imagined and they spoke loud and clear.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;As a result, I have no alternative other than to respect their informed judgment and support their choice unequivocally.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;To do otherwise would be to act in opposition to what I say and what I sincerely believe.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This was not the general election in the race for Joe Biden’s vacated senate seat so the candidate has her work cut out for her.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;What support I can offer will be gladly put forth.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;To do otherwise is to shame both the Tea Party and the Republican Party.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In a primary election, the time to debate the qualifications of the candidates is before—not after—the election.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Several highly ranked figures of national importance have failed to recognize this essential truth.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The RNSC went so far as to claim detachment from O’Donnell in moral and financial support for her.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Saner heads prevailed and they withdrew their alienation on both counts.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;What are they, nuts?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It’s not like this is the first time they ever had a favorite candidate lose.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Even my guy, Castle, claimed he wouldn’t support her in the general election.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Grow up and get with the program people.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Tea Party, rightfully, claims enormous success in defeating entrenched career politicians in this run-up to the general election in November.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Specter, Murkowski, Bennett, and now Castle, to name a few, have fallen to an energized edition of “we, the people.”&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Current polling numbers indicate many governors and candidates for the congress are also running behind.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;One can only pray that a photo of the new body will be devoid of recognizable faces.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;With congressional approval numbers in the basement struggling to get out of the teens it will be closer to the founder’s intent of citizen representatives.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;What a welcome change that will be.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Now is not the time for childish piques and second guessing the voters.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;A master politician, FDR, is alleged to have said: “He may be a SOB, but he’s our SOB.”&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;It is time to form four-square behind the party’s choice and do everything in our power to elect these people.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;We the people and the nation can ill afford to do otherwise. &lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-8440838309333911047?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/8440838309333911047/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=8440838309333911047&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8440838309333911047'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8440838309333911047'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/christine-odonnell-and-rncc.html' title='Christine O’Donnell and the RNSC'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-2836665930655373124</id><published>2010-09-14T10:06:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-14T10:06:03.607-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Miscellaneous Curiosities</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Despite the well-known knowledge that all &lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;US&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt; District Attorneys serve at the pleasure of the president, Democrats raised the outrage roof when Bush fired eight of them.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;They, and their media co-conspirators conveniently forgot the truth of the provisions of the law and demagogued the issue relentlessly.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;These same chronic complainers ignored the firing by Bill Clinton of not a mere eight, but the entire lot of them in a fit of partisan pique, when he took office.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In August, the Justice Department quietly announced that no prosecutions or further investigations were planned.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;No word yet, has come on news of an apology to George Bush for the inconvenience of the false accusations.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;date day="10" month="2" year="1964"&gt;February 10, 1964&lt;/date&gt;.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;On this day the Civil Rights Act passed the House of Representatives and, Glenn Beck was born in &lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;Everett&lt;/city&gt;, &lt;state&gt;Washington&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The next day, the 11&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt;, Sarah (Heath) Palin was born in &lt;place&gt;&lt;city&gt;Sandpoint&lt;/city&gt;, &lt;state&gt;Idaho&lt;/state&gt;&lt;/place&gt;.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;Think about what occupied your life on those critical days.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Were you even born yet?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The American justice system allows every accused the right of a capable defense.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Each accused is read his rights by the arresting authority and understands his inability to pay is not a criteria for denying an attorney.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In defense of “the blind sheik” (Omar Abdel Rahman) who was proven complicit in the attack on the World Trade Center in 1993, Lynne Stewart, exceeded her authority as a defense lawyer and acted as an information conduit from the perp to his handlers.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In 2005, this act of treason earned a conviction and sentence of a ridiculously low, three years.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;She did not see a cell until 2009 through various legal wranglings and for her offense against the nation; the courts upped her time to ten years.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Although an improvement, ten years remains insufficient punishment for giving aid and comfort to an enemy beyond filing the appropriate papers.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;While I am certain that falsely claiming military service records which include combat experience are not unique to the Democrat Party, most of the easily verifiable distortions seem to come from that direction.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The now infamous “Christmas in &lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;Cambodia&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt; by John Kerry, Tom Harkins’s claims of “combat” missions over &lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;Viet Nam&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;, and now the AG in &lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;Connecticut&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt;, Richard Blumenthal who is running for the &lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;US&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt; Senate, has inferred he served in &lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;Viet Nam&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt;.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;For a close look at the slack Blumenthal, as AG, has offered others, check out William Saleten’s &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2254214"&gt;piece in Slate.&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;For all the alleged bungling by the military, they do keep remarkable records of actual military service in various theaters.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;I am and have known hundreds of vets.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Each of us can relate with amazing accuracy the actual details of that service.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;I stand amazed that Blumenthal, who has proven to be a serial prevaricator regarding his military experience, is seriously considered worthy to represent the people of &lt;state&gt;&lt;place&gt;Connecticut&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/state&gt; in the Senate. There is a world of difference between a combat assignment in &lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;Viet Nam&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt; and a &lt;country-region&gt;&lt;place&gt;Viet Nam&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/country-region&gt; &lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;era &lt;/i&gt;vet.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;Stolen Valor&lt;/i&gt; indeed!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-2836665930655373124?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/2836665930655373124/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=2836665930655373124&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/2836665930655373124'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/2836665930655373124'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/miscellaneous-curiosities.html' title='Miscellaneous Curiosities'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-4472101097599951895</id><published>2010-09-13T09:46:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-13T09:46:59.709-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Election Manipulation</title><content type='html'>The least heralded and also the least understood problem facing the nation currently is the election process. With a national election only fifty days away, we find a lethargic Justice Department failing its assigned responsibility to enforce the law. The agency with the foremost duty of law enforcement is poisoned with political bias and outright prejudice by selective determination of which laws to follow and which to ignore. As such, we find the republic under an insidious assault which enjoys little effective news coverage, and as a consequence is largely hidden from the citizenry.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;No matter how completely capable, intelligent, or popular a candidate may be; if the electorate participate in a skewed election, he cannot be elected. Our congress has passed laws which cover requirements for citizenship, residence, and age of eligibility to cast a vote. Through the military voter protections legislation they also enabled those, who for legitimate reason must necessarily be absent on Election Day, to cast a ballot. There is also legislation which covers the citizens’ rights to be un-intimidated in the process. In each circumstance, the Department of Justice is charged with the enforcement of those statutes. In each, they seem indifferent to the existing law.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The franchise to vote has formerly been restricted only to legitimate citizens. This feature is unambiguous and restricted to those who can actually document their citizenship through proof of qualifications by a birth certificate or naturalization papers duly certified by election officials. At the local level, the gray-haired ladies and gentlemen who supervise and verify your eligibility and pore over the lists of the qualified at the polling place are equally divided by party affiliation to assure fairness in the process. In the town of “East Podunk, USA” this presents an idealized picture of the process at work.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The reality rears its ugly head when certain unseen factors go unnoticed by the routine voters. In a labyrinth of laws which require advance notice of changes in polling places and other details we find challenges from the Department of Justice which appear intentionally designed to prolong investigative results until more favorable courts become available. They accomplished much the same result by allowing loosely justified waivers to the requirements of the military voter protections and thereby disenfranchised military absentees. Add this to the dismissal of the voter intimidations by the Black Panthers and we find a composite of the duplicity so rank in the Justice Department.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Some factions on the left have shown overt signs of hysteria over the prospect of losing the House of Representatives. This may indeed be the case but it will require sufficient voter strength at the ballot boxes to overcome the “kept” Justice Department and Obama lackey, Eric Holder, the Attorney General. Complacency in the face of this powerful force would be suicidal for those who wish to restore the republic to its original intent. It then underlines the absolute necessity to turn out an overwhelming number of voters with sufficient advantage to exercise the public will for the restoration of the nation. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Even Obama is intelligent enough to realize that suspension of the election for whatever reason would get the public’s attention. He does have the executive authority to suspend, or at least delay, the plebiscite. Barring that, he has turned to Holder and given him the responsibility to insure a favorable result. Giving credit where credit is due, one has to admit he is doing his darndest.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-4472101097599951895?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/4472101097599951895/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=4472101097599951895&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/4472101097599951895'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/4472101097599951895'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/election-manipulation.html' title='Election Manipulation'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-3048220743825546882</id><published>2010-09-13T07:30:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-13T07:30:00.845-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Monday Morning Rant 164</title><content type='html'>Are we about sick and tired of hearing each and every oppositional position described as “something-or-other – phobic?” According to Webster, “-phobic” is &lt;em&gt;1: having an aversion for 2: lacking an affinity for”.&lt;/em&gt; What it boils down to is just a windy way to say: “I’m agin’ it!” I have an aversion to broccoli so does that make me “broccophobic?” I also have little affinity for soccer as played by the World Cup crowd so am I best described as “soccophobic?” We have a hard enough time being understood in this whirlwind of issues which swirl about our heads; must we rely upon suffixes which have made their way through Latin and Greek to enter our language?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In a related note; I heard the president recently praised for a speech he gave at the end of the week with subsequent Q and A at the conclusion. The reporter remarked how refreshing it was to hear the leader of the free world drop the “g” from nearly every gerund to present a more inclusive face to his audience. Simply saying, “comin’”. “goin’”, and “screwin’ you” hardy seems appropriate for a so-called genius with an Ivy League background. This type of thing is expected from a chameleon who seeks to blend with his background and thus not be noticed. For a person lacking this natural ability to blend comes off as amateurish and clumsy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;While we are on the subject of language and speeches; there is yet one more question which needs be asked. Is “Am I my brother’s keeper?” the only biblical verse which the president has memorized. As one who seeks to provide cradle to grave care and supervision to each and every one of our 300,000,000 plus citizens, to him, it must be the only one worth remembering. There is little in the word “keeper” which implies freedom. It is rather an expression which implies retention and control. Either definition is totally inappropriate when describing any citizen of the United States since free people require neither. On balance, the response in Genesis 4:9 is actually a smart aleck answer to God. It is no less inappropriate as an answer to a question by a citizen. For a guy whose brother lives in a cardboard box in Africa it seems a strange verse to retain.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Who’s a Nobody?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In a controversial piece, Neil Cavuto referred to the president as being a “nobody” at the time of the 9/11 attacks. Many supporters rose to Obama’s defense and claimed that he was indeed, “somebody” and not a person of little influence as Cavuto claimed.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you live in Illinois, have a rampaging interest in politics, or are a political junkie in a general sense, it is possible that you may have had some evidence of the existence of Barack Obama as an Illinois state senator. For an exercise in evaluating the complaint against Cavuto’s remark, I propose you take a little self-administered test. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Think back nine years, where you were living, and name three of your state senators. Any three will do. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Do you remember who your federal representatives and senators were from that state at the time? &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Forget 2001 and just name three state senators from any state where you have ever lived. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;How about, you just name two? &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Before the 2005 Democrat convention, can you honestly say you had ever heard of Barack Hussein Obama? &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When he won the senatorial election in 2005 in Illinois, did you recognize the name?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Certainly, among our readership, someone will score a few of these questions. Granny and I took our little test and I’m ashamed to admit that local politics is not our forte. Over the 26 years of our marriage we have lived in or have roots in New York, Louisiana, Colorado, Wisconsin, Nevada and Missouri. We also have a peripheral interest in Wyoming and Arizona and failed there as well. We still came up empty. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you score 3 out of 5, you have permission to join Neil Cavuto’s critics. Otherwise, accept the fact that Obama did not become a household name until the run-up to the 2005 election. Neil was right—he was a “nobody.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;And Finally&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Breaking news which really matters or isn’t redundant is suddenly in short supply. Liberals continue to defame Sarah Palin in hopes of lessening her influence on conservative politics. Another member of the Congressional Black Caucus has been nailed funneling scholarships to family members. Faux Tea Party members continue to show up on ballots with their only backing provided by the DNC. To burn or not to burn Korans is on an indefinite hiatus limited only by the medias desire to air it or not. The only person who seems subdued through this whole ugly mess is Al Gore. Even Nobel laureates can’t seem to get a break.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here in the Ozarks, we found our 10th inch in the rain gauge for the month of September. This, after a successful experience mowing the “monster” in between the rain drops. About the only natural feature of any importance has been the appearance of the moon flowers. No, that is not a play on your host’s name. This is a flower which I freely admit I had never, ever heard of before. It is, to say the least, a really showy and spectacular flower. I have been challenged by Granny to keep these plants alive and have kept asking myself; “Why?” It’s a sort of vine with short stubby leaves and little to recommend it until the flower appears. Don’t look for it before midnight. It is unbelievable as it opens and the four separate leaves of the flower finally reach a circle of stark white nearly 9” across! It’s huge. By morning, it’s gone and nothing remains except the hope that another blossom may occur the next night. The wonders of God’s creation never cease to amaze.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-3048220743825546882?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/3048220743825546882/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=3048220743825546882&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/3048220743825546882'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/3048220743825546882'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/monday-morning-rant-164.html' title='Monday Morning Rant 164'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-6786598102086821556</id><published>2010-09-11T10:42:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-11T10:42:54.830-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Who Done It?</title><content type='html'>We live in a world obsessed by crime stories. We have a conditioned reflex to identify the victim and then the perpetrator. The normal process is then to seek, through evidence, motive and ability, proof of the crime and then prosecute the villains. This fascination with solving crimes established Conan Doyle as an author and the reputation of his lead character, Sherlock Holmes, as the master sleuth. Holmes was introduced in 1887 in Doyle’s work the Study in Scarlet and our fascination with crime has never abated but rather provided an avalanche of interest by the public over the next 133 years. Witness if you will, the massive presence of “crime dramas” on your TV menus. People are sympathetic to those who seek justice.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Whether by deranged individuals, self-seeking nations, or ideology; humanity is offended by unrepentant criminality. The willful and unpunished perpetrator then becomes a stain on the fabric of our lives.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Today we commemorate the ninth anniversary of the most heinous crime to ever occur on American soil. The horror of the event is encapsulated in the innocence of the victims. They fell into two general categories: those who were simply reporting for a normal work day with no particular axe to grind and those who lost their lives attempting to rescue them. Although a huge element, the loss of property pales to insignificance in comparison to the loss of life. In total, 2977 persons from 70 separate nations lost their lives in addition to the 19 total suicide perpetrators.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Unlike the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor, one could not easily assign a national interest to those who carried out the attack on the twin towers. Even the attackers had variant nationality although Saudi Arabia contributed the majority of the highjackers. Various leadership positions have been identified and al Qaeda claimed responsibility but absolute responsibility remains murky still. There is one common element which all the criminals involved share—the ideology of Islam. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As a nation with a constitution which demands respect for a huge variety of religions and protects each of those faiths equally, we have a conflict in seeking retribution. Sorting through the problems of dealing with the ideology of Islam which espouses “death to infidels,” has become a major barrier to action which respects the 1st Amendment. As Americans with a good grip on our history and the founders’ intent, we are hobbled by our understanding of our sacred document and inhibited in seeking justice for those who have sullied our national purpose. It is possible that the time has come to clearly define that which is a religion and that which is an ideology. To not do so may well spell the end of our nationhood as we know and understand it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If 9/11 were an isolated incident and not accompanied by rejoicing at the time on the streets of various Islamic communities in the world, it would be a completely different matter. Obviously the news of America’s loss was greeted more as a military victory than a successful criminal action among the believers in Islam. The broad smiles of Muslims and signs (in English) proclaiming “death to America” do little to substantiate the allegation of “a religion of peace.” The evidence clearly points instead to an avowed enemy which holds a vision of our complete and absolute destruction in mind. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For those who wish to hide behind claims of tolerance and historic actions of other divergent faiths the time has come to confront the willful destructive force which resides in the hearts of the Islamist ideology. The failure to understand the effectiveness of the surge in the Iraq war is symptomatic of misunderstanding the psyche of the Islamic mentality. When confronted with absolute power they are cowed and respectful. To cede the high ground of superior force is understood in that region as capitulation and cowardice. This is what happens when we declare a withdrawal date for troops in any Islamic theater. Their attitude is based upon having a century’s long history in the region and the patience to wait until we are exhausted. Facing a billion and a quarter protagonists with a millennium of experience cannot be successful unless we continue to the end. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Conan Doyle, through Sherlock Holmes would have remarked: “elementary my dear Watson.” This is not about revenge, or retribution, or retaliation. It is about sustaining the existence of the most benign force this earth has seen since the advent of Jesus Christ. We have made mistakes as a nation but to ignore this particular threat would be the death of life as we know it. To depend upon mounting bureaucratic security measures in lieu of active resistance to the threat is suicidal for our nation. Turning to the United Nations would be the epitome of insanity. We are an exceptional nation because we learned long ago to clean up our own mess. Yes, we have had allies and will continue to have but eventually, it will be our initiative which will win the day.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What better day than September 11, to realize what we must face as a nation and to resolve to summon the will to do so. May God help us!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-6786598102086821556?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/6786598102086821556/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=6786598102086821556&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/6786598102086821556'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/6786598102086821556'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/who-done-it.html' title='Who Done It?'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-1648604413638267607</id><published>2010-09-10T19:07:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-10T19:15:04.551-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Obama and Christianity</title><content type='html'>Amid the raging controversy over the “Ground Zero Mosque”, burning Korans, and the Muslim outrages world wide, we have an issue of importance to some about the religious identity of our president. Rather than share my opinion, I shall turn to Mychal Massie and quote a post in its entirety which I found at &lt;a href="http://www.thevailspot.blogspot.com/"&gt;The Vail Spot&lt;/a&gt; .&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It consists of Massies’s analysis from his position as a Christian and active in public and private life. I encourage you to read on and form your own opinion.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“In the aftermath of Obama's unsolicited, controversial dictates over the Ground Zero mosque debate, White House image-makers are now trying to convince the public he is a devout Christian. Specific to that point, he may not be a Muslim, but I'm convinced he isn't a Christian, either.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As evidence of his devoutness, the White House has entered into evidence that he allegedly prays every day. Let me be clear – praying every day no more makes one a Christian than walking across a stream makes one a fisherman.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A true Christian, i.e., a born-again believer, is a person who has put his faith and trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ – including His sacrificial death on the cross as propitiation/payment for our sins, His crucifixion and resurrection and the understanding that this same Jesus will, at a time appointed return to gather unto Himself His own.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Simply believing there is a God or "god" doesn't make one a Christian. The New Testament tells us, in James 2:19, that the very "demons also believe and tremble." In the Book of Job we have record of God addressing Satan (Job 1:6-12). Ergo, if Satan and the demons are acknowledged as knowing God exists from first-person experience – just believing there is a God simply places a person among a legion of not so pleasant beings.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My point being – prayer and belief sans confession, repentance and acceptance of Christ in one's heart is hot air. Being a "good person" doesn't make one a Christian either, nor does being an outwardly religious person. Being a Christian, devout or otherwise, is more than that – it placing our eternal life in the hands of One we have not seen, based on a faith that many scorn (John 3:1-21, Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 3:21-28, Hebrews 11:1-3).&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Neither do good works make one a Christian. John Gotti and Al Capone did many good works within their communities, and still others convicted of heinous crimes are said to have seemed like good persons. The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God's word. That doesn't mean acceptance of others' sinful and aberrant behavior – it means love enough for the person committing same not to want to see them perish.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A true believer is a child of God, a part of God's family and one who has been given new life in Christ Jesus. Intellectuality has no place with God; self-anointed "christianship" is a falsehood.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Some will no doubt spew forth the plaintive wail of false teachers and those whose hearts have been hardened, and rail "judge not, less [I] be judged." But that, too, is most frequently misapplied. I'm not judging by appearance – I'm judging according to "life" and what biblically based, Christ-like attributes Obama displays. What one thing has he done or said since taking office that can be unequivocally said to be the words/actions of Christ in man?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Scriptures tell us that by our works we shall be known (Matthew 7:15-20). Where is Obama's fruit? I think it can be reasonably argued that, if he were a Christian following after Jesus, there would be no questions about his faith. If his actions were Christ-like, people wouldn't question whether or not he is a Muslim.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This isn't about color or race. There are many persons of color in very public capacities that do not have these questions swirling around them.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;America is in need of truly godly leaders – and the fact that we are lacking same is evidenced by the condition our country finds itself in today. America is rapidly becoming a place where Christians need not apply. The country is the recipient of what the church is producing. If Obama had spent 20 years under a truly God-fearing, Bible-preaching, Christ-filled pastor, would we today have these questions? Obviously, we cannot say with absolute certainty that wouldn't be the case – but I submit the chances greatly favor that we wouldn't.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A true Christian is more concerned about the eternal benefits of service than about endorsing behaviors and teachings that are antithetical to the God of Scripture. God doesn't care what color a person is, nor whether you are a man, woman or child – He cares that we accept His Son, lead others to Him, and live Christ-centered lives that make others want to be like "that" which they see in us.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Specific to that point, I see nothing in Obama I want to be like."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;--------------------------------------------------------------------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Mychal Massie is chairman of the National Leadership Network of Black Conservatives-Project 21 – a conservative black think tank located in Washington, D.C. He was recognized as the 2008 Conservative Man of the Year by the Conservative Party of Suffolk County, N.Y. He is a nationally recognized political activist, pundit and columnist. He has appeared on Fox News Channel, CNN, MSNBC, C-SPAN, NBC, Comcast Cable and talk radio programming nationwide. A former self-employed business owner of more than 30 years, Massie can be followed on Twitter and Facebook. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Thank you for taking the time to read Massie’s thoughts on this issue. Personally, I think it is outstanding.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-1648604413638267607?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/1648604413638267607/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=1648604413638267607&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1648604413638267607'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1648604413638267607'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/obama-and-christianity.html' title='Obama and Christianity'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-4171461070863372511</id><published>2010-09-09T09:46:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-09T09:46:15.395-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Obama, Going to the Dogs</title><content type='html'>Today marks a landmark in the Obama presidency. From the soaring approval numbers in the polls immediately following the election, we find some twenty months later that BHO has reached the nadir of his public acceptance. Rasmussen, the leader in verifiable polling results, reported the overnight finding at -24%. This is achieved by comparing the “strongly” approve/disapprove numbers, 47 vs. 23, and the difference, -24, is the index.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Removing the critical adverb “strongly” from the question, we find him lagging by a 58-41 margin of -17. A necessary reminder here is that Rasmussen predicted the final tally on Bush-Kerry and Obama-Bush with less than a 1% margin of error. In total, the numbers are the absolute lowest recorded for the president by the most accurate of all poll sources. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In a recent departure from his prepared remarks, the president complained that “people were treating him like a dog.” Having had a dog for a companion since 1937, I find his statement misses the mark by a wide margin. Each of the faithful, noble beasts who have enriched my existence over the years had a positive affect on my life. In return for their love, I made every effort to care for their needs and reward them for their service. Each was considered an active member of the family. However, none of them were ever allowed to accompany me on a journey using their own personal multi-engine jet as transport. Being “treated like a dog” apparently does have its perks.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Even Lyndon Johnson, whose conduct and policies in the White House I found most disagreeable, enjoyed one photo from the oval office which gave me a measure of hope for the man. He was shown, leaning back in his chair reading a multi-page document held in one hand and with the other he was idly scratching his dog’s head. I saw in that picture, a different perspective of his personality I had previously never observed. It served to temper my opinion of him from that day forward. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Understanding the narcissist is a life long study but one does not need endless years of education to either recognize one or see the negative affect he has on those around him. This individual will stand as a case study for years to come. As gradually we unwrap the endless layers of mystery concerning this president we shall find a soulless, egocentric man who has ridden affirmative action to outrageous heights. Fortunately, one only needs return to the Rasmussen numbers quoted above to see the American electorate coming to grips with the realities of their decisions. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As we continue to watch, often in horror, the activities of our government in lock step doing nearly everything they can to destroy America, it becomes more difficult to predict the end result. I’m confident, with certain reservations, that the electorate is starting to awaken. As the affects of our current financial difficulties turn from recession to depression with massive unemployment, depressed housing markets, and the lack of effective action from the government, how can anyone sleep through it? In hard numbers we now have a national debt equivalent to the grand total of every previous administration combined. Instead of solutions, we find ourselves deluged with distracting issues to divert our attention from the unrelenting problems we face as a nation. Oil spills, book burning, weather threats, vacation schedules, are the crisis de jour and noteworthy but nothing compared to the overthrow of the government.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For twenty months we have been reminded daily that the entirety of the nation’s ills belong on the shoulders of the previous administration. Might it possibly be the time to stand up, like a man, and take responsibility for his own actions? I realize that is inconsistent with the personality of the narcissist but it certainly would be a refreshing change. Gradually, the entire population—even leftists—will come to see the need for the restoration of sanity in our government. The only remaining question is; will they accomplish this attitudinal change before it is too late? God help us!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-4171461070863372511?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/4171461070863372511/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=4171461070863372511&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/4171461070863372511'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/4171461070863372511'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/obama-going-to-dogs.html' title='Obama, Going to the Dogs'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-1296395897505979732</id><published>2010-09-07T20:35:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-07T20:42:10.004-07:00</updated><title type='text'>A “Heap o’ Nothin’” or a “Pile of Somthin’”</title><content type='html'>Who but Florence King would write a column and entitle it “Heap o’ Nothin’?” The piece in question appears in the “National Review” in the August 30, 2010 issue on page 39, in her regular column, The Bent Pin. You do subscribe to “National Review” don’t you? Her column alone is worth the price of admission.&amp;nbsp;Enjoying the cream of conservative writers, Ms. King stands alone among the contributors. She has a salty style which is otherwise unavailable. No doubt, this was acquired growing up in the south in the thirties and forties.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As an example, I submit the following:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“They don’t call him “No Drama Obama” for nothing. He’s even worse than we thought because he has committed the ultimate American crime, worse than anything he has been accused of so far. He has no sense of humor. You can tell just by watching him at the mike that here is a person who knows the words but not the tune. You see him standing like a greyhound in the slips, straining upon the start, but he can’t sense where the start comes. Someone has over-coached him on the subject of “timing.” He doesn’t really feel it, he just knows that comedians are supposed to have something called timing, so he puts on a little half-smile and waits for it—you can almost hear him counting.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My ultimate prediction is based on the scientific certainty of female intuition. I have a feeling that a lot is going to happen. I sense that something is gearing up, gathering speed, starting to peek from behind the curtain. Lights keep going off in my mind like fireflies in a jar, and I already have a poem to go with it all: “Shine, Perishing Republic” by Robinson Jeffers.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To read what came before and to complete what follows you will have to borrow a copy from your well-informed brother-in-law and finish it yourself. I imagine that National Review would be touchy if I quoted the entire thing. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As a geezer, I may have a greater appreciation of Florence King and an admiration for that segment of our society who don’t bother mincing words. We plainly don’t have enough time in life left to waste on platitudes and “the little niceties.” &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-1296395897505979732?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/1296395897505979732/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=1296395897505979732&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1296395897505979732'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1296395897505979732'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/heap-o-nothin-or-pile-of-somthin.html' title='A “Heap o’ Nothin’” or a “Pile of Somthin’”'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-637605667316689846</id><published>2010-09-07T11:43:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-07T12:00:46.371-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Gratitude for Soundly Based Commentary</title><content type='html'>Labor Day is now past, cooler mornings are here, and the necessary tasks for the oncoming winter are being planned and executed. A little caulking here, checking windows and doors for leaks there, space heater maintenance in advance of necessity and filter replacement occupy the prudent home owner. This is a conditioned response to the onset of the inevitable. This advance preparation eases our departure from the lively growing season to the declining days of fall and then those three months of the dearth of winter.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With that dire threat knocking on the door, absent the joys of the preceding six months, what is there to lift our outlook to face the challenges? Actually, there is an abundance of distraction to raise our spirits and divert our attention from the wind and cold. So then, let us count our blessings and not fear the future. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Even though not as demanding, the upcoming two seasons will have much to challenge the physical man. In a rural setting, the last quarter mile of road finds access is guaranteed only by maintenance by the occupant of the property. Snow must be cleared, fallen limbs removed, and thus is access to the outside world assured. Once the leaves have fallen and the detritus swept aside we will enjoy the restoration of the marvelous view we have of the adjacent valley—and the road below. With the absence of the leaf cover, much will be revealed that needs attention. The hyper-active shop can finally be attended, cleaned, and generally reorganized without interruption from mundane daily activity. Soon, the light bulb in the well house will be activated to assure continuous service after the first freeze. It will be a time of smaller tasks with even greater importance.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Obviously, since we are married to the internet, we shall spend more time gathering information, digesting it and then sharing our opinions. As so many we know are returning to all levels of the education process, we also are prepared to enlarge our knowledge and share our thoughts as well. We observe that fall and that activity are a natural fit. In the run up to the November election, we anticipate much excitement will accompany the rise and fall of the various candidates and, hopefully, restore the progress of the nation. As I anticipate my 78th seasonal change, I truly believe that we face the most critical election our nation has ever had.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With that in mind, I shall make a personal recommendation of the &lt;a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/instapundit/"&gt;Instapundit&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;site and the small army of brilliant minds who inhabit it. My daily “favorites” list is arranged in order to start my day with that which I consider important. I lead off with &lt;a href="http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/"&gt;Day-by-Day&lt;/a&gt; for grins and political observation. This is followed by &lt;a href="http://www.drudgereport.com/"&gt;The Drudge Report&lt;/a&gt; , the &lt;a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/"&gt;USGS&lt;/a&gt; Earthquake site—hey, I have a thing about tectonic plate movement, the &lt;a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll"&gt;Rasmussen Daily Tracking Poll&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;to gauge changes in the national mood, and by force of habit, &lt;a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll"&gt;Knowledge is Power&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Then to prove my status as a creature of habit, I then check the weather, my email, my Stat Counter—just to see if you are awake yet—and then a dozen other blogs of interest. Scattered among them is an occasional visit to Huffington Post, Slate, and Daily Kos to measure the hysteria of the left. This process is interrupted by numerous trips to the coffee pot and personal recriminations concerning my sloth because it is now noon.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You will find the most frequently quoted blog is Glen Reynolds’s Instapundit. I find great comfort in the genius exposed there regarding current events. Victor Davis Hanson, Ed Driscoll, Roger Simon, and Mark Steyn are typical of the commentators who contribute to the website. They are joined by a host of others with equal intellect who grace those pages.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This particular post was inspired by a piece by &lt;a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/eddriscoll/2010/09/06/labor-day-2010-building-a-bridge-to-the-13th-century/"&gt;Ed Driscoll&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;who liberally quotes some of the other mentioned writers. To view a brilliant mind at work, I recommend clicking on the link and reading it. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For those who routinely follow Zion Beckons, we offer our heartfelt thanks. We promise, as the weather gets nippier, to provide an even greater supply of information to get your blood warmed up and moving. We also promise to remind you that as our government becomes less and less capable of managing their affairs that God is still in charge and his will, will prevail.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-637605667316689846?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/637605667316689846/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=637605667316689846&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/637605667316689846'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/637605667316689846'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/gratitude-for-soundly-based-commentary.html' title='Gratitude for Soundly Based Commentary'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-8267036731076320563</id><published>2010-09-06T14:55:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-06T14:55:53.979-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Victor Davis Hanson – The Best as Usual</title><content type='html'>I have long been a fan of Victor Davis Hanson. Now that I have read this piece in its entirety, I now know why. Here follow the opening paragraphs without any further introduction or comment:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“Since we seem now to be ruled during this administration by former professors, here is a rant about what I have learned of the university.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Looking back at forty years…&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have some experience in academia: I spent 3 years at UC Santa Cruz, graduating in classics, two more, graduate and undergraduate, in formal study in Athens, at the College Year in Athens and the American School of Classical Studies, four at Stanford University for a PhD in classics, and then a 21-year stint as a professor at California State University Fresno.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I farmed before, during, and after the university tenures. I can’t count my current life at the Hoover Institution or my month of teaching each year at Hillsdale College as quite the same experience. Both, after all, are aberrant academic institutions — in the sense that the faculties and mission of these institutions resemble pretty much those of America off campus. (I have never met more sane people than at both places.)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The farm and the life with it were great gifts from my ancestors. Almost every weekend as an undergraduate and graduate student, and then nightly as a classics professor, I returned to the farm. People in the environs there were not hostile to learning; they just assumed that being a professor or writer was, and should be, not any different from welding or tractor driving.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Living in rural Selma was a sort of vaccination against the academic virus of self-importance and collective timidity. One must be somewhat self-reliant when bare vines somehow in ten months must pay for diapers and formula, when so much — weather, pests, markets, neighbors, intruders — conspire to prevent that. Fairly or not, I always admired a guy who could feed his family from 60 acres of tree-fruit (I could not) — and especially a lot more than I did an English professor, at least the sort I met over the last forty years.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So what did I learn in the university? I’ll try to be a bit less specific than I was in Who Killed Homer? written over a decade ago.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Now, to finish the piece, &lt;a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/victordavishanson/rule-by-professors/"&gt;go to Pajama's Media and continue.&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp; I shall not insult you or Dr. Hanson with further comment or observation. Neither of you require it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-8267036731076320563?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/8267036731076320563/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=8267036731076320563&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8267036731076320563'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8267036731076320563'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/victor-davis-hanson-best-as-usual.html' title='Victor Davis Hanson – The Best as Usual'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-8507160119701419105</id><published>2010-09-06T09:53:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-06T10:06:21.261-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Monday Morning Rant 163</title><content type='html'>I don’t know about you but I have long suffered from am overdose of self-, and over-confidence. From the standpoint of achieving a few minor victories in life it has served me well. From other circumstance, it has led to unanticipated disappointment. Part of this is slathering everything I see with a huge covering of optimism. I’m the guy you hear about who is constantly leveling the pile of manure looking for the pony. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;After a long and happy life, I looked back and rethought some of the successes. In every case, it was not the self-confidence and the optimism which carried the day but rather, preparedness, hard work, and fighting the good fight to the finish. That last is especially important when it comes to the November elections. In that case, November 2nd is an important date but not as significant as Nov. 1—or Oct. 22—or Sept 15th—or for that matter, today. It is on those days and the other sixty we have left in which we will have to do yeoman’s work. Work, which, as an individual citizen we can do to insure a strong change in the government. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We need to buttonhole voters to be certain they clearly understand the threats which exist with government as it is. It’s not enough just to ask some one if they are registered. If they are not, help them through the process. Solicit any unanswered questions they have and be prepared to answer them honestly. Be certain that their transportation to the polls is covered. If you are comfortable doing so, local political action committees need volunteers to do dozens of jobs from licking envelopes to phone banks to individual solicitations of support. And yes, every campaign from Senator to dog catcher can always use a few extra bucks as well. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is not about “change”, it is about restoration of the republic. Those folks you need to contact are your fellow workers, church members, members of your lodge or organization, people you encounter regularly where you shop and even live next door and we need their vote if this campaign is to be successful. Keep in mind there is no need to embarrass them over past decisions. The only election which counts is the next one. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;No upcoming election can be taken for granted. Just because your candidate is in the lead according to the latest poll, he cannot win without your presence in the voting booth. The fact your guy is surging in the polls is a &lt;em&gt;suggestion&lt;/em&gt; that he &lt;em&gt;may&lt;/em&gt; win--it is not a guarantee. If your favorite candidate fails by one vote you can be at ease knowing it’s not your fault the deciding voter wasn’t contacted by you. The only poll that matters is the one we must all participate in on November 2nd. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For an effective and convincing win in November, it is absolutely essential that we take nothing for granted. Each pre-electoral activity, no matter how small it may seem at the time, is necessary to gain recovery for the nation. The time has come for each individual citizen to realize that his is the face of continued liberty.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“Non” News from the Labor Front&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Enjoy Labor Day with the realization that unemployment continues apace at 9.6%. By stubbornly continuing governmental payroll taxes, prospective employers are looking for any excuse not to hire replacement workers. Rather than reduce or eliminate completely this onerous burden, many find it more productive to increase the load on the existing staff or replace, where possible, lack of personnel with machinery. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Obama has engineered the extension of unemployment benefits to 99 weeks. This benefit from an administration which promises recovery in seasonal terms—can you say; “Recovery Summer?” It’s an historic high for this boon for the last sixty-five years. Those who deal in these statistics suggest that they encourage workers to accept the hand out and not look for employment. The psychological damage to those involved is equivalent to the result of having a reduced income.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Among my friends and neighbors, a man is appraised by his labor. Every new acquaintance, from the humble to the high, suffers the inquiry about the nature of his employment. No matter the response, there is an implied praise by the questioner, acknowledging the worth of gainful service to the community. If he works for the local trash service picking up discards from the curb, the worth of his efforts are well noted. If he is a professional of some sort, the benefit of his labor is also cited in the questioner’s response. I choose to believe that this is not peculiar to the Ozarks but a universal American trait. Today, however, folks dread the painful admission that our new friend is unemployed and “on the dole.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Unlike Europe, people here in the US folks are apt to brag about extra hours and surviving an excessive workload. We’ve all heard it and subliminally mark a plus on our perception of the person who claims the distinction. You get no points for working under forty hours or otherwise shirking the norm. We are an exceptional people and this is one of strongest reasons why. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So what does this say about our chief executive and his compliant congress? It simply further underlines just how horribly out of touch this collective mob is with everyday Americans. Beyond the beltway, this is common knowledge. Within the outer ring, we appear to be a mysterious cult. God help the ignorant.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;And Finally&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;After the lengthy complaints over the lack of rain, we finally got a bunch. So much, in fact, I found it necessary to commence mowing again after a one month hiatus. What a joy to watch the brittle, brown, and beleaguered yard regain its former appearance. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Additionally, the status of the level of reserve in the well is no longer our top priority. It is likely that our new found conservation measures will continue if for no other reason than sheer habit. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We would advertise that we trust in God to provide every needful blessing. In point of fact, we must admit that sometimes we wish He would hurry things along a little bit. As a result, perhaps it is better to realize He is still in charge, He loves and protects us, and He will do what is necessary, in accordance with His plan. I think I’ll just say “Thank you, Lord” and&amp;nbsp;let it go at that.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-8507160119701419105?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/8507160119701419105/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=8507160119701419105&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8507160119701419105'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8507160119701419105'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/monday-morning-rant-163.html' title='Monday Morning Rant 163'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-1537262965129934433</id><published>2010-09-04T08:44:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-04T08:44:00.332-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Rabbi Daniel Lapin Nails It</title><content type='html'>I tuned in the last half of Glen Beck on Fox and caught a discussion with pastor Miles McPherson, Rabbi Daniel Lapin, and the guy, Dave Roever, who had the phosphorous grenade blow up in his face. They are each men of exceptional faith and apparently close enough to their Maker to have a better understanding of Him and His teachings. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The startling revelation came with the remarks from Rabbi Lapin. For the atheist, he assigned a comparison to a parasite. Like his natural counterpart, he is willing to feed on the host and contribute nothing. The atheist American citizen is willing to insist on constitutional protections from a document which not only references God but was written by the founders who publicly asked for His guidance. He further absorbs the benefits, both charitable and moral, which the faithful contribute to society. While attitudes which reflect goodness, mercy, compassion, acceptance, and general order are not unique to the faithful they are frequently doctrinally required and generally govern their behavior.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;People of faith, admittedly to widely varied experience, have a generally accepted set of moral guidelines which supercede their individual selfish desires and create fewer problems in society. The atheist then enjoys the protections afforded by theses attitudes when he is careless with his property, when he enters an unmarked intersection, when he enjoys the price structure of businesses which enjoy minimal pilferage. Beyond property, the atheist enjoys the courtesy, the smiles, the modulated speech, the occasional aid, and the peace which a deep faith provides Or, in other words, just about every aspect of his life has a benefit provided by those who acknowledge a Higher Power.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Are all persons of faith perfect? Heavens no! Once they have erred, however, they are taught to seek forgiveness, make necessary restitution, repent of further duplicate action, and strive to continue to live their lives in concert with God.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rabbi Lapin, your observation is spot on. When man has God as a constant companion there is a highly visible and beneficial affect upon society as a whole for which, we thank Him.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-1537262965129934433?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/1537262965129934433/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=1537262965129934433&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1537262965129934433'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1537262965129934433'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/rabbi-daniel-lapin-nails-it.html' title='Rabbi Daniel Lapin Nails It'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-6804625672637896513</id><published>2010-09-03T13:34:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-03T13:34:30.978-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Glenn Beck – A Clearer Understanding</title><content type='html'>Love him or hate him, you have to admit that he has made his mark on the current unsteady political scene. Some were disappointed that he did not firmly ally with the Tea Party movement. Others thought he should have had an all-out assault on the current administration. A small percentage seemed resentful that he obviously relies upon God Almighty for direction and his moral values. None, however, accused him of not having a wealth of ideas and personal opinions.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;By now, observers have dissected his every word to determine his aims both clearly stated and subliminal. His choice of date (the anniversary of the MLK “I had a Dream” speech,) his reliance upon the appropriate numbers of peoples of color as speakers, the massive crowd (now accepted as roughly about a half million,) directed the event to more of a commemoration than a typical political rally. That was as it should be. Even the venue (the Lincoln Memorial, the western anchor of the National Mall) served the purpose he came to share.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For the best recap I have seen, so far, I strongly recommend you visit the &lt;a href="http://chicagoboyz.net/archives/15295.html"&gt;"Chicago Boyz" website&lt;/a&gt; and read the article by Lexington Greene. He examines with crystal clarity, Beck’s purpose and the possible impact it could have upon the nation. It has also attracted hundreds of commenters, 90% of whom agree with Beck to a greater or lesser degree. I promise your understanding of the event will be greatly enhanced by following the link.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I greatly regret that circumstance prevented my attendance at this event. I believe that it may prove to be a turning point in the struggle to regain our collective national purpose and our historic identity. Now, go back and click on the link and enjoy Lexington Greene’s evaluation of the event and, more important, the man.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-6804625672637896513?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/6804625672637896513/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=6804625672637896513&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/6804625672637896513'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/6804625672637896513'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/glenn-beck-clearer-understanding.html' title='Glenn Beck – A Clearer Understanding'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-2053670352761135715</id><published>2010-09-03T07:54:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-03T08:27:01.900-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Car Czar Rattner Joins Rats Deserting the Ship</title><content type='html'>Part of politics is that sooner or later someone is going to make the mistake of telling the truth; or, at the least, the truth as they see it. The obvious result is, not all your former associates in government are going to be thrilled to hear the revelations. Such is the case with Steven Rattner who most recently was the “czar” in charge of the auto takeover of GM and Chrysler.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rattner has written a book, “Overhaul” which could probably benefit from the buzz over the “tell all” nature of the contents. In the text he observes Obama making political decisions about fiscal matters regarding the auto takeover. The former New York Times Reporter has a few problems of his own to deal with. Apparently the SEC has an interest in some self promotions of investments and the use of political leverage. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Part of the appeal of the “czar” positions is the salving of the narcissistic personality which requires that elevated acknowledgment. As November grows nearer, look for more of these folks coming forward with their own version of their experiences with a fellow sufferer. Let us hope it becomes equivalent of a pen full of ravenous wolves.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-2053670352761135715?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/2053670352761135715/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=2053670352761135715&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/2053670352761135715'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/2053670352761135715'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/car-czar-rattner-joins-rats-deserting.html' title='Car Czar Rattner Joins Rats Deserting the Ship'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-1213944740316213666</id><published>2010-09-02T12:36:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-02T12:36:24.526-07:00</updated><title type='text'>The Oil Patch Blows Again</title><content type='html'>Amidst hysterical reports of another “oil rig” blowing we find that it was not a “rig” but a platform. There is a critical difference. A “rig” is the essential tool for drilling for oil. Once the “rig” is successful, there are massive equipment and personnel changes and the facility becomes a “platform” to facilitate the continued extraction of crude. A drilling operation can involve as many as 60 to 80 men to cover the shifts (12 on, 12 off) and the support workers (cooks, administration, monkeys, etc.) Far fewer workers are required to watch the oil run through the pipes.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Obviously, any explosion and subsequent fire on an offshore platform is serious business. Most of the guys I knew who worked there saw it as the potential catastrophe which it represented. As a result they kept in mind that their hide was in the game and conducted themselves accordingly. When you’re 60 miles out in the Gulf, south of Vermillion Bay, you can’t just go across the street to watch your house burn down until the fire trucks arrive. Instead you inflate your flotation devices and go over the side—if you are fortunate enough to survive the explosion.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;At the moment the report is of 12 survivors known with one in doubt.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The larger issue is that of the resistance of the courts to Obama’s drilling bans. That is plural because he has adopted the posture of issuing another one upon rejection by the courts of the previous one. From his actions during the Deepwater Horizon spill and his clearly stated attitudes toward oil extraction in general it is safe to assume, he views drilling in the US and it’s its territorial waters as an enemy of the state. That would be defined as his concept of what the state should be and not the general idea held by the people who enjoy private transportation, using electricity, warm homes in winter, lubricants, and the many other things which oil production enables.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Accidents on platforms are not all that rare and receive little publicity beyond local papers and other news sources unless they support a larger agenda. I have long thought that the foot dragging on the Horizon spill was intentionally prolonged and overstated in support of Obama’s opposition to drilling as a practice and not his now famous incompetence.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Am I the only one who missed the comprehensive investigation of the cause of the Deepwater Horizon disaster? I need a link to the site where the initial cause of that debacle was clearly outlined. Most large corporations are only too eager to pin the blame for such a tragedy on someone or some piece of allegedly faulty equipment and escape personal responsibility. Nothing happens by “accident.” There is a cause, whether known or unknown, to every thing. After four months one would reasonably expect some sort of explanation. Even shacks which burn to the ground can be explained by the physics of friction induced fire which results when the insurance policy rubs against the mortgage. While I doubt that was the cause of the Deepwater blast, something was. With the campaign promise of the “most transparent government in history” still ringing in our ears, might we soon expect to hear the cause?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love, &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-1213944740316213666?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/1213944740316213666/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=1213944740316213666&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1213944740316213666'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1213944740316213666'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/oil-patch-blows-again.html' title='The Oil Patch Blows Again'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-2249700570958106660</id><published>2010-09-01T11:26:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-11-23T08:11:09.150-08:00</updated><title type='text'>God is Good !!</title><content type='html'>It’s 10:30 AM and so far we have registered slightly over 2.5 inches of water in the rain gauge. Our faithful readers may now rejoice with us for this boon which breaks a month long drought. We had no (that would be 0” precipitation during August) hint of moisture in any of its varied configurations. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For readers, dependent upon a fully staffed and adequately supplied municipal water system, our concerns must seem bizarre. It’s a “living in the woods” thing. Don’t misunderstand and think we would trade for “store bought” water. One of the things I did when I first looked at the property was go to the kitchen sink, cup my hand and draw enough water to taste. The former owners appeared amused by that action but it was the clincher on the deal. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It was cool, clear, tasteless and reminiscent of the water I remembered from my distant youth. It had the natural purity which can only be obtained by seeping down through hundreds of feet of sandstone and other less stable rock to more solid formations in the “basement” rock of the aquifer below. This barrier is about three hundred feet down. Thus contained from below it becomes a characteristic “artesian” in the Ozark Aquifer.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In a tiny well house behind the main dwelling, we find a simple set up. The water, elevated from the well by a submersible pump is drawn directly to a 50 gallon pressure tank with an adjustable setting which is then fed to a central system in the house and the outside faucets an hydrants. To cope with occasional periods of sub-zero weather, the well house has a 100 watt bulb which operates 24/7 in winter and maintains the interior temperature at about 45°. During the more temperate periods this cement block house (five high) is well insulated and provides a home to a large family of wasps which nests in the eaves. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Four fifty foot hoses, when joined, then allow possible irrigation in a 200’ radius. That equates to a coverage area of 2.77 acres. Anything beyond that scope is then dependent upon natural rain for additional growth and “greening.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We are fortunate to live very close to the originating spring for the adjacent river—less than five miles. Another lesser spring is even closer and allows us to measure the actions of the well concealed aquifer. Throughout August, with no rain, the river has continued to flow; albeit reduced, but never dry.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;(UPDATE: The gauge at 11:30 AM now shows 3.7” and the rain continues.)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The lessons learned in this experience will serve us well for the future. Even though our well never faltered through this prolonged dry spell, we have exercised conservation measures on water usage. For example, we learned of settings on the dishwasher which use about half the normal requirements. Some articles of clothing may be worn more than one day and no load was washed that was not full. Prioritizing necessary suffering plants (grapes, ivies, hydrangea, tomatoes, etc.) for life sustaining irrigation became a studied art. Long, slow showers became a luxury we could not afford. The Explorers are now cleaned of their accumulated soil by natural means. We also learned to practice an automatic revulsion to touching any of our large number of faucet handles. The greatest lesson has been not to take for granted the gifts which the Lord provides.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Since the river runs extremely close to the exit road from the property in both directions, we are now faced with the possibility of isolation by flood. Occasionally in the past, we have had this happen so it would be a predictable result of this life-giving rain. We are well-provisioned for the next few days and Granny is not scheduled to work until Friday so we are well prepared to just “hunker down.” Now, or at least by the weekend, I will no doubt return to the business of mowing the four acre yard which it has not experienced since August 7th. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A quick review of national news reminds us that we are indeed, fortunate. Somewhere in the country at just about any given moment some location and its peoples are suffering from a natural disaster be it flood, fire, cyclone, tornado, extreme heat or cold, or in the case of New York—bedbugs. Granny brought an expression to our marriage from her upstate New York background which covers it all nicely—“You’ll have this.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It’s 11:30 AM and I checked the gauge one last time before I close and found 4.4”. I best check with Granny and see if she remembers where I put the plans for the ark.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-2249700570958106660?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/2249700570958106660/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=2249700570958106660&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/2249700570958106660'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/2249700570958106660'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/09/god-is-good.html' title='God is Good !!'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-2112395597414893057</id><published>2010-08-31T10:02:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-31T10:02:25.373-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Pink Glove Dance</title><content type='html'>This is about as far from politics as you can get. In the interest of breast cancer awareness we invite you to &lt;a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEdVfyt-mLw"&gt;enjoy this short video&lt;/a&gt; and marvel at the talent of the staff at this hospital.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Go on; click on the link and share the joy of these dedicated professionals and their support staff—trust me, you’ll love it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-2112395597414893057?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/2112395597414893057/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=2112395597414893057&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/2112395597414893057'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/2112395597414893057'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/pink-glove-dance.html' title='Pink Glove Dance'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-1033018936446093113</id><published>2010-08-31T09:18:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-31T09:18:40.697-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Slam Beck – Get a Reward!</title><content type='html'>On two separate levels, the Huffington Post has engaged in self-defamation of the highest order. According to Free Republic, Beau Friedlander formerly associated with the now defunct Air America and current contributor to Huffington Post penned an article which put a price on Glenn Beck’s head. He has offered $100,000 (not his money, but negotiated) to anyone with documentary evidence of the “sins of Glenn Beck.” The hit piece of choice would be a “sex tape”, phone records, or just about anything scandalous that a reader could come up with.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The offer is a “copy-cat” of the Andrew Breitbart offer to supporters of the Congressional Black Caucus to produce any documentation of the Tea Party miscreants who supposedly hurled insults at the members in a well publicized walk in Washington. What he is offering to finance for a princely sum, is the revelation of information which may well prove to be common knowledge. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Beck, who freely admits his association with Alcoholics Anonymous, has volunteered that prior to seeking recovery he was leading a life that was not stellar nor was he a suitable role model for any other than a barrel of drunks. He was not motivated by a cash outlay to make these admissions but rather to share his distasteful experiences as an example of “what not to do.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Friedlander, whose principal goal is to destroy Beck and that for which he has become an extremely public face, obviously misses the point. He chooses to ignore that “the program” insists upon admission of past error, a heartfelt desire to change, and consequent effort to return to atonement. Beck would be the first to share his story with a fellow sufferer if he saw that person’s desire to turn his life around and acknowledge a higher power was available to assist.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Finding bad behavior of former alcoholics is analogous to finding cows**t in a milking parlor. The truly pious, saintly and virtuous are rarely observed as “first timers” at any AA meeting. They come, often as a last resort, to escape the conscience crushing realities of the life they lead. Despite the name which incorporates the word “anonymous,” some of us realize that, while desirable, anonymity following a life of public drunkenness and its consequences is nearly impossible. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The single most often misunderstood feature about AA, and churches as a whole for that matter, is appreciating that their membership does not claim perfection but acts positively to attain promised God given forgiveness.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In the final analysis, the offer of a negotiated cash allowance for the “Sins of Glenn Beck” speaks more to Friedlander’s ignorance of the process of recovery from alcoholism than any misbehavior of Beck. Beau; maybe you might enjoy going to a meeting and hearing those golden words which are the first uttered on the road to recovery: “Hi, I’m Beau, and I’m an alcoholic.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-1033018936446093113?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/1033018936446093113/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=1033018936446093113&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1033018936446093113'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1033018936446093113'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/slam-beck-get-reward.html' title='Slam Beck – Get a Reward!'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-7715959738207206993</id><published>2010-08-30T10:36:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-30T10:36:08.479-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Monday Morning Rant 162</title><content type='html'>Good grief! You mean to tell me that my late Sundays have been devoted to compiling the “Monday Morning Rant” a hundred and sixty two consecutive evenings? That’s over three years of very unaccustomed regularity. Maybe I should think about “getting a life.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You might be interested in the reasoning for having the weekly rant on Monday morning. Governments, regardless of party, have a nasty habit of airing iffy news from late Friday evening, through Saturday, and on to Sundays. The current administration has mastered the art. Therefore, I carefully scan the news over the weekend, looking with the righteous assumption that they are hiding something and to be sure I am not deprived of expressing my outrage before it becomes “old news.” Hey, don’t thank me, just keep on dropping by. A prime example follows.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Another “Fake” Tea Partier&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In a continuing saga, we find a string of folks who assume the mantle of the Tea Party and allegedly do everything from shoot up Democrat campaign headquarters (see Russ Carnahan, D-MO, and his former aide,) hurl epithets at the Black Caucus (see Breitbart’s Big Government for rebuttal,) and most recently, Bruce Majors. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This guy published a map of DC for the Tea Party folks coming to hear Glenn Beck to instruct them on how to avoid dangerous neighborhoods in the District—as if that were possible. He gave tips on what public transportation to avoid plus how to act around people of color, all the while claiming to be part of the movement.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Fortunately, Benjamin Sarlin of the Daily Beast did some digging and found that this dedicated—so called—conservative has given over $15,000 to various Democrat interests since 2003. His only claim to fame is a donation to Rep. Jim Kolbe back in 2003 for $250. His vested interest in that case appears to be driven mostly by the fact that Rep. Kolbe was the only “outed” gay Republican in the House. For the rest of Sarlin’s observations, &lt;a href="http://the%20dailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-08-2010/bruce-majors-an-unlikely-tea-partier/"&gt;click here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Of course, the mainstream media ate it up as they do with any opportunity to disparage the Tea Party, conservatives or Republicans. I do wonder though; is crow tastier fried or boiled?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Harry Reid loses NRA Endorsement&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In this recent announcement by &lt;a href="http://www.nrapvf.org/news/Read.aspx?ID=14170&amp;amp;T=1"&gt;Chris Cox at the NRA,&lt;/a&gt; we find that they are looking critically at more than votes on individual relevant legislation on firearms. The posture on the two most recent Supreme Court nominees, both of whom are highly suspect in 2nd Amendment matters, apparently figured in the decision by the NRA.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is highly probable that the established posture of a person assuming that high office would have a greater impact on matters of gun control than just about any piece of legislation. In the case of both Sotomayor and Kagan, we find some squishy constitutionalism muddying their intellectual waters. The beauty of that document lies in the clear cut language which in most amendments starts out by saying “Congress shall make no law.” It will take some serious convolution to misunderstand that injunction.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;By reversing the formerly assumed posture of the NRA, we may now expect a huge boost for Sharron Angle in her effort to unseat the long term senator, Harry Reid in Nevada. It is possible that this development may prove the necessary straw to break Nevadan’s hide bound affection for their incumbent. They do love their guns.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Victor Davis Hanson Fully Understands&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Before I provide the link, let me assure you that I have an immense respect not just for the writing style of Victor Davis Hanson but also his understanding of and his portrayal of the country he loves and its people. In his usual manner he nails it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This “Ground Zero Mosque” thing has gotten out of hand and is not helped by the disappearance of Rauf into the warrens of diplomacy. Given his attitudes and subsequent accusations it might be prudent if he were to stay abroad. Meanwhile, keep in mind that he is doing it on the American taxpayer’s dime.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Most important, Hanson clearly explains how so many with a voice manage to enrage the speech deprived with their notions of who and what America is and what it stands for. For the clearest breakdown of the divergent attitudes, &lt;a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/victordavishanson/america%E2%80%94behind-the-mosque/?singlepage=true"&gt;click here.&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;and enjoy a man who is not only a superb writer but a deep thinker as well.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Abilene Paradox&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Because I’m clumsy with embeds, URLs, and other computer magic I was tempted to just leave this alone. I changed my mind because I think it is too important to miss and also we can all benefit from seeing this short little video.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It deals largely with group decision making and the possibility of disastrous results. I promise you will relate to at least one or more of the examples shown and gain much in your further understanding of human relations. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To see this short, yet priceless video go to &lt;a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/victordavishanson/america%E2%80%94behind-the-mosque/?singlepage=true"&gt;Ace of Spades&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;and scroll down to Sunday, Aug. 28 and find the piece posted by Open Blogger at 05:1l entitled Abilene Paradox. Humor me and go the link and you may just see yourself participating in some equivalent madness. I did. Granny did. We both escaped unharmed and you may too if recognize the problems of group dynamics.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;And finally&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Glenn Beck thing at the Lincoln Memorial in DC apparently went off without a news-worthy hitch. That’s a good thing. The criticisms were pretty much standard for the breed of liberals who lodged them. Since I have experienced carrying a big sign around all day I see that as an endorsement from the crowd that they were banned. No public complaint has been registered in that regard.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The crowd size was reported as between “several dozen” to over a million. No doubt that was the result of a broken calculator by the news agencies covering the event. About the only agreement which could be reached is that Al Sharpton’s was quite a bit smaller. As I was unable to attend and observe, we can’t use the Moon “Porta-Potty” line metric to determine the size of the group. From the pictures, the 500,000 looks pretty good.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;All in all, it appeared to be a very successful event.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You are no doubt as sick of hearing about this as I am in relating it. We haven’t seen a real rain in about three weeks and my 4 acre pride and joy yard looks a lot like an ill kept parking lot. It’s brown and brittle and I seriously question if it will come back again. Irrigation is out of the question due to Granny’s proclivity for clean dishes, laundry, and person. I’m pretty sure I don’t even want to know how she’ll react to toting the clothes down to the river to beat them on a rock. The well is good so far but we have yet to see a drought this severe. My only encouragement is that the neighbors don’t seem all that concerned. There’s a 30% chance of rain on Tuesday so please pray for us.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-7715959738207206993?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/7715959738207206993/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=7715959738207206993&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/7715959738207206993'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/7715959738207206993'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/monday-morning-rant-162.html' title='Monday Morning Rant 162'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-5069791249516827001</id><published>2010-08-30T10:30:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-30T10:30:00.677-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Afterthoughts on Glenn Beck, Faith and Rallies</title><content type='html'>The 828 rally on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial is over—or has it just begun? &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The most common complaint from the liberal left is the intrusion of faith into what was anticipated to be a political rally. They seem disappointed that direct assaults on the president, congress, and Democrat Party hacks were downplayed in favor of the elevation of God in our lives. It is apparent that they consider playing the “God” card is dirty politics. From their narrow view of matters spiritual, it probably is.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As we listen to the Beck detractors, it becomes increasingly obvious that they have never listened to a full broadcast of his nightly show on Fox. They describe his daily sermons in any number of different pejoratives to dismiss the very obvious impact of his faith on his life. They grow extremely uncomfortable with his constant acknowledgment of God’s presence in his now successful existence. This is typical of those who do not have the benefit of including God in their lives. If you are part of the liberal elite you are above such plebian interests. They become even more offended if you include God’s only begotten son, Jesus Christ.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Even for those who only watch his show, even occasionally, you have heard him acknowledge his failures, his gained insight into his error, and his subsequent repentance. Like your host, with unqualified support from the Almighty, he managed to identify his problems with alcohol and turned his life around to a straighter, narrower path. He listened and then finally heard and understood the road to recovery which depends upon the faith to enjoy the help of a Higher Power.&amp;nbsp; The principal goal then is not to atain perfection; but forgiveness.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To a fellow sufferer, he carries the none-too-subtle outward signs of recovery. It takes one to know one and in his case, it is obvious. What is difficult to explain to those who haven’t had the experience is the presence of overwhelming gratitude for the progress of the recovery. After a personal thirty years in recovery, be advised that the use of the word “cure” is never appropriate. It is unrealistic, overly optimistic, and inappropriate for the condition. For those in pursuit of relief from the addiction, alcohol is described as “cunning, baffling and powerful.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When we consider the man in the appreciation of his struggle for recovery, it then becomes very easy to understand his acknowledgment and appreciation of God. Even in the face of a massive ego, he has shown a willingness to sublimate himself to further his hard won beliefs. For him not to give God the Glory and recognize Him as the most important factor directing his life would be to deny the most important event in his life—the date his recovery commenced.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Lacking this experience, his critics—and they are legion—continue to see all things through the lens of their own eyes and minds. They are hard wired to believe that all things spring from their inner most thoughts and actions to the exclusion of a higher power. They see their individual success coming from themselves with no assistance attributable to any source other than secular. When Beck gives due credit to others and his personal concept of God, they find embarrassment that he is willing to share the joy. He is willing to realize that although man has done some remarkable things he has been subject to a guiding force. His detractors rigidly insist upon the supremacy of man and their own private ideas. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When all is said and done, the hardest pill to swallow is, his obvious success which speaks to the wisdom of his beliefs. The size of the crowd on the National Mall on 8/28 screams in agreement with the message which was delivered. How many complaints have been heard from those in attendance about the text given? Beck fans knew in advance, from experience, what the program would be. They had invested time and effort to understand the man and anticipate what would be going on. They were not in the least surprised by any of it. In fact, many traveled hundreds of miles to see in person that which had become so familiar on their home TV’s.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is little wonder that those who are put off by the presence of God in their lives and in public, would find a wealth to criticize. Would this then qualify as an “inconvenient truth?” As a point of fact, we find that there are millions of Americans who relish the opportunity to be with and hear those who share their beliefs. Their individual local faiths are then overridden by the more general realization of a single benevolent God. May He be with them always.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-5069791249516827001?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/5069791249516827001/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=5069791249516827001&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/5069791249516827001'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/5069791249516827001'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/afterthoughts-on-glenn-beck-faith-and.html' title='Afterthoughts on Glenn Beck, Faith and Rallies'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-8658720623665827421</id><published>2010-08-28T09:18:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-28T09:18:56.810-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Get the Lead Out</title><content type='html'>Finally! In a rare moment of sanity, the Environmental Protection Agency rejected a proposal by hysterical activists to ban lead in ammunition and fishing weights. It is difficult to imagine any proposal that would affect more Americans of every political persuasion than an assault on those who hunt and fish. Even those who suffer from absolute total political apathy would have been targeted by this insane proposal. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The usual complaint was registered that the spent lead in bullets and lost fishing weights was poisoning protected bird species. Among those 75 species cited was the classic symbol of America, the bald eagle which has enjoyed a near 700% increase in reported numbers of mating pairs over the past 25 years. The claim was that in excess of 87,000 tons of toxic lead had entered the environment per year from expended ammo and lost fishing tackle. Do the math and discover that amounts to roughly 9 ounces for every man, woman and child in the United States. The surprise here is that the figure is astonishingly low.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What saved the sportsmen on this issue turned out to be a “stream.” In this case it is a revenue stream. The EPA is required to keep its hands off whenever an excise tax which benefits the government is involved. Much of the sportsman’s equipment is subject to such levies and especially, ammunition.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is possible that saner heads prevailed and suggested that messing with hunter's and fishermen's gear could possibly result in an even greater expenditure of lead bullets? If you get my drift.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-8658720623665827421?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/8658720623665827421/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=8658720623665827421&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8658720623665827421'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8658720623665827421'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/get-lead-out.html' title='Get the Lead Out'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-4710138494943665092</id><published>2010-08-27T23:48:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-27T23:48:23.872-07:00</updated><title type='text'>An Absolute Outrage !!!</title><content type='html'>I am ever so grateful to Pajama’s Media for&lt;a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/outrage-pentagon-grants-five-states-waivers-from-move-act/"&gt; this article on Instapundit&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;which appeared last night. Be warned!! I got so mad reading that linked article that I blew my beverage all over the keyboard, kicked the dog, yelled at my wife and screamed imprecations on the congress, the Department of Justice, and anyone remotely connected to the government.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As a veteran, and a citizen, I take the disenfranchisement of those who lay their lives on the line to protect my sorry butt and yours very seriously. Five states asked for and received waivers from the MOVE Act to allow them to NOT get their absentee ballots on the way on time to be executed, returned and tallied. By so doing, with the lamest of excuses, they effectively deny the right to vote in a national election to those persons who volunteered to defend our country in foreign lands. Is it not obvious that no single class of Americans should be more entitled to vote than our military?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I recall a cold November night back in 1952. I was private, E-2 in training at Ft. Devens, Mass. and lived off post with my wife in Cambridge. I had heard that Ike was making his final speech before the election from a local TV/radio station so we went over to see him. We stood waiting among a handful of onlookers and finally he and Mamie came out to the waiting car. As he glanced over at me, (I was in uniform) I rendered my best version of a salute—which he immediately returned with a smile. By that time the next evening, he was the President-elect.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In retrospect, I believe he had aged fifteen years during that campaign. As his term wore on, he appeared to regain his vigor but it had obviously taken much from him. Within two months, I was on the USS Marine Carp with 2500 other enlistees headed for Germany where I stayed through the next election in ’54. Iowa sent me a ballot well in advance and I had no difficulty voting. It is a memory which I will cherish and no doubt take to the grave.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is a matter with serious consequences. Our defenders in uniform are citizens unlike any others who seek to exercise their franchise. They have more than earned their right to have their voice heard. To deny that right through political caprice is a vile device. If you haven’t clicked on that link yet, do it now so you can feel like kicking the dog and yelling at your wife. While you’re there, take note of the political disposition of the states which have taken it upon themselves to deny their citizens the vote.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-4710138494943665092?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/4710138494943665092/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=4710138494943665092&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/4710138494943665092'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/4710138494943665092'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/absolute-outrage.html' title='An Absolute Outrage !!!'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-6546973217474674972</id><published>2010-08-27T10:35:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-27T10:35:01.145-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Islam, Faith or Law?</title><content type='html'>It is well to note that at least in the blogosphere, some are beginning to question (finally) whether Islam is a representation of religion or one of law and an alien assault. For the non-believer, which includes a little over 5 billion of the world’s inhabitants, who carefully examines Islam from both aspects, the issue is not settled but people are becoming more aware. Most faiths indulge a higher power who seeks to provide a beneficial life to all persons regardless of belief. An evangelical outreach is also a common factor generally encouraged, and mostly tolerated between groups. The key is the spiritual component which is recognized as the guiding force.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In a lifetime examination of other faiths, it has been rare to find one which does not claim some measure of unique identity which separates it from the rest. These doctrinal differences are often the cause of offshoot branches within major general religious designations. Check your local phone book for the huge variety of Baptist churches listed under their individual classifications for a verification of this assertion. While you are there, check some of the other more recognizable listings as well. Even the holy texts have a variance from site to site, including Islam which relies on two different volumes. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One principal feature which Islam has in common with all of these faiths and their offshoots is the conviction of an afterlife. Otherwise, why should they advertise a crib full of virgins for successful suicidal jihadists? No mention is made of the reward for females of the faith. What it does not have in common is the notion of conducting &lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;all&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt; of their affairs with honesty and fairness in interfaith and secular transactions. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;More important is the secular emphasis which is preached in the mosque, and reflected in the thinking of the believers. The subjugation of other peoples takes center stage and endorses whatever ruse or device to accomplish. This is wrapped up in what they call Sharia Law. As we turn to that part of Islam we shall now substitute the word “cult” for “faith.” As we contemplate the ramifications of Sharia Law, the word “religion” becomes less relative. This contrived behavior is only suitable to them as a furtherance of an oppressive social order; an order which is closer to Nazism than Presbyterianism. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Most of what we know of this cult is gathered from remarks by various officials, quotations from the Koran, documented observation, behavior of individual members, and public utterances. The evidence points to a history of beheadings, stonings, suicide attacks, subjugation of women, battered and bartered brides, “eye for an eye” justice, selective homophobia, and a general pattern of behavior more suitable to the 7th century than the present. As we look at this laundry list of outrage, with memory of our government’s reaction to the Branch Dividians in Waco, one wonders where our consistency starts and stops in government. Apparently the destruction of the twin towers and the loss of nearly 3000 lives doesn’t rise to equivalency for alleged gun violations. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Our dedication to the First amendment of the constitution, while laudable and necessary, has little to do with any allowance made for the progress of Islam in the United States. The time has come to define this plague for what it is. We must listen to what their leadership shares with their followers in their native tongue and clearly understand that the overthrow of the United States is their goal. In scantily veiled addresses to groups of believers, they have clearly stated this as the only possible outcome of this nightmare. One only need ask oneself what the influence of Islam on our society was ten, twenty, or thirty years ago. They have stated their goals articulately and without hesitation as rendering our way of life subjugated to Islam. The continued thought that there is any level of innocence in the intentions of the promoters of Islam test credulity to the utmost. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The protections of the US Constitution are only available when they are clearly understood by &lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;all&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt; the people. Only then can the electorate insist upon their enforcement. So long as we continue to accommodate Islam as a religion and not as the political cult it has proven repeatedly to be, our problems will continue. Once the truth is realized, and only then, can we rise, as a body, and reject this invasion by “the religion of peace.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Our nation has become steadily more and more divided by various factions, some of whom see that as their purpose for being. With each passing day we see our president contributing more to that division than showing any inclination to unite our peoples to resist these tyrannies. By American standards, practicing a faith is not grounds for condemnation. Plotting the overthrow of our system of government is, however, actionable as well it should be. If these two issues collide, as is the case with Islam, the condition needs to be recognized and an energetic response needs be mobilized to resist. If we fail to acknowledge the actions of this emergent cult in the name of political correctness, our government will have failed, our laws will be of no value and our people will be subjugated. God help us all.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-6546973217474674972?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/6546973217474674972/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=6546973217474674972&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/6546973217474674972'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/6546973217474674972'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/islam-faith-or-law.html' title='Islam, Faith or Law?'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-6954561138136339263</id><published>2010-08-26T09:45:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-26T09:45:51.172-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Can You Hear me Now?</title><content type='html'>Although always prepared for disappointment when final election results come in, I am heartened by Alaskan's response to the presence of Murkowski as their senator. With Anchorage’s (40+% of the total) tally in, Joe Miller has garnered 51.2% of the vote. The issue is then left to out state results from more remote areas and the critical absentee ballots. Current predictions are that Miller will replace the RINO on the ballot in November.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“Guardedly optimistic” is the usual description of the estimation I now have of the final outcome. Miller represents, among conservative opinion watchers, a refreshing addition to the fall line up of candidates. Unlike the RINO faction, he is willing to advance true conservative principles on both social and national fiscal issues.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In other states, the presence of 10,000 absentee ballots would be viewed as a minor element considering their far greater populations. Not so in the wilds of America’s northern most. This is a huge number relative to their population. This then prompts one to question why the electorate would have so many in an off-year plebiscite. The action requires absolute intention. Unlike simple voting, you have to request a ballot, verify your legitimacy as a voter, receive it, fill it out, and then see to the business of getting it mailed in and on time. In short you must have the motivation to be insistent to have your voice heard. This rigorous civic exercise requires discipline, a strong will, and the type of determination that a true conservative would be most likely to possess.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This then, when added to the “anti-incumbency” faction increasingly prevalent in today’s electorate, would explain Joe Miller’s late inning rise in general popularity in Alaska. One can only pray it holds.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-6954561138136339263?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/6954561138136339263/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=6954561138136339263&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/6954561138136339263'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/6954561138136339263'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/can-you-hear-me-now.html' title='Can You Hear me Now?'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-5117200059753453025</id><published>2010-08-25T13:40:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-25T13:40:28.731-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Fourteen Ways to Shrink Federal Spending</title><content type='html'>A common complaint heard from the media and especially from the Democrat controlled congress is that the opposition has little to offer in the way of solutions to our current fiscal crisis. For those who abjure from Kool-Aid intake and are willing to listen, we found a very well presented list of fourteen ways to solve some very knotty fiscal problems at the federal level. Yes, there will be some math but stick with this and see if it doesn’t make a lot of sense.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For those who just want the topics in general, they are listed in synopsis. For those who require an in depth view, we suggest you get the detailed outline from &lt;a href="http://atr.org/fourteen-ways-reduce-government-spending-a5332#ixzz0xddrgRnW"&gt;Americans for Tax Reform here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here are the Fourteen Topics in general:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Resurrect the “Byrd Committee.” &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Give the public five days to read bills before a floor vote. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. Put every federal transaction and contract online in real time. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;4. Term limit appropriators. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;5. Sitting Congressmen and Senators should not be able to name buildings or other monuments to themselves, and none should be named for them while they are still living. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;6. Block grant education funding and welfare to the states. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;7. Freeze the salary and benefit levels of federal employees. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;8. Require all eligible federal employees to compete for their job with a private sector bidder. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;9. Only hire one new federal employee for every two that retire from government employment. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;10. Repeal the Davis-Bacon Act. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;11. Reform farm subsidies along the lines of the 1996 “Freedom to Farm” Act. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;12. Leave defense cuts on the table. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;13. Stop using “emergency” spending loopholes to get around budget rules. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;14. Freeze discretionary spending at 2007 levels. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The savings in the restraints mentioned above would result in Trillions in both the near and the long term. Implementation of any of these reforms would require a congress with both the will and the determination to make these changes. For those who see little value in off year elections, perhaps a little study of these proposals will be convincing.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;(Ed: A very special hat tip to &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.thevailspot.blogspot.com/"&gt;&lt;em&gt;the Vail Spot&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt; for calling attention to this).&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-5117200059753453025?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/5117200059753453025/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=5117200059753453025&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/5117200059753453025'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/5117200059753453025'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/fourteen-ways-to-shrink-federal.html' title='Fourteen Ways to Shrink Federal Spending'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-1921673324371975009</id><published>2010-08-25T11:48:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-25T11:48:42.079-07:00</updated><title type='text'>“Recovery Summer” – A Dream Up in Smoke</title><content type='html'>Traditionally, summer ends on the last day of August. Less than one week away, it appears that the promise of recovery from the nation’s collective financial woes has proven to be yet one more elusive dream. But—you never know—we have all watched a team come from behind and score a last second “game-winner.” However, that would apply only to those teams which have managed to keep the game close in the first place. Soaring unemployment, sagging home sales, troubled financials, dipping poll numbers, and absolute ownership of the current problems do not bode well for this administration. It is almost as though “the fix” was in to destroy America and its traditional prosperity.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;VP Joe Biden continues to refuse to wake up at the end of his dream of a recovery ere the end of the dog days of August. Wake up and smell the coffee Joe—it aint happening. In fact, many indicators predict a further drop. It should be obvious by now that the restoration of the economy of the United States will not be accomplished by a clever phrase. In fact, it will only become accomplished through the efforts of its citizens and their willingness to accept reality, cut back on government interference, and cut our outlays to the bone.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Historically, once American citizens are addressed honestly with the problems which face the nation; they react in unity to overcome those difficulties. War, famine, weather borne disaster, even civil strife have been addressed head on and overcome. It’s what we do. This condition which we endure today should not be described as “near depression” or some other soft pedaled description because they universally understate the problems we face. Mislabeling only contributes to an extension of the situation and misleads the public perception of our complex difficulties.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The principal failure of this administration has been to ignore the people as the primary engine of change Americans traditionally rely upon for success. Our background is full of stories of the independent actions of a people who accomplished deeds of heroic proportions in the face of adversity. Once the problem is honestly defined they then devote their efforts to the solutions which create a greater good for everyone.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Born during the Hoover administration, I have had eye-witness observations of depression, world war, racial tensions, recessions, ruinous interest, police actions by the UN, emergent cults, multiple natural disasters, and fourteen different presidents. While individual national leaders have claimed credit for the solution to these widely varied problems, most were actually accomplished by a unified effort on the part of the people. By the sacrifice of their lives, their resources, or attitudes, they managed to overcome adversity and prevail. The simple truth is that we are indeed, an exceptional people. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-1921673324371975009?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/1921673324371975009/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=1921673324371975009&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1921673324371975009'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1921673324371975009'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/recovery-summer-dream-up-in-smoke.html' title='“Recovery Summer” – A Dream Up in Smoke'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-5234501640831081699</id><published>2010-08-24T13:46:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-24T13:46:34.643-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Solutions, Not Accusations</title><content type='html'>I cranked up the computer this morning and found much carping and backbiting over matters great and small with no obvious solutions. In other words, it is a normal Tuesday morning. A lot of these folks have their undies in a bundle over matters which, although legitimate criticism, are not all that earth shattering. A poster at Volokh Conspiracy stirred the pot with an article on Obama’s golfing which precipitated dozens of comments both pro and con.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Personally, I don’t give a hoot if he wants to move to some country club and become a permanent resident. In point of fact, the country seems to benefit when he is absent from the oval office no matter how temporarily. While they are counting strokes and the total number of outings are they simultaneously counting job losses in the Gulf, a GDP equal to the national debt, troop casualties in Afghanistan, the precipitous drop in home valuations and monies pilfered from the citizens by politicians, czars, banks, and other financial entities? Those are the statistics which are of concern to the citizens who don’t know the difference between a golf handicap and a five iron.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I find it difficult to imagine, after nineteen months of observation, that his constant presence in the White House would improve the prospects for the country one iota. At the least, it allows the secret service guys a chance to be in the great outdoors, enjoy the birds and the bees, and be in the presence of people armed with the aforementioned five irons. The last remark was not meant to start a discussion of club choice for an assassination attempt. My personal preference would be a three iron because I rarely use it anyway.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This golf business, coupled with preoccupation with family vacations, is just not that big a deal. There are so many very real problems to be addressed that muddying the water with inconsequential nonsense seems pointless. Are we so busy looking for lost tees that we are blinded to the larger prize which is the possibility of wresting control of the congress and return it to sane hands in November. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We continue to find an ongoing discussion of the “faith” of Obama. This furor then presents yet another distraction preventing in depth examination of his ruinous policies. From his own mouth we heard him claim the Muslim faith as his own so deal with it. He said it—I believe it—George Stephanopoulos’ correction not withstanding. In this case, actions speak much louder than words but the words were there anyway. I find it difficult to accept that his belief extends to anything other than Obama. Works, actions and behavior form a better platform for establishing his credentials than a simple declarative sentence here and there. For confirmation just review the overnight flip-flop on the Ground Zero Mosque. He’s “agin’” it but respects the local official’s judgment. Give me a break!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Over the last year and half plus, I have been reminded constantly by the president that George Bush was a jerk. Will somebody close to the president please remind him that he now has the job and also the responsibility to make positive corrections where necessary to get the country back on track? I wish I had the convenience to blame every stupid life style choice I have made on a third party. This excuse is right up there with “the dog ate my homework.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I once had a friend who constantly claimed that “the difference between rape and rapture was salesmanship.” As my country continues to be violated I yearn for those days when we had leadership which at the least attempted to take my friends advice. After suffering the ham-fisted ukase, being labeled a right-wing extremist by DHS, ridiculed for my overt patriotism, and subjected to nanny state regulations, I find the time has come to return adult supervision to our leadership.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Lastly, the solutions to our problems do exist. Most are not pleasant. Fiscal responsibility at the current level of the United States indebtedness will require alterations in the life style of every citizen. Our omnipresent government “services” need to be abridged. Unrealistic benefits for government service need to be cut back. Easing the path for private enterprise, the source of most private sector employment, is an absolute necessity. Public sector unions have to be reined in to a reasonable level or possibly eliminated altogether. Respect for other nations needs to be returned in substitution for submission. Recognition of the military as our public face abroad should be established as well as overdue acknowledgement of their sacrifice.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As you make your tentative choices of candidates for the upcoming elections, check their attitudes on the foregoing issues. We need to do this now and render our support accordingly. “We the People” are the controlling force for the coming direction of our country. Individually, our voice is tiny. Collectively we can form a mighty wave and overcome any obstacle in our path. In your own personal way, you must be a participant and not a mere onlooker. Do it today—tomorrow may be too late.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-5234501640831081699?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/5234501640831081699/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=5234501640831081699&amp;isPopup=true' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/5234501640831081699'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/5234501640831081699'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/solutions-not-accusations.html' title='Solutions, Not Accusations'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-3670820597311417451</id><published>2010-08-24T11:19:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-24T11:19:35.580-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Mine Ebenezer - A Repost</title><content type='html'>In a minor dust-up with Granny over the who, what and when of Zion Beckons origin I found myself in the archives looking for answers. While there, I came across the post, “Mine Ebenezer.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In the whirlwind of events since the date on the post, we have altered the direction of the website and now appear to be more politically oriented. For those who have not been with us since the “git-go,” you may benefit from taking a moment’s relief from the Washington scene and revisit that which was and continues to be our purpose. Through the snark and criticism we would trust that our faith is detectable.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You may note that it also emphasizes the importance which God places on physical outward expressions of changes in the heart of the inner man. If no other purpose is served we pray that you listen more carefully to the message of your well-worn hymns.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;August 27, 2007&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mine Ebenezer&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One great thing about being a geezer is the memory, both past and present, of the great hymns which cross denominational lines to glorify God. You have your favorites I’m sure. Like particular bits of scripture, certain music resonates as a result of its message and your personal experience with it. In 1948 I was sent by my local M.E. church to a national assembly of Methodist Youth Fellowship leaders in Cleveland, Ohio. Not only was it an adventure for a kid from rural Iowa but an inspiration to be with 12,000 others, dedicated to Jesus Christ. We started and ended every session with “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name” (first tune) with the raucous laudatory vigor that only teenagers can muster. That experience earned the hymn a place among the top five for me.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Twenty years later I went to Kirtland temple and the guide, at the end of the tour, had us take a seat and activated a sound system which filled the sanctuary with those hallowed words, “The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning. . . .” Like almost every other visitor to Kirtland, I carry that memory close to my heart. Unlike my other favorites, it has a very special restoration relevance.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;On occasion I perform special music for the congregation and I can assure you that there is no doubt in my mind what my unchallenged favorite selection is. “The End of the Sabbath” by Oley Speaks which features the words taken from Matthew 28:l to 5. I rejoice to be the voice to echo those wonderful words: “He is risen!”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As I type, I recognize that our collective music is so important to me that I could continue citing examples of personal favorites and we would be delayed getting to the hymn I really want to discuss. “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” While the first and third verses constitute an important prayer let us concentrate on the second:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"Here I raise mine Ebenezer,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;hither by thy help I’m come:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;and I hope, by thy good pleasure,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;safely to arrive at home.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Jesus sought me when a stranger,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;wandering from the fold of God;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;He, to rescue me from danger,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;interposed His precious blood."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;After many decades of enjoying this hymn, I decided it was time to discern its actual meaning. My search led me to I Samuel 7:12 in the Inspired Version. As I read the entire chapter I found the Jews in their usual pattern of repeated sin and repeated repentance. On this occasion, Samuel had started to appreciate God’s intercession in his conflict with the Philistines. When they drew a mighty host to attack, Samuel made a burnt offering and implored God to intercede. He did and brought a great thunder and “discomfited” them and they pursued and finally smote the Philistines.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That second verse tells it all. It thoroughly analyses the text stated and the text implied: “Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” This represents the open fact of Samuels’s and God’s actions. The hymn describes in lyric fashion the greater meaning. The hymn points to the “wandering from the fold of God” (sin), the “rescue” (intercession) and, most important, “interposed his precious blood (forgiveness by His sacrifice.”)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We may easily deduce from this a roadmap for following the path to salvation. In these important steps it takes us from recognition of our sin, seeking God for intercession, and then enjoying the forgiveness as a result of the blood sacrifice. Here we can not underestimate the importance of the Eben-ezer. This great stone, more than likely a stela, is an outward visible landmark signifying the separation of the past sin (which has been forgiven) and the prospect for the future enabled by redemption. This marker places all the importance on that which is yet to come. The prior sin, now forgiven, is relegated to the past and “remembered not.” Recognition of this separation point is very important.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have never met a successful recovering alcoholic who does not remember the exact date, and probably hour, of his last drink. He is readily able to identify explicitly that time when he realized that God was in charge and he was not. He then headed down the path to recovery. His first step on that path was to acknowledge his errancy, his second an affirmation of his belief and from there the rest of journey is the reconstruction of the whole man and repentance.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We have all sinned in our own way. Have we identified that “turn-around” point? Can we isolate when we marked our decision to stop offending God and repent? Have we raised our Eben-ezer?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-3670820597311417451?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/3670820597311417451/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=3670820597311417451&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/3670820597311417451'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/3670820597311417451'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/mine-ebenezer-repost.html' title='Mine Ebenezer - A Repost'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-7436181539777184285</id><published>2010-08-23T10:45:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-23T10:45:31.698-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Monday Morning Rant 161</title><content type='html'>Mark Hemmingway has an article this morning in the &lt;a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/philly-requiring-bloggers-to-pay-300-for-a-business-license-101264664.html"&gt;Washington Examiner&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;which is enough to make any blogger’s blood run cold. The essence of the tale is a report from Philadelphia that they are imposing a “business privilege license” on websites generated within their confines.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The article is unclear about whether that would be an annual assessment or a one time start up tax. We would guess, given the rapacious nature of city governments, it would be annually. We, in our tiny blog adventure, would be, if we lived there, subject to an annual tax of $900 to operate our three blogs. The remote ISP’s, all satellite driven, would add an additional annual cost of nearly $1800. It was not indicated if our equipment outlay would be deductible from that onerous levy. We added a lap-top to our computer family about a year ago for $650. We did so with no expectation of return on investment but rather to have more complete resources to stay current with events and the ability to do remote postings. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is also unclear how this levy would not contribute to an abridgement of free speech as provided by the US Constitution. It also sounds eerily familiar to the assessment on the lemonade stand for the 11 year old girl in the news recently. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Since we have had a total income of $300 over the three plus years of our existence we are reluctant to view it as a big money-maker. Even that cash was used to support the trip to the 9/11 March on DC last year. The contributions were never solicited on the blog but rather came from some kind and supportive readers who were aware in advance of our financial restrictions. Although we were extremely grateful to them; we in no way consider their support as indicative of a plan of personal enrichment.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One does question who in city government thinks up these things to harass ordinary people in their pursuit of truth and informing their fellow citizens.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Religion and Privacy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have a huge respect for Charles Krauthammer. I respect his intellect, his ability as a wordsmith, his tolerance of his disability, and his seriousness. Also, I feel he is man enough to be equally respectful if I choose to disagree with him.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is provoked by an article he wrote for&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="http://nationalreview.com/corner"&gt;National Review&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;on August 20.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;In that piece, he makes an argument for Obama’s right to enjoy privacy in his religious preference. I am not familiar with every religion but I do have a pretty good grip on Christianity and the need for witness. It would also appear that Islam is none too secretive about the foundation and furtherance of their religion either. These are the two religions which fuel the fires of the current discussion about Obama’s faith. Neither religion seems at all shy about publicizing the tenets of their faith or the actions of their principal figures.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Inasmuch as I have better knowledge of Christianity and Obama claims it as his faith, I would suggest that no where in the Bible do I remember any advice from any author or Christ himself begging the believer to conceal his ardor for the Savior. We have a specific injunction not to “hide our light under a bushel.” We are advised to share “the good news” and cry it from the house tops. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In fact, common weekly features of many Christian churches are mid-week meetings. In these, the emphasis is on prayer and testimony. Testimony in this case refers to a specific experience which individual members have had with the various manifestations of God. Be it answered prayer for healing or any issue which seemed so hopeless for individual solution that it necessitated the intervention of a higher Power. Upon a successful conclusion of the problem, the faithful are urged to share the details with others to further reinforce their belief and is a regular feature of these meetings. Even the prayers seeking this divine intervention are not always private and part of a dedicated service. These “success” stories are a foundational part of many faiths.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If the supplicants suspect that the use of actual names and circumstances might cause harm or embarrassment to another individual involved, prayer requests are made as “Unspoken.” God, after all, knows our heart and the petty details as well as we do and He is probably not much impressed with our personal oratory skills. He is our Creator and as such really does know our every need. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I find it difficult to remember a service in any Christian Church I have recently attended which at some point did not remind the congregation that we are the “only Bible” some people will ever experience. If those who we contact have even the least curiosity, upon viewing our attitudes and behavior, are stimulated to ask themselves why they had a pleasant and fair encounter, we have performed a “witness.” If we are reluctant to share our joy because of privacy concerns, it shall remain a secret. This is definitely NOT what Christianity is all about. We are constantly reminded to present a suitable example and share our faith.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When all is said and done, Dr. Krauthammer, I disagree to the extent that I believe that Obama has other more sinister motives to conceal his religious faith. It is a testament to Krauthammer’s sense of fairness that he is even willing to entertain the thought.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It’s For the Birds&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Those of us (that would be Granny and your host) who have had little experience with hummingbirds and their feeders stand amazed. First, a four cup feeder filled with 3 to 1 water-sugar is gone in under 48 hours. They gather in a mass assault in numbers up to 7 birds. Granny stepped out to the feeder on Friday and up to 5 birds came and went and fed and totally ignored her presence about 18”s away. It’s the store brand sugar and nothing really special. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Although the gold finches are not as brazen at their seed feeder, they have increased their consumption exponentially. Granted, they waste a lot on the ground, but they are also in the 48 hour category for a liter bottle. I don’t dare add up what it’s costing us to maintain these devices but it has to be a bunch. It is possible, I suppose, that they are simply enjoying a level of increased chutzpah. It certainly puts the lie to that old expression: “they just eat like a bird” to signify a slight appetite. Their ravenous consumption might be better compared to vultures. The presence of cats doesn’t seem to bother either category.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It’s now been a month since the last measurable rainfall and that may be a factor. If you happen to see any, (rain, that is) kindly shoo it our way. I went 70 miles west to Miami, OK for church and noted that they are getting plenty. About half of my prayers are centered on that subject.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Speaking of Prayer&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For those looking for a suitable prayer for Obama, we would suggest Psalm 109:8: “Let his days be few; and let another take his office.” (KJV)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;And finally,&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As stated above, we continue our drought and the well continues to function but on tight water restrictions for personal and garden use. With the next five days predicted to be a continuation of the last few weeks we shall anxiously regard the skies and pray for relief. We do wish that Al Gore would get busy and get this climate thing under control. So far it seems to be an exercise in feast or famine.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-7436181539777184285?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/7436181539777184285/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=7436181539777184285&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/7436181539777184285'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/7436181539777184285'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/monday-morning-rant-161.html' title='Monday Morning Rant 161'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-4058413887237628115</id><published>2010-08-21T10:35:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-21T10:35:30.873-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Which Islam? A Choice</title><content type='html'>The first post from &lt;a href="http://normanhooben.blogspot.com/"&gt;Storm'n Norm'n&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;on Saturday, 21, 2010 has a YouTube video which is well worth your time to view. If factual recitations annoy you and deprive you of being comfortable in your pre-conceived notions, it is definitely not for you. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you decide to follow up on the link, pay attention early on to the distinction between the two Korans mentioned. It establishes the justification in the Muslim mind for the duality of the “religion of peace.” God help us all.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-4058413887237628115?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/4058413887237628115/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=4058413887237628115&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/4058413887237628115'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/4058413887237628115'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/which-islam-choice.html' title='Which Islam? A Choice'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-7737057692229870288</id><published>2010-08-20T16:53:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-20T16:53:14.038-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Nelson at Trafalgar</title><content type='html'>There is a reason that Adm. Nelson is well remembered and lauded for his direction of the fleet during the battle at Trafalgar. In a nut shell, he punched through the line of opposing ships and in the ensuing chaos, exercised the abilities of his captains and the expertise and marksmanship of their crews to sieze the advantage over a superior force. Among historians, it is recognized that the cultural attitude of the opposing commanders were complicit in his success. They espoused the regularity of formation and treated the ensuing struggle much the same as setting up a board game. Most able military commanders acknowledge that the most capable battle plan goes out the window upon the occasion of the first shot.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The British commander well understood in advance their predisposition for order in a situation which turned to absolute disorder in practice. The excuse for that strategy may be made by the existence of a superior number of guns collectively on the combined French and Spanish fleets which would have given them the advantage in a “set-piece” encounter. That was more than offset by the lack of proper crewing of the vessels with men lacking sufficient training and experience. Nelson made this assumption, saw the advantage for his better trained and experienced crews, and continued to an historic victory.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The wisdom of the commander is demonstrated by the comparative losses. The combined French and Spanish fleet lost, through capture or sinking, 23 of the 44 ships which entered the fray with a loss of 13,781 casualties. The British on the other hand lost no ships and suffered total casualties of only 1,666 men, including Adm. Nelson. This extraordinary victory begs the question of where Nelson learned his valuable lesson.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Thirty-two years earlier at Lexington, Mass. a huge force of British regulars marched toward Concord, Massachusetts and a supposed supply of cannon and other supplies. There they faced a tiny militia contingent of roughly 70 men of all ages and training who delayed their progress. They approached the green at Lexington in what is best described as a “parade” formation. In their bright red tunics and white breeches they presented an outstanding target. When they finally reached Concord and proceeded to cross the narrow bridge to the storehouse, they were repulsed in that confinement by a vastly smaller contingent of militia and were forced to return to Boston. During the battle for the bridge and on the return to Boston the total casualty count escalated to 300 for the British and 93 for the defenders.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nelson may have gathered from that lesson of humiliation for the British that the European style of formational assault was of little value in a guerilla style encounter. At Concord and the road back, men hiding behind rocks and trees had a definite defensive advantage. While an organized unit may have a formidable appearance, it is hidebound to structure and in its reaction time and effectiveness, as opposed to the benefits of individuals acting with a common goal but not necessarily tactics. We find it of note that there are individual heroes mentioned in relating the story of Lexington and Concord but no single commander is credited with the success of the operation as a whole. Rather this successful commencement of the battle for the liberty of the United States was accomplished by an entire force of those who clearly understood the goals.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here we fast forward a couple of hundred years and look at today’s challenges and equate today’s “militia” and Nelson’s victory in a modern context. Today’s Democrat party is currently operating with the organizational type of culturally driven structure which proved disastrous for the French/Spanish at Trafalgar and the British regulars in April, 1775. Although politically unable to front an assault upon the numerical superiority of the governing bodies, those who support the Constitution continue to engage and damage the rigidity of the progressive message. Rather than have a conspicuous leader to attack and defame, they are left to attack the people as a body. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In the case of socialized medicine, the people have reacted with a generally accepted 60 plus percent in opposition. As the widely accepted leader of polling accuracy reports—Rasmussen--the Democrat leader is failing by a -19 in the strongly disapprove/strongly approve category. In the general he is behind by -9. Nearly a quarter of those polled even believe, despite vigorous denials, that he is a devout Muslim. This may be coupled with incompetence in the gulf oil spill, diplomatic gaffes, seizure of manufacturing interests, inability to address high unemployment figures nationwide, and a failing economy generally. These figures represent a change of heart on the part of individual citizens and are not directed by a cabal of leadership. In spite of a sympathetic media, they have done their own research and come to their own conclusions.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Instead of addressing these issues head on we hear an endless litany of “not my job,” “time for another vacation,” “it’s BP’s fault,” “bible clinging,” and “blame Bush.” With the president’s record so far, one might assume that God has answered our prayers for assistance to rid us of this scourge or at least provided sufficient ammunition (&lt;em&gt;Ed: a metaphorical reference&lt;/em&gt;) for patriots to do the job themselves. This formula, which requires extreme citizen involvement, may well prove as it did for Nelson and the patriots of Concord and Lexington the avenue to continued freedom.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The commemorative statue at the Minute Man Memorial Park at the North Bridge near Concord celebrates an American with a rifle in one hand and the other on a plow. This memorial underlines the fact that he was not in a regular army. He, like you, was just an average guy with an overarching love of his country and he stood up and fought for it. Fight he did and; fight we must.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-7737057692229870288?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/7737057692229870288/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=7737057692229870288&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/7737057692229870288'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/7737057692229870288'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/nelson-at-trafalgar.html' title='Nelson at Trafalgar'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-7060190292842602515</id><published>2010-08-19T13:39:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-19T13:39:23.077-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Barack Hussein Obama, Muslim, Christian or What?</title><content type='html'>Twenty plus percent in a recent poll were convinced that BHO is a Muslim. The Internet is now alive with rampaging debate on the results.&amp;nbsp; After a correction by Stephanopoulos, even Obama&amp;nbsp;claimed to be a Christian.&amp;nbsp; The real&amp;nbsp;question is why any of this should be open to debate?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Even those with rudimentary knowledge of the world's religions should clearly understand the definitions of individual faiths.&amp;nbsp; Over the last few years, we have become increasingly exposed to the varying tenets of Islam, its association with the secular Sharia law and visible evidence presented by the behavior of their followers.&amp;nbsp; Perhaps the singular difference, if we may simplify it, is measured by the individuals willingness to accept the belief.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Acceptance of Islam requires knowledge of the Qur'an and absolute obedience to the precepts exposed there.&amp;nbsp; We then find much in direct contradiction of Judeo-Christian belief as well as other strong bodies of faith.&amp;nbsp; Our national purpose requires tolerance for all religious endeavors within the crazy quilt of intermingled faiths.&amp;nbsp; Muslim believers share no such injunction.&amp;nbsp; Their holy book instead requires a coincidence of the secular (Sharia law) and devotion to Allah plus absolute enforcement of his commands.&amp;nbsp; Failure to accept can result in serious injury or even death for the non-believer.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We frequently hear of the domination of entire populations, stonings and beheadings&amp;nbsp;of individuals, honor killings, subjugation of women, and total disregard for the beliefs of others of different or no faith.&amp;nbsp; These occurrences are not the result of the individual insanity&amp;nbsp;of members of the group but are a result of directions from their holy book.&amp;nbsp; It is easy to cite such craziness to peoples of other faiths but they are anomalies who exist by their insistence on following their own warped ideas and ignoring their sworn precepts of their faith.&amp;nbsp; This is common when men see themselves as equal to, or more important than God, by whatever name.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Shared belief in a central concept of the divinity of Jesus Christ and His teachings prevents the Presbyterians from an all out assault on the local Catholic Church and vice versa.&amp;nbsp; Mutual faith in Him overrides the insistence on minutia and prevents and celebrates the joint acceptance of the Common Figure of Devotion.&amp;nbsp; If one is uncomfortable with those details, he is free to drive two more blocks to the next church and also free of reprisals for his decision.&amp;nbsp; Here it is important to understand that Islam is absolutely intolerant of any such apostasy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We as a people face some very difficult challenges in confronting this issue.&amp;nbsp; It places us well beyond our comfort zone to condemn any man's religion even in the reality of ever mounting evidence to do so.&amp;nbsp; Our churches and synagogues teach tolerance from earliest childhood.&amp;nbsp; From this well-taught reluctance our conditioned response is to go overboard in ignorance of reality.&amp;nbsp; In our individual lives we can easily identify sin in our daily actions.&amp;nbsp; It's a safe bet that if you have to inquire about the definition of sin; it probably is.&amp;nbsp; We are also taught that grouping whole peoples as an object of scorn is also unhealthy.&amp;nbsp; Thus it becomes especially important to listen to representatives of that faith, dissect the thoughts, and plumb the depths of their meaning as it applies to you and&amp;nbsp;to your country.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Roll your memory back five or ten years and recall that this was not the subject of individual conversation or public outcry.&amp;nbsp; As we continue down the road to total despotism, the recent polls will undoubtedly shift from a fifth of the people believing that Obama is a Muslim to a fourth, a third, a&amp;nbsp;half and then--God only knows.&amp;nbsp; The solution lies in self-education, acceptance of the facts, and finally the admonition--Wake Up America!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-7060190292842602515?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/7060190292842602515/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=7060190292842602515&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/7060190292842602515'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/7060190292842602515'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/barack-hussein-obama-muslim-christian.html' title='Barack Hussein Obama, Muslim, Christian or What?'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-4254190753061462271</id><published>2010-08-18T06:54:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-18T06:54:36.066-07:00</updated><title type='text'>A Change in Vocabulary</title><content type='html'>In reviewing some older posts in search of improvement in my writing style I observed that I have made some serious changes in word choice. In a mis-guided attempt at fairness, I was guilty of “sugar-coating”, under-statement, and general incompetence in appraising the future, now current, president. In my defense, it is possible that I fell for the constant outpouring of media praise for the intellect of the TOTUS and his posture as a “clean, articulate” black man. In plain talk; I got sucked in.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Earlier today I cross-posted from &lt;a href="http://farrightgranny.blogspot.com/"&gt;Granny With A Pitchfork&lt;/a&gt; and noted that she is far more direct in her criticism. I think it’s a woman thing. It all goes back to motherhood, protecting the weak (babies?), defense of home territory, and crosses the line of various species. Those of us who live in the woods, in an unusually natural environment, soon learn not to mess with a mama with young whether she be bear, bunny, bee, badger or blogger. Some are just naturally owly and protective of their space while others are simply assuming the need to protect their progeny. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Meanwhile, back to the issue at hand; during the run-up to the election we constantly heard the word “articulate.” Now, we are more apt to see it replaced with “incoherent.” This was especially true this last weekend as Obama raised his voice at a Ramadan dinner in defense of the constitution in the Ground Zero Mosque issue—supposedly a noble cause. The next morning, he aired a clarification which attempted to extricate him from interference with local issues which were beneath his pay grade. The result became the epitome of incoherence.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Personal pronouns have become a problem as well. In a campaign liberally laced with “Yes We Can” we have devolved to “Yes I did.” Granted, an election requires “we” to be accomplished but the inference was seeking a collective effort in all matters including governance. By playing off “We, the people” he garnered the votes. The substitution of “I” occurred abruptly thereafter starting with the formation of the Office of the President Elect. This then can be regarded as governance by assertion. Even the most far left of the polling organizations show disapproval on nearly every issue and his absolute disrespect for the will of the people.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“Transparency” is another previously used word by the president and his cronies which was consigned to the dustbin of history upon election. By the expenditure of well over a million dollars, he has managed to effectively conceal any details of his actual heritage from those who seek clarification of his credentials. Collegiate records have been sealed as well. In fact, much of the legislative agenda which the president seeks has been shrouded in mystery, lawyerly prose, and concealed minutia which becomes mammoth once enacted. It seems that almost every day brings the disclosure of some here-to-fore bit of concealed business which had been withdrawn from the public view.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Perhaps the vilest of misrepresented words in current usage is “racist.” Part of the definition indicates an implied superiority of a particular racial group over all others. In the dictionary, the race is unidentified. It is what it is and is not assigned to any special category of persons. Most are aware of the historical occurrences which have precipitated changes in our laws and our behavior. Nowhere in any source of definitions do I see it described as an easy pejorative accusation readily available to defeat sound thinking and sane argument. Perhaps at the close of our collective nightmare that part of the definition may be added. We are also advised by our betters that the victims of racism may only be black. We were promised by candidate Obama, a colorblind society. Just the opposite reality has been delivered. This misuse of the word then results in a highly divisive condition in the nation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Only by using the 3rd definition—“an institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices”-- can we confuse the political cult of Islam with religion. The vast majority of our people hold the belief that their personal faith has a benefit to all mankind under the watchful eye of a Higher Power. In no case, other than Islam, does one observe the stated desire to kill or otherwise dominate the non-believer as a doctrinal precept. I don’t pretend to hold expertise in all religions but the concept appears to be singular in that particular one. Even among confirmed atheists and agnostics, that idea is absent. In this circumstance, the president does not substitute another word but misunderstands fully the implications of this venerable word—religion.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The classic among the current word usage is wrapped in the word “lie.” Although immensely popular among those who engage in the habit; lie does not equate to “misspoke.” To lie incorporates intention. To misspeak implies clumsiness or carelessness. To those who understand the language, the two are not interchangeable. To those who have the ability to understand the distinction, “misspoke” simply underlines the evil intention of the speaker to deceive. For believers of almost any faith there are strict injunctions to protect speaking the truth. Few provide any wiggle-room on the matter. But; as they say in the Ozarks: “figures don’t lie but liars figure.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For a quick primer on proper and unambiguous use of language, I strongly urge you to turn to the United States Constitution. There, upon examination, you come to understand why it took thirteen years to compile that tiny document. It says what it means and it means what it says. The further we get from that document, the further we are along the road to the destruction of our God given rights and the greatest nation the earth has ever seen. Wake up America!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-4254190753061462271?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/4254190753061462271/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=4254190753061462271&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/4254190753061462271'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/4254190753061462271'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/change-in-vocabulary.html' title='A Change in Vocabulary'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-7703103043590692873</id><published>2010-08-17T12:49:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-17T12:52:53.943-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Best Comments of the Day</title><content type='html'>This one came from &lt;a href="http://althouse.blogspot.com/2010/08/just-to-be-clear-president-is-not.html"&gt;Althouse&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;in a discussion of Obama’s “back and forth” on placing a mosque at ground zero.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“Why did he do it? Because HE CAN"T HELP HIMSELF. This guy is on internal navigation. No mid-course correction via the guiding stars of the popular societal sociocultural firmament. No, his course guidance and target destination was all installed at the factory by his lefty/socialist/Communist parents, "mentors" friends and those extreme leftists he has admitted in writing he chose to surround himself with in college. Educated in a Muslim school in Indonesia and a man who can recite the Muslim "Call to Prayer" in Arabic by heart and considers it one of the "sweetest sounds in the world," it's time to call this leftist Islamo-fascist duck for what he is..&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;He really can't help himself--he's on pre-programmed internal guidance--in the grip of an amorphous miasmic ideological blob: part neo-marxist statist cum proto neo-fascist corporatist and "cosmopolitan" PC multi-culti Islamic sympathizer.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;He can't help himself; he really, really can't...”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;* * * * * * * * *&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In an excellent article defining those who come with great yearning for our countries freedoms yet have an insistence to return in spirit to their mother-land, we have Victor Davis Hanson for &lt;a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/victordavishanson/the-enigma-of-our-age/"&gt;Pajamma's Media&lt;/a&gt; Responding in a partial quote from a commenter is the following about those folks.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“They are NEVER satisfied. Not while you draw a breath they can’t control. If you can grow a grape that they can’t take from you at will, then it’s not enough. Stop trying to make sense of their actions from the rationale of a free man who sees that freedom has increased the wealth of the world by tenfold what it was in 1775. None of that matters to them. What matters is their power over your life. It’s that simple.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And it’s not worth debating. As far as I’m concerned, the science is settled. They are gangsters, Huns, barbarians and sadists. I don’t care what they call themselves….Muslims, progressives, communists, climate scientists, John Kerry, European Socialists, Marxists, the ruling class, statists, or baby oil. They are our enemy. They are bent on controlling our every breath, and all of these actions are probes to see where our weaknesses are and what we will tolerate or not. Because they know that the hands of our fathers conquered a continent; our mother’s grit and guile stopped the fascists and their communist twins. They want to pin a finger down here, a toe there, get under our skin in this place and irritate us there. But they don’t want a confrontation. Oh no. Obama doesn’t want it. The Islamic fascists don’t want it. Putin doesn’t want it and the chicoms don’t want it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Because they know what Americans do when we are aroused.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Mr. Hanson, what we need is a leader. “&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;* * * * * * * * * * &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This little jewel comes from the ever dependable &lt;a href="http://minx.cc/?post=304699"&gt;Ace of Spades.&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp; In a discussion over the possibility that the Muslim community may have changed its mind about locating a mosque on the immediated fringe of ground zero, we find the following comment.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“Maybe they were worried the Amish would do trot-bys?”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;* * * * * * * * * *&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This piece was on&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com/2010/08/worst-congress-ever-new-video-reveals-record-job-losses-under-pelosi-reid-congress/"&gt;GatewayPundit&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;and included not only the comment which follows but an outstanding county-by-county visual record of unemployment from the offset of absolute Democrat control of the congress. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the gradual destruction of the US economy over the past 3+ years.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“On Jan 3rd 2007, when the Democrats took over both the house and senate, the unemployment rate was 4.4 percent. Why the Republicans haven’t been talking about this for the last year is beyond me. They have LET the media and Obama and the democrats say its Bush’s fault over and over and over again. And that message has worked.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This election is not a presidential election. The dems have had control for nearly 4 years and its their bills and policies that took unemployment from 4.4 percent to nearly 10 percent. Are you better off then 4 years ago indeed? That should be the message.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;* * * * * * * * * * &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The above comments were made by “we the people” and not the pundits and politicians. If we ignore the individual opinions we then fall into the same trap which has corrupted the process of government. Obviously, we are drawn to those pithy offerings from those who share some of the opinions which we hold personally. Often, however, we find the way they state it resonates more accurately. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The closer we get to the November elections; the more important it becomes to let your voice be heard. If you disagree with a poster—let them know. If you agree—be supportive. Above all, let your opinion enter the universe of ideas.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-7703103043590692873?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/7703103043590692873/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=7703103043590692873&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/7703103043590692873'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/7703103043590692873'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/best-comments-of-day.html' title='Best Comments of the Day'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-1224242153191565728</id><published>2010-08-17T07:25:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-17T07:25:40.376-07:00</updated><title type='text'>It Is What It Is</title><content type='html'>(Cross-posted from &lt;a href="http://farrightbranny.blogspot.com/"&gt;Granny With A Pitchfork.)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sunday, August 15, 2010&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“Muslim American clerics have spoken out against terror and extremism, reaffirming that Islam teaches that one must save human life, not take it.” President Obama in a speech given at the iftar dinner at the White House&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;No matter how you slice this piece of camel dung, it still means one thing: they are rubbing our noses in it. They can stand around and say the mosque will be a gesture of brotherly love and a symbol of the Group Hug and a reaching out to all people, and more drivel, equally meaningless. The fact is, the presence of a mosque on that sacred ground will say, in our president’s favorite words, “We won.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I don’t know about you but I remember how I felt on September 11th, 2001. And I’ll be willing to bet you remember down to the smallest detail where you were, what you were doing and how you felt. It’s etched in the minds of all patriots, which, incidentally, do not include all Americans. Alec Baldwin, Timothy Robbins, Michael Moore, Pelosi, Reid and most of congress come to mind. And let’s not forget the Muslim currently desecrating the oval office, when he’s not on vacation. But I’m betting the majority of us made a vow that what happened on that day would never happen again on our soil.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My friends, it is happening. While we have been sleeping, complacent and confident in our security, the enemy has been chipping away at the foundation our forefathers fought and died for. Islam is not “over there” anymore. It is in our towns, in our schools, in our places of business, and in New York City. Are they all bloodthirsty terrorists intent on beheading us at the slightest provocation? No. Are they followers of a religion of violence? Yes.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here are the first three paragraphs Chapter 7: Islam is a Peaceful Religion, by Timothy W. Dunkin's Ten Myths About Islam:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“From a sociological standpoint, this is perhaps THE most widely propagated myth about Islam. For decades, Islam has put across to Westerners a peaceful, loving front. This false view of Islam has been spread all the more aggressively since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Muslim leaders in the United States and other Western nations had to push their efforts at hiding Islam's true nature into high gear, trying to counterbalance the impact that was made by the sight of Palestinians and other Muslims (some in this very nation) cheering and celebrating the destruction of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Unfortunately, many theologically liberal and compromising people in most of the mainline Christian denominations have gone right along with these attempts at whitewashing Islam's image, either out of blind ignorance or unthinking sympathy for Mohammed's religion. Even in many traditionally conservative Protestant churches, pastors have invited false teachers from Islam to present that religion to their congregants, and the image given is invariably that of a peaceful, loving, tender-hearted faith whose members are absolutely appalled at the violence committed by "a few fringe radicals". &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have personally witnessed this sort of bald-faced lying done in the name of Islam. On November 11, 2001, I attended a panel presentation on the campus of the University of North Carolina, in Chapel Hill, during which the several panel members each had the opportunity to take 15 minutes and give their thoughts on the events and responses to the September 11 attacks. One of the speakers was a Muslim imam from a local mosque in Durham. Naturally, he took twice as much time as was allotted for him, and did not even address the topic of discussion. Instead, he spent 30 minutes ranting and raving about how peaceful and loving Islam was, and how Islam respects people of other religions. This lying deceiver even went so far as to say that he would be morally obligated to stop a person from defacing or vandalizing a Christian church. In short, his entire diatribe was one giant lie, yet much of the (mostly leftist) crowd ate up every word of it like it was gospel truth. This response demonstrated the desperate need for education about Islam in this nation. Not education in Islam, but education about Islam, so that the majority of the population in Western societies who know little to nothing about the religion can learn the truth about it, instead of being fed sugar-coated lies from Islamic leaders and propagandists. People in the West need to know that the image of Islam as a violent, intolerant, wicked religion is in fact true, and growing more so every day. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So, to ask the question frankly: Is Islam peaceful or violent? To answer equally as frankly: It is violent. It is a religion which was born out of violence, propagated through violence, and which is still accustomed to violence even today. This can clearly be seen by examining the teachings and record of Islam. These are the two primary means by which to judge the character of a religion on some question. You look at the established, recognized, plainly understood teachings of that religion from its holy texts, and then you look at the manner and methodology by which those most faithful to that religion carry out their obedience to their belief system. So let us apply this test to the Muslim faith.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I urge you to read this scholarly work. We all need to educate ourselves about the religion. As Dunkin says, not to educate ourselves in the religion, but about the religion. I include myself when I say we tend to be lazy when it comes to educating ourselves. When I graduated from college I said, “There! I don’t have to do that anymore.” As it turns out, I have learned more in the past nine or ten years, in spite of myself, than I did with all the book learning of my past, including college. But I’ve only scratched the surface. And if we don’t arm ourselves with enough knowledge to overcome the insidious and rapidly encroaching enemy on our doorstep, we are condemning our children and grandchildren to a lifetime of slavery. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If the Muslims really cared about good will and brotherly love they would move the site for the mosque. They don't give a fig about the right hand of fellowship. In fact, their purpose is to pound one more nail into the coffin of peace and liberty. Wake up, America.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Love&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Granny&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-1224242153191565728?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/1224242153191565728/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=1224242153191565728&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1224242153191565728'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1224242153191565728'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/it-is-what-it-is.html' title='It Is What It Is'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-836530127616987600</id><published>2010-08-16T06:03:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-16T06:03:00.343-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Monday Morning Rant 160</title><content type='html'>I read on the net this morning that Houston has yet to record a 100° day this summer. We are over 500 miles north and have seen little else the last two weeks. We got our first rain in about two weeks last night and it amounted to a .17th of an inch. We rejoice in that piddling amount. Thank God for the Ozark aquifer and that of the Springfield Plateau. Local inquiries at various extension facilities reveal no problems with local wells so that is a blessing. The local crops appear parched but the livestock seem fit and happy. God is good.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Presidential Vacations and Citizen Response&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Being president certainly has its limitations. Obama has only been able to schedule 5 vacations since July 1st. He made a “mercy” stop in Panama City with the wife and one kid (Malia is at camp) to bolster the local economy. Just slightly over 24 hours to devote to enhancing the finances of the gulf coast and their prospects for the future? Panama City is dangerously close to New Orleans so I hope James Carville doesn’t realize Obama’s in the vicinity. The last time I saw him he was one angry “coon ass.” (&lt;em&gt;Ed: as a former Louisiana and Gulf Coast resident, I may assure you that Mr. Carville would take no offense at the description.)&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Then it’s off to Martha’s Vineyard to suffer with those poor rich folks for ten days. Hey, it’s no snap counting all that money. Just finding the dough the late Kennedy (which one?—pick ‘em!) dropped could affect the total recovery in the nation. Do you find it curious that all these public servants managed to get filthy rich? I guess publishing books is more profitable than I thought.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I fully realize that being a retired geezer in the Ozarks is not as demanding as being the president of the entire country. However, since his election in November 2008, I have chosen to abandon some distracting activities to devote un-committed time to ensure the halt of advancing socialism in our federal government. I put my golf clubs away and swore not to pick them up again until this scourge was gone from the land. I have also forsworn long distance travel (my favorite activity) to free up time for more writing and activism. I have engaged in more pressing exercise (walking a minimum of twenty miles a week) to insure continued good health until the conclusion of this struggle. My application to research, reading, writing and computer time is set at a minimum of forty hours a week. I now share the results of my inquiries with an exponentially greater number of people than I ever have in my life previously. I also share with others at least three times a week in services aimed at giving the credit for my good life to my Creator, God Almighty. The net financial gain from this effort equals $0.00. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I also spot the relatively youthful Obama a twenty-nine year age advantage. However, as a former employee used to remind me when I managed to outfox him on occasion: “&lt;strong&gt;Old age and treachery will consistently defeat youth and skill&lt;/strong&gt;.” Through observation of those around him, he enlarged his capacity almost perceptibly. After I sold him the business, I forgave a large outstanding debt because of an obvious business down turn to allow him an unfettered opportunity for success. He had a rare understanding of life.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Although unnecessary in most cases, I encourage every reader to set aside more time and energy to engage the threats to our nation. Only through your activism can we ever expect to regain the control, ceded and protected by our constitution, of our country. Thank you for participating.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Mosque at Ground Zero&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is, no doubt, a polarizing issue. After the traditional Ramadan dinner at the White house, the president finally took an aggressive posture on building this edifice on the sacred ground of the World Trade Center Ruins. He decried it as an affront to the first amendment to oppose it’s erection on the grounds of religious freedom. He had no more uttered the words than the qualifications followed to extricate him from his commitment. He commenced to make his excuses claiming those in New York held the responsibility for the decision. By that time, however, it was clear that he stood four-square in favor of the proposition.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The best response I have seen so far is expressed by Debra Burlingame, head of 911 Families and cited on &lt;a href="http://ace.mu.nu/"&gt;Ace of Spades blog.&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Mrs. Burlingame lost a brother in the tragedy of 9/11. The piece was co-written with Tim Summer.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;"Barack Obama has abandoned America at the place where America's heart was broken nine years ago, and where her true values were on display for all to see. Since that dark day, Americans have been asked to bear the burden of defending those values, again and again and again. Now this president declares that the victims of 9/11 and their families must bear another burden. We must stand silent at the last place in America where 9/11 is still remembered with reverence or risk being called religious bigots.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;"Muslims have worshipped in New York without incident both before and after the attacks of 9/11. This controversy is not about religious freedom. 9/11 was more than a 'deeply traumatic event,' it was an act of war. Building a 15-story mosque at Ground Zero is a deliberately provocative act that will precipitate more bloodshed in the name of Allah. Those who continue to target and kill American civilians and U.S. troops will see it as a symbol of their historic progress at the site of their most bloody victory. Demolishing a building that was damaged by wreckage from one of the hijacked planes in order to build a mosque and Islamic Center will further energize those who regard it as a ratification of their violent and divinely ordered mission: the spread of shariah law and its subjugation of all free people, including secular Muslims who come to this country fleeing that medieval ideology, which destroys lives and crushes the human spirit.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;"We are stunned by the president's willingness to disregard what Americans should be proud of: our enduring generosity to others on 9/11--a day when human decency triumphed over human depravity. On that day, when 3,000 of our fellow human beings were killed in a barbaric act of raw religious intolerance unlike any this country had ever seen, Americans did not turn outward with hatred or violence, we turned to each other, armed with nothing more than American flags and countless acts of kindness. In a breathtakingly inappropriate setting, the president has chosen to declare our memories of 9/11 obsolete and the sanctity of Ground Zero finished. No one who has lived this history and felt the sting of our country's loss that day can truly believe that putting our families through more wrenching heartache can be an act of peace.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;"We will honor the memory of our loved ones. We will protect our children, whose lives will never be the same. We will not stand silent."&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In a spirit of empathy, one can easily understand Burlingame’s position. 70% of Americans stand with her to raise their voices in protest to anyone who would allow the erection of a building which represents a “victory lap” for Muslims in their continued effort to corrupt America. “Anyone” in this case is quickly identified as the president of the United States.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;And finally&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Gus has recovered fully from his wasp bite but continues to give the area around the downspout a wide berth. The ants continue to pollute the hummingbird feeder. The mutts continue to share the legless giraffe toy they both love. The kitties can’t make up their mind which side of the door they need to be on. The bird feeder continues as a popular attraction for the gold finches, cardinals and others. We continue to drag 100’ hoses around the yard to various suffering plants. We are on the verge of wearing out the computers watching ever changing weather maps looking for sign of impending showers. In other words; it’s business as usual here on the ridge. God is still in charge and that’s good enough for us.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-836530127616987600?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/836530127616987600/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=836530127616987600&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/836530127616987600'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/836530127616987600'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/monday-morning-rant-160.html' title='Monday Morning Rant 160'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-8684428814362058404</id><published>2010-08-15T12:30:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-15T20:21:34.446-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Our Real Gulf Disaster</title><content type='html'>We attempt to give proper attribution to every piece that we quote whole or in part. In this case, we have the link but we do not have any specific permission. It is too important to either ignore or delay so we shall post it anyway with apologies to &lt;a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/243665/our-real-gulf-disaster-lou-dolinar"&gt;National Review and Lou Dolinar&lt;/a&gt; in advance.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Read this piece and keep in mind what you have been fed by the media, academia, and “experts.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;08/15/2010 &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Lou Dolinar &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Four months after the Deepwater Horizon spill — which [Alleged] President Obama called the “worst environmental disaster America has ever faced” — the oil is disappearing, and fisheries are returning to normal. It turns out that this incident exposed some things that are seriously wrong in the world of oil — and I don’t mean exploding wells. There was a broad-based failure on the part of the media, the science establishment, and the federal bureaucracy. With the nation and its leaders looking for facts, we got instead a massive plume of apocalyptic mythology and threats of Armageddon. In the Gulf, this misinformation has cost jobs, lowered property values, and devastated tourism, and its effects on national policy could be deep and far-reaching. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To get an idea of the scale of misinformation involved, consider how many of the most widely reported narratives about the spill — ones that have woven their way into the national consciousness — have turned out to be dubious. Some examples: &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;East Coast beaches are threatened. Everyone got the wrong idea about the magnitude of the spill from the very beginning. Simply put, while terrible, it was never going to be as big as most thought it would be. The spreading of this East Coast–beach meme was a joint operation of NCAR, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and the media. In June, NCAR produced a slick computer-modeled animated video that showed a gigantic part of the spill making its way around the southern tip of Florida and up the East Coast. Oil covered everything from the Gulf to the Grand Banks. “BP oil slick could hit East Coast in weeks: government scientists,” dutifully reported the New York Daily News. CBS News, MSNBC, and many other media outlets chimed in in the same vein. The video was wildly popular on YouTube. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But then the government, in the form of a more senior bureaucracy, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), disavowed the scenario. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In fact, according to Chuck Watson of Watson Technical Consulting — a Savannah, Ga., firm specializing in computer modeling of the effects of hurricanes, seismic events, geophysical hazards, and weapons of mass destruction — the simulation was bogus from the very beginning, because it ignored important conditions in the Gulf. Furthermore, says Watson, the media never took account of how diluted the oil would be once it hit the Atlantic: The bulk of the theoretically massive spill the video shows amounts to roughly a quart of oil per square mile. Watson claims flat-out that NOAA was “gold digging” for grants; there’s probably more federal research money floating around the Gulf than there is oil. “There is a feeding frenzy with people trying to get funding for their specialty,” he says. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Giant plumes of oil. By mid-May, oil was still comparatively scarce in the Gulf. Disappointed, the media began trying to figure out where it had gone. Marine researchers were drafted to provide the answer. Diluted oil was being found beneath the surface; but how diluted, no one was sure, and there was nothing vaguely resembling peer-reviewed literature. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Still, news reports implied or asserted that “enormous oil plumes” were waiting, like submerged monsters, to rise and attack unsuspecting beaches and wetlands. The New York Times summed up the media consensus on May 15: “Scientists are finding enormous oil plumes in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, including one as large as 10 miles long, 3 miles wide, and 300 feet thick in spots. The discovery is fresh evidence that the leak from the broken undersea well could be substantially worse than estimates that the government and BP have given.” The article quoted Samantha Joye, a marine-sciences professor at the University of Georgia, as saying that this oil was mixed with water in the consistency of “thin salad dressing.” &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;According to the Washington Post, James H. Cowan Jr., a professor at Louisiana State University, reported “a plume of oil in a section of the Gulf 75 miles northwest of the source of the leak. Cowan said that his crew sent a remotely controlled submarine into the water, and found it full of oily globules, from the size of a thumbnail to the size of a golf ball.” The Post said that this showed the oil might slip past containment booms and pollute beaches and marshland. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But late in May, NOAA did a study that was far less alarming. It found weak concentrations of oil in the area surrounding the Deepwater Horizon site: 0.5 parts per million, maximum. The median was a little over 0.2 parts per million. As with the “giant” spill that threatened the East Coast, that’s barely above the threshold of detection. And by late July and early August, BP, the federal government, and some independent researchers were saying they couldn’t find any plumes at all. “We’re finding hydrocarbons around the well, but as we move away from the well, they move to almost background traces in the water column,” said Adm. Thad Allen, the administration’s point man on the spill. Some 75 percent of the oil released is gone — and that’s based on new estimates that put the spill rate at the high end of earlier projections. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As with the bogus doomsday model, industry experts say the giant-plume threat was greatly overstated by scientists and further blown out of proportion by the media. According to Arthur Berman, a respected petroleum expert at Labyrinth Consulting Services in Sugar Land, Texas, the theory flunks basic physics. “Oil is lighter than water and rises above it in all known situations on this planet. The idea of underwater plumes defies everything that we know about physical laws and has distressed me from the outset about these unscientific reports.” &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It also ignores the Gulf’s well-known ability to break down oil. Berman points out that the Gulf has for millennia been a warm, rich ecological gumbo of natural oil seeps, oil-eating bacteria, and marine life that subsists on the bacteria. His research, he says, suggests that the spill represents at most four times as much oil as seeps into the Gulf naturally in a year — in other words, it is eminently digestible by the native ecosystem. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Berman and Watson are contributors to The Oil Drum, a group blog written by and for people in the energy business. The website has been debunking many of the extreme scenarios surrounding the spill. Most of its contributors are proponents of “peak oil” theories, and thus are skeptical of oil’s future and eager to explore alternatives. The oil industry has come to a sorry pass when its skeptics are its most credible defenders. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Corexit threat. No aspect of the spill response has been more controversial than the widespread use of Corexit, a family of detergent-like compounds that break up oil, hence the name “dispersant.” Once broken up, oil evaporates, and is also easily eaten by bacteria. Dispersion turns thick, ugly slicks into widely distributed droplets, minimizing damage to beaches and sensitive wetlands. Massive application of dispersants is the reason the spill disappeared so quickly; but it’s important not to spray the dispersants directly on living things, like marshlands or coral. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Corexit has faced a variety of criticisms. Some say it is absolutely toxic, even more so when mixed with oil, and blame it for illness, including cancer, among spill workers in Alaska and elsewhere. They claim it’s been banned in Britain because it’s poisonous. They also suggest that Corexit is more dangerous and less effective than alternative dispersants, and has been used because BP has a financial interest in the firm that makes it. While this full-blown Corexit fear has been the province, for the most part, of green blogs, a few such allegations have made their way into mainstream publications like the New York Times, as well as recent congressional hearings. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The reality is that enough of anything will kill you, but that the amount of Corexit in the Gulf is highly diluted. As for the British ban on Corexit, it was based not on toxicity, but on the product’s slipperiness: Because the island nation is surrounded by a rocky, ecologically sensitive coastal environment, its version of the EPA makes sure all the small creatures that live there can cling safely to their rocks. If oil or Corexit gets on a rock, the humble limpet, the official guinea pig, loses its grip, so Corexit failed the tests. It is approved for application to spills in open water. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Even the EPA, which tries to ban basically everything but prune juice, has always approved of Corexit under tight supervision. The EPA weighed in with new findings at the beginning of August: It said that Corexit was “similar” in toxicity to other dispersants, and that there was no evil synergistic effect when Corexit was combined with oil. To the extent we need to worry about subtle, long-term environmental problems, the issue of residual oil is 100 times more important than Corexit. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Senior scientist Judith McDowell of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, a marine biologist who recently returned from the Gulf, says she isn’t entirely comfortable with the compound. But “given the situation in the Gulf,” she says, “given the massive amounts of oil and the human-health consequences at the well site, they had no choice.” She adds that dispersants should not be used with all spills. “It’s a trade-off when one wants to protect shoreline habitats, but you shouldn’t apply dispersants in all situations.” &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;All this misinformation comes at a serious cost. Even if the administration quickly rescinds its ban on offshore drilling (cost: 50,000 jobs, more than $2 billion in lost wages), as appeared likely in early August, the economic impact of the spill and the paranoia surrounding it will be huge. Potential visitors and customers are scared. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;? The real-estate company CoreLogic, as quoted by Bloomberg, says property values could fall by about $3 billion over the next few years along the Gulf, and as much as $56,000 for some houses. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;? A trade group, the U.S. Travel Association, said the tourism industry in Florida alone could stand to lose up to $18.6 billion over the next three years from the BP oil spill, even though the well has been capped. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;? There are dozens of anecdotal reports that no one is buying Gulf seafood, even in areas unaffected by the spill. Gulf Coast shrimpers and fishermen are in a tough spot: On one hand, as more areas of the Gulf are declared safe, they presumably won’t be able to collect compensation from BP or the government and will have to get back to work; on the other, no one’s buying their catch. Given the public fear of toxins in food, this problem could last a long time. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;? Even if the drilling ban ends, regulatory uncertainty will exact a huge cost from oil firms and their shareholders. Some insider reports suggest that oil assets in the Gulf are already being disposed of at fire-sale prices. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What’s especially unfortunate here is that all the misinformation connected to overreaction to the spill may have had a serious influence on President Obama and his advisers — leading, for example, to the Gulf drilling ban and an overly strict regulatory approach. This is a tough sell for conservatives, many of whom are looking for evil purposefulness, rather than delusion, in the administration’s policies. But think of it this way. We have the most liberal administration in history, and it is composed of people who lack the reflexive skepticism that conservatives apply to the mainstream media and left-wing blogs. Spend enough time following the reporting and blogging on Deepwater Horizon, and you come to realize that the administration’s behavior in the crisis likely wasn’t based on a cynical master plan; rather, the administration was overwhelmed by sheer panic about the magnitude of the potential disasters, outlined by its most loyal supporters, that it thought it faced. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;— Lou Dolinar is a retired columnist and reporter for Newsday. He is currently in Mobile, Ala., working on a book about what really did happen in the Deepwater Horizon spill.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There you have it. We look forward to getting the book.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-8684428814362058404?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/8684428814362058404/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=8684428814362058404&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8684428814362058404'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8684428814362058404'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/our-real-gulf-disaster.html' title='Our Real Gulf Disaster'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-2529767774633762060</id><published>2010-08-14T15:11:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-14T16:01:25.685-07:00</updated><title type='text'>More Outrageous Clap Trap from Obama</title><content type='html'>Either in an attempt at deception or in absolute ignorance of our history, Obama quotes Thomas Jefferson on his hosting of the ambassador from Tunisia in 1796: “The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims.” What it didn’t have was completely ignored by the president. We had no navy at the time to enforce any sort of action against the piracy which ships under the stars and stripes were subject to in the Mediterranean Sea. This experience precipitated the birth of the United States Navy which came to be the universally recognized superior naval power of the world. As time went by we shortly did have a navy and straightened that lawless behavior out with the force of arms. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;He then asserted that “Islam has always been a part of America’s story.” That is equivalent to claiming that a vicious thief who breaks into your house and harms your family then becomes part of your inner circle; not just it’s history. In a way, he is right, they are a part “of America’s story;” a vile, evil, episode in a precarious series stretching over two hundred years. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We presume that the ambassador from Morocco was a faithful Muslim. Why else would he choose Ramadan to visit the United States other than to put off the president? I submit that it was a calculated diplomatic move to soften a difficult situation. Other than that purpose, there would be no reason to leave hearth and home during that important time (to Muslims) on his calendar. The quotes above were lifted from the full text of a speech given in Cairo in 2009 and printed in total by &lt;a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/us/politics/04obama.text.html?pagewanted=2&amp;amp;_r=1"&gt;the New York Times.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In a further quote from the Times, they said: “Noting that “Muslim Americans serve with honor in our military,” Mr. Obama said that at next week’s &lt;em&gt;iftar &lt;/em&gt;at the Pentagon, “tribute will be paid to three soldiers who gave their lives in Iraq and now rest among the heroes of Arlington National Cemetery.”&amp;nbsp; May we assume that Major Hasan (a Muslim) who shot up the base down in Fort Hood, Texas was “serving with honor?” A blanket condemnation of all Muslims is pure foolishness. So, too, is the general assumption that no Muslims intend to do our people harm. How many Muslims must we apprehend for intent and actual harm to our people before we are permitted to make a few generalizations?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;All of this was relative to the possible erection of a Muslim Community Center and Mosque at ground zero in New York. He claims to be standing clear of the issue until the city makes up its muddled mind. Hogwash! We all fully realize that it would be a dream come true for him. He could then report to his handlers that Sharia law is just around the corner—oops, it’s already creept in.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The most insulting remarks entailed his supposed view on freedom of religion. If it were a matter of concern one would think that his posture on abortion, sanctity of marriage, and other issues of importance to the vast majority of Americans would not be to intentionally&amp;nbsp;go against the grain. Yes, Barry, we cling to our Bibles and the inherent truths therein even though you see that as a pejorative. We also believe that the rights protected in our sacred document, the US Constitution, are gifts from nature’s God. You may maintain that government is a substitute for God Almighty but it is not. Men come and go, as shall you, but He lives on and is above your pettiness. May He have mercy on your soul.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love, &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-2529767774633762060?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/2529767774633762060/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=2529767774633762060&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/2529767774633762060'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/2529767774633762060'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/more-outrageous-clap-trap-from-obama.html' title='More Outrageous Clap Trap from Obama'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-2569050484577441987</id><published>2010-08-14T11:13:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-14T11:13:37.927-07:00</updated><title type='text'>All Gave Some – Some Gave All</title><content type='html'>In the lottery of life, there are some who win and some who lose. I was one of the lucky ones. Nearly sixty years ago I enlisted in the US Army during the Korean War. After basic training at Fort Knox I was sent to Fort Devens near Ayer, Mass for additional training with the Army Security Agency. A year later I found myself on the USS Marine Carp on the way to Germany to be part of the occupation army. After two years there, I came home and opted not to “re-up”, got an honorable discharge and went on with my life.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That two years in Germany I was assigned to Hq. &amp;amp; Hq. Co with a Communications Reconnaissance Battalion in VII Corps. It was, with the exception of one incident, thank God, for the most part, uneventful. Although a few German nationals viewed our presence as distasteful, it presented an opportunity for an Iowa kid to expand his world view. I was in the company of a great bunch of guys, lived “on the economy” with my wife, had good German friends, a super dog, and managed to make E-5 before my enlistment was up. As mentioned above, I was one of the lucky ones.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The army is huge but that does not mean that I was unable to keep tabs on many of the guys I trained with at Fort Knox and Fort Devens as well. The critical day came when we assembled on the parade ground and the lst Sergeant opened his remarks with “The following named men will report to duty station…..” From “Aaron thru Little” it was followed by Korean assignments. “Lyons through C. Miller” were to report to Asmara in Africa. From R. Miller to the end of the alphabet it was off to Bremerhaven. After the troop movements were accomplished, we periodically heard from some of our classmates. The news was not always good. It included rotation to the US to deal with injuries, MIA, POW, and loss of life. I had spent a year of my life with these guys and it was difficult to deal with. It still is. I often think on the alphabetical position of my name on a list of two hundred and the possibilities of having been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark, or Jones, or Baker.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My son, a father and grandfather in his own right, sent me an outstanding video. I urge you to watch it. It is a mere 4 min and 6 seconds long but tells a story you shall never forget. &lt;a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=KTb6qdPu8JE"&gt;You will find the YouTube reference here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Short of actual participation, this will explain the military mind set better than anything I have ever seen. Most important it explains the relationship to each person in his family and to his individual memories. I choose the personal pronoun “his” because back in the day, the forces were largely male and mostly segregated overseas. It is not PC but it is the reality. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-2569050484577441987?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/2569050484577441987/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=2569050484577441987&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/2569050484577441987'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/2569050484577441987'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/all-gave-some-some-gave-all.html' title='All Gave Some – Some Gave All'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-2544861703265825017</id><published>2010-08-13T10:33:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-13T10:33:43.008-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Military Voting Rights Denied</title><content type='html'>Sorting through the issues of the day, this one stabs right through the heart. We have an all-volunteer military made up of those who see their responsibility and respond to it. For the most part, they see their duty and act upon their obligation to the nation and to their fellow citizens. At the present time, there is in progress a move to deprive them of their right to vote. It is difficult to imagine what sort of persons would actively work to dis-enfranchise those Americans whose total effort is to defend this nation and perpetuate our values to others in a messed up world.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Certain states have sought waivers to avoid the MOVE act and not send absentee ballots to the troops 45 days in advance of the election in November. Any delay in that time frame would result in barring the voice of some of America’s most important citizens to express themselves by ballot. This “Dirty Dozen” need to get their legislatures “off the dime” and take care of their interests while they are busy overseas doing the real work of defending the concepts of liberty and US interest. Who are they?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;NEW HAMPSHIRE&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;MASSACHUSETTS&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;RHODE ISLAND&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;NEW YORK&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;MARYLAND &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;DELAWARE&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;WISCONSIN&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;COLORADO&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;WASHINGTON&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;HAWAII&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;ALASKA&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Some states (Florida, Georgia and Vermont) managed to get that job done in a timely manner. Normally, the secretary of state processes withdrawal of waiver requests. Failure to seek withdrawal of these waivers demonstrates a blatant disregard for those members of our military who have already sacrificed far more than the average bear.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We are already very aware of the Department of Justice’s position on voting rights as we watch the dismissal of the Black Panther interference suit in the process in 2008. This is an issue of far greater magnitude not just in the numbers but also in the unconscionable depravation of this group’s rights.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Personally, I would endorse the concept that any state which is unwilling to properly enfranchise their citizens in the military should be forced to delay the entire result until the total legitimate vote can be tabulated. I am sick and tired of hearing “it’s for the children,” “it’s for your health,” “it’s for your own safety,” and the rest of the nanny state crap. These people in the military are willing to put their lives on the line to defend these cretins. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you have any respect for those who are willing to fight and die for you and your state’s name is on that list; follow up by contacting your individual secretary of state, state legislators, etc. to right this grievous wrong. This is disgraceful. It needs to be done NOW! &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-2544861703265825017?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/2544861703265825017/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=2544861703265825017&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/2544861703265825017'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/2544861703265825017'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/military-voting-rights-denied.html' title='Military Voting Rights Denied'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-6591933828571653060</id><published>2010-08-12T08:19:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-12T08:19:37.491-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Peter Karsinov Understands the Administration</title><content type='html'>I am embarrassed to continue blogging as I accept the fact that writers like Peter Karsinow have the extraordinary ability&amp;nbsp;to encapsulate problems with&amp;nbsp;skills which vastly exceed mine.&amp;nbsp; Here is a teaser from National Review which aptly sums up how I feel:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“Enough&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;August 11, 2010 10:30 AM &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;By Peter Kirsanow&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The contempt for ordinary Americans displayed by the ruling class is reaching critical mass. There may never have been a time in American history when the governing, academic, cultural, and media elites have been more manifestly disdainful of the country’s values, traditions, principles, and people.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Individuals who express sincere concerns that the polices and practices of the elites are imperiling the nation’s economy and security are branded as racists and xenophobes by the anointed: A diminutive mayor who appears to conflate a talent for acquiring wealth with omniscience lectures that anyone who opposes the erection of a mosque on the site where 2,700 Americans were slaughtered by radical-Islamic terrorists must be motivated by religious intolerance; tea-party activists who protest the federal government’s insane spending spree are motivated not by horror at a $13,300,000,000,000 debt but by racial animus toward the chief fiscal incontinent residing in the White House; those who voted to maintain the central institution of civilization were actually voting for bigotry and oppression.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The same elites who lecture incessantly refuse to listen to the racist rabble populating flyover country. They have no problem listening, apologizing, and bowing obsequiously to our declared enemies, but insist on acting imperiously toward their fellow Americans.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://peter%20karsinov%20understands%20the%20administration/"&gt;(continue reading:)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The author has considerable experience in both private and public service. Wikipedia reports this closing paragraph: &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;“Chair of the board of directors of the Center for New Black Leadership, Mr. Kirsanow also serves on the advisory board of the National Center for Public Policy Research. He received his B.A. in 1976 from Cornell University and his J.D. with honors in 1979 from Cleveland State University, where he served as articles editor of the Cleveland State Law Review.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Obviously, I find no fault with his observations and delight in reading them expressed so clearly. Any further comment would be superfluous.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-6591933828571653060?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/6591933828571653060/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=6591933828571653060&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/6591933828571653060'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/6591933828571653060'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/peter-karsinov-understands.html' title='Peter Karsinov Understands the Administration'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-1244373306636960195</id><published>2010-08-11T20:47:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-11T20:47:55.580-07:00</updated><title type='text'>“After the Ball is Over ------“</title><content type='html'>Few remember that song but it could well be the theme for the Obama administration. The Rasmusssen presidential index this morning showed likely voters registered a -22 on the index which measures strongly as the major component of disapproval. In the generic approve/disapprove it was -13 among likely voters. This marked a low point for the current administration on both sets of data.. These numbers vastly exceed the margin of error on polling of any sort.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The euphoria of the campaign and the early days of the administration have now passed and the realities of failure are now apparent. It has reached the point where some of this administration’s harshest critics are on the extreme left; apparently he is not destroying the country fast enough to suit some of them. After eighteen months of an economy in free- fall, a southern border which invites invasion, an un-constitutional bill on socialized medicine which even the congress has not read, and an insistence on appeasement of Islamic terrorists heads up that onrush to destruction. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Through it all, he has maintained a separation from the American people. With the exception of some outstanding hoopsters and a clutch of golfers, he shows little interest in those who comprise the population. He treats the &lt;em&gt;hoi polloi&lt;/em&gt; as an inconvenience. For all his alleged education it is obvious that he thinks &lt;em&gt;vox populi&lt;/em&gt; is a contagious disease and to be shunned. One benefit is that we need not worry about a tell-all book written by a knowledgeable friend who is close enough to spill the beans and embarrass the president. That person does not exist in Barry’s world. In today’s middle school, he would come home with a report card notation: “doesn’t play well with others.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Any NFL coach with a 0-16 record is busy looking over his shoulder waiting for the “new guy” to take over his slot running the team. They, however, are overseen by a group of directors who understand the business end of sport and seek a talent which can elevate the franchise; no matter how slightly. I choose that metaphor because race is not a factor in the NFL. If you can do the job—you get it. If you can run, pass, block, kick or coach well, that is the first consideration. If you can’t, you are gone.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In America, we give the “coach” a four year contract. We the people still have control of his “players.” We will, in November, have the opportunity to hire as many as we choose for the new team. If we manage to replace enough of the dead wood, we can yet field a group of capable legislators and “turn this thing around.” We the people are the ones responsible for that. If we fail, we shall lose. If we succeed, we still have a fighting chance. It’s hard to start from scratch but that is the challenge which our nation must face. The time has come to dispense with pie in the sky and replace those who do not have the nation’s interest at heart.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-1244373306636960195?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/1244373306636960195/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=1244373306636960195&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1244373306636960195'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1244373306636960195'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/after-ball-is-over.html' title='“After the Ball is Over ------“'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-7821325309270948805</id><published>2010-08-10T06:06:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-09T18:10:59.274-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Michelle Obama's Trip to Spain</title><content type='html'>There has been considerable controversy about the first lady’s trip to Spain and the meeting with Don Carlos in Palma de Mallorca. First, let it be said that to ignore the leader of Spain would have been a diplomatic faux pas of the first order. She is, after all, the visiting spouse of the president of the United States.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The rest of the trip is a little fuzzier. The following quote is from the sympathetic &lt;a href="http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/2578614,CST-NWS-sweet09.article"&gt;Chicago Sun Times&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;“A White House source told me that Blanchard's father passed away and Mrs. Obama was not able to make the funeral at the beginning of July. Blanchard had promised her daughter she would take her to Spain for her birthday. She asked Mrs. Obama and Sasha to come with. (Malia is at overnight camp.) &lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;"She felt it was important as a dear friend to do this," I was told.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For a clear look at how to evaluate this mega-dollar vacation expenditure, I of course, went immediately to &lt;a href="http://ace.mu.nu/"&gt;Ace of Spades.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We’re big pals you know. He lovingly refers to me as “moron” which serves as a term of endearment on his blog. I was rewarded with a full rundown with the inside dope on Michelle’s activities. My next step was to steal it in its entirety and share it with you. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“Top Ten Activities To Honor Friend's Departed Father At Michelle Obama's Five-Star Funeral Jam&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;10. Barbecued shrimp slightly al dente out of respect for the dead&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;9. When snorkeling, bereavers hold their heads upside-down so brilliantly-colored coral fish appear to be wearing sad face frowns instead of happy face smiles&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;8. Commemorative Jet-Skiing&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;7. Morning's mani-pedi group outing begun by reading of appropriate Psalm, and then reading of a random cartoon from Marmaduke: The Classics, because you can't start your day off too heavy on the Spanish Riviera&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;6. Extreme zip-line excursion reminds everyone that life is fleeting&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;5. Resort's specialty drink? The "Mortal Coil Monsoon"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;4. Waiters and bartenders only tipped 7% to remind them that there are things more important than money&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. Bereavement Para-sailing&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Booze Cruise's Martini-and-crossed-swords flag lowered to half mast&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And the number one activity to honor the dead at Michelle Obama's five-star funeral jam...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Moment of silence strictly observed after each Bama Slamma shot&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Bonus! Number 0.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;0. Every day after the spa, Michelle flexes her biceps and announces she's giving Father Blanchard a "two-gun salute""&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Thanks for the comprehensive run down on the first lady’s activities. It’s a lot more than anyone was able to get from press secretary Robert Gibbs.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-7821325309270948805?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/7821325309270948805/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=7821325309270948805&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/7821325309270948805'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/7821325309270948805'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/michelle-obamas-trip-to-spain.html' title='Michelle Obama&apos;s Trip to Spain'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-3768622525886320162</id><published>2010-08-09T14:14:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-09T14:14:14.355-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Juan Williams Insanity</title><content type='html'>In an unguarded moment on TV, Juan Williams exposed a level of racist ignorance and prejudice which he has more or less successfully hidden to this date. To give Williams the benefit of the doubt, you will find the interview &lt;a href="http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com/2010/08/juan-williams-plays-race-card-70-of-older-white-people-voted-for-prop-c-video/"&gt;here on Gateway Pundit.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Now that the “inner” Williams has been exposed for all to see, let’s take a look at some ridiculous assertions from a mathematical point of view. First of all is the matter of “the echo chamber of old white people.” All persons, white, black, brown, yellow and multi-racial over 65 only comprise 13% of the population of Missouri. If every single one of them had voted “no,” the remainder would have been 61.8% voting yes. He implied that St Louis and Kansas City’s inner city vote was so under-represented as to affect the outcome. In point of fact the two inner cities voted “Yes” over 41% each. Had they both been a solid “no” vote, the issue would have still passed by a 65-35 margin statewide. No other county in the state of Missouri voted “no”. Many of those counties voted well in excess of 80%. At the least, it’s long past time for Mr. Williams to hone up his math skills.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The larger sadness in Williams’ performance is renewal of his view of issues through the lens of racism. By assuming that posture, he invalidates his value to Fox News or any other responsible organization. His new-found openness on racial attitudes also reflects the stated position of our president. He (Obama) promised that it would become a moot issue when in fact racial relations are at their lowest point in decades. Many thinking people have ideological differences with this administration which have absolutely nothing to do with race. It contributes little to any conversation to gratuitously inject it. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Those who forsake intellect for the momentary satisfaction of hurling epithets like Nazi, racist, queer, cracker, &lt;em&gt;et al&lt;/em&gt;, are resorting to a level of schoolyard bulling. Mr. Williams, I really thought you were above that sort of thing. Apparently, I was wrong.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-3768622525886320162?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/3768622525886320162/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=3768622525886320162&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/3768622525886320162'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/3768622525886320162'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/juan-williams-insanity.html' title='Juan Williams Insanity'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-3809087261746234182</id><published>2010-08-09T10:05:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-09T10:21:37.563-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Monday Morning Rant 159</title><content type='html'>It has been so hot here that when I found it had cooled to 91°, I immediately cranked up the lawn mower and started chasing it again. That 4 acre yard is sure pretty when it’s all tidied up but it is a daunting task when you face mowing it with a 21’ mower. For what it’s worth, that 22 mile stroll behind the “Troy-built” is just the ticket for keeping 78 year old bones and muscles in good shape. You know the old line—no pain, no gain.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Brilliance from Giffords in Arizona 8&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A poster on the "&lt;a href="http://thevailspot.blogspot.com/"&gt;Vail Spot"&lt;/a&gt; Mark Beres, USAF (ret) happens to live in that congressional district. It is made up of all of Cochise and eastern parts of Pima and Santa Cruz counties in extreme southeast Arizona. It is also home to some of the most violent of the exchanges between the renegade Mexican drug cartels and miles of unguarded border which typify our porous international boundary.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As a former resident of Cochise county and with family (9 persons in total) living in the district I entertained the idea those citizens had good sense. It turns out—not so much. Apparently she was elected when the Democrat sweep commenced in 2007. She brought a satchel full of conflicting views. She opposed our involvement in Iraq. She currently supports the action in Afghanistan. She supports SB 1070 yet seeks amnesty for illegal immigrants. On other issues she is steadfast: pro-choice, anti NRA, NARAL etc..&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One can only wonder where she stands on the curtailment of NASA. In 2007, she married one of the last astronauts, Navy Captain, Mark Kelly who was commander of STS-124 which went into orbit May 31, 2008 and participated in three other space missions. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The remaining issue then to both Mark Beres and your host is this: when she had the opportunity to question the theater commander in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus in a House Committee setting, what was she thinking? She inquired: &lt;strong&gt;“General Petraeus, what are you doing to reduce carbon emissions in the war on terror?” &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Mark makes the following observation: “Gabrielle Giffords is the poster-child for what is wrong with the US Congress. We are being led by imbeciles.” By that I’m sure he means the question was imbecilic. By definition, that would indicate a feebleminded person with the intelligence of a 3 to 7 year old. That comparison does a disservice to mentally challenged persons everywhere. I would have preferred “asinine” which is defined as “an inexcusable failure to exercise intelligence or sound judgment.” It’s no big deal; perhaps Mark is closer after all.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;No mention has been made of the general’s response. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Court Rules on GPS Tracking&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A US Appeals Court in Washington tossed the conviction of Antoine Jones because of the use of constant GPS tracking device attached to his car without a warrant. The court maintained that the state had based their case on an illegal activity.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;"It is one thing for a passerby to observe or even to follow someone during a single journey as he goes to the market or returns home from work," the court opinion said.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;"It is another thing entirely for that stranger to pick up the scent again the next day and the day after that, week in and week out, dogging his prey until he has identified all the places, people, amusements, and chores that make up that person's hitherto private routine."&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Although it would have been beneficial to remove this individual from activity in pursuance of his illegal drug trade, it does mark a victory for privacy. Apparently the 4th amendment is still alive and well in some quarters.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To see this case for what it actually is, it is necessary to ask if you would wish to have each and every movement of your personal car, no matter how innocent, publicly recorded. Keep in mind that it would register every traffic error as well. Each time, place and frequency of your church attendance, shopping habits, leisure activity, and God forbid, your romantic trysts, would then become a matter of public record.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sometimes, even the courts get it right.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Flying a False Flag?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Although this is a separate issue, it is relative to an above item about Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ-8) and a potential challenger for her seat in congress. Jesse Kelly has filed as a Republican to oppose Giffords with the supposition he represents Tea Party interests. A closer look reveals the 29 year old Kelly has little in his resume to verify that association.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;He is reported to be a good speaker, has (as yet unrevealed) military credentials, and is a fresh face on the Arizona political scene. With little background in any politics it is difficult to assess his sincerity. He registered Republican at roughly the same time he filed for office. As a mediocre high school student he dropped out of college and does have some experience in the family business, Don Kelly Construction, which is accused of accepting a large dose of stimulus funds from the federal government.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This young marine may well be the real deal. On the other hand, it has become apparent that those who wish to discredit the Tea Party have sought to falsify the credentials of potential candidates to misrepresent their goals. For those who vote in AS -8, we would encourage a thorough personal investigation followed by active support for those candidates who understand the perils facing the nation and to vote accordingly.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Further, on a national basis, beware of those who, through the lack of centralized structure in the Tea Party and a formal endorsement process, may claim associations which do not exist. This practice has been widely reported in districts nationwide and requires that we verify the sincerity of each person running for higher office. The November elections are critical to the nation’s health and will require abandonment of normal voter laziness and active participation in the process. Do it; your continued comfort depends upon it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;And finally, &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Our little pal, Gus, learned all he needed to know about wasps this morning. We have noticed an up tick in their activity this year and both Granny and I have suffered for it. At 195 pounds, I am certain that their affect on me will be far less than that on Gus at 16 pounds. It does pose the question; why this year? I suppose it’s possible they are as irritated by the heat and lack of rain as the rest of us. Normally, the pain from the bite lasts for about 24 hours so I guess he’ll come out from under the bed tomorrow.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;During the sermon on Sunday, I noted that the preacher came dangerously close to expressing a political opinion from the pulpit. Ever circumspect, he narrowly avoided it but still managed to register his disapproval of the California judge who ignored the will of their voters in overturning their proposition protecting the Sanctity of Marriage. One sensed his outrage bubbling very near the surface and I found it understandable. He’s a better man than I am—obviously.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you happen to see any rain anywhere, we’d appreciate it if you’d shoo it our way. Thanks.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-3809087261746234182?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/3809087261746234182/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=3809087261746234182&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/3809087261746234182'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/3809087261746234182'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/monday-morning-rant-159.html' title='Monday Morning Rant 159'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-459585145450367827</id><published>2010-08-06T21:01:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-06T21:05:39.806-07:00</updated><title type='text'>A "No Confidence Vote" from ICE</title><content type='html'>Obama’s headlong rush to secure amnesty (read that votes) for illegal aliens who have crossed our porous border are getting some push-back from the agents involved. ICE union president Chris Crane forwarded a letter with this opening paragraph in early June to the president:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;“On June 11, 2010, the National Immigration and Customs Enforcement Council and its constituent local representatives from around the nation, acting on behalf of approximately 7,000 ICE officers and employees from the ICE Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), cast a unanimous “Vote of No Confidence” in the Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), John Morton, and the Assistant Director of the ICE Office of Detention Policy and Planning, (ODPP), Phyllis Coven.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For more on the letter and the agents unified disenchantment with the administration’s failures in enforcement is available at &lt;a href="http://www.cis.org/kephart/ICE-mission-melt-1"&gt;Center for Immigration Stucies website.&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp; There, they outline the problems they have faced trying to enforce laws in the face of ridiculous regulations and restraints from above. You will find that the disconnect between the mission of ICE and the means presented for them to do their job horrifying. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You host has a substantial body of family&amp;nbsp;who live right on top of the one the most notorious border hot spots in Arizona. As residents of Tucson and with business interests in Cochise Country their observations mirror many of the concerns which the agents express in the article. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This has been soft-pedaled so far but as it leaks out, it will become greater by the day. One of the more fascinating aspects in the matter is the conflict&amp;nbsp;between the union interest by the agents and the presidents agenda. Unfortunately for Obama, he is pitting one favored group against another. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you have the slightest interest in the issue of secure borders, click on the link to this story above. It is essential information.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-459585145450367827?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/459585145450367827/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=459585145450367827&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/459585145450367827'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/459585145450367827'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/no-confidence-vote-from-ice.html' title='A &quot;No Confidence Vote&quot; from ICE'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-8511266516487305024</id><published>2010-08-05T15:14:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-05T15:14:16.964-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Obama, Handicap Drops from +22 to +6</title><content type='html'>While catching up on some neglected sites during today's rain, I found this jewel On &lt;a href="http://moneyrunner.blogspot.com/"&gt;"The Virginian."&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp; He, in turn, shamelessly admits to stealing it from a comment by Consultofactus on Yahoo News.&amp;nbsp; It is a tender tale of a man simply trying to get something accomplished.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Consultofactus Sun Aug 01, 2010 07:21 am PDT &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"I have noticed that many posters are critical of President Obama! Aren't we all in this together? If the President succeeds don't we all win? Well then, don't you think your constant complaining might just be holding him back from a historic first term achievement??? Have you thought of that? Did you know that Mr. Obama is about to do what no other American President has ever done? Yes, when Mr. Obama was sworn into office his golf handicap was an unimpressive +22! Now, in just 19 short months he's a +6 &lt;strong&gt;AND IS LIKELY TO BE THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO BREAK 80 AT PEBBLE BEACH!&lt;/strong&gt; But how can he "keep his head in the game" if whiners like YOU are always b1tching???!!! "OHHH Mr. President the illegals are killing us! OOOH Mr. President Unemployment in my state is 14% and I haven't worked for a year!! Mr. President, Mr. President your policies are bankrupting the country!!! Have YOU ever tried to line-up a 30 foot putt with Gov. Bobby Jindal harping about some oil leak thingy??? Huh?? And how's the President going to enjoy his summer concert series when deadbeats like you are crying about having your home foreclosed?? Why should he care?"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There you have it; now, back to our regular programming.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-8511266516487305024?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/8511266516487305024/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=8511266516487305024&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8511266516487305024'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8511266516487305024'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/obama-handicap-drops-from-22-to-6.html' title='Obama, Handicap Drops from +22 to +6'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-8203715952268512015</id><published>2010-08-05T11:37:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-05T11:37:37.491-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Angle vs. Reid, Is God Alive in Sin City?</title><content type='html'>Many, including your host, have criticized Nevada Republican voters for designating Sharon Angle as their choice to unseat Harry Reid in the Senate. I cannot speak for the others but Tarkanian seemed the better choice if for no other reason than name recognition. The son of an extremely successful basketball coach who brought national significance to UNLV, the city of Las Vegas, and Nevada as a whole came on the scene with no political baggage and an identification which was all positive. The voters disagreed and chose Sharon Angle instead.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Back in April she had an interview with Rick Wiles of TruNews Christian Radio in which she claimed her race with Reid was “a calling from God.” That comment went largely unnoticed until more recent remarks surfaced which enlarged the topic. She said:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;"And these programs that you mentioned -- that Obama has going with Reid and Pelosi pushing them forward -- are all entitlement programs built to make government our God. And that’s really what’s happening in this country is a violation of the First Commandment. We have become a country entrenched in idolatry, and that idolatry is the dependency upon our government. We’re supposed to depend upon God for our protection and our provision and for our daily bread, not for our government."&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Much of that complete interview with Wiles is reprinted from an article by Jon Ralston of the Las Vegas Sun (read that: Las Vegas “Daily Worker”) which is &lt;a href="http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/ralstons-flash/2010/aug/04/angle-whats-happening-america-violation-1st-comman/"&gt;linked here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For those not intimate with the goings on in Las Vegas, the Review-Journal Publishing Co. offers the “Las Vegas Sun” as a supplement to their daily and Sunday editions. Their respective editorial positions are diametrically opposed and thus give an impression of “fair and balanced” to both entities. It is assumed that it is a business decision which benefits both at the expense of watering down the effectiveness of both.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What screams through in the article and also in the comments is the disconnect between those of belief and those who choose to ignore God in their daily lives. The otherwise unknown factor to most readers is the position which the Almighty holds in the individual lives of the citizens of Sin City. Anchored by a huge Mormon population, Las Vegas is also home to an immense Catholic presence with protestant faith represented in enormous numbers. Any attempt to explain this presence of spirituality among the population shall remain for analysis on another day. It is there; it is obvious; and, it is undeniable.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The article which provoked my response was initiated by a post and its comments on &lt;a href="http://minx.cc/?post=304312"&gt;Ace of Spades&lt;/a&gt;.&amp;nbsp; One of the most arresting comments was posted at #54 and is reprinted here:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“The main problem I see here is that the Press (and we here) give a pass to leftists on such statements (Pelosi's 'Word made Flesh' comes to mind) that we don't allow our own.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Biden, Pelosi, Kerry et al pull out the Catholic card when it's most convenient, and the slavering LSM doesn't bat an eye. Nor do the squishy middlers, it appears. When JFK ran for president, there was a fear across the land that the Pope would be pulling his strings. If Angle's comments are scary to some squishes, they should be reminded of the anti-Catholic bigotry against the 20c Democrat icon.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Now if Angle had iterated that Allah was calling her to the U.S. Senate, she'd be golden. “&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As a Christian believer, I am thrilled to find a candidate who unashamedly acknowledges that God is, and should be, the Director of our lives. All too often quite the opposite attitude prevails and those in high office appear all too ready to assume the mantle of “director of the universe.” The general tendency has been to urge Christians and Jews to sublimate their understanding of the Almighty while at the same time celebrating Islam, and other less familiar “religions” and begging for “understanding and tolerance.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For those familiar with houses of worship of the dominant faiths, her words echo the text which is most often heard from those pulpits. It is more than apparent that her faith is not a “Sunday-only” matter but rather a constant in her life. Does she take a political risk in voicing her devotion to God? Yes! Would it be worth sacrificing the future of her soul to deny Him? Absolutely not! For those who lack understanding of the preceding remarks, a bit of inquiry might serve you well for your future. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Win or lose, Sharon Angle’s decision to intimately involve her Creator in her campaign is at the least, important to many of the electorate in Nevada. An old friend used to constantly remind anyone who would listen: “one plus God is a majority.” He was right. I trust that her decision will resonate with far more Nevadans than any might suspect.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-8203715952268512015?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/8203715952268512015/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=8203715952268512015&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8203715952268512015'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/8203715952268512015'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/angle-vs-reid-is-god-alive-in-sin-city.html' title='Angle vs. Reid, Is God Alive in Sin City?'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-3931011541557617626</id><published>2010-08-04T09:37:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-04T09:37:26.070-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Missouri Voters Reject Obama-Care</title><content type='html'>An energized base of resistance to the president’s recently passed health care program was in full victory mode after yesterday’s primaries. Included on the ballot was Proposition C which called for Missourians not to be forced to buy health care not of their own choosing. The measure passed overwhelmingly with close to 70% of the vote.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Even the most die-hard supporters were stunned by the margin of victory. There is little doubt the federal government will challenge the measure in court. Nevertheless, the strength of the “Show-Me” state resistance becomes the high water mark of opposition. Most observers see it as confirmation for other states to go forward with similar programs.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Even more remarkable; Missouri, on Tuesday, was experiencing the hottest day of the year so far. Parts of the state registered readings over 100° with humidity in excess of 70%. Local precinct workers at 6:30 PM reported record turnout numbers through that hour for a primary election. Although some slots on the ballot were crowded, primary elections generally don’t attract voter turnout which approach general election numbers. The presence of Proposition C trumped the uncomfortable weather and normal voter disinterest.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Although there is no doubt about upcoming challenges by the federal government to Proposition C, at a minimum, the people of Missouri have had the opportunity to send an important message to Washington. “We the People” do not want this legislative monstrosity which was advertised as a bill which had to wait for passage before it could be read. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Our heartfelt thanks go out to our friends and neighbors who saw the wisdom of this act of defiance.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love, &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-3931011541557617626?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/3931011541557617626/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=3931011541557617626&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/3931011541557617626'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/3931011541557617626'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/missouri-voters-reject-obama-care.html' title='Missouri Voters Reject Obama-Care'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-743192913707582104</id><published>2010-08-03T18:42:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-03T18:42:19.976-07:00</updated><title type='text'>A Lame Apology from the New York Times</title><content type='html'>Actually it was not an apology but rather a “correction.” In reality, it was neither. Included in the correction is yet another false assertion claiming that “Tea Party supporters have been connected to a number of such statements.” These are their exact words:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“&lt;em&gt;The Political Times column last Sunday, about a generational divide over racial attitudes, erroneously linked one example of a racially charged statement to the Tea Party movement. While Tea Party supporters have been connected to a number of such statements, there is no evidence that epithets reportedly directed in March at Representative John Lewis, Democrat of Georgia, outside the Capitol, came from Tea Party members.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Even in the process of acknowledging that no evidence exists to support their scurrilous claims they could not resist implying that some supporters have done so. Andrew Breitbart offered $100,000 to anyone who could supply supporting video to establish the assertions made by members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Video cameras were present by the dozens but no one stepped up to claim Breibart’s offer with evidence of the occurrence because it didn’t happen.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Breitbart’s response, in part follows:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· “The Times is admitting that there is absolutely no evidence that any epithets were shouted at the Congressman by any member of the Tea Party.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· This correction demonstrates we have finally proven our point to the nation’s most eminent and influential liberal media organ: that Rep. Andre Carson lied when he told the AP that members of the Tea Party hurled the “N-word” 15 times during the March 20 health-care rally that took place at the U.S. Capitol.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For the sole purpose of defaming the Tea Party movement, Rep. John Lewis, Rep. Andre Carson, and others lied when they lodged their complaint with the media. They did it deliberately and with malice aforethought. They did not “mis-speak.” As they strode through the crowd of protesters they convinced themselves that they would be subject to derision and racial slurs. We now all fully realize that it did not happen and the complainers are serial prevaricators.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The time has long since passed for the members of the Congressional Black Caucus members to come clean and confess their lying ignorant assertions about the Tea Party. The intentional incitement of racial conflict did take place and the responsibility for the hatred lies at the feet of Lewis, Carson and their cronies. Now is the moment to “man up” and admit that it was a childish mistake and take full responsibility for their reprehensible actions. To do otherwise is cowardice.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-743192913707582104?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/743192913707582104/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=743192913707582104&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/743192913707582104'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/743192913707582104'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/lame-apology-from-new-york-times.html' title='A Lame Apology from the New York Times'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-2682506514537662852</id><published>2010-08-03T10:04:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-03T10:04:53.418-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Charlie Rangel's Dirty Money</title><content type='html'>When you are accused of having ill-gotten gains, some may wonder where it goes. In the case of the alleged ethics violations of Rangel we find him generous with the cash. Apparently 17 congressmen have recognized the taint upon the cash and returned or donated it to charity. You might want to check this list (it’s alphabetical) to see if your local yokel has had any pangs of conscience and ethically disposed of it. So far, those listed have not.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Pa. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Melissa Bean, D-Ill. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. John Boccieri, D-Ohio - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-Iowa - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla. - $2,500&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Chris Carney, D-Pa. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Andre Carson, D-Ind. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Stephen Cohen, D-Tenn. - $2,500&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Kathleen Dahlkemper, D-Pa. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Steve Driehaus, D-Ohio - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Texas - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Donna Edwards, D-Md. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-Ind. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Parker Griffith, D-Ala. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Paul Hodes, D-N.H. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Wis. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Pa. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick, D-Mich. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif. - $1,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. David Loebsack, D-Iowa - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Dan Maffei, D-N.Y. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Betsy Markey, D-Colo. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Jim Marshall, D-Ga. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Michael McMahon, D-N.Y. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Fla. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Pa. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Laura Richardson, D-Calif. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D-Texas - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. David Scott, D-Ga. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Joseph Sestak, D-Pa. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Harry Teague, D-N.M. - $2,500&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M. - $5,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va. - $10,000&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The money involved here is “chump change.” The principles however, are monumental.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;The material in this post was extracted from an opion piece in the Washington &lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Examiner.&amp;nbsp; For further in depth coverage, &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/Many-of-Rangel_s-colleagues-hanging-on-to-his-dirty-money-1006696-99787534.html"&gt;&lt;em&gt;click here.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-2682506514537662852?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/2682506514537662852/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=2682506514537662852&amp;isPopup=true' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/2682506514537662852'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/2682506514537662852'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/charlie-rangels-dirty-money.html' title='Charlie Rangel&apos;s Dirty Money'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-7828274319028134026</id><published>2010-08-02T13:38:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-02T13:47:07.596-07:00</updated><title type='text'>A Rudderless Ship</title><content type='html'>That basically is what most politicians see when they take a serious look at the Tea Party Movement. For those who see our government as a pyramid of men at work running the country (into the ground) by conjuring up ever more man-made interference into a network of protection for natural laws of liberty it is no surprise. For those of that mindset, a table of organization is an absolute requirement. It is always so with a “top-down” government which depends upon men for guidance rather than law.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Our founders are revered for their genius in recognizing the ability and the will of the people for self-governance. That approach has it’s inefficiencies but at the least it insists upon the constant involvement of the citizenry. Always remember that it took an interval of 13 years between the Declaration of Independence and the finalization of the United States Constitution. Once accomplished, it has been accepted as a guiding instrument for a nation which has become the envy of the world. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It has inbred devices to allow for revision and hopefully, improvement. To avoid the perils presented by a pure democracy, it requires the permission of 2/3rds of all the states to be accomplished. No state, regardless of population, has a greater or lesser influence in the process. One might suggest that Wyoming with its windswept rural character and few people should bow to the wishes of a hyper-populous New York in matters constitutional. The principal trait which each state maintains and the founders recognized is that they are both sovereign entities and therefore, equal. In this circumstance, and many others, the individual right of the state becomes all important. With fifty such units there is bound to be disagreement but at the conclusion of debate it is the will of the people which should prevail.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There is a segment of our population which chooses, either by intent or ignorance, to misunderstand that individual action and attitude should rightfully supercede that of those who are chosen as leaders. Too often the leadership is in the thrall of being elevated to a high post and gain the thought that it their job to direct the lives of people. The engineer of a train has technical duties regarding speed, fuel, and general maintenance. The limitations presented by confinement to the tracks prevent any excess in individual initiative. In the case of the nation, the constitution represents the tracks and thus the restrictions placed upon leadership. In both cases, exceeding the limitations will result in disaster. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In a recent inquiry, encyclopedic research&amp;nbsp;showed endless charts on every possible aspect of the various presidents of the United States. A huge amount of data is available for comparisons or general interest in these men. To date, no data has been apparent which evaluates comparative understanding of the US Constitution. One can only conclude that this must be determined by each president’s dependence upon the will of the people on all matters, great and small. Some have definitely been better than others.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This then returns us to examination of the Tea Party Movement and the consequent shunning of controlling leadership. The essence of the Tea Party is citizen involvement. It is incomprehensible to leftists that any group can exist with out their concept of organizational structure. Lacking apparent leadership, there is no easily targetable person to defame. Finding skeletons in the closet of a non-person is impossible. Without a clearly defined leader, the ad hominem attack is rendered useless. To attack the Tea Party then is to assault tens of millions of likeminded Americans equally and to further their resolve for legitimate change and a return to the aims of the founding fathers. Those persons who are extremely active in the Tea Party are justly worthy of praise and enjoy the support of their fellow protestors; but from the view of the public at large, they are largely anonymous. Those persons who can actually name the principal promoters of the Tea Party are as few as those who can name the weakly disguised “Indians” who dumped the tea into Boston Harbor.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Even persons closely aligned with the fundamental tenets espoused by the average Tea Partier do not claim leadership. Indeed, it is easy to associate Sarah Palin, Dick Armey, Jim DeMint and others with the movement but each would disclaim a role in actual leadership. Their understanding of the vital independence of participants in the group is clear and most often their own individual view. They modestly understand and actively shun being named as leaders. The Tea Party then is most easily identified as “We the People.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The most scurrilous attack on the Tea Party has come from the generalized accusation of racism which has by now lost most of its bite because of common usage. It has come to represent a situation where all other accusations have come to naught so it serves as a “catch all” to provide a universal approbation. It over simplifies the notion that if you see the president as an enemy of the republic your opposition has to be based upon skin color.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This automatic assumption is intellectually weak and more important; morally unsound. It then becomes an infantile response to serious adult issues which affect people of every hue. When this country endures the financial collapse so well assured if we continue down our present path, no degree of color, national origin, sexual orientation or age will protect the sufferer.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We encourage anyone with further questions as to the efficacy of the Tea Party movement to investigate for themselves by dropping by any gathering any where in the country of Tea Party Patriots. Engage the participants in conversation; ask the questions which you have; observe the behavior and general tenor of the group; and draw your own conclusion upon personal observation and inquiry. If you truly love our country I guarantee you will leave with an entirely different view of the crowd than that which you may have received from the main-stream media. It’s a small matter but you are encouraged to hang around until the crowd is dispersed and note the respectful condition which a Tea Party crowd leaves the grounds. Regardless of the location, you will be impressed to see it as it was when you arrived. Even 800,000 people in DC on 9/12/09 left the grounds immaculate. May God bless America.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-7828274319028134026?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/7828274319028134026/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=7828274319028134026&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/7828274319028134026'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/7828274319028134026'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/rudderless-ship.html' title='A Rudderless Ship'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-5609862022722804538</id><published>2010-08-02T06:43:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-02T06:43:00.829-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Monday Morning Rant 158</title><content type='html'>As the temperature continued to climb (95°!) and the relative humidity was a scant 20 points shy, the church provided a welcome shelter. Isn’t it always? Even after some fiery remarks from the pulpit, the congregation was relieved to be inside. One can only wonder what folks did before air conditioning became common. Oh, I remember; we all had fans from the local funeral home. Of course, back then the ladies all wore hats and gloves to church. Today, although modestly attired, they don’t seem to be going for uncomfortable style points.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Odumbo’s at it Again&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Hot Air has an interesting poll which it is running over the weekends. They have selected the stupidest, dumbest, most clueless responses of the week from the news by the president and submit them to the readership to determine which one is the most ignorant. With a week fraught with stupid remarks and actions the choices were many and readers were sorely challenged to identify the most severe faux pas.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“What was the Obamateurism of the Week (8/1)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“Change hasn’t come fast enough for too many Americans. I know that."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Obama says First Couple "not far removed" from economic pain in financial collapse despite making millions in 2008&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Obama goes on the View, skips Scout Jamboree&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Obama does photo op with unemployed convicted fraudster&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"We are sort of a mongrel people."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To participate, just &lt;a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2010/08/01/poll-what-was-the-obamateurism-of-the-week-57/"&gt;click here and give your opinion.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For a guy who was advertised as brilliant, he certainly does come up with some real jewels in the boner department. If you read the comments, please note how many of them&amp;nbsp;mention that they found it very difficult to decide what was the dumbest thing he said or the action he took. Keep in mind he went to Harvard and Columbia. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Also at the link you will find some of the previous Obamateurisms-of-the week. I am pleased that someone has taken the time and trouble to document these.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fraud, Deceit, and Congressional Privilege&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We have long known that our congress is inhabited by miscreants. Finding Charlie Rangel before the senate ethics committee surely came as no surprise to anyone. Most have long seen him as “public enemy number one“ in a field crowded for the title. Now we finally have Maxine Waters (D-CA) on the hot seat for using her office to an unfair advantage. It would appear that holding high office is just an avenue for some to milk it for dollars, perks, and privilege.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Before Republicans cast the first stone it would be wise to also examine some prior shenanigans which they have pulled. This is endemic to both sides of the aisle and equally inexcusable. At present, however, the scarcity of Republicans on Capitol Hill makes finding illegal activity among Democrats statistically easier. They are more than willing to accommodate even the most cursory investigation and seem almost eager to try on the orange jumpsuit they deserve. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Fear not, the ethics committees in both houses are well packed with a Democrat majority so don’t pack a “comfort box” to send to either of the mentioned reps anytime soon. No matter the severity of the offense you may count on it that neither will have to endure much more than the embarrassment of a slap on the wrist and perhaps a public apology. If that!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Quail, like Politicians, have some Smarts&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ask any veteran bird hunter about the toughest target acquisition in the sport and he will generally respond—quail. Once asked, be prepared for a lengthy tale involving from one to three dozen quail flying away in as many different directions with a widely varying altitude. He will describe the explosion of birds from a bush or low trees with great emphasis on their non-directional flight patterns. Once the birds are flushed, this becomes their greatest defensive tactic. The erratic flight path combined with a flurry of feathered wings and the utter confusion of the event has saved the lives of millions of quail. Most birds take off with a consideration of wind strength and direction—not quail. Their sole aim is to “get out of Dodge” and do it with speed.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Apparently the recent arrival of the president in Atlanta provoked a similar response among Democrat political figures in Georgia. Wisely avoiding the chance of being linked to Obama and his mistaken policies they flew off in every direction. For the full story from “11alive” in Atlanta, &lt;a href="http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=148382&amp;amp;catid=40"&gt;click here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Apparently they feel “he is for the birds.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fox News Acquires Front Row Seat&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In a move which has liberal “undies in a bundle,” the White House Correspondents Association has moved Fox News to the front row for news conferences. The vacancy was created by ejecting Helen Thomas for anti-Semitic remarks. Although not enjoying the exact seat formerly occupied by Thomas (AP gets that prize) they now have a position which more accurately equates to their ratings.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;NPR, which felt entitled to the front row, will move into the AP slot.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;No comment was heard from Robert Gibbs.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For more details and comments, &lt;a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/112079-fox-news-to-move-to-front-row-briefing-room-seat"&gt;click here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Great Piece from the “Right Coast”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"Noonan for all to see &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tom Smith&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Oh Peggy, Peggy. What is to be done with her? She writes in the WSJ to distance herself from the Tea Party, those enthusiastic women with large breasts in tight T-shirts and more alarmingly those men with large breasts in tight T-shirts, waving signs that say "Taxed Enuf!" or "We The People!" America is such a hard place to be an aspiring to be upper class Republican. If you were really upper class, you would be living off your great grandfather's buttonhook fortune and working on remodeling your barn for your darling Arabians. But poor Peggy like so many of us was not to the manor born and so has to convince her true audience that she is absolutely nothing like those white people waving signs. This is not all bad. The ferocious desire of the upper middle class to be truly upper class is one of the engines of American greatness. It's just too bad we don't have a Queen who could make her Lady Patricia of Potomac so she could just go away and be quiet and stop troubling us with her confusions. Peggy, my advice is, just give yourself permission to be a Democrat. It's OK. We understand. You think we're grubby, noisy, ill educated and don't know our place, and we think you're a pompous, posing RINO who wishes she were Patricia Harriman and isn't. So let's just agree to disagree." &lt;a href="http://rightcoast.typepad.com/rightcoast/2010/08/noonan-for-all-to-see-tom-smith.html"&gt;(read the rest)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;And finally&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The rain last week (.85”) served us well. Our prayer is that if the ten-day forecast holds that it will be enough to keep the well functioning. We are anticipating 95°+ days through next weekend. This is, however, the Ozarks and the weather can turn on a dime. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Granny reported seeing a wake (actually in flight they should be referred to as a “kettle” but I like “wake” better) of vultures this week in excess of a dozen and a half. Although no threat, that many huge birds circling overhead do give one pause. Happily, the object of their interest was never discovered but the local blacktop has been remarkably clear of “road-kill.” Hey; it’s all part of living in the woods.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We currently have little on our plate of change as we start our fourth year on the internet. We shall stalwartly continue to oppose the current administration specifically and most incumbency generally. Our lone agreement with the president lies in the need for change. It is not too late—YET! Be prepared for dirty tricks, deception, Chicago style tactics, and the usual menu of manufactured crisis. Remember to attend a local Tea Party and lend your voice. While you’re at it, pray till your knees are sore. Then, pray some more.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-5609862022722804538?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/5609862022722804538/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=5609862022722804538&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/5609862022722804538'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/5609862022722804538'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/08/monday-morning-rant-158.html' title='Monday Morning Rant 158'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-569945723449638169</id><published>2010-07-31T11:00:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-07-31T11:00:35.207-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Presidents Come and Go</title><content type='html'>Born during the administration of Herbert Hoover, I confess I have no recollection of him. Roosevelt’s inauguration was about two months before my first birthday and he was the only president our country had for the next twelve years. In the interval, the presidents have been Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush (G.H.W.), Clinton, Bush (G. W.), and Barack Hussein Obama.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Of these fourteen men, we note that there is an even split of party affiliation with consecutive shared result due to elevation of the vice president because of either death or resignation with only one exception—Reagan/Bush. May we assume that incumbency is no guarantee of re-election to the nation’s highest office? We are a fickle people who appear to be looking for solutions by installing new management. Unfortunately, few folks really examine the potential chief executive based upon facts which indicate policy and governing style and it has often turned into little more than a beauty contest. In some cases, that has had a successful result—in others, not so much.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Depending upon your personal politics, you will probably view the list from that perspective and your approval of these men will vary from your neighbor. No matter how wise or bone-headed they may appear, consistent with your personal view, almost all shared at least momentarily, a measure of patriotism and support for the stated goals sought for America by its founders. They came equipped to honor our traditions and history in public and appeared unembarrassed to do so. All came to the office with substantial executive or legislative experience and picked vice-presidents of capable stature as well. Only one, Roosevelt, chose a running mate with legitimate Communist credentials, Henry A. Wallace (’41-’45,) to be replaced by Truman in ’45. Wallace was the highest person in government with that background until the present day. Collectively, their service in time of war either as former participants or as Commander in Chief was worthy of notice and expressed their feelings for their country as defenders. In some cases, that experience was the making of the man as it often is.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With that exceptional shared background, one might seriously question the results of the latest addition to the oval office roster. If ever there was a “beauty contest” gone wrong, we are currently experiencing it. Even among the most wrong-headed of former presidents, there were none so blatant in expressing disdain for our country, its system of laws, and the will of the people. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As a conservative, I found Jimmy Carter a distasteful president but was never tempted to accuse him of plotting the intentional destruction of the republic. Like the sainted Jack Kennedy, he was a Navy veteran, and understood the underpinnings of a constitutional republic. Lyndon Johnson, although not a favorite during his time in office, proved to be removed from the push to cede Viet Nam and did a worthy thing by refusing to seek another term rather than send more men to their deaths in that war. Each of these individuals demonstrated a singular characteristic—conscience. They were each man enough to stand against the enemies of the nation at one time or another. For all his faults, even Clinton understood the requirements of a patriotic stance. This is a character component which is not to found in the current president. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Recognizing American exceptionalism does not depend upon prior military service although it is a plus. A severely handicapped Roosevelt could hardly have been expected to “join up.” Many of our earliest presidents found themselves thrust into the heat of battle at one time or another whether by choice or not. America has been the object of aggression from its earliest days and avoiding conflict has been nearly impossible. Ever since the American Revolution a huge variety of nations have sought to take unfair advantage of our growing pains. There is little evidence to support any desire on the part of this president to sustain the military superiority of our nation. Rather than a sustained and mighty effort he has offered instead a “time line” for the cessation of hostilities. That comprises then a “get of jail free” card for an ambitious aggressor.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Hostile action is only one of the ways which are utilized to destroy our exceptionalism. The continued “Balkanization” of our society through emphasis on the differences among our peoples whether through focusing on color, national origin, economic structure, or gender serve only to weaken our mutual strength. Rather than recognize the importance of how well such a diverse nation’s people get along he has chosen the path of separation of each individual group. It is an age old strategy of divide and conquer. His prior significant experience was with ACORN, an organization dedicated to a unilateral approach to solving social problems of a favored group. To counter this dangerous attitude, we must as a people, exercise our opportunity for free association and recognize the worth of individuals based upon their unique assets and their contribution to society regardless of those characteristics which he would use to divide us. We cannot afford prejudice in any of its ugly presentations.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We can no longer afford to indulge our tendencies to “go along to get along.” When faced with lies, deception, and unreasonable fiscal activity, we must become aroused and do every thing in our power to protest. We have reached a point where prudence does not allow us to just say, “Let George do it.” The long stifled conversations with family and friends must come to a halt. We must, as true Americans, take the fight for the restoration of this republic directly to our enemy. Our nation was founded by men of peace who recognized a threat to their God given rights and gave of their best to correct those wrongs. Are we less than the men of Concord, Lexington, and Bunker Hill? &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I truly believe that the American people, once informed and alert will come to their own rescue. It has been thus since the day of our founding and this nation will only continue if we can manage to defend ourselves from our own leaders. We are not a democracy. We are a constitutional republic with a sacred&amp;nbsp;documnet which outlines our rights given by nature’s God. These rights are well understood by those who seek to destroy us and we, as citizens, must understand them also.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-569945723449638169?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/569945723449638169/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=569945723449638169&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/569945723449638169'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/569945723449638169'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/07/presidents-come-and-go.html' title='Presidents Come and Go'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-1713551749118448886</id><published>2010-07-30T19:25:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-07-30T19:25:39.359-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Thoughts in Passing</title><content type='html'>Upon reading the list of thirteen charges of unethical behavior which the ethics committee found Congressman Charlie Rangel guilty, it appears that they will deliver a “reprimand.” Not all of the Democrats agree. Murphy (D-PA-08), Sutton (D-OH), and Minnick (D-ID) all registered a preference for the resignation of the congressman. It is safe to believe that each one has a view overshadowed by the presence of a very real threat from the Republicans in their home district with the challengers each looking good in the polls and strongly favored in the upcoming election. Did anyone seriously expect more from the Democratically controlled committee? Ah there’s nothing quite like the hint of hot breath on your neck in a race to get your attention.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So the president decided to go on “The View.” With things going swimmingly around the White House he ventured out to “people” land to share his wisdom with “just folks.” He then proceeded to horrify the world by describing his “black” heritage as mongrel. Give him credit; he did not refer to himself as a cur. Considering his well-established background as half white, 43.75% arab and 6.25% black perhaps “mutt” would have been a better word. What is this guy thinking? After eighteen months may we now conclude that he is helpless without a teleprompter?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I happen to share my quarters with a marvelous friend of mixed ancestry—Rottweiler and red-bone hound. She is an absolutely beautiful slick coated reddish brown creature who I adore. Even though of mixed ancestry, I would never refer to her as a mongrel. It has a pejorative sense in current usage which insults her and our relationship. The president on the other hand—not so much.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Before we leave “The View” let’s give some thought to why the president went there in the first place. Nothing happens without a reason and in this case it is clear: they draw an audience which is made up of 79% women. This demographic has been sagging over the last year from 59% approval in 2009 to a mere 46% approval currently. One can only wish to ever see the demographic which describes the unemployed who watch “The View.” While we are at it: who are the 21% of guys who watch that show?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ed Morrissey has an interesting piece on Hot Air which concerns the US Coast Guard response to the Deepwater Horizon oil rig fire, subsequent explosions and finally the sinking of the platform and rupture of the pipe. For his &lt;a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2010/07/30/did-the-government-cause-the-gulf-spill/comment-page-1/#comments"&gt;in depth look, click here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For the short version, it appears that the USCG did not follow their own strictly drawn procedures for an occurrence such as Deepwater. The Coast Guard does not allocate manpower and equipment to actually fight fires but rather puts an expert on the scene to direct the existing personnel and manage the fire. This did not happen in this particular circumstance. During the vital early hours of the fire, with proper equipment not immediately available, they were left to fight only with the readily available sea water at hand. In a mile deep well, one does not use a “planted” rig but rather one which floats. As the huge volume of water was doused on the flames, an imbalance was created on the “craft” by leakage into areas not intended to hold water. This no doubt created the problem which eventually sunk the rig. Under ideal circumstance they would have used AFFF (Aqueous film forming foam) which does not create the problems of imbalance. By using the sea water, everything was thrown out of kilter and the rig sank, tearing the pipe in two and dumping tens of thousands of gallons of oil into the sea.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In the course of investigation we learn that Coast Guard resources have been under budgeted and drastic reductions in men, ships and other equipment and management capacity have occurred as a result. With current government attempting to manage each and every miniscule aspect of our lives one can only question why the Coast Guard was unable to furnish their “expert.” We also question the failure by the administration to accept the appropriate vessels offered by foreign entities who generously offered them early on. This was accompanied by resistance by the White House to use skimmers, booms, and ships dedicated to oil retrieval from the sea with pointless insistence on equipment presence and general nitpicking became the norm.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;After all of this we are now informed that there is little evidence of problems still existing which reconcile with the predicted immensity of the tragedy. How is that possible? Did the oil not cooperate and just form a huge bubble and steadily seep to the top to be recovered? This entire matter will continue to fascinate as more investigations reveal even more irreconcilable facts and questionable behavior. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;At one point the president asserted he would continue “to hold his foot on the necks” of those responsible. It is beginning to appear that this will require a gymnastic maneuver of Olympic proportions since much of this is beginning to point at him. He is the Commander in Chief you know.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In His abiding love,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cecil Moon&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4037457696217227495-1713551749118448886?l=zionbeckons.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/feeds/1713551749118448886/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4037457696217227495&amp;postID=1713551749118448886&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1713551749118448886'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4037457696217227495/posts/default/1713551749118448886'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://zionbeckons.blogspot.com/2010/07/thoughts-in-passing.html' title='Thoughts in Passing'/><author><name>One of the Moons</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XIpJqCHjhBc/SSoiBdOmjsI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dkao60uFN7g/S220/American-Gothic-Grant-Wood.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037457696217227495.post-1278199428052939486</id><published>2010-07-30T14:11:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-07-30T14:11:05.060-07:00</updated><title type='text'>All Together Now ...</title><content type='html'>Please join Granny and me and we’ll sing one more “Happy Birthday” to Zion Beckons.&amp;nbsp; Yep, we have reached the ripe old age of three.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In late July of 2007, we had a conversation about starting a blog. Actually, she brought it up and I reminded her that it was an undertaking fraught with duty. I protested that once you start, you gain a reader here and there and the next thing you know, people come to depend upon you to keep going. Others, of course, say “who cares” and never really get started. I know this because my favorites list is bulging with sites I don’t read regularly. But, thankfully, we do have a few folks who stubbornly continue to check on our opinions—some daily.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ever
