I recently got a wild hair and decided to restore and repaint the double door complex which leads to the rear deck. I gathered all the necessary tools, tape, masking papers, paint, brushes, hand sanders and started the project. Vines had crept up the columns and sullied the good finish and it all needed to be restored. It actually takes far longer to do a masking job on windows, floor and adjacent siding than it does to do the repaint.
With all that pile of equipment, I found, yet again, that the most often used tool for that job was already in my britches—my pocket knife. Once the job was done and as I was putting all the tools away, I discovered that my knife was missing.
It is a Frost Cutlery “Cheyenne” with a bone handle and 2½" blade. It has nickel bolsters and the business end is 440C surgical steel. That steel is a little tougher to sharpen with my Lansky kit but the reward is that it keeps an edge longer and shows little evidence of wear after twenty plus years. I love that knife.
Having been in the business, I retained many blades when I left the ill-fated Cochise Trading Co. back in the eighties. I also carry a Leatherman Tool when I wear a belt and it has bailed me out many times when I needed a multipurpose tool. I also keep the huge Compass Bowie sheath knife whose most arduous task was cutting the wedding cake when Granny and I tied the knot. I also have a “manila folder” which is too clumsy to carry but does put on a great show when I open it. In addition there are other blades which I keep, more or less, in reserve as back ups.
On balance though, nothing is quite as essential as the pocket knife a man carries on every occasion. I could catalog the everyday problems which that little gem solves but if you have formed an attachment to a pocket knife, I don’t need to relate each and every one. If you don’t carry one then you probably also call some one to change a flat tire on your car. If you wear a skirt or are incapacitated by a ventilator then I understand why you have probably stopped reading by now.
When my father-in-law, Dick Shepard, died in Cooperstown, NY, one of the kids suggested that I go into the bedroom and see if there was anything there that I could use as they had individually taken their “first pick” and justifiably found those mementos which they held to be important. Imagine my surprise to see on the chest of drawers that no one had taken his two-bladed tiny pocket knife. I picked it up and immediately returned to where they were gathered and double checked to see if any of the natural family members had inadvertently over looked it. None of them registered any interest and I felt honored that I now possessed his most personal of all tools and have enjoyed the constant reminder of his nobility and goodness. He was my kind of man and I treasure his memory every time I use or see it.
Every one of my antecedents which are now long gone carried his own version of this invaluable tool. As farmers, most had a double bladed affair with the smaller blade sharpened to a razor edge for neutering animals. My grandfather Frank finished his on his razor strop. It was also always available for removal of a kid’s splinter or an assist in separating fruit from a tree. The general antiseptic was a quick wipe over the leg of bib overalls. My uncle Jess Frank, a vet, who I followed as a kid, probably relied on his pocketknife more than any tool in his bag. He was much in demand and well respected among his clientele whether two or four footed.
Among those who treasure their knife there is rarely a temptation to ask another man to loan his temporarily no matter how close the relationship. That piece of cutlery is just all too personal. Most men clearly understand this prohibition. As one realizes a constant companion is absent, the sense of possible loss is immense.
As I straightened up the office this morning in advance of its annual “clean up and reorganization” and floor sweeping, there on the floor was my Cheyenne. Don’t even ask how it got there. Somehow, it had made the journey from the back deck to the office floor and there it was. I now have at least partial knowledge of how a mother feels when a lost child shows up. My only obligation now is to God who I promised everything if He would only facilitate its return. Keeping those promises will be difficult but it will be more than worth it.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Michael Bellesiles – Still a Jerk!
Beware the lettered academic with an agenda. The most common excuse offered by fellow academics is that their paper/treatise/book/propaganda flyer is “peer reviewed.” And who, precisely, are their peers? Mostly they are same collection of liberal campus activists who share their insane and lying propositions. It would appear that they sit around the faculty lounge, look for the most outrageous lies which support their otherwise untenable assertions and then grant that least valuable of endorsements—“peer review.”
When the average bear evaluates an opinion he might review the numbers, check for source and accuracy, weigh the conclusions as affected by verifiable facts and then render an opinion based on that information. This is not the criteria for a faculty peer review. It would appear that to qualfy for that position at a prestigious university, he must share conclusions with the author, and the weight of his conclusions upon society are the hall marks of his aims.
Bellesiles was a professor at Emory University in Atlanta and authored “Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture” in 2000. Critics summarized the book as “guilty of unprofessional and misleading work.” Columbia University had awarded the book a Bancroft Prize which, upon close examination, they rescinded in 2002. He resigned under fire from Emory.
Among the failures and misleading statistics found in the book were the following:
* purported to count guns in about a hundred wills from 17th- and 18th-century Providence, Rhode Island, which had not existed because the decedents had died intestate (i.e., without wills);
* purported to count nineteenth-century San Francisco County probate inventories, which had been destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire;
* reported a national mean for gun ownership in 18th-century probate inventories that was mathematically impossible;
* misreported the condition of guns described in probate records in a way that accommodated his thesis;
* miscited the counts of guns in nineteenth-century Massachusetts censuses and militia reports,
* had more than a 60% error rate in finding guns in Vermont estates; and
* had a 100% error rate in the cited gun-related homicide cases of seventeenth-century Plymouth.
Shucks, anybody could make a few mistakes like these. One might assume that having committed such an egregious attempt to skew statistics to establish a false premise would render an author unfit to have the opportunity to publish further material. One would be wrong. From his perch at Central Connecticut State University as an adjunct professor of history comes his latest effort: “1877: America's Year of Living with Violence” from The New Press.[22]
Anyone looking for confirmation of the accusations leveled upon Bellesiles in the first circumstance will be rewarded by the apparently unverifiable citations in his new offering. Now that he has established his credentials as a serial prevaricator, he offers a tale of a student who lost a close relative in Iraq in combat. Fact checking Bellesiles has now become a cottage industry and a raft of people are eagerly jumping to the occasion to discredit him one more time. It’s not certain whether he will claim another flood as the culprit in destroying his data. He may now rely upon the ubiquitous “I misspoke.” When all else fails, if he can not certify the truth of his allegations he can always say “the dog ate my homework.”
Since Bellesiles has insisted upon writing fiction in non-fiction offerings, he will fit right in with those on the left who share his feelings. So far, we have not noticed the “peer revue” crowd jumping on his bandwagon.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
When the average bear evaluates an opinion he might review the numbers, check for source and accuracy, weigh the conclusions as affected by verifiable facts and then render an opinion based on that information. This is not the criteria for a faculty peer review. It would appear that to qualfy for that position at a prestigious university, he must share conclusions with the author, and the weight of his conclusions upon society are the hall marks of his aims.
Bellesiles was a professor at Emory University in Atlanta and authored “Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture” in 2000. Critics summarized the book as “guilty of unprofessional and misleading work.” Columbia University had awarded the book a Bancroft Prize which, upon close examination, they rescinded in 2002. He resigned under fire from Emory.
Among the failures and misleading statistics found in the book were the following:
* purported to count guns in about a hundred wills from 17th- and 18th-century Providence, Rhode Island, which had not existed because the decedents had died intestate (i.e., without wills);
* purported to count nineteenth-century San Francisco County probate inventories, which had been destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire;
* reported a national mean for gun ownership in 18th-century probate inventories that was mathematically impossible;
* misreported the condition of guns described in probate records in a way that accommodated his thesis;
* miscited the counts of guns in nineteenth-century Massachusetts censuses and militia reports,
* had more than a 60% error rate in finding guns in Vermont estates; and
* had a 100% error rate in the cited gun-related homicide cases of seventeenth-century Plymouth.
Shucks, anybody could make a few mistakes like these. One might assume that having committed such an egregious attempt to skew statistics to establish a false premise would render an author unfit to have the opportunity to publish further material. One would be wrong. From his perch at Central Connecticut State University as an adjunct professor of history comes his latest effort: “1877: America's Year of Living with Violence” from The New Press.[22]
Anyone looking for confirmation of the accusations leveled upon Bellesiles in the first circumstance will be rewarded by the apparently unverifiable citations in his new offering. Now that he has established his credentials as a serial prevaricator, he offers a tale of a student who lost a close relative in Iraq in combat. Fact checking Bellesiles has now become a cottage industry and a raft of people are eagerly jumping to the occasion to discredit him one more time. It’s not certain whether he will claim another flood as the culprit in destroying his data. He may now rely upon the ubiquitous “I misspoke.” When all else fails, if he can not certify the truth of his allegations he can always say “the dog ate my homework.”
Since Bellesiles has insisted upon writing fiction in non-fiction offerings, he will fit right in with those on the left who share his feelings. So far, we have not noticed the “peer revue” crowd jumping on his bandwagon.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
NASA Rigs Nobel for Miscellaneous Muslims
The word has come down from the White House that the new NASA mission is to make Muslims feel better about themselves. Given their current contribution to science and technology, it’s about time someone gave them that well deserved pat on the back. What other group has done the background work necessary to refine stoning of non-believers with such precision? Have they been credited for their ground breaking work on female genital mutilation? Innovation in concert with age-old axe technology has enabled them to separate a head from a body with dispatch when offended or in observance of a violation of Sharia law.
In spite of a few missteps with underwear bombs and failed fireworks in SUV’s, they have relentlessly pursued inventive means of destruction of the followers of the great Satan. Now that we have an entire federal agency charged with the responsibility for and the encouragement of rewards they may enjoy praise and adulation for their accomplishments. It is possible that we can aid them in bringing their culture into the 9th century. If done properly, perhaps even the tenth is possible. I’m certain that someone at NASA can jury-rig a space suit for a goat. They may have to trim those beards though. We would suggest that a catchy name for the program would be: “No Imam left behind.”
Part of the program will no doubt soon include a suitable Nobel candidate for their participation in some upcoming historical event. Let us hope that in a fit of typical federal carelessness, they have not lost that coupon on the back of the cereal box which specifies how many box tops are required for redemption of that prestigious Norwegian award.
What an ignominious end for an agency of our government which brought unequalled pride to our peoples. God help us all.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
In spite of a few missteps with underwear bombs and failed fireworks in SUV’s, they have relentlessly pursued inventive means of destruction of the followers of the great Satan. Now that we have an entire federal agency charged with the responsibility for and the encouragement of rewards they may enjoy praise and adulation for their accomplishments. It is possible that we can aid them in bringing their culture into the 9th century. If done properly, perhaps even the tenth is possible. I’m certain that someone at NASA can jury-rig a space suit for a goat. They may have to trim those beards though. We would suggest that a catchy name for the program would be: “No Imam left behind.”
Part of the program will no doubt soon include a suitable Nobel candidate for their participation in some upcoming historical event. Let us hope that in a fit of typical federal carelessness, they have not lost that coupon on the back of the cereal box which specifies how many box tops are required for redemption of that prestigious Norwegian award.
What an ignominious end for an agency of our government which brought unequalled pride to our peoples. God help us all.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Monday, July 5, 2010
Pete Hegseth, Captain, Infantry
.
Capt. Hegseth in two tours, one to Guantanamo and one to Iraq, has seen our enemy first hand, understands our military, and in his academic career pushed the limits of exceptionalism. In an appearance before the senate committee responsible for investigating Elena Kagan for the appointment to the Supreme Court, he cites his objections to that action.
There are two reasons to watch this video. The first is, as an active military officer, to clearly understand intellectually his opposition to the appointment. More important is the opportunity to witness the caliber of young officer who has risen in the ranks to lead our troops.
Much of the testimony centers on her decision to bar the military from recruitment on the campus at Harvard Law. Capt. Hegseth clearly answers that ill-founded position and reminds us of what we should all remember: the complexities of modern warfare require an exceptional intellect and a capacity for firm leadership. Watch Capt. Hegseth in his testimony and see if you agree he is definitely up to the job.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Capt. Hegseth in two tours, one to Guantanamo and one to Iraq, has seen our enemy first hand, understands our military, and in his academic career pushed the limits of exceptionalism. In an appearance before the senate committee responsible for investigating Elena Kagan for the appointment to the Supreme Court, he cites his objections to that action.
There are two reasons to watch this video. The first is, as an active military officer, to clearly understand intellectually his opposition to the appointment. More important is the opportunity to witness the caliber of young officer who has risen in the ranks to lead our troops.
Much of the testimony centers on her decision to bar the military from recruitment on the campus at Harvard Law. Capt. Hegseth clearly answers that ill-founded position and reminds us of what we should all remember: the complexities of modern warfare require an exceptional intellect and a capacity for firm leadership. Watch Capt. Hegseth in his testimony and see if you agree he is definitely up to the job.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Monday Morning Rant 154
The yard is now littered with fireworks detritus. The fridge is starting to look a little leaner. Most of the holiday company has gone home. The speeches and the parades are slowly coming to an end. The patriotic fervor has reached a fever pitch so now we can speculate on how long it will last and how we are to accomplish it.
Today, our country commences our 235th year. We have been well reminded of where we came from; now it is time for each citizen to gain a clear picture of where we are going. More important; we have had our annual reminder of the importance of the role of each person and his individual responsibility in the governance of the people as a whole. Our veterans clearly understand the role of the citizen soldier and their individual obligations to the country and to the guy standing next to them. This is a posture which needs to become universal if the nation is to survive.
Those who have contributed their lives, their limbs and lost hours of their lives in defense of our values to varying degrees, understood the concept. We celebrate those leaders who have distinguished themselves in the pursuit of liberty but they would quickly remind us that those who lead depend upon the intensity, integrity and willingness of those who follow. All too often they have seen simple individual initiative prevail over a determined and well organized enemy. This quality in those who serve has been the determining force in obtaining hard won victories in battle.
This holiday has been an opportunity for every American to review his obligation to those who have preceded him to perpetuate that exceptionalism which has made our country the greatest in the world. In so doing, we must accept the responsibility of citizenship. We must be ready to insist upon a renewal of our dedication to the constitution. We need to remind ourselves and our leaders that we are, indeed, a country which excels by virtue of the laws of God and not of man. Pray earnestly for the continuation of this republic.
“76”, An Anniversary Date or A Continued Disaster?
We all remember the famous novel/movie “Forest Gump.” Now, we hear from the author, Winston Groom as he comments on the oil spill in the gulf as it appears in the Weekly Standard. As you read his account of the spill, you will sense the affection for his native home and the damage incurred during the disaster.
Mr. Groom outlines the absolutely incompetent response to the spill by the federal government as expertly as one might expect from such a successful writer. In his personal competence, one easily sees the pain which he experiences as he watches his home country decimated by the result of the spill—now seventy-six days and counting. He cites repeated examples of “EPA, OSHA, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Coast Guard, and a host of lesser bureaucracies” as they follow their regimen of nonsensical barriers to progress against the spill.
Read his account on the link above and share his angst with the sheer ineptitude of these agencies as they follow ridiculous rules and regulations to inhibit the recovery effort. The president has tools in his kit to relieve the regulatory process to face this huge emergency. Noting his inability to actually be an effective leader, it is likely that they will continue to spend more time counting fire extinguishers and life preservers than actually doing anything substantive to rectify the problem.
The Stars and Stripes Forever
No Fourth of July is complete without hearing at least one rendition of the "Stars and Stripes Forever" . This John Phillip Sousa march is here performed by the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Leonard Bernstein.
The piccolo work late in the piece is wonderful but not one whit better than that performed by Marilyn (Martin) Parizek as a teenager with the West Liberty High School band back in the forties. If her rendition did not send cold chills up your spine, you had no soul.
Nearly all of the survivors of the class of ’50 (14?) who will attend the 60th class reunion in a couple weeks were members of the multiple award winning band and occupied “first chairs” in their respective sections. Each would happily recount for you the affect that their early music skills had on their entire lives. We often shared with a grateful community the product of our band and choruses. Most were also an integral part of their individual worship experiences as choir members and soloists.
As you watch the video, please note the expression on Conductor Bernstein’s face as he enjoys the piccolos. One senses an eagerness on the part of the orchestra to be playing this venerable Sousa march. Enjoy!
Obama Speaks!—the Steve Bridges Version
This video is incredible! Steve Bridges has this guy nailed. His specialty is impersonation and he is superb. It is in two parts and both are available at the link. I know, every one thinks his link is the best and hypes it to the roof. You’ll just have to trust me on this and see for yourself if you do not think it is outstanding.
And finally
The relief from the heat of mid-summer has been enjoyed by all. We even got a little bit of rain and that is always a help. The wildlife feature of the week was the appearance of a family of wild turkeys with some very small ones in tow. They are the absolute definition of the word “deliberate.” It would appear that each movement is preplanned and executed with great care.
On one contact, we were able to test our dog Maggie’s discipline. Granny reported that she--albeit reluctantly--did return when called and left the turkeys alone. It is probably just as well because I truly believe that they are not only capable of handling dogs on a routine basis but also more than able. I also believe that the presence of the young would provide an additional stimulus to their existing defensive talents. The short version being, don’t mess with an angry mama turkey. Come to think of it, that would apply to innumerable creatures which inhabit our little wood.
Have a great Fourth (5th?) and pray for better times ahead.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Today, our country commences our 235th year. We have been well reminded of where we came from; now it is time for each citizen to gain a clear picture of where we are going. More important; we have had our annual reminder of the importance of the role of each person and his individual responsibility in the governance of the people as a whole. Our veterans clearly understand the role of the citizen soldier and their individual obligations to the country and to the guy standing next to them. This is a posture which needs to become universal if the nation is to survive.
Those who have contributed their lives, their limbs and lost hours of their lives in defense of our values to varying degrees, understood the concept. We celebrate those leaders who have distinguished themselves in the pursuit of liberty but they would quickly remind us that those who lead depend upon the intensity, integrity and willingness of those who follow. All too often they have seen simple individual initiative prevail over a determined and well organized enemy. This quality in those who serve has been the determining force in obtaining hard won victories in battle.
This holiday has been an opportunity for every American to review his obligation to those who have preceded him to perpetuate that exceptionalism which has made our country the greatest in the world. In so doing, we must accept the responsibility of citizenship. We must be ready to insist upon a renewal of our dedication to the constitution. We need to remind ourselves and our leaders that we are, indeed, a country which excels by virtue of the laws of God and not of man. Pray earnestly for the continuation of this republic.
“76”, An Anniversary Date or A Continued Disaster?
We all remember the famous novel/movie “Forest Gump.” Now, we hear from the author, Winston Groom as he comments on the oil spill in the gulf as it appears in the Weekly Standard. As you read his account of the spill, you will sense the affection for his native home and the damage incurred during the disaster.
Mr. Groom outlines the absolutely incompetent response to the spill by the federal government as expertly as one might expect from such a successful writer. In his personal competence, one easily sees the pain which he experiences as he watches his home country decimated by the result of the spill—now seventy-six days and counting. He cites repeated examples of “EPA, OSHA, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Coast Guard, and a host of lesser bureaucracies” as they follow their regimen of nonsensical barriers to progress against the spill.
Read his account on the link above and share his angst with the sheer ineptitude of these agencies as they follow ridiculous rules and regulations to inhibit the recovery effort. The president has tools in his kit to relieve the regulatory process to face this huge emergency. Noting his inability to actually be an effective leader, it is likely that they will continue to spend more time counting fire extinguishers and life preservers than actually doing anything substantive to rectify the problem.
The Stars and Stripes Forever
No Fourth of July is complete without hearing at least one rendition of the "Stars and Stripes Forever" . This John Phillip Sousa march is here performed by the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Leonard Bernstein.
The piccolo work late in the piece is wonderful but not one whit better than that performed by Marilyn (Martin) Parizek as a teenager with the West Liberty High School band back in the forties. If her rendition did not send cold chills up your spine, you had no soul.
Nearly all of the survivors of the class of ’50 (14?) who will attend the 60th class reunion in a couple weeks were members of the multiple award winning band and occupied “first chairs” in their respective sections. Each would happily recount for you the affect that their early music skills had on their entire lives. We often shared with a grateful community the product of our band and choruses. Most were also an integral part of their individual worship experiences as choir members and soloists.
As you watch the video, please note the expression on Conductor Bernstein’s face as he enjoys the piccolos. One senses an eagerness on the part of the orchestra to be playing this venerable Sousa march. Enjoy!
Obama Speaks!—the Steve Bridges Version
This video is incredible! Steve Bridges has this guy nailed. His specialty is impersonation and he is superb. It is in two parts and both are available at the link. I know, every one thinks his link is the best and hypes it to the roof. You’ll just have to trust me on this and see for yourself if you do not think it is outstanding.
And finally
The relief from the heat of mid-summer has been enjoyed by all. We even got a little bit of rain and that is always a help. The wildlife feature of the week was the appearance of a family of wild turkeys with some very small ones in tow. They are the absolute definition of the word “deliberate.” It would appear that each movement is preplanned and executed with great care.
On one contact, we were able to test our dog Maggie’s discipline. Granny reported that she--albeit reluctantly--did return when called and left the turkeys alone. It is probably just as well because I truly believe that they are not only capable of handling dogs on a routine basis but also more than able. I also believe that the presence of the young would provide an additional stimulus to their existing defensive talents. The short version being, don’t mess with an angry mama turkey. Come to think of it, that would apply to innumerable creatures which inhabit our little wood.
Have a great Fourth (5th?) and pray for better times ahead.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Saturday, July 3, 2010
The Last Great Democrat
I have had a kindly disposition to Harry S Truman sever since he sent me a personal letter in 1952 concerning a different government job. I worked at the Justice Department at the time but Mr. Truman felt the nation would be better served if I transferred to the Department of Defense. Even though we were separated by party differences, I respected his intentions and complied. In retrospect, I’m pretty sure that failure to follow his direction may well have resulted in lengthy incarceration. Also, I had become tired of reading musty, dusty files and the possibility of visiting foreign lands had such an allure that I went almost immediately to a local recruiter and enlisted. The rest, as they say; is history—undistinguished but history none the less.
After his decision to use all means at his disposal to end the conflict with the Japanese, I had developed an affection for Mr. Truman. This was clouded by other matters which he embraced regarding the fledgling United Nations, monetary policy and China but on balance, I found him a capable leader. This may well have been predicated on our mutual mid-western background and his obvious acceptance of the role of God in our lives. This is demonstrated in what has become a largely ignored opinion which he uttered:
“The fundamental basis of this nation’s law was given to Moses on the Mount.” Harry S Truman
This assertion should stand as evidence of his clear understanding of the US Constitution and the intentions of the founders at the inception of the nation. Collectively, they well understand that the enumerated rights come from the Almighty and their sacred document was little more than a clear outline of the protections of those rights.
As God slips deeper into the lost memory of our leaders, that “fundamental basis” grows fuzzier day by day in their minds. One need not read very far into Genesis to see the beginnings and actualization of a universal conceit. Men are disobedient and assume for themselves that which they should rightfully attribute to the God of their fathers.
Given the mercy of God and the ever present option of repentance, we constantly have the opportunity to make those changes to alter our lives. For those of us who firmly believe that this life does not end upon our last earthly breath, these alterations are essential. That possibility is clearly recorded in Matthew 28:1-5 (KJV) and sets the pathway for redemption and eternal life. One would think that the prospect of an eternal life in the company of God and all that entails would be a sufficient carrot on the end of any stick. Judging from man’s disobedience and self-indulgence, we may safely conclude that many “just don’t get it.”
Harry Truman “got it.” As a result, I choose to single him out as a true American hero. He rose above his education in Democrat machine politics in Missouri to become what is best described as a statesman. As you thoughtful readers reflect on this important holiday weekend, make the obvious comparisons of presidents of the last century and include him in your celebration of true American patriots.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
After his decision to use all means at his disposal to end the conflict with the Japanese, I had developed an affection for Mr. Truman. This was clouded by other matters which he embraced regarding the fledgling United Nations, monetary policy and China but on balance, I found him a capable leader. This may well have been predicated on our mutual mid-western background and his obvious acceptance of the role of God in our lives. This is demonstrated in what has become a largely ignored opinion which he uttered:
“The fundamental basis of this nation’s law was given to Moses on the Mount.” Harry S Truman
This assertion should stand as evidence of his clear understanding of the US Constitution and the intentions of the founders at the inception of the nation. Collectively, they well understand that the enumerated rights come from the Almighty and their sacred document was little more than a clear outline of the protections of those rights.
As God slips deeper into the lost memory of our leaders, that “fundamental basis” grows fuzzier day by day in their minds. One need not read very far into Genesis to see the beginnings and actualization of a universal conceit. Men are disobedient and assume for themselves that which they should rightfully attribute to the God of their fathers.
Given the mercy of God and the ever present option of repentance, we constantly have the opportunity to make those changes to alter our lives. For those of us who firmly believe that this life does not end upon our last earthly breath, these alterations are essential. That possibility is clearly recorded in Matthew 28:1-5 (KJV) and sets the pathway for redemption and eternal life. One would think that the prospect of an eternal life in the company of God and all that entails would be a sufficient carrot on the end of any stick. Judging from man’s disobedience and self-indulgence, we may safely conclude that many “just don’t get it.”
Harry Truman “got it.” As a result, I choose to single him out as a true American hero. He rose above his education in Democrat machine politics in Missouri to become what is best described as a statesman. As you thoughtful readers reflect on this important holiday weekend, make the obvious comparisons of presidents of the last century and include him in your celebration of true American patriots.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Thursday, July 1, 2010
What to Make of it?
We are collectively coming up on eighteen months of the administration of Barack Obama. In that interval, I have become convinced that he is hell bent on the absolute destruction of the United States of America. The worst of it is that he could possibly succeed. Under normal circumstances there would be an effective legislative and judicial branch to thwart the absolute take over of the government. This is not the case today with both the house and the senate under his thumb and the supreme court on the verge of swinging to the left.
Further, he has pulled an “end around” and appointed forty plus “czars” in important sectors of the administration with the authoritative capacity to regulate the lives of every American. This has long since passed the point of being a laughing matter. Oh, his boners have provided a few grins but the overall performance has little humor in it.
Many have noted that he needs some time to get “his sea legs” and adjust to the responsibilities of the office. He’s had nearly 550 days to figure out how this country is supposed to work according to the Constitution and the statutes. In fact, I believe that he claimed, on the campaign trail, that he was a former ConLaw professor but I see little evidence to support that assertion. It would appear that the “on-the-job-training” phase should be well in the past.
Over the years I have been exposed to endless numbers of conspiracy theories on one matter or another and have found them to be, for the most part, pretty flimsy stuff and not worth the time to absorb. For the first time, I am now beginning to believe that we are about to become the victims of the most elaborate plot the world has ever seen. It has taken eighteen months of observation to convince roughly 55% of the population that a.) we are in trouble and b.) it is the direct result of actions from the White House. Are we really that dense? Perhaps it would be kinder to say we are simply in denial. The matter is so bizarre that a collective denial has settled over a significant portion of the population.
It has been one crisis after another accompanied by insane fiscal outlays supposedly offering a solution. In the process, little progress has been made to seek the root causes and make the necessary corrections. The solution has been routinely the same—throw money at it. All the country has left is a treasury full of useless receipts, worthless IOU’s and an incredible national debt. Even those issues which require a modest amount of money to pursue are ignored to the peril of the nation. The oil continues to flow uselessly into the Gulf, the Mexican border is still a war zone, the COLA for Social Security participants has been nixed for the second straight year and the (intentional?) incompetence proceeds apace.
If American citizens are unable to become aware of the political mess we are in and fail to balance the government as the founders intended, we will be in dire straits. Do not for a moment believe that we cannot go bankrupt. We can! The time has arrived when we discard the notion that polite conversation with friends and family cannot be sullied by political comments. These are exceptional times and if we are restricted by some archaic notion of politeness which prevents public complaint and accurate observation we are in a world of hurt. This is a conversation which should be on lips of every person. This country is facing a serious genuine crisis. I urge you to become involved in your responsibility as a citizen. You must become informed and be ready to plead with every person you know to join you in returning this nation to sanity. The alternative is too horrible to even contemplate. Pray to Almighty God for the redemption of this exceptional nation.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Further, he has pulled an “end around” and appointed forty plus “czars” in important sectors of the administration with the authoritative capacity to regulate the lives of every American. This has long since passed the point of being a laughing matter. Oh, his boners have provided a few grins but the overall performance has little humor in it.
Many have noted that he needs some time to get “his sea legs” and adjust to the responsibilities of the office. He’s had nearly 550 days to figure out how this country is supposed to work according to the Constitution and the statutes. In fact, I believe that he claimed, on the campaign trail, that he was a former ConLaw professor but I see little evidence to support that assertion. It would appear that the “on-the-job-training” phase should be well in the past.
Over the years I have been exposed to endless numbers of conspiracy theories on one matter or another and have found them to be, for the most part, pretty flimsy stuff and not worth the time to absorb. For the first time, I am now beginning to believe that we are about to become the victims of the most elaborate plot the world has ever seen. It has taken eighteen months of observation to convince roughly 55% of the population that a.) we are in trouble and b.) it is the direct result of actions from the White House. Are we really that dense? Perhaps it would be kinder to say we are simply in denial. The matter is so bizarre that a collective denial has settled over a significant portion of the population.
It has been one crisis after another accompanied by insane fiscal outlays supposedly offering a solution. In the process, little progress has been made to seek the root causes and make the necessary corrections. The solution has been routinely the same—throw money at it. All the country has left is a treasury full of useless receipts, worthless IOU’s and an incredible national debt. Even those issues which require a modest amount of money to pursue are ignored to the peril of the nation. The oil continues to flow uselessly into the Gulf, the Mexican border is still a war zone, the COLA for Social Security participants has been nixed for the second straight year and the (intentional?) incompetence proceeds apace.
If American citizens are unable to become aware of the political mess we are in and fail to balance the government as the founders intended, we will be in dire straits. Do not for a moment believe that we cannot go bankrupt. We can! The time has arrived when we discard the notion that polite conversation with friends and family cannot be sullied by political comments. These are exceptional times and if we are restricted by some archaic notion of politeness which prevents public complaint and accurate observation we are in a world of hurt. This is a conversation which should be on lips of every person. This country is facing a serious genuine crisis. I urge you to become involved in your responsibility as a citizen. You must become informed and be ready to plead with every person you know to join you in returning this nation to sanity. The alternative is too horrible to even contemplate. Pray to Almighty God for the redemption of this exceptional nation.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
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