July 4, 2011…And Many More!
Posted by Ercille Christmas at 7/1/2011 9:49 AM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: US Independence Day July 4 2011 President Obama President George Washington TSA Libya
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: US Independence Day July 4 2011 President Obama President George Washington TSA Libya
The United States of America is celebrating another birthday, its 235th! Happy Birthday, Young Un!
I have to give credit to Dave Stotts, Drive Thru History, for the inspiration for this birthday tribute to America. On Saturday, April 30, 2011, as I watched a program about the Battle of Long Island, it hit me that this battle, although militarily a defeat, was still a win for the upstart colonists. The totally unprofessional Revolutionary “Army” was up against the Brothers Howe, Richard and William, along with Hessian Mercenaries. Predictably, in the face of overwhelming forces, the Revolutionaries lost and withdrew from the island. Some soldiers of that ragtag army hightailed it out of there. I guess that they calculated that it was better to be a living royalist than a dead patriot.
However, others remained under the leadership of General George Washington. The British snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, by allowing the Colonial Army to withdraw. Actually, “allowing” is misleading. Somehow, The British could not advance and finish off the Americans. Somehow providentially, rain and fog decided that it would be a propitious time to join in the battle. Rested and tanned, well maybe not tanned, the British forces headed for the fort of the Patriots. Nobody was home. The patriots had taken one step back in order to take many steps to eventual victory. I suppose that I am taking this walk down “nostalgia lane” because present day is so difficult to accept. Nathan Hale’s “I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country,” would not be uttered in the “hallowed halls” of power of present day America.
I found additional inspiration from another look back. On June 5, 2011, BYU television showed a program, Inspiring Lives, on the life of John Moses Browning, gun maker. Normally, this writer, for whom the term “gun shy,” or “gun ignorant,” could have been invented, would not have even bothered to watch. But, something caught my attention. Actually it was more than one thing. First, it was the pioneer spirit and the sense of family. Mr. Browning’s father was a “jack of all trades.” In other words, he was skilled in many areas – whatever was needed to be done to support his family.
The other feature that struck me was the sense of ingenuity found in that family. Mr. Browning, the son, put together his first gun at the age of fourteen. I can hear the anti-gun advocates foaming at the mouth that a child was allowed such pursuits. Even if he had not been instrumental in giving the allies an advantage in World War II, and had instead invented a fly catcher, he would still be a hero in my eyes, because in addition to the actual invention, it is the caliber (pun purely unintended) of the man, his fortitude, his patriotism, his work ethic, and I could keep going – that impressed the heck out of me. I hope I do not have to say “they don’t make them like that anymore.” This country’s survival depends on “them” being made like that – forevermore.
Truthfully, I am not convinced that this 2011 birthday of the nation, warrants bringing out the champagne. This country is in serious trouble – financially, socially, and culturally. Should I go into the appalling statistics of a country spending more than it is taking in from revenue, a country where food prices and gasoline prices are outpacing income, a country that is being bought out by foreigners, and on and on? Our leaders are in talks in Afghanistan with the Taliban – the same Taliban that turned Afghanistan into a terror bat cave. Ours is the country where the 9/11 hijackers and their chief, bin Laden, dead as he supposedly is, have won the air travel war, the latest casualty being a 95 year old lady stripped of her Depends. This story is absolutely weird, especially when contrasted with the case of the Nigerian man with the wrong boarding pass. He was waved through, no problem? The daughter of the 95 year old lady is claiming that the choice was between stripping of the Depends and not boarding the flight. The TSA representative stated that there were other options. Yet, “Fotenos refused to divulge the other alternatives available to Weber and Reppert.” Will someone share those options, please? Maybe the mistake made by the two ladies is that they did have the correct boarding passes?
I do see a positive in “Diaper-gate.” It proves that The TSA is an “equal opportunity diaper searcher.” From reports I heard, a few weeks ago or so, a baby also had to “take it all off,” including its diaper. Moreover, we are not yet at the complete state of “life, liberty and the pursuit” – of adult diapers! I just found yet another positive. TSA could be providing posing lessons for exotic dancers. Those in that field of endeavor, may want to take note of this free instructional experience, provided by assuming the pose for the scanners. I also thank God that I do not have children or parents needing to travel wearing diapers, or I could be writing this article from another location – one where I am bereft of my liberty.
At first I read this article about environmental literacy being a prerequisite for graduation with amusement and gratitude that I did not have to meet that requirement. My “literacy” on the environment is that God is in control of it. Then I became alarmed because of the very pertinent point made in the following paragraph:
And state lawmakers like J.B. Jennings note there are only so many hours in a school day, and only 180 days in a school year. So, he wonders, what in the current curriculum gets squeezed out?
Mr. Jennings is correct in being concerned. If “outdated” subjects such as “riting, reading and ‘rithmetic,” have not already been pushed aside, they soon could be. By the time these fiddlers are finished, students may be environmentally literate, but illiterate in the fundamentals.
Did I mention that the US is now involved in three wars, including Libya? The president can keep calling the Libya involvement “kinetic,” all he wants. It is still a war. The writer of this article does not appear to be buying the non-involvement, or US supporting role story. But, the president sure showed those Republicans how to conduct a non-war. Conduct it. Worry about minute stuff such as the necessary paperwork. Proceed at a kinetic pace. Speeches will be made in Congress, but in the end, the engagement will not be defunded. Who says that all branches of government cannot work together, when one encroaches on the authority of another, and the encroached upon, meekly submit?
Here is a man who does not know the meaning of submission, unless he is the one wielding the metaphorical whips and chains. He is proof that America is indeed the land of opportunity, by turning opportune moments into unfettered opportunism? Mr. George Soros has become the poster boy, of an immigrant who comes to America and makes a difference. Admittedly “trying to stack courts” may not be everyone’s idea of making a difference. Here is a man about whom the word “billions, has become synonymous with his name, and it is written:
Millionaire George Soros spends tens of millions each year supporting a range of liberal social and political causes, from drug legalization to immigration reform to gay marriage to abolishing the death penalty.
As a fellow immigrant, should I be looking to Mr. Soros as a role model? I do have some catching up to do, in terms of financial status. There is a chasm of nine zeros between us. Since I am being honest, I will “out” myself, and own up to the fact that the difference between his apparent world view and mine is as far apart as the difference between earth and Mars – not even a revised space program would be able to bridge that gap!
Maybe I should forget trying to emulate Mr. Soros and pin my hopes on Senator Dick Durbin's “promise” that someday, an illegal alien could be president. Wait. I am disqualified from that rosy prediction, because of my legal status. I was a legal immigrant and I am now a citizen. I was born naturally, but not US “natural born.” Darn it! Well, with the way the US Constitution is becoming “optional,” I could still be a contender for the throne, I mean presidential seat.
But enough of my presidential ambitions, egged on by Senator Durbin. What else is happening in this lead up to the big national birthday bash? Here is something. A high school principal is being criticized for delivering a graduation speech in Spanish. Hola mis amigos (hello, my friends)! See, I have something in common with that principal. What I do not have in common with him is that had I been the principal, I would have delivered an English only graduation speech. I wonder if Mr. Principal was born in the US. His explanation is as follows:
“I figured why not do it in Spanish? I think it’s important for me to make sure all the families feel comfortable,” said Esquivel.
In trying to put a “glass half full” spin on this story, I offer those who were offended the comfort that at least, the speech is still being offered in English. Ironically, the American soccer player who voiced his opinions, was the one castigated. “Only in America...”
At least those who were offended, did not have to sit through a soccer game, played in America between the US national team and the Mexican national team, where the Mexican national team had more fans. And – where the American goalie, Tim Howard, to delicately put it, was verbally manhandled, and the US national Anthem did not fare too much better. This sentence “How much must we tolerate?” – is one that Americans must eventually answer.
The Star Spangled Banner thought that it got disrespected? It should read this article about desecrated American Flags, in an American city. To sum it all up:
“The city police have caught a couple of young teenagers this weekend – with the flags in possession,” said Gaydos “What they [ought to] do – put them in boot camp; put them in the Marines, send them over to fight for our country. Let them learn what this flag means.”
I have to disagree slightly with the suggested punishment. I would not want to see “my” Marines forced to take in this lot. Now, sending these perps to Arizona, where Sheriff Joe Arpaio would introduce them to the color pink – that is “change I can believe in!”
Speaking of change that one can believe in, it appears that the People’s House has become fundraising Central? Will the Lincoln bedroom be rented out? The details of the non-fundraiser are outlined:
The president's video is accompanied by a donor solicitation form in which supporters of the administration can check boxes donating from $5 to $700 to the Obama-Biden re-election effort.
It is too bad that my invitation got lost in the mail. I could have easily donated at least the $5 minimum. I could have sent in a tear-jerker letter stating:
“Proud American citizen, sometimes on an enforced fast because of lack of financial resources, searched the bottom of her heart and her purse, and came up with her last five dollars and sent in it – because she is determined that the president and his vice president, need more time in order to provide us all with those mortgage payments that some of us thought that we would get, without working for the money. Yes! Four more years! We should be thankful that we are not Greece – at least not yet.”
Mr. President and Mr. Vice President, please feel free to use any part of that letter in your campaign ads – for a price. My asking price is $1 trillion dollars. I promise to still give $5 to your campaign, and the rest of the money? I will be patriotic and use it to help to pay down the national debt.
What will this citizen do in celebration of July 4? She will not be barbecuing. Although, based on this Washington Whispers' column, she should probably follow the advice suggested:
Finally, the report suggests that if people are looking for a super-patriotic July 4th, though should head to Republican towns. "Republican adults celebrate Fourth of July more intensively in the first place."
Republican towns, have your people call my people.
My fellow citizens, celebrate this birthday. After the holiday – continue to evaluate where your country is going. Is it going in the path of the brave men who fought, died, and crafted a country of such promise, and delivery? Or is it going in the direction of a pampered ruling class whose members would not know bravery if it smacked them in the solar plexus, while the serfs are carrying this class on their backs? Evaluate what you can do to help it to celebrate another birthday...and many more.
Despite my sense of unease about the country and the direction to which it is being deliberately driven, I am still confident that “we the people” can make a difference, and preserve what remains of the country fashioned by the brave men who gave much for the cause of freedom.
We still have that choice. We must act – legally and morally – before even the liberty that remains, is taken away from us.
Neil Diamond's America sums up a vision of what the real America should resemble – immigrants coming here, legally, integrating and becoming Americans, with “liberty and justice for all,” and “E Pluribus Unum.”
I have to give credit to Dave Stotts, Drive Thru History, for the inspiration for this birthday tribute to America. On Saturday, April 30, 2011, as I watched a program about the Battle of Long Island, it hit me that this battle, although militarily a defeat, was still a win for the upstart colonists. The totally unprofessional Revolutionary “Army” was up against the Brothers Howe, Richard and William, along with Hessian Mercenaries. Predictably, in the face of overwhelming forces, the Revolutionaries lost and withdrew from the island. Some soldiers of that ragtag army hightailed it out of there. I guess that they calculated that it was better to be a living royalist than a dead patriot.
However, others remained under the leadership of General George Washington. The British snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, by allowing the Colonial Army to withdraw. Actually, “allowing” is misleading. Somehow, The British could not advance and finish off the Americans. Somehow providentially, rain and fog decided that it would be a propitious time to join in the battle. Rested and tanned, well maybe not tanned, the British forces headed for the fort of the Patriots. Nobody was home. The patriots had taken one step back in order to take many steps to eventual victory. I suppose that I am taking this walk down “nostalgia lane” because present day is so difficult to accept. Nathan Hale’s “I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country,” would not be uttered in the “hallowed halls” of power of present day America.
I found additional inspiration from another look back. On June 5, 2011, BYU television showed a program, Inspiring Lives, on the life of John Moses Browning, gun maker. Normally, this writer, for whom the term “gun shy,” or “gun ignorant,” could have been invented, would not have even bothered to watch. But, something caught my attention. Actually it was more than one thing. First, it was the pioneer spirit and the sense of family. Mr. Browning’s father was a “jack of all trades.” In other words, he was skilled in many areas – whatever was needed to be done to support his family.
The other feature that struck me was the sense of ingenuity found in that family. Mr. Browning, the son, put together his first gun at the age of fourteen. I can hear the anti-gun advocates foaming at the mouth that a child was allowed such pursuits. Even if he had not been instrumental in giving the allies an advantage in World War II, and had instead invented a fly catcher, he would still be a hero in my eyes, because in addition to the actual invention, it is the caliber (pun purely unintended) of the man, his fortitude, his patriotism, his work ethic, and I could keep going – that impressed the heck out of me. I hope I do not have to say “they don’t make them like that anymore.” This country’s survival depends on “them” being made like that – forevermore.
Truthfully, I am not convinced that this 2011 birthday of the nation, warrants bringing out the champagne. This country is in serious trouble – financially, socially, and culturally. Should I go into the appalling statistics of a country spending more than it is taking in from revenue, a country where food prices and gasoline prices are outpacing income, a country that is being bought out by foreigners, and on and on? Our leaders are in talks in Afghanistan with the Taliban – the same Taliban that turned Afghanistan into a terror bat cave. Ours is the country where the 9/11 hijackers and their chief, bin Laden, dead as he supposedly is, have won the air travel war, the latest casualty being a 95 year old lady stripped of her Depends. This story is absolutely weird, especially when contrasted with the case of the Nigerian man with the wrong boarding pass. He was waved through, no problem? The daughter of the 95 year old lady is claiming that the choice was between stripping of the Depends and not boarding the flight. The TSA representative stated that there were other options. Yet, “Fotenos refused to divulge the other alternatives available to Weber and Reppert.” Will someone share those options, please? Maybe the mistake made by the two ladies is that they did have the correct boarding passes?
I do see a positive in “Diaper-gate.” It proves that The TSA is an “equal opportunity diaper searcher.” From reports I heard, a few weeks ago or so, a baby also had to “take it all off,” including its diaper. Moreover, we are not yet at the complete state of “life, liberty and the pursuit” – of adult diapers! I just found yet another positive. TSA could be providing posing lessons for exotic dancers. Those in that field of endeavor, may want to take note of this free instructional experience, provided by assuming the pose for the scanners. I also thank God that I do not have children or parents needing to travel wearing diapers, or I could be writing this article from another location – one where I am bereft of my liberty.
At first I read this article about environmental literacy being a prerequisite for graduation with amusement and gratitude that I did not have to meet that requirement. My “literacy” on the environment is that God is in control of it. Then I became alarmed because of the very pertinent point made in the following paragraph:
And state lawmakers like J.B. Jennings note there are only so many hours in a school day, and only 180 days in a school year. So, he wonders, what in the current curriculum gets squeezed out?
Mr. Jennings is correct in being concerned. If “outdated” subjects such as “riting, reading and ‘rithmetic,” have not already been pushed aside, they soon could be. By the time these fiddlers are finished, students may be environmentally literate, but illiterate in the fundamentals.
Did I mention that the US is now involved in three wars, including Libya? The president can keep calling the Libya involvement “kinetic,” all he wants. It is still a war. The writer of this article does not appear to be buying the non-involvement, or US supporting role story. But, the president sure showed those Republicans how to conduct a non-war. Conduct it. Worry about minute stuff such as the necessary paperwork. Proceed at a kinetic pace. Speeches will be made in Congress, but in the end, the engagement will not be defunded. Who says that all branches of government cannot work together, when one encroaches on the authority of another, and the encroached upon, meekly submit?
Here is a man who does not know the meaning of submission, unless he is the one wielding the metaphorical whips and chains. He is proof that America is indeed the land of opportunity, by turning opportune moments into unfettered opportunism? Mr. George Soros has become the poster boy, of an immigrant who comes to America and makes a difference. Admittedly “trying to stack courts” may not be everyone’s idea of making a difference. Here is a man about whom the word “billions, has become synonymous with his name, and it is written:
Millionaire George Soros spends tens of millions each year supporting a range of liberal social and political causes, from drug legalization to immigration reform to gay marriage to abolishing the death penalty.
As a fellow immigrant, should I be looking to Mr. Soros as a role model? I do have some catching up to do, in terms of financial status. There is a chasm of nine zeros between us. Since I am being honest, I will “out” myself, and own up to the fact that the difference between his apparent world view and mine is as far apart as the difference between earth and Mars – not even a revised space program would be able to bridge that gap!
Maybe I should forget trying to emulate Mr. Soros and pin my hopes on Senator Dick Durbin's “promise” that someday, an illegal alien could be president. Wait. I am disqualified from that rosy prediction, because of my legal status. I was a legal immigrant and I am now a citizen. I was born naturally, but not US “natural born.” Darn it! Well, with the way the US Constitution is becoming “optional,” I could still be a contender for the throne, I mean presidential seat.
But enough of my presidential ambitions, egged on by Senator Durbin. What else is happening in this lead up to the big national birthday bash? Here is something. A high school principal is being criticized for delivering a graduation speech in Spanish. Hola mis amigos (hello, my friends)! See, I have something in common with that principal. What I do not have in common with him is that had I been the principal, I would have delivered an English only graduation speech. I wonder if Mr. Principal was born in the US. His explanation is as follows:
“I figured why not do it in Spanish? I think it’s important for me to make sure all the families feel comfortable,” said Esquivel.
In trying to put a “glass half full” spin on this story, I offer those who were offended the comfort that at least, the speech is still being offered in English. Ironically, the American soccer player who voiced his opinions, was the one castigated. “Only in America...”
At least those who were offended, did not have to sit through a soccer game, played in America between the US national team and the Mexican national team, where the Mexican national team had more fans. And – where the American goalie, Tim Howard, to delicately put it, was verbally manhandled, and the US national Anthem did not fare too much better. This sentence “How much must we tolerate?” – is one that Americans must eventually answer.
The Star Spangled Banner thought that it got disrespected? It should read this article about desecrated American Flags, in an American city. To sum it all up:
“The city police have caught a couple of young teenagers this weekend – with the flags in possession,” said Gaydos “What they [ought to] do – put them in boot camp; put them in the Marines, send them over to fight for our country. Let them learn what this flag means.”
I have to disagree slightly with the suggested punishment. I would not want to see “my” Marines forced to take in this lot. Now, sending these perps to Arizona, where Sheriff Joe Arpaio would introduce them to the color pink – that is “change I can believe in!”
Speaking of change that one can believe in, it appears that the People’s House has become fundraising Central? Will the Lincoln bedroom be rented out? The details of the non-fundraiser are outlined:
The president's video is accompanied by a donor solicitation form in which supporters of the administration can check boxes donating from $5 to $700 to the Obama-Biden re-election effort.
It is too bad that my invitation got lost in the mail. I could have easily donated at least the $5 minimum. I could have sent in a tear-jerker letter stating:
“Proud American citizen, sometimes on an enforced fast because of lack of financial resources, searched the bottom of her heart and her purse, and came up with her last five dollars and sent in it – because she is determined that the president and his vice president, need more time in order to provide us all with those mortgage payments that some of us thought that we would get, without working for the money. Yes! Four more years! We should be thankful that we are not Greece – at least not yet.”
Mr. President and Mr. Vice President, please feel free to use any part of that letter in your campaign ads – for a price. My asking price is $1 trillion dollars. I promise to still give $5 to your campaign, and the rest of the money? I will be patriotic and use it to help to pay down the national debt.
What will this citizen do in celebration of July 4? She will not be barbecuing. Although, based on this Washington Whispers' column, she should probably follow the advice suggested:
Finally, the report suggests that if people are looking for a super-patriotic July 4th, though should head to Republican towns. "Republican adults celebrate Fourth of July more intensively in the first place."
Republican towns, have your people call my people.
My fellow citizens, celebrate this birthday. After the holiday – continue to evaluate where your country is going. Is it going in the path of the brave men who fought, died, and crafted a country of such promise, and delivery? Or is it going in the direction of a pampered ruling class whose members would not know bravery if it smacked them in the solar plexus, while the serfs are carrying this class on their backs? Evaluate what you can do to help it to celebrate another birthday...and many more.
Despite my sense of unease about the country and the direction to which it is being deliberately driven, I am still confident that “we the people” can make a difference, and preserve what remains of the country fashioned by the brave men who gave much for the cause of freedom.
We still have that choice. We must act – legally and morally – before even the liberty that remains, is taken away from us.
Neil Diamond's America sums up a vision of what the real America should resemble – immigrants coming here, legally, integrating and becoming Americans, with “liberty and justice for all,” and “E Pluribus Unum.”
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