Friday, November 28, 2008

Thomas Jefferson

"And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever."
-Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia,
Query 18, 1781


Thomas Jefferson's religious views have been debated and argued both in and out of court. But what do his writings, as sampled above, tell us? What did his actions tell us? I wonder what people in the future would argue about my religious views when reading my writings? What do you think they would say about you, yours writings, your actions? How will they sum you up? What conclusions will they come to? Or will they even read the things you wrote on your blog? Will they just go by the stories they heard of you? And which story will they hear? Do you think it depends on the storyteller? Will there even be stories to tell of you? Wouldn't you want them to base their conclusions on things you actually said and did? Just a thought. So what did Thomas Jefferson actually say and do?

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Voices From Thanksgivings Past

I saw this on newt.org & I thought I'd share it.

The centrality of God in Thanksgiving in America comes through in the words of some of our greatest national leaders:

Virginia Governor Thomas Jefferson, in 1779:
[I] appoint … a day of public Thanksgiving to Almighty God … to [ask] Him that He would … pour out His Holy Spirit on all ministers of the Gospel; that He would … spread the light of Christian knowledge through the remotest corners of the earth … and that He would establish these United States upon the basis of religion and virtue.


President George Washington’s first federal Thanksgiving proclamation in 1789: Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.… Now, therefore, I do appoint Thursday, the 26th day of November 1789 … that we may all unite to render unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection.

President Abraham Lincoln, making Thanksgiving an annual national holiday in 1863, in the midst of the Civil War:
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people.


HOPE EVERYONE HAS A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Monday, November 17, 2008

think you're informed?

I was excited to see that several of you enjoyed my American History 101 entry. Thanks for all the comments! I can guarantee you that I will continue to give you more of the same. I, like many of you, have been blessed with a very strong education built on historical truths. Unfortunately, it seems there's not many left in this country who have the same facts or knowledge... please help me spread light on this dark world. Teach your kids & grandkids.

Let me ask you, when you read a magazine article about your favorite actor or actress, don't you expect to see direct quotes from that person? Then why don't we expect it in our history books?? If you want to know the original intent of our founding fathers... read history books that quote them directly and reference where those quotes are pulled from. I really wish that the books in the American public school system followed this very logical & simple requirement... but they do not. This is why I will do my best to redistribute the wealth- the wealth of knowledge, that is. I will do my best to write more entries on American History from here on out.

Tara Lynn put a video on her blog last night that reminded me of a letter that was published in the Tulsa World newspaper on 11/8/08. Why? Because after watching the video (see below) I was thinking the same thing this guy was:
My disappointment in the result of the election is great. That disappointment is aimed at the American people. Those who were able to set aside and dismiss Barack Obama's associations with shadowy people and organizations. Those who chose to elect as president a man with such a short resume. Those who voted for him out of knee-jerk reaction to George W. Bush and the Republicans.
How many know that the Congress has been controlled for the last two years by the Democrats? How many know that the sub-prime mortgage crisis and Wall Street melt down has its roots in Democratic programs signed by Bill Clinton? More than 63 million voters had the wool pulled over their eyes. The Brooklyn Bridge has finally sold. Change was wanted so badly that a man has been elected that we know nothing about, to be president! Our enemies are dancing in the streets.
At least we here in Oklahoma know a snake oil salesman when we see one, 66 percent of us anyway. Remember the story of the Pied Piper? Obama is playing the flute.
I thought Joe the Plumber would make a difference. It turned out that the election was swayed by Joe the Gullible.
America, what have we done?



Again, this is why spreading knowledge is important... this is why I ask people to look at facts... because the misinformed outnumber the informed. Thanks for reading- see you next time.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

God bless all our veterans



"Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives."
—John Adams, letter to Benjamin Rush, April 18, 1808


Saturday, November 08, 2008

Let's go barack to the Clinton era



Over the past several weeks, I posted more on my facebook than on my blog. But I'll try to change that... I'll try to post equally. Above is a video that I've posted on my facebook recently.
Have you noticed many of Obama's potential appointees are former Clinton advisors? And I thought he promised change? Oh well, so much for that idea... it sounded good anyway. Ha.


rude awakening

The truly funny thing is there are people who really do think that Obama is going to pay their bills and lower their taxes. It should be a fun 4 years... they're in for a rude awakening. Haha... and I will be laughing all along the way... and yes, I will tell you I told you so.
Yes I Can. And I will.




Monday, November 03, 2008

American History 101

Instead of talking about the election, I’ve had some other things on my mind lately. About why we’re here. And by “here” I mean the United States of America. Why are you here do you think? I mean, why weren’t you born in Ghana, or Egypt, or Indonesia? Ever wonder about that? I do.
I have to wonder how many of you will actually read this particular blog entry in it’s entirety. I think I’ll lose some of you… just because you don’t think it’s important... or it's just too much for you to read.
Anyway, a few of my close friends could tell you that in the last year or so I’ve become somewhat of a US history junkie. I’ve always been interested in history… but it’s become kinda like a hobby. I’ve been in search of true history… not the kind they make up in the movies… but the real, the true history… the kind you can only find in old history books… before they were revised and re-written. I went and bought some US history books and have become a student of a man who has a library of tens of thousands of original writings from the Founding Era. He’s kind of like the guy Nicolas Cage plays in those National Treasure movies… but way cooler because he’s actually real… and he owns more original writings of the founding fathers in his own personal library than anyone else in the United States. In fact, only the Library of Congress can compete with his library.
Every once in awhile I crack open one of those US History books and just read… but I think I prefer just soaking it in from my teacher. Wonder who it is? He has spoken to numerous state legislatures, consulted with both state and federal legislators on various bills, and has written amicus briefs in cases at the US Supreme Court. His exhaustive research has rendered him an expert in historical and constitutional issues and he serves as a consultant to state and federal legislators. He also addresses well over 400 groups each year. He has received numerous awards including several Who's Who honors and the George Washington Honor Medal.
He spent eight years as an educator and school administrator before founding WallBuilders. Did you know that Congress once printed Bibles for use in the schools? He owns one of the rare copies of that Bible. His name is David Barton.
The first time I heard him speak, I was in high school... it was probably 10 or 12 years ago. This man probably knows more about our US History and our founding fathers than any of us could ever hope to learn. That’s cool… I don’t care what anybody says… he’s awesome. Now I buy his DVDs and sit in my living room and take notes. No lie.
Besides there being confusion and indecision about the candidates in this election… there seems to be a new disease spreading… confusion about the founding of this nation. So, I thought that I would take the time to share some true American history with you.
I’m sick of hearing that the founding mothers and fathers of this nation did not intend for it to be a Christian nation. Really? The truth is that many of the original state constitutions actually sounded more like a requirement for seminary than a requirement for politics. You didn’t know that? Let me share some of those required oaths of office with you:

Delaware Constitution – Everyone [elected or appointed to office] shall make and subscribe the following declaration, to wit: “I do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed forever more, and I do acknowledge the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine inspiration.”

Pennsylvania Constitution Each member [of the legislature], before he takes his seat, shall make and subscribe the following declaration, viz: “I do believe in one God, the Creator and Governor of the universe, the rewarder of the good and the punisher of the wicked, and I do acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by Divine Inspiration.”

Massachusetts Constitution – written by Samuel Adams
[All persons elected must] make and subscribe the following declaration, viz: “I do declare that I believe the Christian religion and have firm persuasion of its truth.”

North Carolina Constitution No person who shall deny the being of God, or the truth of the [Christian] religion, or the divine authority either of the Old or New Testaments or who shall hold religious principles incompatible with the freedom and the safety of the state, shall be capable of holding any office, or place of trust or profit in the civil department, within this state.

In 1892, the Supreme Court noted that each of the forty-four states then in the union had some type of God-centered declaration in its constitution. But yet, you’ll have people tell you that our founding fathers weren’t Christians.
When Tara and I went to Boston last year, we went on one of those bus tours of the city. I remember the guide saying disrespectful things about the “original settlers” and called them “hateful Puritans”. Well, I’ve got news… not all of them were “hateful Puritans”. It doesn’t take much research to find that out. Want to know the religious affiliations of the Founding Fathers? Find some info here.
We also visited the Granary Cemetery. This is where Paul Revere, three signers of the Declaration of Independence, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Robert Treat Paine are all buried… among other Revolutionary heroes and Boston Massacre victims. Anyway, while we were visiting that honored burial ground, there was a tour going through that we happened to find ourselves in the middle of. I was surprised to hear some of the things coming out of the tour guide’s mouth. He’s lucky that the dead didn’t rise up to choke the lies coming from his mouth. I’d hate to see what Paul Revere would have done to him. I couldn’t believe it… we stopped to challenge him and question him on some of his points… which he could not defend.
When did American tour guides start spreading bias and untrue statements? These experiences still bother and concern me. I’m afraid that these things are becoming more and more common… and there’s not many who know any better… like kids… I guess that’s why I started buying US history books and filling myself with the true historical facts… before they try to re-write and take that away from us too.
I’m hoping to visit Washington, D.C. in the spring with some friends. Last time I was there, I really wasn’t able to see everything I wanted to see. On this visit, I’m hoping to see the Library of Congress. The intent and beliefs of the founding fathers can be found inscribed all over this building.
Two Bible verses can be found inscribed on the ceiling and walls:
The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth not. John 1:5
Wisdom is the principal thing therefore get wisdom and with all thy getting, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7
In the Main Reading Room, statues of Moses and Paul represent Religion, with the inscription, What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, And to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God. Miach 6:8
And in the another example of their beliefs can be found in the Science area, The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handywork. Pslam 19:1

If the founding fathers didn’t intend for American patriots to make following God a priority in this nation, then why is it that when you visit Washington, D.C., you run head first into something about God inscribed in stone? Why is it they required statements of faith of the elected leaders like the ones I've shared with you above?
I wonder how the founding fathers would feel about us just removing and taking that stuff out… taking God out of the picture... and making up our own version of history. Well, it seems another revision of America's religious history has been underway – this time at the new $621 million, 580,000 square feet Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C. Want to help keep God in the picture? Write or call the Architect of the Capitol communications officer (202-228-1793 or emalecki@aoc.gov) and tell them to correct the religious omissions that they’ve made to our US History.
And I’d appreciate if you’d think twice next time you hear something about our founding fathers & religion. Think twice when you hear people like Bill Maher… actually, if you hear Maher on the TV just go ahead and change the channel or turn off the TV… because not only is he absurd… but he’s also a complete idiot.
Don’t take the movies word for it. Don’t take the tour guide’s word for it. Don’t take my word for it. Find out for yourself. Go visit Washington, D.C. and go read some history books… go buy some Wallbuider DVDs… go investigate for yourself.

“A true patriot must be a religious man… He who neglects his duty to his Maker, may well be expected to be deficient and insincere in his duty towards the public.”
Abigail Adams