The Cloward - Piven Strategy

The more I learn, the more I realize I do not know enough... The more I learn, the more I realize the Winston Churchill quote: A nation that forgets its past are doomed to repeat it. May I add that a nation that forgets its past and ignores other nations mistakes are doomed to repeat them. If you want an eye opening look at current politics, follow the link. Let me know what you think.

http://swampie.wordpress.com/2009/02/08/puzzled-by-obamas-missteps-read-the-cloward-piven-strategy/

How's that thread holdin?

Yesterday was a mix of many emotions, but the haunt of the previously mentioned quote about what our children will look back and say about us continued to echo. I believe I was not alone in my feelings and while muddled and all over the place, I will try to organize them into some semblance of logic.

I had the opportunity to visit my grandfather in Thatcher for July 3-4. We had a great visit though it was impossible to keep Reed outta trouble. One of the first things out of my Grandpa's mouth was, "when ya gonna run for public office?" I thought it was pretty funny, and was a little worried about all the other types of things I blog about that he had been reading.

Thatcher is one of those small towns that is a few decades behind, but that's what gives it charm. We were able to listen to their 4th of July program (which mom says hasn't changed in the last 20 years.) And while we laughed at the "parade" that included more people in it than people watching it, and tried not to fall over rolling because of the singing puppets and the "freedom band" that included a man playing the snare with a tuba on his shoulders... it was great to see that someone remembered to include sentiments reminding us of what we have and our responsiblity to maintain the freedom fought so diligently for us.

The program included the speech from Andrew Jackson's first inauguration. It brought to light just how far we have strayed from the founder's intentions:

In administering the laws of Congress I shall keep steadily in view the limitations
as well as the extent of the Executive power, trusting thereby to discharge thefunctions of my office without transcending its authority.

In such measures as I may be called on to pursue in regard to the rights of the
separate States I hope to be animated by a proper respect for those sovereign
members of our Union, taking care not to confound the powers they have
reserved to themselves with those they have granted to the Confederacy.

Oh that our current leaders followed his example.....



In addition, there were several musical numbers and here are just a few lines that struck me...

Who more than self their country loved...

Confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law.

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just.

Land of the noble free...

Let mortal tongues awake, let all that breathe partake

Long may our land be bright with freedom's holy light. Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King!


Lately, I have had several discussions with friends, family and coworkers regarding the current status of our freedom. I have heard everything from feelings that "all is well" to "I just don't get into that stuff" to concern and to complete resignation. I agree that I have no solutions as we have let the progressive ideas infiltrate our Congress and even the position of President. I wonder that Obama could even take the oath of office without a lightning storm or roof caving in. I was sickened by his speech yesterday as he very craftily excused his and other leaders current "change" as being a part of what the founding fathers intended. And that he used our "unyielding spirit" as a call to forward HIS current agenda. I swear I screamed to the radio... "HOW DARE YOU!!!!, HOW DARE YOU!!!" Add to that our apathy has made it possible for Congress to easily secure their "job" for life.

Amanda and I drove home yesterday afternoon. We talked about Cap and Trade and Nationalized Health Coverage. We talked about the White Horse Prophecy and saving the Constitution that will hang by a thread. And unfortunately, the conclusion we came to was: "we have done this to ourselves and it will be almost impossible to undo it." I then thought about the Children of Israel in captivity. Maybe this is our wandering in the desert, maybe this is our years of captivity to once again bring a proud people back to their knees to praise our God whom so many have forgotten. This gave me hope.

So after all the books I have read, all the calls to action I have heard and all the time spent not really knowing what it is I could do, I realized what my part is. And yours for that matter. I realized, it is time to get down on my knees and sing praise to "our Father's God", "author of liberty." I believe as we recognize His role in our liberty, as we humble ourselves and return to the values of our fore-fathers, we will loose the chains of captivity that we are only beginning to feel bind us. Along with this prayer, another needs to be said for the inspiration of what we need to be actively doing on an individual level to help forward the cause of restoring our freedom and our country to the beautiful light on a hill that it once was. Another, to help soften the hearts of all Christian's to be willing to work together, no matter the sect, to be willing and able to unite in the cause. I believe we are our own worst enemies because of our "differences." We have much more in common than in differences....

Is it too simple? It seems so. But my faith tells me, that He is the only way. He is the only One that can provide us with the answers of How. He is the only One that can save us as he was the Author of Liberty. This is a promised land. And we have not been good stewards and we will continue to become more and more bound by the consequenses of our own indifference, our own dishonesty, our own choices. I believe that if we can all come together in sincere supplication for guidance out of our stuggles we will find answers and we will be safe. As we do all we can, we will be sheltered from the storm ahead. Will we be successful in restoring the what truly made America glorious? I do not know. Is this just one of the many tragic preludes to the second coming of our Savior? Probably.... But I can no longer sit idly by hoping that someone else finds a solution.....

Common Sense

I just finished Glenn Beck's Common Sense. I love, love, love Glenn. (We are on a first name basis.) I know many of you tire of my rambling on and on about politics and government, but HELLO GUYS!!! WE ARE LOOSING OUR COUNTRY!!! WE ARE LETTING PEOPLE TAKE AWAY OUR GOD GIVEN FREEDOMS because we are too busy, or we dont know where to start, or we dont like the dirtiness of politics. At this day and age, political discussion should not be considered taboo or coarse. We need to be speaking up and LOUDLY!!! We need to be teaching each other and our kids WHY this is so important. WHY they should work hard. WHY they are not ENTITLED. WHY a government with the power to give you all you want has the power to take everything from you.....

Go get yourself a copy, or if you dont want to buy it, Ill lend you mine, or buy you one. (The same offer still applies to the 5000 year leap.) Cause HELLO...

"One day we will face our children and grandchildren as they ask us what we found more important and valuable than freedom. They will ask if our big, unaffordable homes, "free" universal health care, and "buy it now" lifestyle were worth enslaving them for.

HOW WILL YOU ANSWER?

Just as we look back with pride and awe at what the generations before us did to preserve the cause of freedom, our children and grandchildren will look back at us. But should we now fail, it won't be with pride or awe, it will be with disgust. As they toil under oppressive taxes and tyrannical rule, they will continually question what we were so busy doing that we did not notice the stripping away of our freedoms and liberties. As they are forced to carry the yoke of servitude imposed by their domestic and foreign masters they will question why we did nothing. Did you not see it coming? They will wonder."

---Glenn Beck

Obama Bumpers

Tom posted one of these yesterday and I thought it was great. He sent me the link to where I could order it. When I went looking for it, I found a plethora of others that were just as wonderful. I thought I would share. And not to turn this into a commercial, but these are all available on http://www.zazzle.com/. ENJOY

Quote for the day

"The health of a nation is inversely proportionate to the number of laws needed to govern it."
-- Thomas Frey

Umm, if thats the case, I think we are in deep shit.

Arizona Activist!!

So yesterday Glenn Beck read a letter on his show from a woman in Arizona. It was directed to all of our nations leaders. I thought it was fabulous and worth a reprint. Please take the time to read this.

I'm a home grown American citizen, 53, registered Democrat all my life. Before the last presidential election I registered as a Republican because I no longer felt the Democratic party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. Now I no longer feel the Republican Party represents my views or works to purse issues important to me. The fact is I no longer feel any political party or representative in Washington represents my views or works to pursue the issues important to me. There must be someone. Please stand up and tell me that you are there and that you're willing to fight for our Constitution is it was written. Please stand up now. You might ask yourself what my views and issues are that I would horribly feel so disenfranchised by both major political parties. What kind of nut job am I? Will you please tell me?

Well, these are briefly my views and issues for which I seek representation:

One: Illegal Immigration. I want you to stop coddling illegal immigrants and secure our borders. Close the underground tunnels. Stop the violence and the trafficking of drugs and people. No amnesty, not again. Been there, done that, no resolution. PS, Im not a racist. This isn't to be confused with legal immigration.

Two: The Tarp Bill. I want it repealed and I want no futher funding supplied to it. We told you no, but you did it anyway. I want the remaining unfunded 95% repealed. Freeze, repeal.

Three: Czars. I want the cirumvention of our checks and balances stopped immediately. Fire the czars. No more czars. Government officials answer to the process, no to the president. Stop trampling on our Constitution and honor it.

Four: Cap and Trade. The debate on global warming is not over. There is more to say.

Five: Universal Healthcare. I will not be rushed into another expensive decision. Don't you dare try to pass this in the middle of the night and then go on break. Slow down!

Six: Growing Government control. I want states rights and sovereignty fully restored. I want less government in my life, not more. Shrink it down. Mind your own business. You have enough to take care of with your real obligations. Why don't you start there.

Seven: ACORN. I do not want ACORN and its affiliates in charge of our 2010 Census. I want them investigated. I also do not want mandatory escrow fees contributed to them every time on every real estate deal that closes. Stop funding to ACORN and its affiliates pending impartial audits and investigations. I do no trust them with taking the census over. I do not trust them with our taxpayer money. Face up to the allegations against them and get it resolved before taxpayers get any more involved with them. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, hello. Stop protecting your political buddies. You work for us, the people. Investigate.

Eight: Redistribution of Wealth. No, no, no. I work for my money. It is mine. I have always worked for people with more money than I have because they gave me jobs. That is the only redistribution of wealth that I will support. I never got a job from a poor person. Why do you want me to hate my employers? Why -- what do you have against shareholders making a profit?

Nine: Charitable Contributions Although I never got a job from a poor person, I have helped many in need. Charity belongs in our local communities, where we know our needs best and can use our local talent and our local resources. Butt out, please. We want to do it ourselves.

Ten: Corporate Bailouts Knock it off. Sink or swim like the rest of us. If there are hard times ahead, we'll be better off just getting into it and letting the strong survive. Quick and painful. Have you ever ripped off a Band-Aid? We will pull together. Great things happen in America under great hardship. Give us a chance to innovate. We cannot disappoint you more than you have disappointed us.

Eleven: Transparency and Accountability How about it? No, really, how about it? Let's have it. Let's say we give the buzzwords a rest and have some straight honest talk. Please try -- please stop manipulating and trying to appease me with clever wording. I am not the idiot you obviously take me for. Stop sneaking around and meeting in back rooms making deals with your friends. It will only be a prelude to your criminal investigation. Stop hiding things from me.

Twelve: Unprecedented, quick spending STOP IT NOW!

Take a breath. Listen to the people. Let's just slow down and get some input from some nonpoliticians on the subject. Stop making everything an emergency. Stop speed reading our bills into law. I am not an activist. I am not a community organizer. Nor am I a terrorist, a militant or a violent person. I am a parent and a grandparent. I work. I'm busy. I'm busy. I am busy, and I am tired. I thought we elected competent people to take care of the business of government so that we could work, raise our families, pay our bills, have a little recreation, complain about taxes, endure our hardships, pursue our personal goals, cut our lawn, wash our cars on the weekends and be responsible contributing members of society and teach our children to be the same all while living in the home of the free and the land of the brave.

I entrusted you with upholding the Constitution. I believed in the checks and balances to keep you from getting far off course. What happened? You are very far off course. Do you really think I find humor in the hiring of a speed reader to unintelligently ramble all through a bill that you signed into law without knowing what it contained? I do not. It is a mockery of the responsibility I have entrusted to you. It is a slap in the face. I am not laughing at your arrogance. Why is it that I feel as if you would not trust me to make a single decision about my own life and how I would live it but you should expect that I should trust you with the debt that you have laid on all of us and our children. We did not want the TARP bill. We said NO. We would repeal it if we could. I am sure that we still cannot. There is such an urgency and recklessness in all of the recent spending.

From my perspective, it seems that all of you have gone insane. I also know that I am far from alone in these feelings. Do you honestly feel that your current pursuits have merit to patriotic Americans? We want it to stop. We want to put the brakes on everything that is being rushed by us and forced upon us. We want our voice back. You have forced us to put our lives on hold to straighten out the mess that you are making. We will have to give up our vacations, our time spent with our children, any relaxation time we may have had and money we cannot afford to spend on you to bring our concerns to Washington. Our president often knows all the right buzzword is unsustainable. Well, no kidding. How many tens of thousands of dollards did the focus group cost to come up with that word? We don't want your overpriced words. Stop treating us like we're morons.

We want all of you to stop focusing on your reelection and do the job we want done, not the job you want done or the job your party wants done. You work for us and at this rate I guarantee you not for long because we are coming. We will be heard and we will be represented. You think we're so busy with our lives athat we will never come for you? We are the fomerly silent majority, all of us who quietly work, pay taxes, obey the law, vote, save money, keep our noses to the grindstone and we are now looking up at you. You have pushed us too far. Our numbers are great. That may surprise you. For every one of us who will be there, there will be hundreds more that could not come. Unlike you, we have their trust. We will represent them honestly, rest assured. They will be at the polls on voting day to usher you out of office. W have cancelled our vacations. We will use our last few dollars saved. We will find the representation among us and a grassroots campaign will flourish. We didn't ask for this fight. But the gloves are coming off. We do not come in violence, but we are angry. You will represent us or you will be replaced by someone who will. There are candidates among us and they will rise like a Phoenix from the ashes that you have made of our constitution.

Democrat, Republican, independent, libertarian. Understand this. We don't care. Political parties are meaningless to us. Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution and that is all that matter to us now. We are going to fire all of you who abuse power and seek more. It is not your power. It is ours and we want it back. We entrusted you with it and you abused it. You are dishonorable. You are dishonest. As Americans we are ashamed of you. You have brought shame to us. If you are not representing the wants and needs of your constituency loudly and consistently, in spite of the objections of your party, you will be fired. Did you hear? We no longer care about your political parties. You need to be loyal to us, not to them. Because we will get you fired and they will not save you. If you do or can represent me, my issues, my views, please stand up. Make your identity known. You need to make some noise about it. Speak up. I need to know who you are. If you do not speak up, you will be herded out with the rest of the sheep and we will replace the whole damn congress if need be, one by one. We are coming. Are we coming for your? Who do you represent? What do you represent? Listen. Because we are coming. We the people are coming.

If you finished reading this through, I hope you got chills like I did. The author, Janet Contreras, of Arizona, said everything that I and many others have been feeling for a long time. I loved that she reminded all of us... with our busy lives that our time is worth giving to this cause of cleaning house. I hope this letter helped someone else feel the need to get involved. I know it did for me.

PS I apologize for any type-os. Im tired and instead of cutting and pasting like any sane person would, I instead typed it out....

Lion King

Lion King is playing in our waiting room today. As Scar was singing his little "be prepared" song, all I could think of was Obama.

Going gun shopping

So a few days back, My Montana passed a law that if they wanted to manufacture guns in Montana and sell them in Montana to people that would reside in Montana, then they did not need to use the National system for registering said guns. A big shout out to My Montanan's out there for telling the feds where they can shove it and reaffirming their sovergnty.

So this is where things get grey. I dont live in Montana. I wish I did... is that close enough? Cause... I want one of those non registered guns. Just to say I have one. I want it to have printed across it (as required by Montana's new law) Made in Montana. I want one just to say, "F U Obama", more than for any practical reasons. Truth is, Montana's major gun manufacturers pretty much only produce .22's, high end specialty guns and historical reproductions. Not much of a big draw for all those crooks that want to get past the feds background checks. But this is fixing up to be quite the brawl in the courts.

In the mean time, I want in on it. So I fight back and forth with myself about contacting some old friends in Montana to see just how easy it would be to get my hands on my Made in Montana gun. (Most likely a .22) Would that make me a weapons smuggler? Or would I have to use this as an excuse to return to My Montana for good?

Mother's Day Regrets?

I have a wierd confession. I am old. Wanna know how I know I am officially old? I am a talk radio junkie. Well, not really. I just would rather listen to that then the current and even not so current music alternatives. So if you are to get into my truck at almost any time, you will most likely find it on 92.3 (KTAR, talk radio in AZ.)
Last night, I was driving back from Tempe, and they were talking about Bristol Palin being a spokesperson for abstinance. The commentator was very distainful of this decision. Not because he didn't disagree with abstinance as a preventative measure to combat teen pregnancy, but because she had stated at an earlier time that abstinance was not really a practical solution. I was ready to call in. See, I understand exactly how it is possible to have these thoughts come from the same individual, relatively close together in time.
I understand how hard it is to say, "No I dont regret having my son, I love him dearly. I wouldn't trade him for the world." Even when all the world knows what choices led up to you having him. But I also know what its like to say, "I wish I would have had my son under different circumstances. I know now why a family should have a mother and a father. I now understand why kids should be born to parents committed to each other through marriage vows. Cause I know just how hard it is to do it alone. And while I would never, ever trade my son for anything in the world, I can and do regret the events that led up to his arrival.
When interviewed, it seems the media wanted Bristol to admit that her son, Tripp, was a mistake. She never did. But she expressed many of the same feelings I have felt. I can say "No, my son was not a mistake, but the choices that led up to me having were." There is a big difference. I think instead of the media condeming her and saying she is a hypocrite, I think they should realize that she is using her "name" to be able to say to kids, "Don't make the same mistakes I did." I applaud her for being able to admit her choices were not wise and be willing to use her experience to help other girls make better decisions. As for her original statement that abstinance was an ideal but unreasonable expectation for teens, I see it this way: in this day and age, it certainly is difficult, but I think it mirrors Tripp's father's thinking more than her own and it also works as a baseline to show us just how much she has learned in her short time as a mother. See NO ONE, NO ONE, can begin to explain how life altering a baby is. Especially, if you are a single parent. It is only through actually experiencing it that you realize how much it changes who you are and what you believe, what you can and can't do, and just about every facet of your life.
Because of the circumstances of Reed's conception, my first mother's day was very hard for me. I was back at church, big as a barn already - even though I was not due til July. I just cried all day long. Somehow it didn't count for me. My motherhood was not a celebration for anyone. It was shameful, a big glaring spotlight displaying my bad choices.
Im happy to say my second Mother's day was much different, more a pat on the back for actually living up to what motherhood required and surviving (that far). I was no longer wasting time beating myself up for things I couldn't change. I think I just didn't have the time or was just too tired. Actually, I had begun down the road to repentance and learned that looking back did no good.
This year, who knows? Do I think Im a fabulous mom that deserves a huge celebration. HELL NO. I make do, I make mistakes, I cry lots, but I try to get the job done the best I can and pray the angels help with anything I miss. I supposed that's all any mother can do.

Breaking News: Im a threat to national security!

So I am aware of how quickly my blog is not read when I start getting all politically preachy. But this one was too rich to be ignored. So before you just skip down to the adorable pics of my son, give this a quick read.

I am officially a threat to national security. Really. Our fearless leader of Homeland Security, who according to herself has done more for national security than anyone else (this is when I huff with a sarcastic look in my eye--cause she didn't do jack crap for border control while our governor) has pronounced me so. Thanks Janet (bitch). How is this possible?

In a 9 page report issued last week she stated that the US is no longer threatened by international terrorist such as we are battling in Iraq. No, they aren't a threat. Neither are the millions of illegals bringing over drugs and abusing our system and draining our states of much needed funds. No, they aren't a threat either. They are all under control. The big threat to our country (are you ready for it??) are extreme conservatives. She went on to define "extreme conservatives" to include basically any conservative in general. I would be attenting the tea party tomorrow if it weren't for work. I believe the national govt is out of control. I am therefore an "extreme conservative" and a threat to my country.

YEAH!!!!! I kinda gives me a sense of pride. Funny how Im not a violent person. I try to follow the "rules" as best I can. I try to take care of myself and my son. (Although I do participate in the WIC program.) I get angry when patients come driving up to PT in brand new lifted trucks and hand me their AHCCCS (medicaid) insurance cards with finely manicured nails just before they answer a very important call on their blackberry. Im not happy with the government and I agree with the Texas governor who stated, "I believe that our federal goverment has become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens and its interference with affairs of our state." I may need to move to Texas soon. You know they are the only state in the union that have it written into the constitiution that they can legally secede from the union at any time. They are also the only state that can fly their flag above the US flag. Interesting....Too bad the weather is so horrible and the landscape so barren. But I digress.

So if any of you out there qualify to be a national threat too, congrats!!! Its sad when defenders of the constitution and basic freedoms become an enemy of the nation. Kinda backwards isn't it?

Tomorrow I will be wearing a tax protest shirt of my own designing and wishing I was at the local tea party. And if I get just one person to ask me about it and why I am wearing it, I will have accomplished my goal. And if any of you actually read this the whole way through dispite your lack of interest in my political spoutings, I will have accomplished yet another goal. And if by chance I have sent out a little spark that caught in anyone else and caused them to get involved and begin to question the abuse of power going on in our federal goverment (and locally) then I think I deserve a pat on the back by way of the local dairy queen.

The Unlikely Activist....

Earlier today, I was listening to Glenn Beck and he was talking about the sales of the book The 5000 Year Leap. The current sales have shot the book to the status of best seller (youd think Oprah told everyone to read it) and it has sold more copies in the last 3 weeks since the 912 project was introduced than it had since its first publishing 30 years ago. I am currently reading said book and find it fascinating and very saddening as I see how far we have strayed from the founders vision for America. After stating this statistic, Glenn then took me to task. EEK. While it was fantastic that so many were getting aquainted or reaquainted with the constitution and the reasons for the founding fathers setting things up they way they did, Glenn said just learning about it was not enough. It was what we chose to do with this new education that really mattered. He encouraged local book clubs, so we could get together and discuss what we learned and start really becoming active in government to "turn the tide." In his words, "we need to become our own special interest group". As we gain in numbers we can no longer be ignored or dismissed by Washington and our local goverments. As I have done very little to connect with others reading this book and other books so we have a context for this "uprising" and following the current political rollercoasted, I felt a little chastised.

A few minutes ago, I was reading the ANWA blog and one of the writers had posted this quote:

Stand up for freedom no matter what the cost. It can save your soul and maybe your country. Ezra Taft Benson

Add to this, I was googling the other day and put in, "constitution will hang by a thread" (as it is commonly referred to in Sunday School discussions), and read up on what many refer to as "The White Horse Prophecy" from Joseph Smith. While in general the prophecy has been dismissed as "mormon folklore" it is interesting to see how many of Joseph Smiths contemporaries recorded him saying very similar sentiments regarding the constitution hanging by a thread and how a church member or church members would be instrumental in saving the US as we know it. Many mused that Romney running for president was a fulfillment of this. While he was not exactly "the" one, I find it interesting to see members of the church's involvement in politics, Romney included and Glenn as he has rolled out his 912 project.

While I dont believe in "signs" per se... I do see little flags leading me in directions or common "themes" that keep coming up. This chain of events seem to be a chain of little flags, waiving me to do something.
So here's my sorry attempt as being an activist. HEHE, that seems so funny coming from me.

Go get the book, read it. And if anyone nearby or through this blog wants to discuss, let me know. In the mean time, I think I will be contacting a ward member that is a big activist to see what she thinks about getting together a reading group. (Do I assume too much by thinking that people actually read this blog???)

We are here... Being a 912-er.

Just as a funny preface. I find it tragically comical that my blogs seem to evolve/revolve around Reed's current movies of choice. Most people take the animated movies of Disney, Pixar, Fox, and Dreamworks at face value. I, on the otherhand, have to find eternal truths and meaning within in. (Probably to justify that fact that I have lost count of how many times I have watched them. ) Along the same lines, Reed is currently fascinated with Thomas the Tank Engine. I dont know who introduced him to the series, but he loves it. And I cannot for the life of me find anything of value..... But that's neither here nor there.

Last Friday was Glenn Beck's special program introducing his We Surrond Them program. It was about time as he has been teasing us with values and principles and pictures and not really getting down to the nitty gritty of what he was concocting. In hindsight it was not much of a surprise, but I did have a couple A-HA moments.

Just as a quick sum up, when you put together (and live by) the 9 principles and 12 values Glenn Beck first introduced, we become the people we were on 9/12/01. (Clever huh) We love our country, we jump in to help any way we can and we believe and live what our forfathers established for us. Glenn's message was a call to action, to each individual and as local communities to come together to let Washington know that we stand by the principles and values of a 912-er and that the foundation that was laid by the founding fathers (that included these principles) are what make America great. America looses its greatness every time the government and even its people stray from the ideaology of the founding fathers. Obama seems to say the term "Ideaology" with distain. But it is this "ideaology" that brought about life, liberty and the persuit of happiness that we should treasure much more that we do today.

Glenn suggested it was time to really understand what our constitution means. I, like most, had a mediocre education in this country's history, taught by an unqualified football coach. This does not cut it. I have decided to take my historical education into my own hands buying a couple books as suggested by Glenn. The 5000 year leap and The Making of America, both by Cleon Skousen. I figured this was a good start and so far the reading proves to be very informative and not too laborous.

With a background of what we want to get back to, we can then move forward in our local communities to come together to make some noise. (This is where Reed's movies come in.) After watching Glenn, all I could think about was Horton Hears A Who. The Who's are chanting and yelling "We are here, we are here, we are here" in a desperate attempt to save their lives, their world from distruction. As they realize the people that determine their fate still cant hear them, the Mayor desperately cries out, "We need every voice!!!" This is what Glenn has done. It is time we stand up and say what we want, deserve and ultimately require of our politicians both locally and federally. Just a side note, our local officials have much more effect that we give them credit for and if we are not participating locally it will be to our detriment.

So, here is my one last "YOP" (the term YOP I borrow with much thanks the the Good Doc...Dr Suess.) I am here and I am hoping that my little shout out will encourage others to take a stand and help us restore America to what it should be... Ideal as that may seem to some.

Dont know where to start..... Here's a couple ways to go:

http://www.the912project.com/

http://www.atlasshrugged.com/

http://www.glennbeck.com/

"WE NEED EVERY VOICE!"

We Surround Them

Just a quick shout out for Glenn Beck. Tomorrow is the We Surround Them broadcast. 2pm AZ time. (Thats pacific time right now...) on Fox News Channel. If you are not familiar with Glenn or what he has been putting together, here's a quick snapshot. He basically wants to rally people together who believe in the principles and values below. He recognizes that he and many Americans dont like the path the country has taken in the last few years. He is using his pull, his show, his "fame" to bring us all together so we dont feel so hopeless and so we can find solutions.
I hope you watch, I will be.
The Nine Principles
1. America is good.
2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.

12 Values
Honesty
Reverence
Hope
Thrift
Humility
Charity
Sincerity
Moderation
Hard Work
Courage
Personal Responsibility
Gratitude

Stamp for stimulus projects.

Obama

The election

I recieved this email from a member of this chaplain's congregation. I thought it was worth sharing. After much political discussion with friends, I have realized the need for all Christians to band together and stand up for what we believe. Im happy to say that AZ, FL and shockingly CA passed the propositions to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. This is what we can accomplish when we work together instead of trying to fight evil as solitary sects.

More and more I am realizing that we cant do nothing. I hope that Obama is able to come to a middle ground as he serves his term (singular I hope) as president. If not, we need to be ready to stand up and make our voices heard and remind him and our other leaders that they are there to serve us and not their own agenda.

_____________________________________________________________________

I'm so grateful, with 92% reporting, that it looks like Prop 8 passed in Ca. This too is a testimony of what can happen when conservatives and churches mobilize--because it was largely their intentional across-the-board movements that made this happen. Still, amazing how close the battle...check out these numbers... http://vote.sos.ca.gov/Returns/props/map190000000008.htm

Though obviously a letdown to us that Obama was elected, America has dabbled with pushing the envelope to the left and will now experience exactly what happens when the “full force of the far left” are unleashed and their floodgates opened. Personally, I don’t believe last night’s election results reflect God’s appointment, but a reaping of what we’ve sewn as a nation and of course a representative desire of those things the majority want (though not necessarily what is best for the country). While no one is overlooking the historical magnitude of a black man being elected president (an action established long ago by our Founders in the equality clauses of the Declaration of Independence), our focus and fight here has always been upon what his positions, practices, and policies will produce (repeatedly addressed in the Norris syndicated column-- http://townhall.com/Columnists/ChuckNorris). I believe Dr. Dobson spoke quite prophetically in a “fictional letter” when he wrote recently of what a 2012 Obama America would yield... http://freedomthirst.com/documents/10-22-08_2012letter.pdf

In an Obama nation, my personal prayer now (already this morning) is threefold: (1) that people would never forget our real hope (audacious or otherwise) is in God not government; (2) that churches would at last reawaken and realize, as Edmund Burke said that evil really does flourish when good men do nothing, and that politics are equally an area in which we are called to be light and salt (just as any mission field of darkness), and, though severely corrupt in areas, is not “dirty” arenas that we are to avoid; (3) that Christians and churches would place more focus to encourage and reconnect ourselves and others to our Founders’ America, in which the church served as the moral agent and conscience of the nation. As I told the Norrises here, in an Obama America, the content in Black Belt Patriotism is needed all the more as a resource and guide, because, at its heart and goal, are these three things. There will be no reawakening of America without God’s church—revival can’t happen independent of Her. And the good news is that the darker society (government) gets, the more obvious (brighter) the church will become—if she accepts her responsibility as salt/light and quits turning away from civic service as the “dirty stepchild” of ministry. The Norrises (and I, I suppose) will be spending lots of time, in a concentrated way over the Christmas season starting in a couple weeks, with an intentional focus on Christian media and God’s Church addressing those very facts and needs, accompany the wide Christian distribution of his book across the country in Christian bookstores and on the web (www.cbd.com)
Got hope? Don’t look to men. Psalm 31:24: “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD.”
Still fighting for God and country,
Chaplain Todd

Breaking points

I dont really have much to say today, but as I read all my other pals blogs, I start to see a trend. Many have expressed that they have hit their breaking point. Im there. I went from being excited because today is my Friday (I now work 4 tens) and planning a "field trip" to the park with Reed and his dad to hitting a wall of exhaustion, frustration and almost tears as I got a call from my mom saying Reed was running a 102 temperature and has been lethargic all day. (He had the barfs last weekend, but I thought we were over it. )

I know that isn't a huge deal, but it seems with everything else piled on, I too am hitting my breaking point.

Add to this, a little too much election coverage, a little too much "history" in the form of some articles explaining that the steps leading up to the Nazi party in Germany very much mirror the circumstances our country is facing and the hard reality that my personal financial circumstances (which were difficult before) may become monsterous as the economy falls apart. And I cant find a logical solution. I can see the stress in my fathers eyes as he wonders "Am I always going to have to supplement Emily in raising Reed? I don't have that many more Pepsi years left in this old body...." He never says anything to me, but I can see it in his eyes. He doesn't joke about me supporting him retirement years anymore.

On the flip side, I just finished a Glenn Beck article where he talked about what we should do now. I laughed as he took basic gospel teachings (things we have been hearing for years) like planting a garden, living within our means, family night, and getting an education and presented them in a "non threatening" secular way. I love Glenn. He has been to hell and back and can sing the song of redemption. He understands the atonement. But in his article, he reminded me that in times where we hit the breaking point, those of us who are wise, return to the basics, return to what we know and are sufficiently humbled to return to our God for a renewal of strength.

After reading about Christal's nightly scriptures and prayers with her little family, I realized that I needed to be doing that with Reed. So every night we get on the "big bed" and I hand him his night time book to hold while I read a chapter from the Book of Mormon out loud. Then we have our prayers and get to read the Goodnight book Grandma and Papa Thompson gave him for his birthday. Anyway, last night we were reading about Sariah who was complaining that her boys must have died in the wilderness when they went back for the plates and didn't understand why her husband had to be a visionary man. It made me laugh. Poor Sariah. She must have been a pillar to have even made it that far....

Anyway, they finally returned and she realized her error in murmuring against God and her husbands obedience. She remembered what she had known all along... That God would provide a way to keep his commandments. She just needed to have the faith and the patience to see herself through to the end of the story (or that chapter of her story.... another one always seems to start after one ends :)

I guess what I am saying, as I am weary and I am tired and anxious about the future (and as I know so many others are...) We just need to go back to basics and take everything a step at a time. Follow the prophets, trust the Lord, and be patient. (Oh thats the hardest part for me, the hardest part....) Turn to what you know, return to the basics and remember that the Lord has an eye out for us all... Nope scratch that, the Lord has His hand stretched out TO US ALL.

YOU MUST SEE THIS GUYS

Maybe Ive been watching too much Glenn Beck. But I am furious about all this bailout garbage. Now that being said, YOU MUST WATCH THIS UTUBE VIDEO.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheMouthPeace?ob=1

This just solidifies my vote. Obama is scary. Socialist Scary. A BIG OLD LIAR. I cant scream it loud enough.

How many "unfortunate" aquaintences can one person have? Rev. Wright that hates the US and preaches against the "whities"?, the crazy bomber guy that terrorizes the US, ACORN?, or those people that want to break off anything south of the mason dixon and become their own country.... It never stops. I cannot stomach to look at the man anymore.

And after watching the video you see all his connections to Fannie and Freddie and how he and the other democrats rode the company down and collected millions for it. EVEN PRESIDENT CLINTON SPOKE OUT AGAINST THEM!!! President,"I didn't have sexual relations with that woman" Clinton tried to warn them.

Right now, Hillary is looking like a damn good alternative. At least with the Clinton's we know what to expect. I could handle another 4 even 8 years of the Clintons--- if the country must have a Democrat (because, you know, its the Republicans fault the economy is falling apart. Not useless Pelosi, not Barney Frank --who should be incarcerated in my opinion) But if we must have a Democrat... why the HELL does it have to be Obama!!! Its a nightmare!!!!

So watch it, try not to throw up. I want to I get so angry when I watch it. The gaul the Dems had when they acted all insulted that the government would even waste their time investigating inconsistancies in Fannie's and Freddie's books. How they swore there was nothing wrong. That we were trying to fix something that wasn't broken. Well guess what... They are all a bunch of LIARS and once again.... Omaba is all over in the scandal. How anyone could ever want to vote for him is insanity.

Now Im not a huge fan of McCain. Im not convinced I can even call myself a Republican. But honestly... OBAMA is not the solution, he is not the change we need. He is a nightmare and will strip and tax away everything this country stood for. EVERYTHING!!!

PS Hey all you gov officials, nice to see how the bailout worked out so well for us all, I didn't think my 401K could be any more useless than it already was, then I saw the DOW drop even more yesterday. Glad you all came in and spent my 700 billion and saved us.

Bush Bashing??

So the more I read the more infuriated I have become with the media in general. So here is my take on politics. Poor President Bush has become the "whipping boy" for every problem going on in our current society. So just a little ammo for the poor guy... Check this out. The big housing crisis was not created on his watch, it the mess from decisions from as far back as 1992. (Clinton's term) See below courtesy of my buddy Glenn Beck:

"It’s one of the hidden success stories of the Clinton era. In the great housing boom of the 1990s, black and Latino homeownership has surged to the highest level ever recorded. The number of African Americans owning their own home is now increasing nearly three times as fast as the number of whites; the number of Latino homeowners is growing nearly five times as fast as that of whites.In 1992, [a majority Democratic] Congress mandated that Fannie and Freddie increase their purchases of mortgages for low-income and medium-income borrowers. Operating under that requirement, Fannie Mae, in particular, has been aggressive and creative in stimulating minority gains. It has aimed extensive advertising campaigns at minorities that explain how to buy a home and opened three dozen local offices to encourage lenders to serve these markets. Most importantly, Fannie Mae has agreed to buy more loans with very low down payments–or with mortgage payments that represent an unusually high percentage of a buyer’s income.

That’s made banks willing to lend to lower-income families they once might have rejected.The top priority may be to ask more of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The two companies are now required to devote 42% of their portfolios to loans for low- and moderate-income borrowers; HUD, which has the authority to set the targets, is poised to propose an increase this summer.

Although Fannie Mae actually has exceeded its target since 1994, it is resisting any hike. It argues that a higher target would only produce more loan defaults by pressuring banks to accept unsafe borrowers. "

So Mr. Pesident. You have gained a few points in my eyes. And I am sorry that you have become the most hated President in history at least in part because we live in a society that does not believe in personal responsibility

9-11

I know it is a bit trite, but I just thought I would take a second for the memory of 9-11. I was channel surfing, looking for reruns of Sarah's big first interview and stopped at MSNBC as they were playing the feed from 9-11. It was strange to watch again. Strange because it brought back all of those feelings.
I didn't get to watch much of the continuous coverage as I was in Montana and part of me is thankful that I didn't have the overexposure. But the little I did see shocked me and left me with an uncertainty for the tomorrows. Being so far from home, I remember feeling especially vulnerable. I made a couple "illegal" phone calls just to grasp on to whatever constants I could find. Yes, of course I knew my family wasn't directly affected but just hearing my moms voice helps stabalize me. Of course I also worried for those I knew that were in the service. And made another call to what was then a second family to see what would it would mean for their very devoted army serving family. What would happen to them? But even more than that, the world stood still and I had too much time to wonder.... What were all of the not obvious ramifications of 9-11?
Now 7 years later, we are much more used to the changes it brought. Some have even forgotten what even brought about those changes. Some don't even remember what life was like before. Now I dont want to get over dramatic, but so much has changed in our world post 9-11.
I think part of the innocence in me died, and I realized just how fragile our lives were. But it also brought about an understanding of what it meant to be free and safe. It helped me to have an adult understanding of patriotism and respect for those that came before and those that currently served our country.
I dont really know where I am going with this. But its funny how some of the most horrible things that happen in life bring about change, prod us to grow up, remind us that there is a bigger picture. And in the face of such devistation and nightmares, we often find opportunities for us to witness the "beauty for ashes". And the heroes that rise to the challenge and meet the nightmares unflinching. And so while I hope never to see such distruction and horrors again in my lifetime, I hope that if I am ever faced with it, that I will be one of those that can rise above and only let those experiences change me for the better.