Boston

Ok....really? Bombs go off on Patriots day at the Boston Marathon and the media soon start blaming right-wing terrorists, calling people on the far right domestic terrorists or that republicans are responsible because they have been blocking the appointment of a new ATF director. That must be in the job description to go right to attack talking points whenever tragedy happens. It's sad to say that one of my initial reactions, after how horrible and crazy this was, was wondering how the media and politicians will jump to use this for political gain or attack, what freedoms will they aim at taking now? Sadly, I was right in thinking that. The upside down crazy of what's happening to America is so frustrating. You don't have to look far to find liberal contradictions. I was listening to one report where the person talking said within moments of each other that we will see lots of people taking credit for this etc. and then a few sentences later said no one might claim credit for this. They can't even stay consistent in the same breath. This is just one more political opportunity for them. They need to step back and have some respect for those victims involved. Good Grief!

Freedoms

Enough already. This discussion on gun control is growing old. Some of us "get it" and the rest of America that doesn't, need to wake up. No society that has had their gun rights taken from them has survived in tact. Taking away guns from the citizens will only bring more violence to the streets. It's not like criminals and thugs will hand over their weapons.(Truthfully I'm more concerned with the government having weapons against us than criminals, although lately, what's the difference) The illogical reasons of the the liberal argument is almost laughable if the consequences weren't so devastating. Maybe we should take away knives and baseball bats, how about ropes too. I love the satire comic of someone leaving their gun on the porch alone and surprised when they get home how lazy their gun was to not have shot anything all day. The lack of morals in a society is the problem not the weapon used.

Once again the founders had it right. We have the right to bear arms and they knew that was in part for protection against tyranny. They clearly made that a priority for a reason. One of the first things governments do to get control is take away our ability to defend ourselves. They can call it whatever they want, use any excuse in the book why guns should be limited, but it all comes down to control and their insane desire to have total control of the people. Let's not kid ourselves with thinking their desire will end with this one control or that, each law or restriction is just one more step in the path to changing America. It's been happening little by little, but it seems lately those seeking power are trying to grab it a little faster. The American frog in the pot is starting to notice, and I can only hope, jumps out soon.

Like I said before...society in America is turning upside down. Christians and patriots are treated like terrorists and terrorists are treated like friENDs.

Upside Down

The other day I was at my niece's birthday party. A comment was made about how different the parties are now. Gone are the big packages, toys, and barbies. All the four cousins are now teenagers and their birthday parties are cards and gift cards. Instead of playing with toys they go in the basement and curl each other's hair or watch clips on youtube. It made me think how fast things change and usually change is good. In essence they are still the same girls just more mature and interested in the things teens are interested in. Their core values haven't changed.

It's not quite the same story for America. We are a young country as countries go, but if you look over the last century of change, there has been good things and bad things. We have grown and matured but we are loosing the essence of what makes America America. We were born as a Christian nation (despite how the liberals and progressives try to rewrite history). We have our faults and struggles but the base foundation of America has been families and churches. We didn't suddenly flip upside down, it was a slow and deliberate process led by those who don't like what our country stands for. We are unique in the world in many ways, with our freedoms, our pioneer spirit, our caring for fellow man. When we have God and families we are able to stand strong against atrocities and attacks from any enemy. Without strong families, it's difficult to raise strong people.

Slowly over the last century there has been a calculated attempt to remove those two foundations of America because they understand that without God and strong nuclear families we as America are weak. Just to name some examples; Darwin--trying to take God out of the picture of how humankind came to be, prayer out of school, making divorce easier and more common, women's lib movement-devaluing the role of wife and mother, abortions, gay marriage-to destroy the definition of marriage, over used social programs like welfare--nanny state, BIG government and victim mentality. All of these seek to remove God, destroy the family and devalue human life. Without the guiding hand of God and strong families our nation will fall victim to control by those who seek only control and not the welfare of it's people. The more people that think they can only be taken care of by the government or only want the government to take care of them, the faster this country will fail. It degrades America's strong work ethic that helped build our nation. It's disheartening to see this happening and how blinded so many are to the reality.

The separation of church and state is a myth that so many tout to remove God from America. It's a myth because it's not in the constitution as they say, nor was it even close to the intentions the founders had. The constitution protects the people from a government run religion and protects religion from being infringed upon by government. They had no intention to keep God out of government and actually leaned heavily on the Bible in forming the constitution and other founding documents. (Although in today's society, most religions are readily accepted by liberals EXCEPT Christianity which is vilified at every turn..hmmm something to ponder why)

The only true statement I've ever heard uttered from the current president has been that he wants to FUNDAMENTALLY change America and that's exactly what he's trying to do; and take as many rights and freedoms away as he can while burying us under heavy government induced burdens. Any high and lofty sounding goals he utters are lies and hypocritical. Those "progressives" that came before him have laid the foundation for this degradation of America making it possible for him to deceive. We need to wake up and smell the evil.

My hope is that we can pull together to stop from being turned totally upside down and return to the foundations America was built on. Go back to when our constitution meant something to the leaders and not a bendable thing to be changed by their whim. Our kids deserve to have the American dream as much as our ancestors enjoyed it.

Tattered Flag

The other day at work I looked out the classroom window at the flags flapping in the snowy wind. The edges of the American flag were frayed and tattered. I just stared. I stared because the the image there so exemplifies what our country is going through right now. Even the flag is worn out and sad. It's a vivid picture of the state of our union. The founding fathers tried to worn us, yet we have not heeded.


It seems we are coming apart at the seams. If we are not careful we will irrevocably unravel completely. We are slowly loosing our freedom, our selves. It seems so many have lost what it means to be America, the ideals we were founded on. It's hard to understand how people cannot see the deception, lies, and corruption that leads this nation. Attempts to bring to light the wrongs leads to being banished by the very ones who fear the light. I feel like we could shout from the mountaintops the truth and yet no one hears. Many are so blinded that they may believe the most outrageous lie told to their face. I keep thinking this will get better, America will wake up to this disguised and deceptive takeover of our constitution and liberties, but I'm not so sure. I still hope. The Bible does say that what is wrong will be viewed right, what's good will be viewed bad. I can see that being true in our world today. Just like the the flag I saw, we as a country are a torn and tattered nation right now; but the one thing I can be sure of is, God is in control. No matter how much this world tries to erase God from existence, they will never succeed. America IS Beautiful...who do you think made it that way!

It's been Awhile

Seems like ages since I last wrote. So much has happened since October. I was amazed beyond words that we the Americans voted to keep someone, so inept at leading, in office. The more I watch news and talk, the more disheartened I get. Some people truly believe that our country is doing well, going in the right direction. As misguided as that is,they are entitled to their opinions. What is frustrating are those who vote blindly without knowing anything about any candidate. They vote merely on the wave of popularity or political correctness. I've seen people asked if they agree with certain views, which they do, and in actuality those views are the opposite of the person they support. Mind boggling. Something I heard over Christmas was...it's hard to defeat Santa Claus. That couldn't be more true. America is in for a rude awakening if we continue on the path we are on. We are creating a society of entitlement seekers. People want something for nothing. They want others to work hard so they can get handouts. That is a path that leads to destruction of our country, the coffers will eventually become empty. We can't go on spending without creating ways and incentives for people to excel and grow business.

The latest bandwagon now is gun control. Our freedoms are slowly being chipped away. The Second Amendment is there to protect us, but it is being attacked.It was one of the basic rights our founders saw as a need to keep us free. Guns don't kill people. It's the decay of society that lead people to kill, and with many methods besides guns. I would hazard to guess that more people had guns in the home in the last centuries than now. Most boys would get one growing up, more families depended on hunting, or just to have for security. We didn't have mass shootings and murders then to the extent we do now. Why is that? It's not the amount of guns, or the kind of guns, it's the society devaluing life and demonizing traditional family values. Each freedom they keep trying to slowly slide under the rug, the closer we are to loosing our republic.

Our country was founded on Biblical values and set up to protect our religious rights and freedoms. It is slowly and systematically being fundamentally changed.

October

I love fall and October is one of my favorite months. This year has been an interesting one with all that's going on. I have been wanting to comment on the election, but it's hard to know where to start. Watching the debates is truly an interesting and frustrating experience. One thing for sure, I'm glad they are done. The amount of delusion in the media is disheartening. The lying that goes on and lack of professionalism is depressing. I don't know how this president can say we are stronger and better than 4 years ago. He is in complete denial. I sure hope America has enough sense to vote to save America with a new leader who knows how to get things done and bring honor and freedom back to America. It's not worth getting into details now and far more effort than I have to give at the moment. Looking forward to the election and being done with all this!
All in all no matter what happens, the only stabilizing comforting fact to hang on to is the fact...God is in control. Nothing that happens here in politics matters to eternity. What's really important is people and relationships..with each other and with God. We know who wins in the end.

October also signals the nearing of the end of bike season for me. It's been a good year biking and I'm sad to be close to hanging up the bike. I'm trying to squeeze in any last little rides when the weather is cooperative. I know some ride into the freezing weather but I'm not quite that hardcore.
This summer I aimed for 500 miles and went over 1000. I biked in and through 8 cities, seen countless beautiful sights and sadly numerous roadkill things from tiny frogs and turtles to birds, squirrels, raccoon, and even one HUGE turtle. I've seen many deer and a wolf (or coyote, not sure) cross my path, and screamed out at almost running over several snakes. (Did you know squirrels like to dart in front of bikes as well as cars?...no wonder they get hit so much! so surprised at squirrels darting in front of me) I've gotten dusty, wet feet, sun beaten and rained on. Battled winds and energy draining humidity and collapsed once barely making it to shade on the side of the road. Listened to volumes of music and come across scores of friendly bikers, runners, walkers, and horseback riders. Gone on dirt roads, side roads, busy roads and lonely roads. My longest single trip was 51 miles and I wouldn't trade all the riding for anything. I'll try to find a way to get through the winter exercising inside and look forward to dusting off the bike next spring. I'm glad to have rediscovered the joy of biking. It's such a freeing experience and turns ho hum to yee haa. I have my special little buddy to thank for that...getting me biking at the end of last summer, and liking car rides so much that I ended up using those routes on many of my rides.
I plan to soak in all the remaining fall before we get buried in snow. Winter's not sooo bad..just lasts too long :)

Scouts

I'm a little behind in reading some of my magazines, so today I was reading an old Citizen magazine from last October. The article was about the Girl Scouts. Now I was a Brownie and a Girl Scout growing up and had fun doing it. As an adult I have learned that the Girl Scouts have drastically departed from their roots. I gathered the following information from the article. The Girl Scouts began in the early part of the 20th Century. According to the first handbook it was meant to help girls develop "honor, duty, loyalty, kindness, comradeship, purity, cheerfulness and thrift." Former Girl Scout Jane Chastain says now "the Girl Scouts have become a training ground for the left-wing feminist agenda." In 1974 the co-founder of the National Organization for Women was asked to join the board. She transformed the Girl Scouts to a liberal organization that connects itself to the ERA and Planned Parenthood among others. It's become more of a political movement that has lost the focus of it's original intent. Some local troops don't follow the leadership of the national group, but are still associated with them. Basically they still do their own thing without stuffing liberal agenda into the girls. As for cookie sales, only a small amount actually goes to the troop that does the work of selling them.

I recently bought some popcorn to support a local Boy Scout troop. I'm proud of the Boy Scouts for standing up to the liberal attacks and attempts to change them and disintegrate their core values. The Girl Scouts on the other hand have caved to the pressure and changes and no longer stand by the values with which the Girl Scouts were intended. I haven't bought cookies in years because the money goes to support women's rights movements and a pro-choice agenda. Sure there are good things in the Girl Scouts, but it's unfortunate that the pot has been spoiled by politics.

Some have started a new group for girls called American Heritage Girls, founded in 1995. I heard about them years ago, but there weren't any local chapters. It sounds like a great group, seeking to build integrity and values in girls. It's still small compared to the Girl Scouts, but I think they have the right idea.

What's Beautiful in America

I'm switching gears a little bit today. I want to draw attention some people in this world that are very beautiful. I see them everyday. Our lives and, specifically, my life would be so much less without them. Special needs kids, disabled kids, delayed...whatever you want to call them...to me they are just kids. I can't imagine an America..a world.. without them. There are those who would like to push them aside, or claim they don't have quality of life. I say...who are they to judge what someone's quality of life is. You could have all the skills and abilities, a boatload of money or fame and have no quality of life. Quality is much more than what the standards of the world may be. The kids in my life mean the world to me. Whenever I hear a story about accomplishments, achievements of any kind, it fills my heart with joy.
I don't see a kid in a wheelchair, I see a superstar.
I don't see a boy struggling to write his name, I see a fighter pushing the limits.
I don't see a girl garbling her words, I see a song being sung.
I don't see a child with a deformity, I see a beautiful creation of God.
I see a blessing in each one.

These kids, that some like to pass by, have SO much to give, so much to teach, and so much joy to give others. My life is much richer from all the cherubs I know. I'm grateful for the privilege to know each one, no matter their abilities or difficulties. Sure there are good days and bad days, but who among us doesn't have both as well. They can play baseball, sing a song; wrestle with their brothers; gobble down a pizza...not so different, just different ways.

Sometimes it's hard for them to communicate, so take the time to try to understand. Someone may not be able to talk but if you take the time to look, you'll see a multitude of communication in other ways. I wouldn't trade my experience with these awesome kids for anything. They are each a blessing.
One little guy I know can't talk, but he fills the lives around him with such joy. He has a great sense of humor and loves to giggle and tease. He has so much inside to share, but just has a hard time getting it out. If you take the time to try, it's awesome when he gets his point across to you. I'm amazed at his ingenuity in communicating. I see what he Can do, and help him with the things he can't. We teach him, but almost more so, he teaches us.
It doesn't matter how much someone can do, or what they can do, they contribute in their own special way. Each of us does. See the ability, not a disability. In many ways we are all the same. We all have value and importance in this world.

Having people with all levels of skills and abilities is one of the things I think makes America Beautiful.

AmeriCANs

It seems that whenever I bike it puts me in a nostalgic mood. There is something about cruising through cornfields and neighborhoods that makes me think of America. I listen to many styles of music as I ride, from 1940's big bands, oldies from the 50's to moving praise songs and upbeat Christian pop. As this wide variety randomly plays through my travels it takes me back to another time or place. There is so much great about our country, but in our crazy busy lives we sometimes forget. I love the different sites I come across; horseback riders, kids playing outside, people hard at work in their yard or farm; splashing in a pool, even a cute dog hanging out the window of a car at a stoplight (and the driver even saying hello), a baseball field being built, a soccer game being played, families of all ages on a walk or bike ride together, and the list goes on.

Sometimes I long for the the days before my time..pioneer days, or the 1940's, 1950's when life was simpler. I love all the advances in technology and practical everyday inventions we have now, but sometimes they get in the way. We don't have the leisure and patience of old, nor sometimes the creativity kids had when they had to make up their own fun.

American's are can do people. We started this country with a strong pioneer spirit and to some extent that ethic is still with us. The immigrants that arrived on Ellis Island with nothing but a few belongings and their family, then go on to build a life, a business, a legacy. The young boy in the slums works hard at school and life and pulls himself out of poverty and builds a life for himself and his family. A single parent working hard to better the life for her children. If we stop watching the news and just watch our neighborhoods we see America. People working hard, taking care of their kids, helping their neighbor on a project, bringing a meal to someone in need, that's what America is. I love how when people are in need, the churches and communities jump right in to help.

The 11th anniversary of 911 is tomorrow. Do you remember how we all came together as one nation? Nothing mattered but standing up for our nation and taking care of each other. The things that really matter in life are right here in our schools and churches and towns; the people in our lives. At times we seem to lose our way, some times longer than others, but we always seem to fight back to where we belong. Everyday life in America is a precious thing.
Our country was founded as a great experiment. We are one of a kind, and I hope and pray we can keep what was built over 200 years ago. We can do it, if we remember what this country means and stand true to our founding fathers dreams. We need more patriots and patriotism in America. We need not apologize for our place in the world and all the good we have done. (yes I know there are dark days in our past, but we are human and far from perfect) We need to teach our kids history so they know where they come from. It's good to keep ethnic traditions and identities, but we need to remember we are one nation..together...not divided. We are people, created by God, and it matters not what color or size we are, culture, beliefs,or background we come from, we're just people. Americans. This country was founded by faithful men seeking to honor God and give rights and freedoms to the people. I'm thankful they sacrificed so much for our sake.

President Woodrow Wilson said,
"A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do. We are trying to do a futile thing if we don’t know where we have come from or what we have been about."

Lies

I foolishly turned on DNC in the middle of Obama's speech. I don't think I lasted 5 minutes listening to the lies before I had to turn it off. It's unfathomable what they are willing to say, don't believe a word of it, and then go out and do the opposite. Although I do agree with one statement he made. He said this election is a very clear choice between two very different viewpoints. He's right in that but very deceptively portrays the side he is on. In just those few minutes he claims republicans aren't clear on any plan on how to fix the economy, when that is a more accurate description of himself. He hides everything. He said 4 years ago he would be transparent, which he is not. I don't have the energy to elaborate on that one, the list would be too exhaustive. I watched some on the street interviews where people actually said they would support an Obama plan to ban corporate profits. Oh my, they don't want business to make money. That sounds a little scary to me. Another reporter went around asking people if they support choice, the answers were all yes, a woman has a right to choose what to do with their body. But, when he asked if people should be able to choose what light bulb to use, they said NO, because it harms the planet. Or asked if people should be able to choose what soda they drink or how much fat, they say ok to ban. You shouldn't be able to choose things if it's bad for you, you have to choose things that are good for you, you shouldn't be able to choose whether to be in a union or not, can't choose schools if they are not good schools...aka for profit, charter, etc.. the insanity of the contradictions reaches every area of the liberal mind. It's amazing to me how they can say one thing one minute and the complete opposite a day later and think nothing of it. Like Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley,who said we are not better off than 4 years ago, and comes back the next day and says yes of course we are better off..hmmm guessing he got a call from someone who told him to stick to the party lie..oops I mean line. How about Obama saying if he couldn't fix the economy in 4 years he wouldn't run....how about keeping that promise. Liberals complain that GW Bush added 4 trillion to the debt..keep in mind that he did that in EIGHT years and in wartime. Obama added 5 trillion in THREE years, I can't imagine how high it would be if he got more time to run it up. It's sad so many intelligent people buy in to their lies.

Repeats

I saw a video online today that did comparisons with Obama speeches in 2008 and in 2012 and they are virtually identical. They included things he wanted to do, promises he made. One could ask the questions; one..why can't he come up with anything new? and more importantly, why hasn't he done anything about those yet? I would speculate it is because he never planned to nor does he now. He is very good at saying what people want to hear, and very good and doing whatever he pleases. I don't think I have the stomach to watch any of the convention this week, though I may check the news some. They don't have anything to run on so they attack. People need to take the blinders off and see him for what he really is. He wants change, but the change he wants is to fundamentally change our country from what makes it great. Ok...done ranting.

Freedoms

I did a lot of biking this summer. In my travels I bike past cornfields, ball fields, farms, and towns. One cannot help but ponder the beauty of our country and American ideals in the midst of this scenery. I think about the hard working pioneers that built this nation, and long to go back to a time when things were simple; when people worked hard for what they earned, helped those in their community, and communed with their neighbors..just to name a few. Our ability to build this country was based in the freedoms and liberties that allowed us to do so. Americans are hard working and bursting with ingenuity. Lately though, I'm afraid. We are slowing becoming lazy, a country of victims, self-centered and godless.
The politics of today seems like a lose lose. No one party has all the answers, but I sense this election coming up is a crucial turning point for us. As I see it, the issues everyone is talking about; jobs, economy, marriage, education, and more are just secondary to what is at stake this time around. We need to put differences aside and choose a president that is not trying to destroy our freedoms. The current president is slowly growing government, spending us into a black hole and stealing our freedoms. He will have no restraints if he gets four more years because there is no election looming after him. In a hot mike situation he made this comment " "This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility," Obama implored. Obama assured the departing Russian President he will have the "flexibility" required to deal with missile defense issues after the 2012 presidential election." Here is a very telling quote to give that more reality; "We cannot expect Americans to jump from capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving Americans small doses of socialism until they suddenly awake to find they have Communism."
   -Soviet Leader Nikita Khrushchev, 1959

If that doesn't scare you into voting out Obama, I don't know what will. We need Democrat voters to take a break from the party line and vote for our country. They may not agree with conservative views, but I hope they believe in America. Vote Democrat for anything else but president and find a better nominee in the 2016 election, but this year we need to come together as Americans to save our freedoms. If given the chance, Obama will stop at nothing to tear down our American spirit and sugarcoat it with niceties along the way. We need to be watchful of the lies and deceit that are ever present in his world. Healthcare is just one of the steps already taken to bring government more into our homes and take away our freedoms. We won't have an America left if he is able to continue his failures and lies. Yes we have many problems to fix in America, but you don't get a car running good by taking off it's wheels. We can't make America great by taking away our Freedoms.

Sad Times

It saddens me to see the direction our country is moving. I cleared out everything I had in this blog, to start over. I have finally figured out a focus to write about. With an historic election coming up, I feel the need to express, vent or otherwise educate about the issues. There is so much to delve into it's hard to know where to start. People need to see the big issue involved here. The very basis our country was founded on is in jeopardy. Those who would support the president, I feel aren't looking at the big picture. They look as specific things and the outcomes for them. We need to see the big picture of our freedoms being taken away. The age old question; are we better off now than four years ago. No. This president has dragged our country through the mud. Frankly, other than power, I don't know why he wanted to be president. He despises our country and all that we stand for. He apologizes for us around the world. He does whatever he can to tear this county apart and destroy our freedoms that we fought and died for. This is the year to gather together and fight to keep America strong, keep our freedoms intact, and shrink the government back to where the founders intended.