A Rose By Any Other Name

"It's not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

Barack H. Obama (11 APR 08)

Obama, San Francisco, APR 2008

Most of us remember this quote by then Senator Obama to a group of Democratic supporters at a fundraiser in San Francisco, referring to the hardworking, middle-class workers of the mid-West. It angered honest, hardworking, gun owners, and people of faith. The words he chose were specific. This man does not throw words around haphazardly. He is a skilled orator, that understands the impact of words. He chooses them like a builder who chooses material for a home. He then assembles them to construct an image he wishes to portray. In this one statement, he outlined, in my opinion, his agenda for his presidential term. Guns. Religion. Anti-immigrant. Anti-trade. It illustrates a spiritual, philosophical, ideological, and anthropological change to this great Country. Let's examine it a bit closer by looking at the words he chose.

Guns. Do we really need to expand on his anti-gun stance? He is on record numerous times voicing his desire for new "common sense" gun laws, i.e. restriction, registration, and recovery (seizure and confiscation). His remarks yesterday, while the scene was still hot, called for gun control measures. "There are some steps we could take--not to eliminate every one of these mass shootings--but to improve the odds that they don't happen as frequently. Common sense gun safety laws, stronger background checks….What we do know is that there are steps we can take to make Americans safer and that we should come together in a bi-partisan basis on every level of government." He essentially wants to rewrite the Constitution. Just a thought, but should we not be more interested in the motive of these killers and not dwell on the means they used to accomplish their mission?

Religion. The USA was founded upon Judeo-Christian beliefs. We are known around the globe as a Christian nation. Obama sought to change this. In a CBS interview in 2007, he said, "Whatever we once were, we are no longer a Christian nation." In 2009, while holding a press conference in Turkey he said, "(we Americans) no longer consider ourselves a Christian nation." While speaking at the Summit to Counter Violent Extremism--Obama-speak for Islamic Terrorists--earlier this year, he "fabricated" this statement: "Islam has been woven into the fabric of our country since its founding." I guess his history books were no better than his geography books; remember his answer about hoping to visit all 57 states?  In the same speech, be "spun thus yarn". "As I've noted before. Thomas Jefferson once held a sunset dinner here with an envoy from Tunisia--perhaps the first Iftar at the White House, more than 200 years ago. And some of you, as you arrived tonight, may have seen our special display, courtesy of our friends at the Library of Congress---the Holy Quran that belonged to Thomas Jefferson. And that's a reminder, along with the generation of patriotic Muslims in America, that Islam---like so many faiths---is part of our national story," It is almost like the feel-good movie of the Summer, but it is not true. None of it is. The first mosque was not erected until 1913. There was a meeting between Sidi Solima Mellimelli regarding the pirates of the Barbary Coast. I am sure you recognize the lyric "...to the shores of Tripoli". Yep, the Barbary Coast. We were fighting "violent extremism" even then.

Let's not forget the attacks on Christianity. Forced contraception in healthcare. Religious beliefs trumped by same-sex marriage. Preventing military chaplains from praying in "Jesus" name or reading from the Bible. Misinterpreting the Crusades by equating them to acts of "violent extremism". To this Redneck, it is clear to see the "writing on the wall" (read Daniel Chapter 5), this President and by extension, progressive liberals, want to limit your right to worship as you want.

After the Umpqua College shooting, President Obama said, "Our thoughts and prayers are not enough." The cover of New York Daily Post says, "God Isn't Fixing This" mocking the Christians that offered prayer. It is funny, I believe a hashtag making the rounds on social media just a few weeks ago read #PrayForParis. I guess prayer is acceptable for others but not here in the US.

Anti-Immigrant. For the longest, if an individual was not in the US legally, they were called "illegal aliens". This administration forced a narrative of referring to them as "undocumented immigrants". In the last few weeks, they have evolved into referring all immigrants, legal and illegal, as "pilgrims". Words are important. This administration has not done any measurable amount of work to seal our borders. Instead, they give illegal aliens a free pass. Sanctuary cities. Kate Steinle was shot and killed by an illegal alien in San Francisco, a sanctuary city.

Anti-trade. Here we see his administration opening up relations with Iran and Cuba. Then we have the TPP, Trans-Pacific Partnership. This, like the Iran deal, was done in secret. Both sides of the aisle had supporters and detractors, but no one knew what was in it. Yet, Obama wants this deal before he leaves office. We have to "pass it to see what's in it". The political equivalent of Schrodinger's Cat. It is both Good and Bad until you open it up. Most free trade agreements are political kryptonite. Good ones make US companies more profitable. Bad ones put many blue-collar workers out of jobs. Those that lose their jobs would then need some sort of government assistance to help make ends meet. More government dependence. The trade agreement would allow for more H-1B Visas, essentially allowing companies to hire foreign workers on a temporary basis, 3 to 5 years. Disney was doing this for some of their tech workers, but public outcry forced their change of mind.

 

Of course, no trade agreement discussion would be complete without mentioning the Keystone Pipeline and Climate Change. This president was against the Pipeline simply to satisfy his Far-Left environmentalists and friends that own railroads. Read up on that.  Climate change, specifically the man-made variety is a farce. Regardless, this president believes it is the single largest threat to our national security. Mr. President, Climate Change did not kill people in San Bernardino, CA. It did not kill people in Paris. It did not kill people in Chattanooga. It is not the reason Christians, Jews, homosexuals, and anyone that is not the right type of Muslim to be killed by horrific manners in the mid-East.

Mr. President, I am a God-fearing, Bible-believing, Gun-Loving, Redneck Marine, that believes in American exceptionalism, but sadly, it has lost its way. Too many people want something given to them--that they are entitled to it--and do not want to work for what they have. We have turned our backs on our Creator and allowed immoral behavior to direct our path. This great country was founded on the beliefs of common to Judaism and Christianity. The Bill of Rights, rights conveyed to us by our Creator, is not a list of privileges granted to us or earned from by a central government. You appear to have taken on the role of a Muslim apologist. What are your motives? Another of o

ur presidents had a different take on Islam. John Quincy Adams: "The precept of the Koran is perpetual war against all who deny that Mahomet (Muhammad) is the prophet of God. The vanquished may purchase their lives, by the payment of tribute; the victorious may be appeased by a false and delusive promise of peace; and the faithful follower of the prophet may submit to the imperious necessities of defeat: but the command to propagate the Moslem creed by the sword is always obligatory when it can be made effective. The commands of the prophet may be performed alike, by fraud, or by force."

Mr. President, you chose your words carefully. You are a crafty wordsmith. Choosing to call Islamic Terrorists anything other than what it is, is merely an attempt to minimize the impact. You are trying to transform this great country into a weaker, government-dependent, nation. It is like you want to knock us down a bit. Your words have foreshadowed this. I remind you of another crafty wordsmith, the Bard of Avon, and his words, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." I will use my words and deeds to stop you.

"Such is the spirit, which governs the hearts of men, to whom treachery and violence are taught as principles of religion."

John Quincy Adams

"The Lord Helps Those That Help Themselves"

Baskett"s Illustrated 1717 Elephant Folio "Vinegar Bible", including six engraved maps.

Alex, I will take "Things Not in the Bible but That Won't Stop Me From Saying So" for 5 Million (illegal aliens)".

One thing we know for sure: The Madrassas Obama studied at as a young child did not teach American History or the Holy Bible. Remember in 2008 on the campaign trail he boasts he had "...been in 57 states--I think one left to go"? In 2011, while in Honolulu, he said Hawai'i was part of Asia. However, these pale in comparison with his two recent attempts at quoting the Bible.

In his prime-time address a couple of weeks ago he said this: "Scripture tells us that we shall not oppress a stranger--for we know the heart of a stranger--we were strangers once, too. My fellow Americans, we are and always will be a nation of immigrants. We were strangers once, too."

Earlier this week in Nashville he offered this: "The good book says don't throw stones at glass houses, or make sure we're looking at the log in our eye before we are pointing out the mote in other folks eyes." He also drew an analogy of the Christmas story of Joseph and Mary implying they were strangers in a foreign land and no one would give them refuge.

My first observation is his aversion to referring to the Holy Bible as such or simply "The Bible". Instead, he uses euphemisms like "scripture" and "good book". Why can't he call it what it is? He has no problem quoting surahs and referring to the Qu'ran as 'The Holy Qur'an'.

Moving past that, let's examine these two references. Starting with the first, I have searched for what he said and cannot find the exact wording in any verse in most of the popular translations. It is most likely from Exodus either 22:21 or a 23:9.

The first states, "Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt." The second, "Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners because you were foreigners in Egypt."

File photo of President Obama speaking in Nashville, TN (DEC. 2014).

To understand scripture, you must first look at the original language, in this case, Ancient Hebrew, the times of the events juxtaposed by cultural customs, the personalities of the writer(s), and compare singular verses to the entirety of the Bible. (NOTE: This is not all a serious Bible study student does. It is not my intent to be overly theological. Before any Bible study, one should begin with prayer, meditate on the scriptures, and seek God's wisdom and understanding. So please do not focus on my not including these in my overview.) With that in mind, place these two verses in context. The children of Israel, the Jewish people, moved to Egypt because of a drought. They lived there for a long time peaceably and coexisted with Egyptians. However, their numbers multiplied at a faster rate and the Egyptians became fearful of this. They then made the Jews their slaves where they lived in bondage for 400 years until Moses demanded of Pharaoh "Let My people go". Chapters 20 thru 24 take place after the Pharaoh released the Jews and they were traveling thru the desert and are camped at Mt. Sinai. Recognizing they were a free group of people or a community, they needed a set of laws to govern. The Ten Commandments were given to Moses in Chapter 20. These are moral laws. Chapter 20 thru 24 are part of the Sinaic Covenant which includes society laws (fair treatment of foreigners, widows, orphans), criminal laws (murder and bodily injury), etc.

With that in mind, let's examine two words, oppress and foreigner. The first, oppress, according to Strong's Concordance #3905 (לָחַץ Lachats) means to press, crush, afflict, force, distress. Remember, the Jews were made slaves and knew what being oppressed meant first hand. However, there is a huge difference between what 'scripture' means and the intent of his amnesty executive order. Obama is giving them medical benefits, public housing, free school lunches, workers' compensation, etc.

The second word, foreigner, or in some versions, stranger or sojourner according to Strong's #1616 (גֵּר Ger) means guest or someone living among others temporarily. Again, this is not the case. These illegal aliens came here with the intent to stay, not be a temporary guest.

Finally, addressing his second attempt referencing throwing rocks in glass houses and Joseph and Mary. His "good book" might contain this tidbit but the Holy Bible does not. To me it sounds like it should follow, "Confucius say, people in glass houses should not throw rocks, Grasshopper". As for his Christmas story, he alleges Joseph and Mary were strangers in a foreign land. Once again it is a swing and miss. They traveled to Bethlehem because they had to return to their legal city of residence to be counted in the census. They were from Bethlehem. Basically, they were going home. Not strangers.

Artist depiction of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem.

For many, these little misquotes mean nothing. His supporters argue it is the message he is attempting to convey. If that is the case, then it is okay for a used car salesman to say whatever he wants just to put you in a car. How would you feel about that? Perhaps you remember, "if you like your [health insurance] plan you can keep it. If you like your doctor, you can keep him". Words have meanings. We are accountable for the words we use. If I gave the wrong words in my response (phrased in the form of a question) to a Jeopardy clue, I cannot then argue with Alex Trebek that everyone knew what I meant.

It is like, he and some on the Left are trying to sell their amnesty position by invoking God, tugging on emotions, and thinking we must do something. Perhaps they subscribe to the maxim "The Lord helps those that help themselves". I am sure this appears in a book somewhere, perhaps even a good book, but it is not in the Holy Bible. But don't be surprised if you might hear someone say it is just to sell an amnesty program.

Happy Birthday Mr. President

Happy Birthday Mr. President. I was recently reminded I had not yet signed your

birthday card. To be fair, I am one of the 99% that has not. However, this is my birthday

OFA Birthday Meme

wish for you.

In keeping with your penchant for travel (at someone else's expense), I would like to send you and several of your closest friends (Eric Holder, Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi) to an all expense "Life" vacation at Historic United States Disciplinary Barracks. This lovely "Inn" is located just a short walk from US Army Garrison Ft. Leavenworth, in picturesque Kansas. Operating continuously since MAY 1875, it is the oldest facility of its kind in the United States.

Here, you and your friends will not have to plan a thing or do anything--the nice people plan everything for you. Your stay also includes appropriate apparel and a dining package. Again, this is at no cost to you. We the American tax payers are gladly picking up the tab.

Historic "Inn" along the banks of Missouri River.

The "Inn" has an exhaustive library of which I will personally make sure has copies of great works like THE US CONSTITUTION, THE FEDERALIST PAPERS, and biographies of great Americans like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. I know some of these might not sound fun, but you could learn a lot from these books.

The "Inn's", Motto" "Our Mission, Your Future" symbolizes a "Can Do" attitude not all that far from your "Hope and Change". After all, you and your friends made it your mission to change OUR future.

You and your friends should feel safe and secure because it is a "Gun Free" Zone. Only members of staff and LEOs carry firearms. It is also a gated community with controlled access. In fact, it is much easier to enter the US illegally from the Southern Border than to penetrate the security at this location. Again, you should feel safe here.

JPATs Airline.

Before I forget, this trip also includes one way air accommodations aboard JPATS[i] Airlines. This is an exclusive airline few know about and they have an elite passenger list. People and even citizens of other countries are always trying to "con" their away aboard. I am sure you will recognize some of the passengers and with your singing voice and dance moves, I am sure you will make friends fast.

I am told in order to help you check-out of life's stresses, television viewing is at a minimum (so are computers and telephones—so you will have to leave your Blackberry at the check-in desk). The good thing about this, you will honestly be able to say you learned of terrible events from the news. Regardless, like now, no matter how bad the news, you will not have to worry about or do anything about it. Just relax.

Resort Attire.

Oh here comes your tailor. I think you will look good in that; your dark complexion and salt 'n' pepper hair will go great with that color. Besides, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK.

---

[i] Justice Prisoner and Alien Transport Systems

Figures and Words

Remember when the 42^nd President William Jefferson Blythe Clinton said, "It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is"? According to Clinton oral sex is not sex. Forget the fact that sex is part of the words describing the act. When you are forcing your position, you change definitions.

President Bill Clinton.

Then we have this administration continuing the trend by labeling the Ft. Hood terrorist attack as Work-Place Violence, and the Boston bombings as Man-Caused Disasters.

So is it any stretch of the imagination that now all the problems with Obamacare—wait, this signature piece of legislation that even the President embraced as Obamacare because “Obama does care” is now being referred to exclusively by the Left as the Affordable Care Act—the administration would start changing their story? We are learning they knew all along you could not keep your plan; as early as APR 2013 there would be problems with the rollout and just last week we learned 60 to 70 percent of the build was not complete. That is okay, these massive problems were focused grouped and the term deemed least alarming is the now popular word “glitches”. If only NASA would have told us Space Shuttle Challenger experienced a "glitch" we would have felt better.

This legislation that the President and his Lieutenants from Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) to then Sec. of State Hillary Clinton and even VP Joe Biden said time and again, “If you like your health insurance, you can keep it. Period”. The President is on record saying this 29 times, the most recent just weeks before “the law of the land” went live. Now they are saying, “Well everyone knew not all the plans would have survived the grandfather clause. Those that did not were “sub-par” and less than 5% of the population is impacted.” The numbers are insignificant. I guess, they like those odds.

If we were living in a fantasy world where “liar, liar pants on fire” was an actuality, they would be wearing asbestos undergarments, because they did not “misspeak”. The main reason Hillarycare failed in the 1990s was due to the fear people would lose their existing health insurance plans. Regardless, these same subpar insurance plans that need to be replaced are now “okay” because the President by Executive Order told the Insurance companies to un-cancel them. Sort of like having a building that is 70% demolished and the “architect” tells them to put it back the way it was and they only have 20 days to do so.

There are numerous problems with both the website and the “Affordable Care Act”, but let us focus on the 5% number the administration keeps mentioning. It is, in their opinion an insignificant amount and we should not be concerned. Imagine for a moment what 5% means—in real numbers.

The population of the US is 315,000,000. The administration argues that 30 million are without healthcare (this includes Illegal Aliens but they deny this fact, but for a moment let’s accept it). Removing 30 million from 315 million leaves 285,000,000. Now take 5% of that number. That leaves 14,250,000 with a canceled policy. Yeah, that is an insignificant number.

What if hospitals dropped 5% of new births? In 2012, there were 3,958,000 live births, so 5% means 197,900 babies dropped. Do you like those odds?

What if airlines killed 5% of passengers flying domestically each year? The past three years' daily average is 1.5 million, which yields 547,500,000/year and 5% would be 27,375,000. Do you like those odds?

What if in 1960, the total Black population only accounted for 5% instead of 10.5% of US population (18,900,000:179,300,000 vs 8,965,000:179,300,000), would the Civil Rights Movement have stalled or even failed to start because the number was deemed “insignificant”?

But wait, there is a massive movement to grant special privileges, enact hate crime legislation, and special legislation for homosexuals which only account for 3.5 to 4 percent of the population. Not even 5%. One could draw a logical conclusion it is more important to have hate crime legislation for 3.5% of the population (if they were ever involved in a violent attack towards them) than to be concerned with 5% having a product/service they chose of their own free will and believed it provided them value to be canceled because of the administration’s legislation.

Dr. Obama and Mr. Hide

Numbers make Figures. Letters make Words.  Figures and Words. This administration is minimizing each. Do not allow them to get away with this; hold them accountable. All too often we fail to hold our elected representatives accountable. Get involved locally. Write your councilman. Call your state representatives. Email your US Representative and US Senators. Tell them in clear, concise language what you think. Do not be ambiguous; no double-talk. Just get involved.

To think it all started with a two-letter word: IS.

Note: All figures quoted were obtained from Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Census Bureau, Centers for Disease Control, Gallop, and Pew.

The Era of Big Government is Over

As you wake this morning, you are undoubtedly hearing the world is ending, the sky is falling 

and there is no Santa Claus. Worse than that—if you are listening to some—the “anarchists” have shutdown the US Government and so doing they have loosed the Hounds of Hell and sent the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse on a mission to destroy the world.

What does this mean?

To many middle-aged individuals we can remember all of the shutdowns starting in 1977 under President Jimmy Carter through the last shutdown in 1996 under President Bill Clinton. In all of the previous shutdowns, all three entities (President, House of Representatives and Senate) work together to arrive at a budget for the next Fiscal Year (FY). The government’s Fiscal Year runs from 01 OCT through 30 SEP of the following year.

Our Constitution gives Congress control on how federal money is spent in an attempt to limit the power of the president. The government can only spend money “in consequence of appropriations made by law”.

United States Constitution requires Congress with the approval of the President, to authorize all federal expenditures. This is accomplished by producing a budget proposal that consists of three parts (1) Total Government expenditures (defense, social programs, federal aid to foreign entities, etc) (2) Total Government income (from taxes and other sources of income like fees and enrollment premiums) (3) Total Net Difference between the two. More income to expenses—a surplus. More expense to income—a deficit. It is important to note the Budget Process starts with the President submitting to Congress his vision of what he wants to accomplish. A Budget.

The President must submit—as required by The Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 (BAA)— by the first Monday of February his budget for consideration for the next FY. President Obama has missed this deadline in four of the five years of his presidency. Obama is the only President in the 92 years of BAA, to miss the deadline two years in a row and then three years in a row. He also holds the record for longest delay at 98 days.

President Barak Obama (D)

Budget Submission Required Date and Submitted Date

02 FEB 09        11 MAY 09

01 FEB 10        01 FEB 10        (Failed Senate 0-97)

07 FEB 11        14 FEB 11

06 FEB 12        13 FEB 12        (Failed House 0-414)

04 FEB 13        25 MAR 13

No budget passed since 2007.

When Congress and the President fail to pass a Budget, they then pass a Continuing Resolution or CR. What is a Continuing Resolution (CR)? Anytime government fails to pass a regular budget, it may pass legislation to fund critical aspects of government until a formal appropriations bill is signed into law. We have been operating under a CR since 2008.

Shutdowns by the Numbers

18 shutdowns since 1976 (including present)

109 total days (excluding present)

6.4 days average per shutdown (excluding present)

9 under a Democratic President

9 under a Republican President

9 where same party controlled both House and Senate

3 with Democratic President and Republican House majority

9 with Republican President and Democratic House majority

5 with Democratic President and Democratic House and Senate majority

0 with Republican President and Republican House and Senate majority

Interesting note. The Democrats are quick to remind everyone that it was Bill Clinton that provided a surplus and had a balanced budget. What they conveniently fail to say, it was because of the Republican controlled House and Senate that forced a government shutdown in an effort to have a balanced budget. After the budget battle, President Clinton moved to the center and had a good relationship with Congress. In his 1996 State of the Union Address, he said,

“We must answer here three fundamental questions: First, how do we make the American Dream of opportunity for all a reality for all Americans who are willing to work for it? Second, how do we preserve our old and enduring values as we move into the future? And, third, how do we meet these challenges together, as one America?

We know big government does not have all the answers. We know there’s not a program for every problem. We have worked to give the American people a smaller, less bureaucratic government in Washington. And we have to give the American people one that lives within its means.

The era of big government is over.”

Of specific importance is the role the President has in the budget process. It starts with him and his Budget submission and he must be involved when an impasse is reached. He must be willing to act as referee between the House and Senate and willing to negotiate when one or both disagree with his budget. President Obama has vowed he will not negotiate. He sees no reason to negotiate. In 2009, shortly after taking office in his first term Obama told Republicans during stimulus-bill discussions that “elections have consequences”. He believes that since he was elected and since re-elected, the people have spoken and want whatever he thinks is best. This is evidenced in his comment during an NPR interview yesterday when asked "What can you offer?". "What can I offer?--I shouldn't have to offer anything. They're not doing me a favor...."

In each of the other shutdowns, the sitting President negotiated; of note is President Reagan with Speaker O’Neill and President Clinton and Speaker Gingrich. As noted in the above reference to Clinton’s State of the Union Address, he worked with Congress and had great success doing so. It is important to consider his comments referencing “Big Government”. He acknowledges that Government is not the answer to all problems. Furthermore, every American should be treated fairly and have equal opportunity. Today, we have a President and Senate that believe if left to their own wisdom; the public does not have sense enough to come in from the rain and needs Government to help them in all areas of their lives.

Speaker John Boehner (R)

The sound bites from the differing representatives are on opposite ends with ACA in the middle. Republicans do not want to advance ACA when it is unfairly administered. Congress, and other government employees receive subsidies the rest of Americans do not receive. Friends of the Administration have received exemptions for their companies from the ACA, while opponents were denied. They simply want “fairness”. However, I submit this is not only a stance against unfair practices enacted by this administration; it is a stance against government intrusion into our lives. It is about spending more than we take in taxes and revenue. It is about limiting government. Sadly, I think President Clinton’s declaration “The era of Big Government is over”, was wrong. It has rebounded and is larger than ever.

Regardless, of the political debate, we are in the midst of a shutdown. True to form, President Obama and his minions are attempting to scare the public. Remember sequester? He and his administration told of all the horror stories of no TSA agents, no White House tours, National Parks closed indefinitely—he wanted the sequester to hurt. With the shutdown, they said veterans will not be able to get health care because VA hospitals will be closed. Those needing medical care and medication for PTSD will be turned away. WRONG! Single mothers will not have any money to buy groceries for her family. WRONG!

How will the shutdown impact me?

Closed or reduced Services

800,000 federal workers furloughed

National Parks and Monuments Closed

FDA routine safety inspections (except for grain)

NASA Mission controlled staffed (18,000 employees furloughed)

Veterans’ disability compensation claims delayed

FHA (new) backed mortgages new claims not processed

PX and Commissaries closed

IRS tax refunds on hold

DHS suspends E-verify program

Open or no change

Air Traffic Controllers & TSA

Passport and Visa applications

Social Security & Medicare payments

Unemployment benefits & food stamps (SNAP)

No change for US military still paid ON TIME

No change to VA benefits (funded 365 days in advance)

USPS open

National Weather Service (still issuing forecasts)

National Hurricane Center (still tracking storms)

Synopsis of Shutdowns

2013    01 OCT to Present

Pres. Obama (D) House (R) Senate (D) Speaker John Boehner, Senate Pres. Pro Tem Patrick Leahy

Republican House does not want Affordable Care Act (ACA) aka Obamacare, to be unfairly applied. Make sure every American is treated like exempt groups. Government employees get subsidies and exemptions that other Americans do not. House has presented three CR, each rejected by Senate. Speaker spoke to President in early morning and President said emphatically, he will not negotiate.

1995    16 DEC to 06 JAN 96 (21 Days)

Pres. Clinton (D) House (R) Senate (R) Speaker Newt Gingrich, Senate Pres. Pro Tem Strom Thurmond

President Clinton and Congress disagreed on which numbers to use to balance budget. CBO or OMB.

            13 NOV to 19 NOV (5 Days)

Pres. Clinton (D) House (R) Senate (R) Speaker Newt Gingrich, Senate Pres. Pro Tem Strom Thurmond

Republican controlled House and Senate wanted a time-table for a balanced budget.

1990    05 OCT to 09 OCT (4 Days)

Pres. Bush (R) House (D) Senate (D) Speaker Tom Foley, Senate Pres. Pro Tem Robert Byrd

Pres. Bush vowed “no new taxes” and held firm and House and Senate saw the polls and agreed to deficit reduction requests.

1987    18 DEC to 20 DEC (1 Day)

Pres. Reagan (R) House (D) Senate (D) Speaker Jim Wright, Senate Pres. Pro Tem John C. Stennis

Democratic House and Senate opposed funding for Contras and pushed Fairness Doctrine. Backed off the Fairness Doctrine.

1986    16 OCT to 18 OCT (1 Day)

Pres. Reagan (R) House (D) Senate (R) Speaker Tip O’Neill, Pres. Pro Tem Strom Thurmond

Compromise reached by Democratic House dropping demands in exchange for welfare package.

1984    30 SEP to 05 OCT (3 Day)

Pres. Reagan (R) House (D) Senate (R) Speaker Tip O’Neill, Senate Pres. Pro Tem Strom Thurmond

Pres. Reagan compromised on a crime fighting package and was able to get funding for Nicaraguan Contras.

1983    10 NOV to 14 NOV (3 Days)

Pres. Reagan (R) House (D) Senate (R) Speaker Tip O’Neill, Senate Pres. Pro Tem Strom Thurmond

Oil and gas leasing was banned in federal wildlife refuges in exchange for more funding for MX missile and reduced education funding from Federal level.

1982    17 DEC to 21 DEC (3 Days)

Pres. Reagan (R), House (D) Senate (R) Speaker Tip O’Neill, Pres. Senate Pro Tem Strom Thurmond

Pres. Reagan compromised on funding both the MX and Pershing II missiles (got MX) and allowed funding to continue for Legal Services Corporation.

            30 SEPT to 02 OCT (1 Day)

Pres. Reagan (R), House (D) Senate (R) Speaker Tip O’Neill, Senate Pres Pro Tem Strom Thurmond

Continuation of previous shutdown only to give Congress time to pass.

1981    20 NOV to 23 NOV (2 Days)

Pres. Reagan (R), House (D) Senate (R) Speaker Tip O’Neill, Senate Pres. Pro Tem Strom Thurmond

Pres. Reagan stood firm until he received $8 B in cuts.

1979    30 SEP to 12 OCT (11 Days)

Pres. Carter (D), House (D) Senate (D) Speaker Tip O'Neill, Senate Pres. Pro Tem Warren Magnuson

Problems continue between House and Senate on Medicaid funded abortions. Additionally, House sponsored a 5.5% increase in pay for congress.

1978    30 SEP to 18 OCT (18 Days)

Pres. Carter (D) House (D) Senate (D) Speaker Tip O’Neill, Senate Pres Pro Tem James Eastland

Pres. Carter vetoed a defense for a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Continuing problems for Dept. of HEW for Medicaid funding of abortions.

1977    30 NOV to 09 DEC (8 Days)

Pres. Carter (D) House (D) Senate (D) Speaker Tip O’Neill, Senate Pres Pro Tem James Eastland

Second temporary funding agreement expired.

            31 OCT to 09 NOV (8 Days)

Pres. Carter (D) House (D) Senate (D) Speaker Tip O’Neill, Pres. Senate Pro Tem James Eastland

Earlier temporary funding expired.

            30 SEP to 13 OCT (12 Days)

Pres. Carter (D) House (D) Senate (D) Speaker Tip O’Neill, Pres. Senate Pro Tem James Eastland

Democratic House wanted to uphold ban using Medicaid money to pay for abortions. Democratic Senate wanted to expand to pay for abortions in case of rape or incest.

1976    30 SEP to 11 OCT (10 Days)

Pres. Ford (R) House (D) Senate (D) Speaker Tip O’Neill, Senate Pres. Pro Tem James Eastland

Pres. Ford vetoed appropriations bill for Dept. of Labor and Dept. of HEW

"Why Don't You Stand Up?"

Actual bus; Serial #1132.

On 01 DEC 1955, one young black woman in Montgomery, AL decided she had been a second-class citizen long enough. She had witnessed others of her “color” humiliated in ways that I—as a “Southern Born and Southern Bred” man—am ashamed to even acknowledge. She started a movement by keeping her seat. She lit a fire, by remaining cool. She politely refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white male passenger. Four days later, the Montgomery Bus Boycott began and lasted for 381 days. Today, her willingness and her courage to do what she felt was right for her people, and by extension this country, she is known as the “Mother of the Modern Day Civil Rights Movement”.

President Obama's picture observing 57th anniversary.

Saturday was the 57^th anniversary of her deciding to remain seated. So what did our president do to mark this anniversary? He released a picture of himself sitting alone on the same bus, and presumably the same seat Rosa Parks refused to give up. (NOTE: From what I remember she sat on the side with the doors, not the driver's side. From the photo, he is on the driver's side.)

I do not agree with the way this man is inserting himself into history. Just read the following statements and ask "What does Barack H. Obama have in common with USA Blacks?.

• He was not part of the Civil Rights movement.
• He is not a descendant of slaves, like most Blacks.
• He never sat at a segregated lunch counter, nor did any of his ancestors.
• His father was from Kenya that studied at Harvard then returned to Kenya.
• His mother was white.
• He grew up in Hawaii and Indonesia.
• He attended private schools, then went on to Occidental, Columbia, and finally Harvard Law School.

In Dreams from My Father, he wrote he was waiting on his mother in the lobby of the American embassy in Indonesia and picked up a copy of Life magazine. While perusing the magazine, he states he found an article about a black man in America who underwent chemical treatments to lighten his skin. He states the article included a picture of the man who looked sick, like “a radiation victim or an albino.” Obama writes, he reacted in horror “I felt my face and neck get hot. My stomach knotted; the type began to blur on the page….I had the desperate urge to jump out of my seat…to demand some explanations or assurance.” He could not believe that life was so bad for this black man, that he wanted to undergo horrendous treatments in an attempt to appear less black and more white.

Many magazines and newspapers reported the story then a search was conducted for the original article. Guess what? There never was any article published by Life magazine. Obama was then questioned, hoping to spur his memory. He thought it might have been in Ebony magazine. Not the case. An exhaustive search for any publication carrying the article turned up nothing except a book written in the early 1960s by a white man who took skin treatments to darken his skin, so he could try to experience what black men endured living in the South. Dinesh D’Souza in his book The Roots of Obama’s Rage,[i] posits Obama got the idea from reading Frantz Fanon’s book Black Skin, White Masks. Obama admits to reading this book in Dreams From My Father. The book recounts how some laboratories are searching for a “denegrification” serum that could lighten the African skin color so they could live as peers to the French that controlled Algeria. What was Obama’s motivation for not only distorting the facts—assuming he was recalling reading the book—but making up the facts? I believe he did so to gain an emotional connection to USA Blacks.

While campaigning in Selma, AL in March 2007, he made a statement “Don’t tell me I’m not coming home to Selma, Alabama.” The crowd sat silently. He had to make the connection. “Something happened back here in Birmingham that sent out what Bobby Kennedy called ripples of hope all around the world. Something happened when a bunch of women decided they were going to walk instead of ride the bus after a long day of doing someone else’s laundry, looking after someone else’s children. When men who had Ph.D.s decided that’s enough and we’re going to stand up for our dignity. That sent a shout across oceans so that my grandfather began to imagine something different for his son.” Obama asserted that because of these actions, President John F. Kennedy and his family started an airlift mission to travel to Africa and bring back young Africans and give them scholarships to study. Obama stated his father got one of those tickets, and because he came to the USA to study at Harvard, he met his wife and then had Barak H. Obama, Jr. The problem with this is, it is not true. Yes, there were airlifts from Kenya to the US, but they were funded by philanthropists and had nothing to do with the Kennedys. Obama, Sr, did not get one of those tickets. Furthermore, his father came to the US in 1959. The Selma March did not happen until 1965. Obama, Jr. was born in 1961. Perhaps all the discussion on where he was born impacted his memory on when he was born. Regardless, this was another misrepresentation of the facts, but this one was a material misrepresentation. What my mom, would call a lie.

I think the President has created this “biography” to make him acceptable to “true” American Blacks. In a previous blog I wrote of the hypocrisy of claiming whites voting for Romney is racist, while Blacks voting for Obama is not. People actually smirked when Colin Powell was asked why he was voting for President Obama. The insinuation is that he endorsed and voted for him because of his skin color. If so, that is fine. But other than skin color, Barack Obama has nothing in common with the true American Blacks. He has no Civil Rights credentials and he certainly does not share the same lineage of the people he so desperately wants to identify.

Had Colin Powell, Condi Rice, Oprah Winfrey, or other notable Blacks who either lived with prejudiced bigots, forced to use separate building entrances, ate at segregated lunch counters, or were forced to give up their seats on a bus, released this picture, I would wholeheartedly accept and applaud it. They represent the results of Parks' and others' efforts six decades earlier. They were a part of our country's darkest moments, yet rose above it. President Obama's picture does not give Rosa Parks the recognition she deserves.

On that day 57 years ago, the “custom” allowed blacks to ride the bus, but only in black-only sections that were dependent on the number of whites riding. The blacks were forced to give up their seats, either to move to the rear, get off entirely, or stand up. On this day, there were more whites than normal, so the bus driver approached her and three others. He told them they must give up their seats for the “whites”. All four got up. Three moved to the rear and she moved from the aisle seat to the window seat, and there she remained. The bus driver threatened to call the police if she did not comply and asked for the last time if she was going to stand up. She replied, “Why don’t you stand up?” I like to think she was asking the bus driver to not physically stand up but to do so metaphorically—for him to take a stand, to ‘stand up’ for what is right and just. I don’t know. But, her question rings just as true today as on that late Thursday back in December 1955. Why don’t we stand up for what is right? Mr. President, the same question goes to you as well. “Why don’t you stand up?” Put aside your narcissistic view of yourself, your desire to create a socialistic society, and your constant efforts to pit the “have-nots” against the “haves”. Instead, represent all of America, and what is best for the entirety of the whole. If not, If he continues, I feel this picture when viewed by those in the future could be captioned, "President Obama riding with all the people he helped."

"I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free…so other people would be also free." Rosa Parks.

 "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction….Man is not free unless government is limited."  Ronald Reagan.

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[i] Dinesh D’Souza, The Roots of Obama’s Rage (Washington D.C., Regnery, 2010) p.24. Nook epub.

Highway to Hell

The results are in: President Obama has won reelection. Before I close my eyes tonight, I wanted to capture some of my thoughts. These thoughts are uncensored and “raw”; not shaped or crafted to look or sound good, but simply to record my ideas, feelings, and attitudes for what I see is a misstep for this country.

I do not like the path America is on and feel it will lead us down a path to destruction. The results of today's election moved us farther down the path. It appears that we are rapidly moving away from "the land of the free and the home of the brave" to the land of Give Me Something free and the home of the depraved. I, and it appears there are many with my same belief, believe we are in the fast lane to a socialistic state. A state in which the Government continues to:

·       Centralize federal government by limiting the powers of individual and collective States.
·       Increase in size, and power and exert unrealistic control(s) over capitalism and the free market.
·       Redistribute wealth from those who have taken risks and are successful, to those who have chosen to rely upon the government and its increasing number of entitlement programs.
·       Subject USA sovereignty to global control and oversight.
·       Increase populace dependency on the State.
·       Open borders and allowing anyone to become a citizen.
·       Expand the definition of family, while decreasing the value and sanctity of human life.
·       Dismantle our military and intelligence-gathering abilities.
·       Support and demand tolerance of religious beliefs, as long as those beliefs are not Judea-Christian.
·       Limit and even try to prevent legal gun ownership.
·       Limit free speech.

These are not the tenants or basis for which our Founding Fathers fought to create our great Nation. They intended to give us the greatest level of living that limited the power of government. In their attempt to limit government, they crafted the US Constitution. Its Seven Articles, establish and define a federal government, specifically limiting its enumerated powers. This document states with specificity and certainty, that our liberties or rights are God-given and not provided by the government. The Founding Fathers thought the rights deemed most important, are specifically listed in the Bill of Rights. It further states, that even if a right is not recorded or written, we the people still retain those rights and the government cannot take them from us. This administration is attempting to do just that. What they are proposing is not new. Like other attempts, it will fail. Just look at recent news of Greece, Spain, Italy and France. I believe nothing happens in all of creation that does not pass over God’s desk. He either specifically allows things to happen or causes them to happen. I do not know which of these two applies to this event, but it does not matter. As a bit of irony, as I write this I'm listening to the radio, and AC/DC's "Highway to Hell" came on in mid-paragraph. I guess I was just given the title of this piece. We are a great country, but our mindset and values have changed. I am reminded of John F. Kennedy's question in his inaugural address, "...ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country". As we move towards a land of takers than a land of givers, we move closer to a place in which we cannot sustain ourselves.

Many of you know I study Eschatology or End Time Prophecy. In my many years of study, I have specifically searched for USA involvement. Without going too deep or exegeting the scriptures, allow me to just summarize. USA is not included in End Time events. Something must happen that removes the world’s leader in economy, military, technology, and lifestyle from the global picture. It could be something as simple as the Rapture which would remove all the born-again Christians from the world. This would leave huge holes in industry, government, military, etc, that would impede efficient and effective operation. Another possibility is total economic collapse. Without a viable, sustainable economy, the USA would be unable to support its military, thus making us ineffective in global affairs. Please do not misunderstand—I am not standing on a mountaintop shouting to all that the election results will usher in the “end of the world”. No. I state it only to provide some insight into what happens to the USA. It takes more than the actions of one man to usher in the “days of Noah”.

So, what are we to do? How should we respond to the election? Well, I will do what I have done under any president whether I voted for him or not. I pray that God grant them unmeasured wisdom and discernment and the ability to look beyond personal accolades. I pray the president will be the one that sets the tone for the country. I pray he will not close his eyes and ears to others. Specifically, for this president, I pray he tries harder in this term to work across the aisle, something he did not do in his first term. I pray he set the example: an example of humility and humble himself to the burdens the Office brings with it. I hope and pray we as a country have brighter days ahead. The Republicans in the House can choose to try and work across the aisle or they can become bitter and block good legislation. The Democrats under the leadership of POTUS can choose to lead the entire country or can attempt to push leftist, liberal policies in an attempt to “payback” the Country. As John F. Kennedy said in his inaugural address in 1961, "So let us begin anew--remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate". We need our elected officials to seek the best solutions for all of America, not just a select few. We need our elected officials to quit fighting so that they can have a moral win. Because when they win, America loses.

Now is the time to put the campaigns behind us and look to the future. In doing so, perhaps we can return to the days of Reagan and O’Neill. In many of my comments, I reference those days when they debated policy all day, and then came together each evening for dinner, drinks, and jokes. They counted each other as trusted friends. Additionally, I would like each branch of the government (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial) to use the Constitution as a road map and get this country back on the path the Founding Fathers set for us. A path that steers us clear of the "Highway to Hell".

"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests." - Patrick Henry

Let's Play Fair

Most of my friends know I grew up in the Florida Panhandle (Pensacola area for my International friends) and still have family and friends in the area. I experienced firsthand several hurricanes that impacted the Gulf Coast as well as numerous tornadoes living in North Alabama—including the outbreak of APR 2011.

I have gone without electricity, clean water, gasoline, etc numerous times while waiting for “help”. It is no fun. At first, you are just thankful to be alive and you still have most of your belongings and only minimal storm damage to your property. Thankfully, I have never lost a primary residence or any substantial property loss.

Years ago, I along with the world watched first in horror then in complete rage as fellow Americans were stranded on rooftops, or wading through waist-deep contaminated water to seek help. We saw thousands of people literally dying of thirst because there was no fresh water to be found. I remember watching Shepherd Smith on Fox News reporting with passion and anger saying someone needs to get these people some help. It was frustrating sitting in the comfort of my home and not being able to help those who so desperately needed help.

We remember the now infamous photo of “Bush’s Flyover” as he surveyed the destruction from Air Force One. He was portrayed by the media as disconnected and uncaring as if he was both figuratively and literally above it all. What many did not know then and refuse to acknowledge now, is Bush and his team chose not to be a hindrance to the first responders. When the POTUS visits an area, a lot of resources are used to ensure his safety. Roadways are blocked, hospitals are secured, fire/rescue units mirror the POTUS’ movements and LEOs from different agencies are pulled from normal activities to direct traffic, clear areas, and provide outer rings of security.

Several days later during a live event “A Concert for Hurricane Relief” simulcast on multiple stations, Kanye West rants about the lack of support and stated, “George Bush does not care about black people”. He had every right to say what he wanted, regardless of the level of truth it contained.

Contrast the events of Katrina (2005) to Sandy (2012); there is video after video of white people crying and begging for fuel, electricity, and water. Mayor Blumberg told the President, “Thanks, but no thanks” when POTUS suggested he wanted to make a Storm Stop in NYC. Why did the Mayor say no? Because of the same reason, President Bush did not want to land and walk through the affected areas. It disrupts the rescue and recovery efforts. You do not want your limited resources used in an ineffective and inefficient manner. Where are the Left of-Center entertainers now? Should they not be saying “Barak Obama does not care about white people”?

Victims affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Could both national emergencies have been handled differently? Yes. I thought from the mistakes learned from Katrina, the Federal government had a better idea of prepositioning supplies and duplicate distribution chains. Something has gone wrong. There are people who cannot get to work. There are people that cannot get medicines. There are people who cannot heat their homes. All of this in the city that represents USA’s successes—New York City. The Left deflects this and falls back on “Global Warming” which has now become “Man-made Climate Change”. Well, that is beyond the scope of this writing, but where is the outrage from the Left?

Let’s play fair.

I Want to Know

I am not one who believes the POTUS should have served in the military to be a more effective Commander-in-Chief. I prefer they have served in uniform because they are afforded the opportunity to understand camaraderie and can experience firsthand, what being a member of a team feels like.

From the very first day of Boot Camp, we are taught we must trust the Marine (Soldier, Sailor, Airman) to our left and right because they and our training are all we have. They will watch your back, treat your wounds, and if necessary bring your body home. The movies love to show the lone warrior dodging incoming mortars, diving for cover, and maybe even sustaining a wound, just to get his buddy’s body. We are taught to run towards the gunfire, to protect those who need protection, and to help those under fire. The thought of hearing your buddies cry out in agony while still maintaining fire discipline trying to hold out until help—you—arrive, serves as a motivator. Those same cries easily turn to torment, if you do not get there in time. You second guess your every action, attempting to determine what you could have done, to get there before they died.

I do not know how it was in Benghazi, but I can imagine Ambassador Chris Stevens and Sean Smith running for their lives into what they thought was a location secure enough to hold out until help arrived. They probably reassured themselves, maybe even picking up items that could be used as weapons. A mile away, former USN SEAL Tyrone Woods hears the mortars and small arms fire and wants to go help them—to run towards the gunfire. He is told No. Stand Down. He asks again, and a third time. Each time he was told No. Stand Down. Disobeying orders, he and a small group of men go to help. They recover Sean Smith’s body but cannot find Amb. Stevens. During the fight, Tyrone Woods is killed. A while later, a second former USN SEAL, Glen Doherty is also killed trying to help his countrymen. During it all, everyone is calling for help. Help that is denied. They are told No. Stand Down.

Body of Ambassador Chris Stevens.

This attack was not a surprise—it was expected. In the previous six months, two different attacks were made on US soil. Ambassador Stevens made multiple requests for more help. He was denied. Why did he not have more protection before 9/11? Why were requests to help denied during the attack? Who told Amb. Rice, Jay Carney, and Sec State Clinton to say this was a result of a video? There are too many questions, yet this administration believes they do not have to answer. Even worse, most of the mainstream media is refusing to ask questions. As an American citizen, I want to know. Do you? It is my opinion his campaign made the decision(s) relating to Benghazi because if they acknowledged there was a threat, then al-Qaeda is not on the run. Please remember the same president who was quick to spike the ball after the SEALs' actions in Abbottabad is the same president who was even quicker to punt the ball when the SEALs needed his action in Benghazi. Again, I do not know what happened, but I want to know. Do you?

Perhaps if President Obama had spent time in the Service or at least in the uniform of a Little League Baseball team, he might have some understanding of what it means to belong to a group of people who depend on each other. He might have some idea that Commander-in-Chief is not a title that is easily thrown around in a manner to build his self-esteem, but rather is a title that burdens even the strongest of men. Mr. President, please tell us what happened. I want to know.