A SEA CAPTAIN COMES ASHORE

This Holiday Season

2009-11-24T12:17:00.000-08:00

It is the first one with her and her's,

and I don't know how to act or behave.

Does she understand my trepidation?

Does she know my fear and discomfort

I hope she does.

I hope she does and understands,

I want so to be what she needs.

I want so badly to be everything for her.

I know it will be hard, and mixed with,

past feelings and emotions for us.

But, I know that perhaps it will be wonderful.

I also know that next time will be better,

fuller and comprised of a larger sense of

what we have become by that time.

I hope for the best.

Happy Thanksgiving my darling Bettina.

Happy Thanksgiving my only Joy.

Know that I want to be in two places.

Know that I can not now.

Know it will soon change for the better.

I weep and smile and hope.

I am most thankful to He who makes

me thankful.

For this holiday season's possibilities.

Bettina

2009-11-02T08:13:00.000-08:00

She smiles and I melt

She walks and I follow

She looks and I look back

She loves and I love harder

She touches and I surrender

She leaves and I cry

She arrives and I celebrate

She is and I am

She is mine

I am hers

I love Bettina

TURNING THE CORNERS

2009-08-14T09:20:00.000-07:00

TURNING THE CORNERS

Excitement, pulse racing sitting

In the saddle, crowd cheering while

They await her and her horse's run

The smell of horses, leather and dust

Filling her senses with the arena's

Atmosphere as she awaits the moment

To start, then bursting forth, she makes

The three turns and spurs her horse to

The finish line, heart pounding as she

Awaits the time and score for her run

Her life is the arena and the horses,

The adrenaline and the thrill of victory

The pain is just a part of the victory

A part of the fiddler's price for listening

To the music that is pro rodeo riding

Then slowly life changes, motherhood

Reigns instead of horses reins she has

Turned a life corner and is heading a

New direction now, though she doesn't

Fully realize it as of yet, she still spurs

On toward the next barrel, the next

Turn, which she finds all too soon as

Her life reaches another turning point

As she had reached so many literal

Barrels, she now finds herself turning

Just life corners, but with some of that

Old enthusiasm and joy she experienced

In those arenas of yesteryear now gone

By leaving her with only methaphorical

Turns, and barrels to go around, points

Of her life where things like love and

Happiness are the trophies and buckles

The prize money, the smile on her boy's

Face and her slips and falls are life snags

But she holds onto that spirit, that gusto

And lives her life, like the excited beating

Of the strong heart of the horse who use

To turn her corners for her with such

Strength and dexterity, alacritous in his

Intent on winning and the run to the finish

Although life has slowed, she still looks

To the next turn, not with trepidation,

But with the heart of the champion

Which she was, and while others live

With soft caution and tones of grey

She spurs it on, in smiles that are like

Her bright clothes and with a love of

Life that charges out of the gate and

Excitedly heads to turn the next corner

Gene T.

(a poem for my friend, Bettina Fetzer Smith)

BOUNTIFUL

2009-08-12T21:49:00.000-07:00

BOUNTIFUL

Bare existence was never meant to be

All a person should aspire for in life

God has provided ways for us to see

Beyond this world which is so filled with strife

When one can look past this plane's horizon

And ignore the undertow of today's

Pernicious world's lack of love's bright vision,

We start to completely see better ways

Intertwined lives no longer held tightly

Together, now easily tossed aside

Gifts of the heart discounted, not rightly

Considered never brought fully inside

Words once deep now flippantly tossed around

The words “I love you”, now disposable

Plastic, phony, cheap and mean all abound

True love so rare it is not usable

Souls shielded from the onslaught of the storm

Impervious to all benevolence

Whether giving or receiving, the norm

In a world so use to it pestilence

Rife with the terrible effects of hate

Heads reel with horrific daily news heard

As we all pray that it isn't too late

Mindless ones in command of all our fate

Then shines an aurora in the dark gloom

Of life's pallor and so colors my world

Back from the edge I come, back in the room

More green now than blue my life palettes swirled

Shimmering mutual light paints a bright

Pattern of brightly glowing sea tinted

Expression and aqua prism of light

Senses filled and all orange blossom scented

A gift from God today it seems I've got

Added to the two which I love so much

God lifted me up to see what I've sought

And I could see clearly and over such

Obstacles and refuse of world clatter

And all the way to Florida it seems

The dreary world doesn't seem to matter

And like in the sea, life's bounty now teems

Bright fresh sunrise over the Texas shore

And sunsets once again glowing orange, red

To the western skyline I look once more

Hanging on every glance now and word said

Heightened in awareness of His glory

Strengthened by the consciousness of His grace

Looking forward to telling the story

Sharing with others who are stuck in place

The miracle of the gift of true love

Given and received so easy and free

That it must been sent from up above

Why did I get it, a sinner like me

Happiness so elusive lately now

Manifest in many wonderful ways

If others could just look up and see how

Then their lives would be filled with brighter days

Using this for an example and guide

Like St. Elmo's fire's bright lightning like light

Into vision of what's needed they'd slide

Lifted up higher for much better sight

Days filled with smiles, laughs and oh so much fun

Thankful life's easier and wonderful

Seemingly much brighter though the same sun

Making oceans and lives bountiful

MST

AQUAMARINE

2009-08-10T10:53:00.000-07:00

AQUAMARINE

Beautiful soothing hues of soft blue-green

Radiate softy up from the depths and into

Her eyes as she nears the ocean shore

They glow back a soft contended green at

Her love's love and beyond the fathomless

Depths of the ocean's soul and into his own

Sea foam palette down into his heart where

She knows a safe place awaits her own

Pulse and where she can rest her blue tinted

Mind while adjusting the spectrum of her life

The ocean nearby reminds them by it's roar

And the delicious salt aroma wafting inland

Over their bluish tinted spirits waiting for it's

Cleansing waters and healing waves breaking

Onto the sands of time on the shores of life

Where the burdens of eternity have been left

For the mighty bosom of Poseidon's realm

To eventually consume and send to oblivion

Here they too have come to lay a burden

Upon the sands and to add their tears to

The same salt waters of the sea's blue-green

Depths rending the blues from themselves

And allowing the breaking waves to take

All shades of that darker color which even

Though beautifully mixed with their greens

Does make a lovely turquoise, that isn't their

Color, their color is green, their matching eyes

Reflecting the sameness of their kindred souls

Hearts beating alike and quickening together

And slowing to a soft slow perpetual rhythm

As the blue slowly leaves them and returns

To the sea where it belongs while turning it

The receptor of their pain and sorrow

aquamarine.

MST

CALI GOTH GIRL

2009-08-06T07:27:00.000-07:00

CALI GOTH GIRL

Black clothes, black nail polish and black lipstick

to her was her statement to all the world.

She rebelled against the hypocrisy

which around so many in her life swirled.

Her dreams not matching her dark demeanor,

but instead they held shining bright lights.

The future was though mystery to her,

during this her life voyage of dark sights.

So young and bright and hopeful her plans

of life in contrast to her darkness glowed.

Against the clock and against the time sands

her life's meaning and purpose somehow slowed.

And motherhood, now reality,

changed the Cali goth girl's paths and her life.

How, she pondered could this really now be

me being a mother and a young wife?

But it was to be and over ten fold

as children became her life, and her dreams.

True love she had found while cradling them told

of deeper meaning for all life it seems.

Her life went quickly by, surrounded by

her children and family which had arose.

She wondered at it all with a soft sigh, as

she painted her nails black, and put on her

black clothes.

(a poem written for Mischelle LaDorne Hart Bowser, a dear friend and mother of 10)

ARBORS

2009-08-05T02:09:00.000-07:00

ARBORS

A beautiful rose bush grows and blooms

In it's zest for life it branches out

In many directions, at first unrestrained

As time goes by it's growth is impaired

The arbor which gives it support now restrains

The roses hit constraints, limits and barriers

They cause it to grow in unnatural directions

Through holes and openings in the latticework

In ways it would have never grown if wild

After many seasons, it became very tangled

The rose bush wishes it had supported itself

Instead of using the lattice and arbor's help

But there is no way to untangle herself now

Without cutting off branches she loves and needs

Without pain and years of healing time

Without injuring other roses which have woven

Their way into her life and also need the arbor

But the beautiful rose dreams of days when

She didn't have these arbors and she wasn't

Tangled and interwoven nearly inextricably

A beautiful rose bush grows and blooms

In it's zest for life it branches out

MST

ESTUARINE

2009-08-04T00:24:00.000-07:00

ESTUARINE

High overhead the gulls laughed

at those who didn't have wings.

The ones without wings looked

at their feet, and the sand underneath.

Waves lapped and washed tirelessly

working at their beach building labor.

While the wingless ones built castles

out of the fruits of the waves labor.

A river emptied it's contents into

the ocean, completing it's own work.

Crabs walked sideways indifferently

with claws upheld instead of wings.

Mullet jumped to get a look at the

wingless ones that built the castles.

Dunes rise and fall over the years

because the wind won't rest either.

Shells hide in the sand and wait

for the wingless castle builders.

They use them for decoration since

the original inhabitants have left.

Seaweed washes up around the feet

of the wingless ones and tickles them.

Jellyfish float listlessly along pulling

behind their strings of stinging tails.

The wingless ones try to pretend they

have fins sometimes and swim like fish.

But they always go back and lay under

funny, round and brightly colored trees.

Wingless castle builders eat from colored

boxes full of hard water and clear leaves.

They make loud noises when the small

builders are learning to build castles.

Many times, they leave some of the

things from the colored boxes behind.

The sand has to cover them up so that

they might find them later, or not.

The castle builders didn't use to be

here like the rest of us have been.

They are new, but they somehow think

they know all about the beach and estuary.

The small flies and spider crabs don't

seem to care or notice them at all.

Their castles always wash away, but

for some reason they build more.

Starting their labor which isn't much

labor compared to the river and sea.

Not compared to the wind or waves

and tides and rain and the sun of course.

And their castles aren't as nice as the

ones we build now are they gulls?

High overhead the gulls laughed

at those who didn't have wings.

MST

COLOR CHANGE

2009-08-01T06:10:00.000-07:00

COLOR CHANGE

In the deep sea,
life centers around change.
The change from brown water to
green and around the change from green
water to blue. Here usually two distinctly
different types of water exist, either warmer and
colder or traveling different directions, usually both.
Usually there is a lot of debris around this point of
change, and they are easily visible. Small fish and
crustaceans hide beneath this gathering of flotsam
and jetsam, and larger fish in turn are attracted to it.
Overhead seabirds circle, the opportunist looking
for food in the life filled water change line below.
We fisherman gather there, trolling for the big
fish below, the ultimate predator and un-hunted.
A distinct line of sea grass many times marks the
spot for us, or a dramatically visible color change.
Oftentimes from a translucent green, to a crystal
clear and nearly transparent color of beautiful blue.
When heading offshore, it is hard for us to continue
on to the perfect colored water, it takes more time
and fuel and we are anxious to begin catching fish.
So goes our lives. We usually are prone to stopping
in the imperfect waters because it is quicker and
easier, and we are anxious to begin living our lives.
But should we be patient, and continue on to
the beautiful clean and perfectly colored water,
we are always rewarded by it's bounty that
we find by seeking the color change.
There will be a conflict of
current and mercurial
extremes for us to
contend with as
we head to
our
better
lives and
much more
perfect endings.
There will be debris
that has gathered around
this change, but it will stay
gathered there and you will leave
it behind as you head toward your
beautiful clear and shining blue water.
We can't be afraid of the color change of
our lives, and it is that to which we should
all aspire to reach and, to dwell within it with
those who have chosen to make it to that change
with us. For they too, have waited and have come
a long way just to be with us. Drawn and coaxed by
the bounty of the change and the beautiful colors of it's
water. And helped there by a fisherman, just as on the sea.

MST

HORIZONS

2009-07-30T11:35:00.000-07:00

HORIZONS

She was christened, and got underway
Her bright new sails and shiny brass gleaming
In the morning sunlight's bright gleaming day
She made her way out toward the horizon
As proud onlookers cheered her departure
Unblemished, she proudly plied smooth waters
She accustomed herself to being at sea
Experiencing, feeling, and learning

Waves building as the sea deepened beneath
Her bow slicing through waves with confidence
Sails billowing as she catches the breeze
Jib set proudly, her mainmast strong and tall
Sturdy hull tightly planked, shiny new decks
Now starting to be covered with bow-spray
As she makes her way toward fathoms deeper

Whitecaps breaking on top of larger swells
Storm clouds building gusts lashing her topsails
Wood creaking now plunging into large waves
Rain falling making vision difficult
She reduces sail and speed for safety
And quarters the sea to lessen the blow
A sail tears and is brought down from the mast
Her roll and yaw increasing mightily

Her lines tight against the belaying pins
A small paint chip here, a small cracked plank there
She maintains strength against the storm's strong blows
Lightning flashes in the sky, thunder rolls
Water runs down her hatch into the hold
Her confidence waning as she holds on
She assesses her damage and maintains
Steady on course through the brunt she makes wake

Light filters through the clouds and brings her hope
The huge waves begin to subside slowly
Giving way to slow rollers, lighter wind
She re-furls her full cloths to improve speed
Making good time again as she passes
Beautiful islands and lovely seashores
She makes port, sliding gently into slip
Lines tied off, decks scrubbed and repairs made

Ah the safety of port and the ease of
Being behind breakwaters and jetties
No large waves, no deep water, no strong wind
Can hurt her as long as she's in harbor
Barnacles attach, worms bore and moss grows
On her once shiny hull, she sits safely
Though and quietly with the others there
This is the life she thinks, no waves are here

She watches others come and go bravely
In from and out to the deep blue sea
Are they thinking straight she now asks herself
And then realizes that she too yearns
For the offshore breeze and for the ocean
She is a ship after all, not a dock
She loves the beautiful islands and waves
She yearns now to be free to sail her sea

The comfort of harbor was nice and safe
But how can a ship stay there all her life
How can she fulfill her life's destiny
What beautiful adventures and sights missed
What other ships might she meet and share love
And her hopes and desires and dreams with them
How can she reach her horizon from here
She is a ship, and her lines now come off

In the morning sunlight's bright gleaming day
She makes her way out toward her horizon
As proud onlookers cheer her departure
Experienced and proud, she plies the waves
She knows what it is like to be at sea
Experiencing, feeling and learning
She sees beautiful islands and beaches
As she heads toward her destined horizon

MST

LOST AND FOUND

2009-07-28T19:45:00.000-07:00

LOST AND FOUND

A little girl became lost and scared in the
woods of life.
As time went by, the woods became darker
deeper and scarier
She couldn't find her way back to her home
or to herself.
She wandered her eyes blurry with tears
and longing.
The girl was brave and she forged on through
the woods alone.
She met many people in the dense, dark woods
who walked with her.
But none could help her find her way back to
her home, herself.
Time passed and she forgot how to get back to
where she came from.
Sometimes, thorns would scratch her as she walked
by rose bushes.
Small trickles of blood would run from these wounds
that stung her.
After more time, she didn't notice the dark, the fear,
or the stings.
She only understood their presence, their existence,
but not hers.
Periodically, she would ask directions for any way
out of the woods.
But the answers she received all pointed different and
conflicting directions.
When one day, she saw a twinkle of light in the form
of words written.
At first she dismissed them, she had seen words before
with no help.
But these words kept urging, trying, loving and helping
the lost girl.
After listening for a short while, the light grew brighter
and she could see.
Another direction became apparent, it's glow ahead
becoming brighter.
The girls spotted a clearing, sky through the woods
peered blue.
The sound of waves greeted her as she approached
the light.
Salt air filled her senses and the cry of seabirds fell
upon her ears.
A feeling of safety washed over her as the waves did on the
now visible beach.
Standing at the water's edge was a seafarer, offering her His
scarred hand.
And for the moment, what she had sought became much
less important.
Who she had become now made sense and comforted
the girl.
After all this time, was it possible that it wasn't home she
was seeking?
Maybe, just maybe, the journey wasn't for naught, it was
rather a path.
To what she was meant to find, and who she was now meant
to be.
God's love light radiated as she approached the man and
the beach.
Could it be that instead of herself she sough, God had her
find Him?
Her sojourn had indeed prepared her for the impossibility
of return.
Had it paved her way to the sea, the light, to God and
possibly Him?
The search had been so hard, because she had been looking
in the wrong place.
It wasn't herself, or her past, or her childhood and freedom
she was seeking.
Perhaps she reasoned, that it was this all along which she had
been meant to find.
Their hands touched, and as their eyes met across the space
of moments.
She knew then, that at least of what she had been seeking
she had found.
She also knew that what she still was meant to find, would be
made easier, by Him

MST

LINES

2009-07-28T19:37:00.000-07:00

LINES

I'm a fisherman and seafaring man
I've had many lines to tend in my life
There are lines which we untie at the dock
So we can leave the safety of the port
There are lines fastening sail to rigging
We use lines on the compass to guide us
Latitude lines and the longitude lines
Are on our maps to show us our location

Lines are trolled and drifted with baits and hooks
These are the true fishing lines of our trade
Lines of debarkation mark our exit
From our country's water to the high seas
Our ship, has lines to mark it's areas
One can be amidships, or on the bow
One can be on port side or on starboard
And you can also be abaft the beam

Using rope lines on deck is marlinspike
Sextants have lines to measure the sun with
Against lines on the clock and horizon
Running chart lines to find underwater
Structure invisible from the surface
Anchor line holds our ship in place at sea
Fuel and water lines serve our engines
In port, spring lines keep us centered in slip

But even though I am well versed in lines
I now find myself with a whole new set
Of lines for which I must concern myself
For it is love lines of which I now speak
She has lines I must tend to and care for
There is a line she has drawn for herself
A line she wishes to cross to find and be free
Of life line bonds she has submitted to

She has lines on her cheeks where the tears flow
It is my job to cause the happy ones
And indeed my job to dry the sad ones
She had lines that kept her from saying words
Words I desperately wanted to hear
But we have now thrown that line off the ship
And "I love you" is free to sail to me
Causing my own tears to make lines on me

I tend carefully to the lines I write her
Each line turning into a pretty verse
Which when she reads I pray she will be pleased
Then her smile will make those pretty smile lines
By the eyes which have read my simple lines
The line between me and her has faded
The line that ties me to her has strengthened
Lines form the word we and toward it we move

I'm a fisherman and seafaring man
I've had many lines to tend in my life
But I now tend the lines God intended
Her lines. I will remove them, care for them
Dry them, cause them, cross them, share them, love them
Until lines woven into us create
Strong fabric from which we will make our sails
To sail into the line of our horizon

AFTER THE RAIN

2009-07-27T08:38:00.000-07:00

AFTER THE RAIN

One can feel the rain's pending arrival
The wind changes, strengthens and is gusty
Clouds obscure the sun and bright sky with gray
Colors fade, sun rays briefly peer through them
Pretty sunlit hues now hide behind clouds
They just peer from behind dark barriers
Winking and shining to show their presence

Misty and fine drops begin to moisten
Slowly making it difficult to see
Caution is the watchword when proceeding
Lest we lose traction and slip and injure
It comes time for shelter, and the closeness
Offered at hand and in hand we allow
The rainstorm to come in earnest to us
Large moist drops in earnest are now falling

The sound of the rainstorm, though familiar
Now ushers in the thunder and lightning
Bright flashes are followed by deep rumbling
Causing us to hold tight against the storm
All is wet now, without care or concern
Large drops running down to moisten us both
By their sheer volume they cleanse and purge us
Washing dirt, dust and things unclean away

We gladly now accept the rain torrent
Letting it rend things left here by times past
Cleaning windows and improving our sight
Freshening our lives with healing waters
Making everything seem new and clean
As the rainstorm now behind us settles
With improved vision, we see things anew
Strengthened now by enduring the deluge

Although we can now safely come outside
We might choose to remain held close within
So as to see each other more clearly
Our love is now deepened and purified
By sharing the shelter and comforting
Surviving, knowing that next time we're here
To dry away the waters of the storm
Which fell, not from the sky, but from her eyes

MST

HELM WATCH MINE

2009-07-26T12:23:00.000-07:00

HELM WATCH MINE

It is time for my helm watch, my wheel time
She's not my ship, but responds to my touch
When I take hold, I still feel other warmth
From another's hands upon her steering
He has skills as I but dissimilar
He is the master and the commander
I am privileged to touch her at all
But when I do she seems so very mine

Although I have no claim to my wheel time
When I relinquish her it hurts my heart
And I long for my return to her helm
When at it, I feel no real fear with her
The sinking sun melts in golden stream
O'er shoulders of the beautiful horizon
Meandering with twinkling greens blinking
Over beautiful soft swells I now traverse

I steer in the unknown on my wheel time
I look toward the fading dark horizon
I know my time alone with her is short
I treasure the moments of my night watch
The sky lights with bright stars through her canvas
And they twinkle and reflect off of her
As if they were a million nice fireflies
In the shape of dippers, bears and crosses

I wonder if she likes it, my wheel time
I wonder if she feels the kindred thrill
I wonder if her beautiful riggings tremble
I wonder is this her favorite time of day
I wonder if she knows that it is mine
I wonder does she feel sting of release
I wonder is there anticipation
I wonder does she love the helm watch mine

MST

THE SUN CAME OUT

2009-07-18T09:43:00.000-07:00

THE SUN CAME OUT

It had been a dreary week with clouds obscuring
our light, and grayness subduing pretty color.
The shades of bright beautiful hues not showing
instead drab dull pastels somber in their pallor.

Making our moods and thoughts dank, somber and dreary
as we moved through our lives missing light's life glow.
When our thoughts turned they turned ever wrongly
to other dank, angry, sadness grind filled with woe.

Pray tell what is missing now, that was just recently
here that stopped this darkness and brightened life so?
When this warm glow lightened our lives filled with glee
no anger, sadness, angst or stresses did we know.

Then, the sun came out, bright yellows, hues of gold
warmth, safety and happiness returned to the we.
Twas that tingly, lovely color filled day we fortold
to ourselves and promised us we would again see.

The beautiful beams and rays of light did through
the clouds dark and bleak blanket of color deploy.
Brightening her eyes the fine, happy bright sunlight
lifted the we from the dank and filled us with joy.

PERSPECTIVE

2009-07-09T12:14:00.001-07:00

Perspective

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took their son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of whatwould be considered a very poor family.On their return from their trip, the father asked his son,'How was the trip?''

It was great, Dad.''

Did you see how poor people live?' the father asked.

'Oh yeah,' said the son.'So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip' asked the father.

The son answered:'I saw that we have one dog and they had the four.'

We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden andthey have a creek that has no end..

We have imported lanterns in our garden andthey have the stars at night.

Our patio reaches to the front yard andthey have the whole horizon.

We have a small piece of land to live on andthey have fields that go beyond our sight.

We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.

We buy our food, but they grow theirs.

We have walls around our property to protect us,they have friends to protect them.

'The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, 'Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.'

(I wish I could attribute this beautiful story, I can't seem to find it's author. If anyone knows, please contact me and I will post it, so they might be recognized. Gene)

BUSTING THE TWO PARTY SYSTEM - first in the series "Re-Engagement"

2009-07-07T23:53:00.000-07:00

Fellow Citizens,
This will be the first of a series of articles I am going to write concerning the re-engagement and education of our citizens of our political process. I am going to tackle the subject of party politics today. I must confess my views on this subject are cynical, skeptical, distrustful and disillusioned. I believe that above all this is job one to stop the unravelling of our republic, so I begin here.

We have become a nation of disengaged, apathetic, spoiled, uninformed and irresponsible citizens. I profess to you now folks that if the United States were a nightclub, this would be last call. If we don't become cognizant of our current situation, I think we may well let our republic slip. That would waste every drop of blood our forefathers spilled, every line of ink on our Declaration of Independance and Constitution and tear this beatiful dream from the grasp of our posterity. This is indeed how gravitous this situation is.

One vehicle for our disengagement and apathy is our current party political system. Laziness dictates this. Generally speaking, we have lost the capability of independent thought. Our stances on anything, parrot a paticular ideology, usually an absolute ididotic one, because we have no idea what the idea is we are parroting. What we do know is, that someone popular, whether it be a politician, friend or commercial said it. That is good enough for us and thus, we rubber stamp it. We aren't going to break a sweat to research a topic or candidate, even though with today's technology, it's a breeze and at our fingertips. One political commercial that makes us laugh or cry or angry and we're on board. Rhetoric rules and propaganda prolifica denominates.

Those too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. ~Plato

An election is coming. Universal peace is declared, and the foxes have a sincere
interest in prolonging the lives of the poultry.

~George Eliot, Felix Holt

Truth is not determined by majority vote.

~Doug Gwyn

Thus by aligning themselves with a these mantras or people, or dare I say any established political party these days, they thereby allow themselves to disengage brain (were it engaged initially) and let these candidates/parties/peer groups etc. think for them These said entities are ready and willing to do it of course.This is a manifestation of the deep affliction our republic suffers at the hand of these dogmatic morons and purveyors of entropy. Engagement of the citizenry, return of independent thought and the war against apathy, are uphill battles we, as ones who want drastic change must face.

Every two years the American politics industry fills the airwaves with the most virulent, currilous, wall-to-wall character assassination of nearly every political practitioner in the country - and then declares itself puzzled that America has lost trust in its politicians.

~Charles Krauthammer

The problem with political jokes is they get elected.

~Henry Cate, VII

The Democrats seem to be basically nicer people, but they have demonstrated time and again that they have the management skills of celery. They're the kind of people who'd stop to help change a flat, but would somehow manage to set your car on fire. I would be reluctant to entrust them with a Cuisinart, let alone the economy. The Republicans, on the other hand, would know how to fix your tire, but they wouldn't bother to stop because they'd want to be on time for Ugly Pants Night at the country club.

~Dave Barry

I propose we stat by busting party politics. If we know someone who is a staunch party supporter, ask them why. They will probably say "because the Republicans/Democrats are idiots (but you choose the pejorative)". This begs another question. So you are telling me essentially you are against the Democrats/Republicans, not for your party? By this we can use rhetoric for our country and not against it. Rhetorical questions though will probably upset these folks pretty quick due to the fact they won't be able to answer many of them. But friends, educate gently and with understanding and kindness, thereby setting a good example to emulate. One which I guarantee will be contrary to the nearly intolerable dogma of either party these days. Granted there are more than two parties, but for sake of brevity and clarity, let's concentrate on those two.

All of us who are concerned for peace and triumph of reason and justice must be keenly aware how small an influence reason and honest good will exert upon events in the political field.

~Albert Einstein

Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule - and both commonly succeed, and are right.

~H.L. Mencken

Take our politicians: they're a bunch of yo-yos. The presidency is now a cross between a popularity contest and a high school debate, with an encyclopedia of cliches the first prize.

~Saul Bellow

Another way we can begin to bust party politics will be to end straight ticket voting if it is allowed in your state. I have never liked that pernicious idea. This moronic concept takes laziness and disengagement to a new level. We need to share ideas concerning ending this. Perhaps a group and in grassroots local movements. Also, following this premise I believe that no candidate should have a party by their names on the ballot. Let's work on this friends.

Our cause is noble, and it is difficult for me at least to keep a civil tongue in my head. We must stop the divisivenes and come together as Americans to stop the decimation of of our republic. By a gentle and kind approach, caring for our fellow Americans and our republic in the process, we will win.

Gene

Democracy or Republic

2009-07-07T13:27:00.000-07:00

Democracy or Republic

I find myself answering this question more and more these days. Hopefully this will suffice and I can now copy and paste a link and more thoroughly and accurately answer this very important question.

The United States is, indeed, a republic, not a democracy. Accurately defined, a democracy is a form of government in which the people decide policy matters directly--through town hall meetings or by voting on ballot initiatives and referendums. A republic, on the other hand, is a system in which the people choose representatives who, in turn, make policy decisions on their behalf. The Framers of the Constitution were altogether fearful of pure democracy. Everything they read and studied taught them that pure democracies "have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths".

By popular usage, however, the word "democracy" come to mean a form of government in which the government derives its power from the people and is accountable to them for the use of that power. In this sense the United States might accurately be called a democracy. However, there are examples of "pure democracy" at work in the United States today that would probably trouble the Framers of the Constitution if they were still alive to see them. Many states allow for policy questions to be decided directly by the people by voting on ballot initiatives or referendums. (Initiatives originate with, or are initiated by, the people while referendums originate with, or are referred to the people by, a state's legislative body.) That the Constitution does not provide for national ballot initiatives or referendums is indicative of the Framers' opposition to such mechanisms. They were not confident that the people had the time, wisdom or level-headedness to make complex decisions, such as those that are often presented on ballots on election day.

Writing of the merits of a republican or representative form of government, James Madison observed that one of the most important differences between a democracy and a republic is "the delegation of the government [in a republic] to a small number of citizens elected by the rest." The primary effect of such a scheme, Madison continued,was to:

". . . refine and enlarge the public views by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations. Under such a regulation it may well happen that the public voice, pronounced by the representatives of the people, will be more consonant to the public good than if pronounced by the people themselves, convened for the same purpose."

Later, Madison elaborated on the importance of "refining and enlarging the public views" through a scheme of representation:

"There are particular moments in public affairs when the people, stimulated by some irregular passion, or some illicit advantage, or misled by the artful misrepresentations of interested men, may call for measures which they themselves will afterwards be most ready to lament and condemn. In these critical moments, how salutary will be the interference of some temperate and respectable body of citizens, in order to check the misguided career and to suspend the blow meditated by the people against themselves, until reason, justice and truth can regain their authority over the public mind."

In the strictest sense of the word, the system of government established by the Constitution was never intended to be a "democracy." This is evident not only in the wording of the Pledge of Allegiance but in the Constitution itself which declares that "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government" (Article IV, Section 4). Moreover, the scheme of representation and the various mechanisms for selecting Representatives established by the Constitution were clearly intended to produce a republic, not a democracy.

To the extent that the United States of America has moved away from its republican roots and become more "democratic," it has strayed from the intentions of the Constitution's authors. Whether or not the trend toward more direct democracy would be smiled upon by the Framers depends on the answer to another question. Are the American people today sufficiently better informed and otherwise equipped to be wise and prudent democratic citizens than were American citizens in the late 1700s? By all accounts, the answer to this second question is an emphatic "no."

The Holy Spirit as I Understand It

2009-07-06T00:23:00.000-07:00

Let me preface this by stating the obvious - I am not a Biblical scholar. These are simply my very humble beliefs and understandings I wish to share with all of you. My beliefs and understandings are certainly non-sequitur on this subject as they are on almost everything. Also non-traditional are my ways of expressing said held beliefs. I hope you might understand and give me a little latitude and non-conventionalism that I may express myself in the only way I know.

The best analogy I can come up with for my understanding of the Holy Spirit is a "Prime Mover" and sustainer. I think we can infer from many Bible texts that it is an undercarriage of strength and the emotion that endears us to faith and gives us our appreciation and thankfulness of God's mercy and grace, A manifestation of God's love in the form of our feelings. As the third part of the Holy Trinity.

In the Old Testament the Hebrew word (ruwach, pronounced roo'-akh) was used when talking about the Spirit. This word literally means wind. In the New Testament the Greek word (pneuma, pronounced pnyoo'-mah) was used which means the breath or a breeze. We can literally think of the Holy Spirit as “the breath of God”. This to me is analogous to the air we breathe. It is all around us all the time and we live from it's infusion into our bodies. So I believe it is with the Holy Spirit. It is around us all the time, our faith and relationship to God live form it's infusion into our lives.

Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out
of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit
of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

As an artist and writer, I constantly look for inspiration as a catalyst for my creativity. When we feel moved by a beautiful sunset, when we wonder over the delicate beauty of a flower, or any of our Lord's miracles of creation, it instills within us a warm feeling of love and appreciation. It is that emotion we artists look for when needing that special something which we can transmit to others by a visual, verbal or mental medium. Oftentimes, we use all 3 and when we can, that is when we have truly achieved great creativity. I think we can look at the Spirit as that feeling in us about our faith and the Spirit as what keeps our love with our Lord strong and present in our mind.

I also believe because at the end God will be experienced as a spirit of insight, said Isaiah. That probably the Spirit turns to individuals of unusual insight in this day. The Spirit turns to us artists, among others. The creative arts can be a powerful vehicle of the Spirit. we are often ignored by the public, we artist operate at the frontier of consciousness. I think my goal as an artist is to strike a responsive chord, by which we can sharpen human sensitivities, we can evoke the deepest longings of the heart, and we can reveal that which is hidden by using the subliminal language of shape, color and form. Whether it be shape, color and form of a particular medium, or if it be of the spoken and written word. At its most sublime, the creative process is a vehicle of tremendous spiritual power. At times we artists, when we return from the proverbial, literal or metaphorical mountaintop, are able to tell what we have seen in more colorful and easily envision-able words. I've found that all too often the arts become the exclusive avocation of the rich, as works of art are bartered in the marketplace, becoming slick symbols of status instead of sublime signals of the Spirit.

I also think that the Holy Spirit is the abiding relationship and constant presence we should feel with God that facilitates our interactions with Him. When one is strong in the spirit, there is no need to profess that verbally. The spirit should shine from each of us within whom it rests. Just as Jesus taught His followers not to use their spirituality to call attention to themselves as the priests of that time (and now) were known to do. He prayed in private. He specifically withdrew to a solitary place to avoid being distracted by others. We can follow His example by designating a quiet space for ourselves and schedule it at a time that we are less apt to be bothered by family, friends, and other distractions. It is during this time we can best utilize the Holy Spirit due to our undivided attention and comfortable knowledge of privacy. When we talk to a loved one about subjects completely private, we do not do so in public or loudly so that it can be seen by all, thereby ending it's private nature and that part of our private relationship with our loved one. The intrinsic value of that private relationship with our Lord is indeed the Holy Spirit at work.

Although this is off central subject, it brings into the conversation my aversion to prayer circles, prayer for a specific request by deacons, elders, or you choose the pronoun in front of a congregation. I believe it belittles individual prayer in the mind of the prayed for individual as well as conveys, (in my humble opinion) some sort of non-existent authority on these individuals. And I also see it as a bit pretentious. Premise here being maintaining a focus on God as the main idea, so that we can hear Him speak to us in return without a third party in the loop. This allows our faith to be strengthened individually as it should be using the Holy Spirit, not an earthly practice or ritual.One shouldn't feel that a prayer said in front of a congregation by a deacon, elder, etc. etc. should be heard any more louder or clearer than one prayed individually. Jesus didn't teach it. I don't do it. I don't however, brgrudge anyone who feels blessed by either giving or receiving said public prayer as long as their intentions are pure and they are at peace with God about it. Once again, only my belief and opinion, not a chastation.

I believe another analogy might be made as that of the Holy Spirit being the conduit through which the Love of our Father, our Redeemer and us are inextricably linked. The medium by which he transmits His love to us and the power which enables, strengthens and sustains our faith and our relationship with Him.

God Bless All,
Gene

Abuses and Usurpations From The Declaration of Independence, How Many Apply Today?

2009-07-03T08:07:00.000-07:00

13 Currently Applicable Abuses and Usurpations

On this, the day prior to our Independence Day, I read from the Declaration of Independence to see if any of the 27 grievances our forefathers mentioned in this document might apply today. Although one could construe some of the others as partially applicable, dependening on the perception of the reader, I believe 13 to be either directly, or at the very least perceptively, pertinent and timely. I have listed these here. In this context we can here replace "He" with "They". Let us also remind ourselves, we the people are not blameless in the current situation. By our disengagement, apathy, cowardice and laziness we have harmed our republic. Now it is time to come to attention and become engaged, concerned, brave and tireless in our work at preservation of our republic. This we owe to our forefathers and to our posterity.

"-- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain --
that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that
government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from
the earth."~Abraham Lincoln

— That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new
Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers
in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and
Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established
should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all
experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are
sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are
accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably
the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is
their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new
Guards for their future security. —

1. He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

2. He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amountand payment of their salaries.

3.He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harassour people and eat out their substance.

4.He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of ourlegislatures. He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

5.He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution,and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

6.For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

7.For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they shouldcommit on the Inhabitants of these States:

8.For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

9.For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

10.For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

11.For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

12.For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentallythe Forms of our Governments:

13.For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

OUR FOREFATHERS

2009-07-02T15:49:00.000-07:00

July 4, 1776 – Fifty Six Patriots - signed a document that would change not only the course of their lives but many future generations. These men knew that what they were doing would be considered treason, and if the act of Independence failed that history would remember them as traitors. Fortunately, they possessed the courage, vision and resolve it took to put their names, and their and their families lives on the line. Literally and metaphorically.

We must now "highly resolve" that these courageous acts not go unappreciated, or their value discounted. And that this nation "that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

THE DOCUMENT FROM WHICH IT ALL BEGAN

2009-07-02T15:34:00.000-07:00

The Declaration of
Independence

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life,
Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to securethese
rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving
their justpowers from the consent of the governed, That
whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of
these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or

to abolish it, and to institute new Government,

laying its foundation on such principles and organizing

its powers in such form, as to them shall seem.most likely to

effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will
dictate that Governmentslong established should not be changed for light
and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn
that mankind are more disposed to suer, while evils are
suerable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms
to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of
abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same
Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it
is their right, it is their duty, to throw osuch Government,
and to provide newGuards for their future security.

Bill of Rights

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging
the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the
people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the
government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a
free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms,
shall not be infringed.

Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house,
without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in
a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and eects, against unreasonable searches and
seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue,
but upon probable cause, supported by oath or armation,
and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the
persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise
infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a
grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval
forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of
war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the
same oense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor
shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property,
without due process of law; nor shall private property be
taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right
to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state
and district wherein the crime shall have been committed,
which district shall have been previously ascertained by law,
and to be informed of the nature and cause of the
accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him;
to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his
favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall
exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be
preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise
reexamined in any court of the United States, than
according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive nes
imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inicted.

Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall
not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by thepeople.

Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the
Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved
to the states respectively, or to the people.

'The Masters Touch" - A poem by Carol Uneva Rickman

2009-07-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

"The Master's Touch"

I love to step outside my door
And feel the gentle breeze -
See birds and squirrels and butterflies
Cavorting through the trees.

Some branches, majestically high,
Are stretching toward the sky,
While grass, beneath, hugs tight the ground,
Letting life pass it by.

The ants are ever busy
In their mounds of sandy red,
While mosquitoes and gnats and such
Fly circles 'round my head.

The skies of blue,
With clouds of white and various hues of gray,
Become a splendid pink and red
At dawn and dusk each day.

Raindrops sprinkle ever so lightly,
Warmly, in the breeze,
Or pour, in torrents,
Challenging even the strongest trees.

Man never made a seed
That makes a baby sapling grow,
Or formed the tiny crystals
In a freshly glistening snow.

Nor does he have control
Of earthquakes, hurricanes and such.
Think, daily, of the magnitude
Of the dear Master's touch

That calms the winds.
The seas obey His omnipresent call.
He is, of course, without a doubt,
The Master of it all.

- C. Uneva Rickman

7-1-09

2009-06-30T08:35:00.000-07:00

GALACTIC FATHOMS

2009-06-29T09:38:00.000-07:00

When I look at the galaxies
on a clear night out at sea -
when I look at the incredible
brilliance of creation,and think
that this is what God is like,
then instead of feeling
intimidated and diminished by it,
I am enlarged . . . I rejoice
that I am a part of it. The
salt of the sea-spray joy.
Listen to your life. See it for
the fathomless mystery that it is.
Touch, taste, smell your way
to the holy and hidden heart
of it. Love as a wave loves
the beach touching washing
forming, gently, continuously.
Unrelenting, but able to
wash gently around the
child's feet, ever forming
grains in sands hourglass time.
Because in the last analysis
all moments are sacred moments
and life itself is grace manifest.

THE TIME HAS COME FOR ALL GOOD CITIZENS TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR COUNTRY

2009-06-27T20:46:00.000-07:00

I have written on this subject several times before within other context. I now make this subject priority one, as I believe it should be.
Our country is in deep trouble. Financially, diplomatically, and most of all in the lack of engaged citizenry. We have become a nation of extremes. We either are extremely left, extremely right, extremely liberal, extremely conservative, extremely religious, extremely secular, extremely Democratic, extremely Republican and predominantly, extremely apathetic. We tend to pigeon hole ourselves within a selected group and parrot what that group says, believes and votes for. By such ideological slotting, we can then disengage brain and let the other members of said groups think for us when it comes to our citizenry and politics. Just like in sports, we pick a team and then bash every other team. We second guess the coaches and berate losing players. Here is the difference. In politics and good engaged citizenry, WE are in fact the coach, owner and players. We would like to place blame on an administration, party or group. Just like in so many other facets of our lives, we have shunned responsibility and accountability.

Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong. ~Richard Armour

There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle. ~Alexis de Tocqueville

We'd all like to vote for the best man, but he's never a candidate. ~Frank McKinney "Kin" Hubbard

There must be common ground which we can all stand upon. We must find that common ground. I believe we can all agree on keeping our republic sovereign and autonomous. I sincerely feel we stand to lose that soon should we continue down the path we are on. How can we accomplish this? We must start locally by approaching the party of which you are not a member of. If you are not now, or have ever been a member of any party, good. We must forgo this party mentality. I know it will be difficult to accomplish. Start by developing relationships with people of every party. Stop refusing to talk to liberals/conservatives. Be a citizen, not a republican/democrat/libertarian. Love liberty, not a politician. Love freedom, not television. Love your country, not dogmatism.

Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule - and both commonly succeed, and are right. ~H.L. Mencken, 1956

All of us who are concerned for peace and triumph of reason and justice must be keenly aware how small an influence reason and honest good will exert upon events in the political field. ~Albert Einstein

The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn. The Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it. ~P.J. O'Rourke

The future is up to us. We have to understand that we are the government. We have to become engaged in the process. We have to insure our posterity enjoys the same freedoms and liberty that our forefathers secured for us with hard knocks and blood. We have to understand that it is our noble charge to secure this future. The days of laziness and lackadaisical approaches are over. The party is over. Should we allow things to take the course those who would destroy our republic for their financial gain would want, which is what we are currently doing, we will lose our monetary autonomy and with it, so goes our republic.

Midas, they say, possessed the art of old
Of turning whatsoe'er he touch'd to gold;
This modern statesmen can reverse with ease -
Touch them with gold, they'll turn to what you please.
~John Wolcot

How come we choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America? ~Author Unknown

Politics is supposed to be the second-oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first. ~Ronald Reagan

We must educate our youth on the rights and duties of citizenship. We must get our children engaged in the process. To do this, WE must be engaged in the process. Ask questions. Take the time to call your representatives. Force change by numbers of those us engaged. Take up the mantle of good citizenship and be a good example for our youth to emulate. Take responsibility and be accountable. Be Americans one and all. This house is once again divided. This house will not stand as such.

Every two years the American politics industry fills the airwaves with the most virulent, scurrilous, wall-to-wall character assassination of nearly every political practitioner in the country - and then declares itself puzzled that America has lost trust in its politicians. ~Charles Krauthammer

Instead of giving a politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks. ~Doug Larson

One ought to recognize that the present political chaos is connected with the decay of language, and that one can probably bring about some improvement by starting at the verbal end. If you simplify your English, you are freed from the worst follies of orthodoxy. You cannot speak any of the necessary dialects, and when you make a stupid remark, its stupidity will be obvious, even to yourself. Political language - and with variations this is true of all political parties, from Conservatives to Anarchists - is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind. One cannot change this all in a moment, but one can at least change one's own habits, and from time to time, one can even, if one jeers loudly enough, send some worn-out and useless phrase - some jackboot, Achilles' heel, hotbed, melting pot, acid test, veritable inferno or other lump of verbal refuse - into the dustbin where it belongs. ~George Orwell, "Politics and the English Language," Shooting an Elephant, 1950

Can't You Sea?

2009-06-26T00:20:00.000-07:00

The ocean takes me to a place of peace
I feel the ocean’s soul and I'm content, I have no worries, I'm at ease
What I would do to live in the ocean and bathe in the sand
Swim at every sunrise and mesmerize every sunset
I want to run on the beach and dive in the waves….have no regrets
Swim like a dolphin and grow with the coral reef
I want to be a part of the ocean like the ocean is a part of me
I feel the oceans soul and it pulls me in
Into a place of happiness and peace, I am the ocean
The ocean is a beautiful place but it can take you in
Swim...swim fast with the waves and you'll be okay
I'm loved by many and I see love
I see you holding hands and staring at the moon
I see you walking hand in hand, I knew you would come
Sit by my shore and wait for the sun
I'll make the day beautiful and allow the sun to reflect off of me
Come to me and let go of your thoughts and fears
I am the ocean, swim with me and I'll catch your tears

Attitude

2009-06-23T10:08:00.000-07:00

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

2009-06-21T19:25:00.000-07:00

Father! - to God himself we cannot give a holier name. ~William Wordsworth

THE EROSION OF FAMILIES

2009-06-20T07:06:00.000-07:00

Times are tough. You pick the time. Financial, political and moral. I believe these tough times are intrinsically tied. We have sold out the family. We have devaluated our love of family, the traditional family, and our fellow citizen family. Because we don't stick together as these families, we have lost the team spirit and the strength in numbers we use to enjoy as a benefit of any of these important family groups.

CHANGE IN THE DEFINITION OF THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY

The first example is the shifting value of the traditional family and the definition of it. Let me preface this by saying that I am not homophobic, nor do I hate homosexuals. Neither do I believe that people are born that way. I believe they might be born with the propensity for this aberrant behavior, just as I believe that some people are born with the propensity for any other weaknesses of the flesh. This is spelled out clearly in the New Testament. I prefer to use New Testament examples of the Word so as not to confuse the old law of salvation by works, by which I would render ambiguous my motivation for these quotes and my feelings on the subject.

"Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the
lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies
between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie,
and worshipped and served the creature more than the
Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God
gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did
change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the
woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men
working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves
that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as
they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave
them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are
not convenient;"
Romans 1:24-28, KJV

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the
kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of
themselves with mankind [homosexuals],"
1 Corinthians 6:9, KJV

"Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man,
but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for
sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers
and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers,
for them that defile themselves with mankind, [homosexuals]
for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if
there be any other thing that is contrary to sound
doctrine;"
1 Timothy 1:9-10, KJV

"And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes
condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample
unto those that after should live ungodly;"
2 Peter 2:6, KJV

"Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in
like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and
going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example,
suffering the vengeance of eternal fire."
Jude 1:7, KJV

I also believe that it is something to be looked at as a weakness by the individual and something they should attempt to avoid or preclude, not something to acquiesce to. I believe that we should love and offer to the homosexual the same love and opportunity for help we would offer a drug addict, alcoholic or person with any other form of sexual addiction/s etc.

The current push for the adoption of same sex marriage laws in many parts of the country in the name of liberty are a manifestation of the erosion of the traditional family. Only a man and woman can conceive a child, therefore I believe that only a man and woman should be parents. Any compromise of this pragmatic premise,(my late grandfather used the "it's a simple plumbing issue" analogy) is a moral compromise and a slide into immorality for not only those who would abrogate this tradition, but a handicap to the children raised by same sex unions. Children need a father. Children need a mother. I do not believe that there should be a law against co-habitation of same sex adults. I also believe that adoption of children by same sex couples should be precluded except in extreme circumstances where the child might be a genetic child of one of the partners. I know, I have just breached a controversial and volatile subject. I am willing to listen to any argument. I am rarely fixed in a position unless God has locked that position in for us clearly in the Bible, dogmatism being my pet peeve. Of course, I don't believe the government should dictate morality one way or the other.

CHANGE IN OUR CITIZEN FAMILY

Slowly we have changed our perception of the traditional family. So have we changed our perception and approach to our citizenship (our American family). We have become disengaged, apathetic, unappreciative and uninformed. We have become so very lazy and spoiled. It is exactly what the government would want. The government does not have your family's best interest in mind anymore. Let me repeat that -The government DOES NOT have your family's best interest in mind. The government is an oligarchy controlled by bankers. I worked in the banking industry for many years and have seen the slimy underbelly of this industry. They realized early on if they could get hold of the purse strings of the government they could themselves profit from the giant amount of money which could be generated by the illegal income tax. They accomplished this in several ways. First in 1913 by the creation of the Federal Reserve Act. Woodrow Wison afterward had much regret after signing this act into law and had this to say about it -

"I am a most unhappy man. I have unwittingly ruined my country. A great industrial nation is controlled by its system of credit. Our system of credit is concentrated. The growth of the nation, therefore, and all our activities are in the hands of a few men. We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated Governments in the civilized world no longer a Government by free opinion, no longer a Government by conviction and the vote of the majority, but a Government by the opinion and duress of a small group of dominant men."
~Woodrow Wilson

Since then, the taxation of the public has increased at a rate commensurate with the money addicted spending of said public, and that of the politicians they choose. Tax collection and the defense of those accused of tax crimes has become a large industry. Not much has changed since Luke wrote about tax collectors and the feelings of people about them, nor has much changed about the sins of those who would so overly tax the public.

Rome's method of collecting taxes was to employ as tax collectors locals who knew who had money and where they kept it. A province was divided into tax districts. Locals would bid for the contract of collecting taxes in a district. The bid was the money they were contracted to pay the government; whatever they collected over that amount was theirs to keep. The chief tax collector (such as Zacchaeus in Luke 19:2) owned the contract for his region. Then he would employ others to collect taxes in the various villages. Tax collectors were widely regarded as thieves and robbers. Perhaps the Jews told "tax collector jokes" the same way we tell "lawyer jokes," we don't know.

Luke 5:27-32

[27] After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, [28] and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

[29] Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. [30] But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"

[31] Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
[32] I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Luke 3: 12-13

[12] Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? [13] And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

The spend and spend and spend mentality of entire population, politicans included are so increased as to have precipitated the creation of the two income household. This has caused further erosion of the traditional family we discussed earlier and greatly increased the amount available for the government to spend at it's discretion.

Remember,the tax on earnings of the second household member begins where the last dollar of the first earner leave off. The middle income famly is more deeply leveraged than in history and the second income is completely negated by expenses of services (e.g. eating out etc.) which would be moot with a household member at home to provide these. Child care for instance was an expense almost non-existent in the 1970's now it accounts for @ 30% of a two earner family with children. The cost of health insurance, cars, mortgages and interest on credit card debt has all at least doubled since that time. All of this money goes directly into the pockets of the bankers and financiers.

For what we spend we get less. Today for a normal non-cessarian child birth, insurance pays for 24 hours after normal delivery as compared to 5 days in '71 in some places by legislation because they were trying to push them out (pardon the pun) sooner. This practice is well known in the trade as "send em home quicker and sicker". There is also what I call faux insurance. Although you believe your family is covered. Here's a laugher, in Utah the (not sure about this guy's title, but maybe secretary of insurance?)politician in charge of the committee on insurance achieved the goal of insuring everyone, except it doesn't cover hospitalization.

Houses are no longer purchased based on the same reasons we bought them for in the 1970's People are buying schools. Let me define that statement. In side by side comparisons in Boston, in neighboroods measured for crime, sidewalks, racial composition, convenience to shopping, etc., 5 points in the difference in scores of reading for 3rd grade increased home prices by tens of thousands of dollars. Now you understand the real reason behind the school ratings system in Texas based on TAKS scores. In san diego, they did a study, parents would rather live by a toxic dump, than where they believed schools to be underperforming

The slow erosion of employer sponsored benefits has shifted the burden to the individual who when left without a safety net due to said erosion now shifts the burden to the government as the government, and the bankers would want. This facilitates the government's desire to justify the illegal income tax and create the illusion of our dependence on them.

Our entry into the workforce has also become more difficult with college degees being expected, not just desired. Twice as many people now believe that the '68 moon landing was faked, as believe you can make it in america without a college degree.
In a major shift from the early '70s, when almost no one went to pre school, now almost everyone does. What took 12 years of free education to successfully enter the workforce then now takes 18 years. The family's cost for pre-school in some places although state subsidized approaches that of state institutions for higher learning. This is incomprehensible to me.

Now with that said, there is much more to learn, much more. not all of it is neccesary or useful in todays work force, but we feel obligated, as well we should to highly educate. The additional expense incurred by your average family for this lengthier and higher education is an additional burden. Families pay for 1/3 of that privately. Many through loans, many through grants, but all from our pockets no matter the route. Once again, interest and income for banks increases and increases.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

2009-06-19T17:18:00.000-07:00

One of the primary reasons that we find ourselves in the financial fix we are in now is due to the irresponsibility of financial institutions owned by corporations, and large corporations who practice such irresponsibility with impunity due to their corporate status which provides us no recourse to hold said corporate entities accountable (short of the board of directors in only the most agregious situations - Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Precipitated by the Enron fiasco). Irresonsible lending and mis-managed business were rewarded by "bailing out" these idiots and crooks, further ratifying the recent pernicious trend of lack of accountability. Now we are essentially printing script and throwing it at a problem which begs for some responsible accounting. Once again, I must say, Common sense and logic nearly always conflict with a purely government solution. Or, what is the only thing the government does well?- - -Nothing
Bank local folks. Make sure it's not corporate owned. When you can, shop local. Get out of your company's 401k or insure it (especially if it is a large corporation). Don't let a "fund" manage your finances. Buy gold. Don't use credit cards. Dump your variable rate mortgage. Tighten your belts. Be frugal and pragmatic when you shop. Save gas when you can. And for gosh sakes, stop watching the idiot box! Read with your family, volunteer somewhere, take a class with your kids or spouse in art or something that interest you all, get involved in a cause you believe in and let's get our Republic back.
Your Cynical Servant,
Capt. Gene D. Tomlinson

COMBATTING NEGATIVITY

2009-06-18T21:17:00.000-07:00

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Now I don't know about you, but after accepting a gift this wonderful from our Lord, it is hard for me to be negtive about anything. There are many people though, who find themselves caught up in negativity whether it be their own, or that of others.

Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.) ------------------------------God has given us everything we need to live the abundant fulfilled Christian life. We need to learn how to use what we have so that our lives will overflow with joy and thanksgiving.

It’s undeniably true that there will always be people in this world who see the glass as half empty. These are your negative people, who typically see the worst in a situation, no matter what the situation may be. Communicating with these people, whether they are friends, family, or coworkers, can often be difficult, exhausting, and can hinder your happiness. Why are these people negative though? Once we know the answer to this question, and gain some understanding into the problem we can find solutions to beating the negativity that these people possess.

The Good & Bad Sides

To every situation there is in the world, there is always a “good side” and a “bad side”, or positive and negative sides. These positive and negative sides are typically subjective and dependent on the person who views the situation. In reality there is no situation that is strictly good or strictly bad. This is all determined based on the perception of the person who has the view. People who view the positive/good side are known to be optimistic, while people who view the negative/bad side are pessimistic.

The classic “glass with water” analogy proves this pessimistic/optimistic theory that the way we view things subjectively ultimately determines if a situation is positive or negative. In reality, the glass has water in it taking up half its volume. It isn’t “half empty” nor is it “half full”, those are opinions based solely on an individual’s judgment.

It’s important to realize and understand that situations have both a good and a bad side. Choosing one side over another limits your ability to find the real truth that lies in seeing the broader picture. We folks are lazy these days. Very lazy as comared to our forefathers. It is sometimes easier for us to claim one side, and when that side is the "bad" or negative side, we by our laziness choose it. Sometimes conciously, but most times subconciously. If we put our spirituality and God into this equation, though it may take more work, thought or time, before long it will become habit to make Him a part of every decision we make and perception that we have.

People who are overly negative are depressed. This is typically the main reason why negative people always see the worst in a situation. They can be depressed for many reasons, and it’s possible they are despondent about a certain topic or situation because it has hurt them in the past. Whatever the reason, they reflect their sorrow on the world around them, seeing only the bad things in life, which makes them even more depressed, and thus continues this downward spiral of negativity.

Once we realize that a person is depressed, we want to help them if we can. We don’t want to see our friends and family in pain. So, we try to help them cope with their sadness, or fix their problems and reasons for their depression. What happens though is that these people can’t really be helped until they want to be helped. It isn’t until a depressed person realizes that they are depressed, and desires to make a change for the better, that they can be helped. If you feel that a friend of family member of yours is depressed, I seriously recommend having them discuss with a professional such as a psychiatrist about their depression as it can be a very serious problem leading to physical harm and death.

I have known negative people who after I had told them good news about myself, were the first to show their cynical attitude and point out why it isn’t good news at all. I knew that these people were only trying to sap my happiness, and I ignored their ill-willed comments. People should be happy for the success of their friends, family, and the people around them. Instead of feeling bad about not having someone’s success or achievements, these defeatists should use it as a learning experience and stepping stone to change their own lifestyle. Like I said, it is much easier to perpetuate a negative attitude than to change it.

If you know a person who shows this type of jealous negativity, I would recommend avoiding them if you can. Share your positiveness with them as best you and offer yourself as a good example for them to emulate. If they are incapable of listening (many are) than seperating yourself from them might bring them to the realization that you are uncomfortable around them. These people believe that you are part of their problem, even though in actuality you aren’t, so it is best to stay away from them, because they will only continue to attempt to make you feel badly about your achievements.

Breaking the Negativity Virus

Negativity is truly a virus of the personality. It infects the mind of one person, and that person continues to spread the virus to other people. It’s extremely important that you don’t become infected, and here are a few tips on how to break the chain of infection from the Negativity Virus:

Trust in your own opinions

Negative and positive views are only opinions, and you should realize that no opinion is a fact, so trust your opinion above the opinions of others if you don’t agree with them. It’s important to get the opinion of many different people anyway, so don’t focus on a single negative one. Remember that your happiness is valuable to you and no one has the right to take that away from you if you don’t allow it.

Show the good in the bad

If you know a pessimistic person that always points out the bad in situations, you can combat the attitude by telling them the good in the situation, or even have them tell you the good in the situation. Pessimism is based on a subjective view of something, so it is helpful to have a pessimistic person realize that there is a good side as well to be seen.

Be kind, but don’t be an ego feeder

Negative people often search for people to feed their egos to make them feel better about themselves, which is only a temporary gratification. It’s important to be kind to the people around you, but don’t overdo it to the point that people talk to you just for an ego boost.

Include the negative person in a positive situation

Sometimes it can really help to change the outlook a person has just by including them in a fun event, or happy situation. People can sometimes be truly missing out on the great things that life has to offer, so if you can, try to include them in something fun that you are doing. You may just happen to guide them back on the right track.

Isolate yourself as a last resort

Sometimes there are people that no matter what you try to help or resolve a person’s negativity, they remain pessimistic. At this point, I recommend breaking ties with these people, and isolating yourself from them. There isn’t much else you can do to help, so it is pointless to continue subjecting yourself to their negative attitude.

Dealing with negative people can often seem like a daunting task, one that leaves you feeling sapped of energy, but once you understand the cause of a person’s pessimistic attitude, you can help try to fix it or recommend someone who can. Trust in yourself and do your best to see the great things in the world while trying to eliminate the bad. If you do this and do it well, eventually the pessimists will follow.

The way we see the world is only a matter of perception

Greed, Taxation and Irresponsible Spending

2009-06-17T10:30:00.000-07:00

Greed. When asked recently what I thought was the biggest problem our country faces, this was my response. "Absolutely" said the inquisitor, "Our politicians are all greedy so and sos who can't control their money drunkness." Now, God bless this man, he made the statement sitting in a nice restauraunt sipping a $15 cocktail complaining about the gas mileage his Escalade is getting. Now let me preface this by saying I don't begrudge anyone for buying what they feel they can afford. My problem is with people feeling the need to buy things which they really can't. And in turn our politicians doing the same with our taxes. The hubristic nature in which they wield OUR money is what sticks in my craw. Especially when there is no money to spend.

Here is an except from Ron Paul speaking recently on war spending. It is fantastic and eye opening. Everyone should be aware of the fiscal nightmare this bit outlines. The IMF is just what Dr. Paul calls it - "A destructive organization." The International Monetary Fund's agenda does NOT, repeat, does NOT consider the best interest of the United States or any other country for that matter. It is solely concerned with it's own agenda. It is an international consortium of banks and financiers concerned with the agendas of it's members. It's board consist of high level bankers and financial consultants, all from the financial community. Bankers are in business to make money with money, within which lies the conflict of interest between your tax money and the IMF. Or any organization concerned with income based on holding on to either your money or your collateral. Here is the big problem, unfortunately our financial arrangements currently in place with the Federal Reserve, have our politicians "strung out" (pardon the drug parlance)on tax and spend mentalities. The IMF knows that should we continue down this course, it will achieve what it desires, - a global currency. With the loss of our monetary autonomy, will follow the loss of our Republic.

"Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this conference report on the War Supplemental Appropriations. I wonder what happened to all of my colleagues who said they were opposed to the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I wonder what happened to my colleagues who voted with me as I opposed every war supplemental request under the previous administration. It seems, with very few exceptions, they have changed their position on the war now that the White House has changed hands. I find this troubling. As I have said while opposing previous war funding requests, a vote to fund the war is a vote in favor of the war. Congress exercises its constitutional prerogatives through the power of the purse.

This conference report, being a Washington-style compromise, reflects one thing Congress agrees on: spending money we do not have. So this “compromise” bill spends 15 percent more than the president requested, which is $9 billion more than in the original House bill and $14.6 billion more than the original Senate version. Included in this final version – in addition to the $106 billion to continue the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq – is a $108 billion loan guarantee to the International Monetary Fund, allowing that destructive organization to continue spending taxpayer money to prop up corrupt elites and promote harmful economic policies overseas.

As Americans struggle through the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, this emergency supplemental appropriations bill sends billions of dollars overseas as foreign aid. Included in this appropriation is $660 million for Gaza, $555 million for Israel, $310 million for Egypt, $300 million for Jordan, and $420 million for Mexico. Some $889 million will be sent to the United Nations for “peacekeeping” missions. Almost one billion dollars will be sent overseas to address the global financial crisis outside our borders and nearly $8 billion will be spent to address a “potential pandemic flu.”

Mr. Speaker, I continue to believe that the best way to support our troops is to bring them home from Iraq and Afghanistan. If one looks at the original authorization for the use of force in Afghanistan, it is clear that the ongoing and expanding nation-building mission there has nothing to do with our goal of capturing and bringing to justice those who attacked the United States on September 11, 2001. Our continued presence in Iraq and Afghanistan does not make us safer at home, but in fact it undermines our national security. I urge my colleagues to defeat this reckless conference report."
~Ron Paul

NOT YOURS TO GIVE - DAVID CROCKETT

2009-06-16T22:39:00.000-07:00

We Texans think about David Crockett more in the context of his participation in our revolution than we do of him as a congressman. He was one of the first true conservatives and learned about the people's feeling on spending the hard way. This is a very interesting read and quite timely.

The following is a story of David Crockett speaking on government spending and the events which led him to his opinion of it.

Not Yours To Give

Col. David Crockett
US Representative from Tennessee

Originally published in "The Life of Colonel David Crockett,"
by Edward Sylvester Ellis.

One day in the House of Representatives a bill was taken up appropriating money for the benefit of a widow of a distinguished naval officer. Several beautiful speeches had been made in its support. The Speaker was just about to put the question when Crockett arose:

"Mr. Speaker--I have as much respect for the memory of the deceased, and as much sympathy for the sufferings of the living, if suffering there be, as any man in this House, but we must not permit our respect for the dead or our sympathy for a part of the living to lead us into an act of injustice to the balance of the living. I will not go into an argument to prove that Congress has not the power to appropriate this money as an act of charity. Every member upon this floor knows it. We have the right, as individuals, to give away as much of our own money as we please in charity; but as members of Congress we have no right so to appropriate a dollar of the public money. Some eloquent appeals have been made to us upon the ground that it is a debt due the deceased. Mr. Speaker, the deceased lived long after the close of the war; he was in office to the day of his death, and I have never heard that the government was in arrears to him.

"Every man in this House knows it is not a debt. We cannot, without the grossest corruption, appropriate this money as the payment of a debt. We have not the semblance of authority to appropriate it as charity. Mr. Speaker, I have said we have the right to give as much money of our own as we please. I am the poorest man on this floor. I cannot vote for this bill, but I will give one week's pay to the object, and if every member of Congress will do the same, it will amount to more than the bill asks."

He took his seat. Nobody replied. The bill was put upon its passage, and, instead of passing unanimously, as was generally supposed, and as, no doubt, it would, but for that speech, it received but few votes, and, of course, was lost.

Later, when asked by a friend why he had opposed the appropriation, Crockett gave this explanation:

"Several years ago I was one evening standing on the steps of the Capitol with some other members of Congress, when our attention was attracted by a great light over in Georgetown. It was evidently a large fire. We jumped into a hack and drove over as fast as we could. In spite of all that could be done, many houses were burned and many families made houseless, and, besides, some of them had lost all but the clothes they had on. The weather was very cold, and when I saw so many women and children suffering, I felt that something ought to be done for them. The next morning a bill was introduced appropriating $20,000 for their relief. We put aside all other business and rushed it through as soon as it could be done.

"The next summer, when it began to be time to think about election, I concluded I would take a scout around among the boys of my district. I had no opposition there, but, as the election was some time off, I did not know what might turn up. When riding one day in a part of my district in which I was more of a stranger than any other, I saw a man in a field plowing and coming toward the road. I gauged my gait so that we should meet as he came to the fence. As he came up, I spoke to the man. He replied politely, but, as I thought, rather coldly.

"I began: 'Well, friend, I am one of those unfortunate beings called
candidates, and---‘

"Yes I know you; you are Colonel Crockett. I have seen you once before, and voted for you the last time you were elected. I suppose you are out electioneering now, but you had better not waste your time or mine, I shall not vote for you again."

"This was a sockdolager...I begged him to tell me what was the matter.

" ’Well, Colonel, it is hardly worth-while to waste time or words upon it. I do not see how it can be mended, but you gave a vote last winter which shows that either you have not capacity to understand the Constitution, or that you are wanting in the honesty and firmness to be guided by it. In either case you are not the man to represent me. But I beg your pardon for expressing it in that way. I did not intend to avail myself of the privilege of the constituent to speak plainly to a candidate for the purpose of insulting or wounding you. I intend by it only to say that your understanding of the Constitution is very different from mine; and I will say to you what, but for my rudeness, I should not have said, that I believe you to be honest.
…But an understanding of the Constitution different from mine I cannot overlook, because the Constitution, to be worth anything, must be held sacred, and rigidly observed in all its provisions. The man who wields power and misinterprets it is the more dangerous the more honest he is.'

" 'I admit the truth of all you say, but there must be some mistake about it, for I do not remember that I gave any vote last winter upon any constitutional question.’

“ ‘No, Colonel, there’s no mistake. Though I live in the backwoods and seldom go from home, I take the papers from Washington and read very carefully all the proceedings of Congress. My papers say that last winter you voted for a bill to appropriate $20,000 to some sufferers by a fire in Georgetown. Is that true?’

" ‘Well, my friend; I may as well own up. You have got me there. But certainly nobody will complain that a great and rich country like ours should give the insignificant sum of $20,000 to relieve its suffering women and children, particularly with a full and overflowing Treasury, and I am sure, if you had been there, you would have done just as I did.'

" ‘It is not the amount, Colonel, that I complain of; it is the principle. In the first place, the government ought to have in the Treasury no more than enough for its legitimate purposes. But that has nothing with the question. The power of collecting and disbursing money at pleasure is the most dangerous power that can be entrusted to man, particularly under our system of collecting revenue by a tariff, which reaches every man in the country, no matter how poor he may be, and the poorer he is the more he pays in proportion to his means. What is worse, it presses upon him without his knowledge where the weight centers, for there is not a man in the United States who can ever guess how much he pays to the government. So you see, that while you are contributing to relieve one, you are drawing it from thousands who are even worse off than he. If you had the right to give anything, the amount was simply a matter of discretion with you, and you had as much right to give $20,000,000 as $20,000. If you have the right to give to one, you have the right to give to all; and, as the Constitution neither defines charity nor stipulates the amount, you are at liberty to give to any and everything which you may believe, or profess to believe, is a charity, and to any amount you may think proper. You will very easily perceive what a wide door this would open for fraud and corruption and favoritism, on the one hand, and for robbing the people on the other. 'No, Colonel, Congress has no right to give charity. Individual members may give as much of their own money as they please, but they have no right to touch a dollar of the public money for that purpose. If twice as many houses had been burned in this county as in Georgetown, neither you nor any other member of Congress would have thought of appropriating a dollar for our relief. There are about two hundred and forty members of Congress. If they had shown their sympathy for the sufferers by contributing each one week's pay, it would have made over $13,000. There are plenty of wealthy men in and around Washington who could have given $20,000 without depriving themselves of even a luxury of life.' "The congressmen chose to keep their own money, which, if reports be true, some of them spend not very creditably; and the people about Washington, no doubt, applauded you for relieving them from the necessity of giving by giving what was not yours to give. The people have delegated to Congress, by the Constitution, the power to do certain things. To do these, it is authorized to collect and pay moneys, and for nothing else. Everything beyond this is usurpation, and a violation of the Constitution.'

" 'So you see, Colonel, you have violated the Constitution in what I consider a vital point. It is a precedent fraught with danger to the country, for when Congress once begins to stretch its power beyond the limits of the Constitution, there is no limit to it, and no security for the people. I have no doubt you acted honestly, but that does not make it any better, except as far as you are personally concerned, and you see that I cannot vote for you.'

"I tell you I felt streaked. I saw if I should have opposition, and this man should go to talking, he would set others to talking, and in that district I was a gone fawn-skin. I could not answer him, and the fact is, I was so fully convinced that he was right, I did not want to. But I must satisfy him, and I said to him:

" ‘Well, my friend, you hit the nail upon the head when you said I had not sense enough to understand the Constitution. I intended to be guided by it, and thought I had studied it fully. I have heard many speeches in Congress about the powers of Congress, but what you have said here at your plow has got more hard, sound sense in it than all the fine speeches I ever heard. If I had ever taken the view of it that you have, I would have put my head into the fire before I would have given that vote; and if you will forgive me and vote for me again, if I ever vote for another unconstitutional law I wish I may be shot.'

"He laughingly replied; 'Yes, Colonel, you have sworn to that once before, but I will trust you again upon one condition. You say that you are convinced that your vote was wrong. Your acknowledgment of it will do more good than beating you for it. If, as you go around the district, you will tell people about this vote, and that you are satisfied it was wrong, I will not only vote for you, but will do what I can to keep down opposition, and, perhaps, I may exert some little influence in that way.'

" ‘If I don't’, said I, 'I wish I may be shot; and to convince you that I am in earnest in what I say I will come back this way in a week or ten days, and if you will get up a gathering of the people, I will make a speech to them. Get up a barbecue, and I will pay for it.'

" ‘No, Colonel, we are not rich people in this section, but we have plenty of provisions to contribute for a barbecue, and some to spare for those who have none. The push of crops will be over in a few days, and we can then afford a day for a barbecue. This is Thursday; I will see to getting it up on Saturday week. Come to my house on Friday, and we will go together, and I promise you a very respectable crowd to see and hear you.’

" 'Well, I will be here. But one thing more before I say good-bye. I must know your name.’

" 'My name is Bunce.'

" 'Not Horatio Bunce?'

" 'Yes.’

" 'Well, Mr. Bunce, I never saw you before, though you say you have seen me, but I know you very well. I am glad I have met you, and very proud that I may hope to have you for my friend.'

"It was one of the luckiest hits of my life that I met him. He mingled but little with the public, but was widely known for his remarkable intelligence and incorruptible integrity, and for a heart brimful and running over with kindness and benevolence, which showed themselves not only in words but in acts. He was the oracle of the whole country around him, and his fame had extended far beyond the circle of his immediate acquaintance. Though I had never met him, before, I had heard much of him, and but for this meeting it is very likely I should have had opposition, and had been beaten. One thing is very certain, no man could now stand up in that district under such a vote.

"At the appointed time I was at his house, having told our conversation to every crowd I had met, and to every man I stayed all night with, and I found that it gave the people an interest and a confidence in me stronger than I had ever seen manifested before.

"Though I was considerably fatigued when I reached his house, and, under ordinary circumstances, should have gone early to bed, I kept him up until midnight, talking about the principles and affairs of government, and got more real, true knowledge of them than I had got all my life before.

"I have known and seen much of him since, for I respect him - no, that is not the word - I reverence and love him more than any living man, and I go to see him two or three times every year; and I will tell you, sir, if every one who professes to be a Christian lived and acted and enjoyed it as he does, the religion of Christ would take the world by storm.

"But to return to my story. The next morning we went to the barbecue, and, to my surprise, found about a thousand men there. I met a good many whom I had not known before, and they and my friend introduced me around until I had got pretty well acquainted - at least, they all knew me.

"In due time notice was given that I would speak to them. They gathered up around a stand that had been erected. I opened my speech by saying:

" ‘Fellow-citizens - I present myself before you today feeling like a new man. My eyes have lately been opened to truths which ignorance or prejudice, or both, had heretofore hidden from my view. I feel that I can today offer you the ability to render you more valuable service than I have ever been able to render before. I am here today more for the purpose of acknowledging my error than to seek your votes. That I should make this acknowledgment is due to myself as well as to you. Whether you will vote for me is a matter for your consideration only.’"

"I went on to tell them about the fire and my vote for the appropriation and then told them why I was satisfied it was wrong. I closed by saying:

" ‘And now, fellow-citizens, it remains only for me to tell you that the most of the speech you have listened to with so much interest was simply a repetition of the arguments by which your neighbor, Mr. Bunce, convinced me of my error.

" ‘It is the best speech I ever made in my life, but he is entitled to the
credit for it. And now I hope he is satisfied with his convert and that he will get up here and tell you so.'

"He came upon the stand and said:

" ‘Fellow-citizens - It affords me great pleasure to comply with the request of Colonel Crockett. I have always considered him a thoroughly honest man, and I am satisfied that he will faithfully perform all that he has promised you today.'

"He went down, and there went up from that crowd such a shout for Davy Crockett as his name never called forth before.'

"I am not much given to tears, but I was taken with a choking then and felt some big drops rolling down my cheeks. And I tell you now that the remembrance of those few words spoken by such a man, and the honest, hearty shout they produced, is worth more to me than all the honors I have received and all the reputation I have ever made, or ever shall make, as a member of Congress.'

"Now, sir," concluded Crockett, "you know why I made that speech yesterday.

"There is one thing now to which I will call your attention. You remember that I proposed to give a week's pay. There are in that House many very wealthy men - men who think nothing of spending a week's pay, or a dozen of them, for a dinner or a wine party when they have something to accomplish by it. Some of those same men made beautiful speeches upon the great debt of gratitude which the country owed the deceased--a debt which could not be paid by money--and the insignificance and worthlessness of money, particularly so insignificant a sum as $10,000, when weighed against the honor of the nation. Yet not one of them responded to my proposition. Money with them is nothing but trash when it is to come out of the people. But it is the one great thing for which most of them are striving, and many of them sacrifice honor, integrity, and justice to obtain it."

Change and Courage

2009-06-16T06:42:00.000-07:00

The difference between cowardice and courage is how one reacts to change. Within that reaction - lives the mettle of men. The quality of that mettle rests upon one's answer to the quesion, - from whom do I seek approval? Within that decision - is one's morality. Within that morality is the rock of courage.
When we face difficult change or challenge with our morality firmly in place, our actions will be without fear knowing we can look in the mirror and be accountable to ourselves and God. Only then can we stop being the skulker, fearful of change and challenge. Thereby freeing ourselves from the chains of cowardly indecision, complacency and disappointment, and stride the world as a hero for our Lord. Not just expecting, but embracing change and challenge and turning them to our benefit as His soldier and a champion for change, challenge and ourselves.
Within those principles - lives the adventure of life, and we become an instrument for change, not a victim of it.
~Capt. Gene D. Tomlinson

God's Agenda

2009-06-15T13:35:00.000-07:00

Oftentimes, our agendas run contrary to God's. The discomfort that is visited upon us in this world is of course, not what we would have chosen for ourselves. Neither is an easy path for us chosen by God. He loves us more than we love ourselves. His plan can anger, hurt, disturb and baffle us. His love however isn't manifest in a worldy manner. His love is often reserved for us in Glory, where our loved ones shall share this grand plan of His with us. Our own selfishness and visceral need for comfort and instinct to survive can fog our vision and make it difficult to see which fork in the road to take. Lift us up Lord, that we can see over the fog of this world and the forks in the road and down that path and through the seasons of our lives.
~Capt. Gene D. Tomlinson

Forgiveness

2009-06-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

"Forgiveness is deciding to wipe clean our hope for a better past and to accept the role of others in our "not so perfect" lives. It is placing blame only inwardly and never outwardly. It is loving those who would bring us discomfort and visit upon us the harshness of this world, knowing they too are children of God. It is understanding the price paid by our Savior and His Father for our imperfection and placing upon that gift an intrinsic value. It is reconciling ourselves, to ourselves. It is the true transcention from our worldly selves, to what our Lord would have us be. Forgiveness is love, God style."

~Capt. Gene D. Tomlinson

Financial Accountability\Responsibility Tip For Our GovernmentShare

2009-06-14T03:15:00.000-07:00

Financial Accountability\Responsibility Tip For Our GovernmentShare

One of the primary reasons that we find ourselves in the financial fix we are in now is due to the irresponsibility of financial institutions owned by corporations, and large corporations who practice such irresponsibility with impunity due to their corporate status which provides us no recourse to hold said corporate entities accountable (short of the board of directors in only the most agregious situations - Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002). Irresonsible lending and mis-managed business were rewarded by "bailing out" these idiots and crooks, further ratifying the recent pernicious trend of lack of accountability. Now we are essentially printing script and throwing it at a problem which begs for some responsible accounting. Once again, I must say, Common sense and logic nearly always conflict with a purely government solution.
Bank local folks. Make sure it's not corporate owned. When you can, shop local. Get out of your company's 401k or insure it (especially if it is a large corporation). Don't let a "fund" manage your finances. Buy gold. Don't use credit cards. Dump your variable rate mortgage. Tighten your belts. Be frugal and pragmatic when you shop. Save gas when you can. And for gosh sakes, stop watching the idiot box! Read with your family, volunteer somewhere, take a class with your kids or spouse in art or something that interest you all, get involved in a cause you believe in and let's get our Republic back.
Your Cynical Servant,
Capt. Gene Tomlinson

2009-06-14T02:31:00.000-07:00

Letter to State Representative Susan King in support of (HCR)50 Texas sovereignity under the 10th Amendment

This is a letter I wrote to our local State Representative, Susan King in support of
(HCR)50 Texas sovereignity on February 20th (which just passed at the end of May)

Honorable Representative King,
Greetings. I write today to echo the sympathies of Governor Perry and to voice my support of (HCR) 50. I sincerely hope that you will stay true to the idealism that you have heretofore shown, and to eschew the temptation to be bent and swayed by the strong peer pressure which you are bound to experience. Remember the undiluted storm of idealism of the framers and use that same strong wind which filled their sails to drive you through these choppy waters and use the morality that was their ballast and keel to keep you steadfast in the storm.
We your constituents, trust and rely on you and your peers to keep our State sovereign and efficacious. Support House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 50 in support of states’ rights under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which reads as follows-

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS,
The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the
United States reads as follows: "The powers not delegated to the
United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the
States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people";
and
WHEREAS,
The Tenth Amendment defines the total scope of
federal power as being that specifically granted by the
Constitution of the United States and no more; and
WHEREAS,
The scope of power defined by the Tenth Amendment
means that the federal government was created by the states
specifically to be an agent of the states; and
WHEREAS,
Today, in 2009, the states are demonstrably treated
as agents of the federal government; and
WHEREAS,
Many federal laws are directly in violation of the
Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; and
WHEREAS,
The Tenth Amendment assures that we, the people of
the United States of America and each sovereign state in the Union
of States, now have, and have always had, rights the federal
government may not usurp; and
WHEREAS,
Section 4, Article IV, of the Constitution says,
"The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a
Republican Form of Government," and the Ninth Amendment states that
"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not
be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people";
and
WHEREAS,
The United States Supreme Court has ruled in New
York v. United States, 112 S. Ct. 2408 (1992), that congress may not
simply commandeer the legislative and regulatory processes of the
states; and
WHEREAS,
A number of proposals from previous administrations
and some now pending from the present administration and from
congress may further violate the Constitution of the United States;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED,
That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby claim sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the
Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise
enumerated and granted to the federal government by the
Constitution of the United States; and, be it further
RESOLVED,
That this serve as notice and demand to the federal
government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective
immediately, mandates that are beyond the scope of these
constitutionally delegated powers; and, be it further
RESOLVED,
That all compulsory federal legislation that
directs states to comply under threat of civil or criminal
penalties or sanctions or that requires states to pass legislation
or lose federal funding be prohibited or repealed; and, be it
further
RESOLVED,
That the Texas secretary of state forward official
copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to
the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the
senate of the United States Congress, and to all the members of the
Texas delegation to the congress with the request that this
resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a
memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.

I would also ask you take a minute or two to read and/or re-read some of my favorite quotes.

First a few from Andrew Jackson over 150 years ago regarding his attitude toward a government owned bank etc. -

"It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes."
~Andrew Jackson

"The bold effort the present (central) bank had made to control the government ... are but premonitions of the fate that await the American people should they be deluded into a perpetuation of this institution or the establishment of another like it." - "Gentlemen, I have had men watching you for a long time and I am convinced that you have used the funds of the bank to speculate in the breadstuffs of the country. When you won, you divided the profits amongst you, and when you lost, you charged it to the bank. You tell me that if I take the deposits from the bank and annul its charter, I shall ruin ten thousand families. That may be true, gentlemen, but that is your sin! Should I let you go on, you will ruin fifty thousand families, and that would be my sin!
~Andrew Jackson

Next, Abraham Lincoln on corporations. -

"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes
me to tremble for the safety of my country. As a result of the war, corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places
will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong it's reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed. I feel at this moment more anxiety for the safety of my country than ever before, even in the midst of war.
God grant that my suspicions may prove groundless."
~Abraham Lincoln

Next, several by John F. Kennedy -

"Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth."

"The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis'. One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger-but recognize the opportunity."

"A man does what he must.. in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers, and pressures.. and that is the basis of all human morality."

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men."

"I look forward to a great future for America - a future in which our country will match its military strength with our moral restraint, its wealth with our wisdom, its power with our purpose."
~John F. Kennedy

And finally, Martin Luther King Jr. -

"In the end we will not remember the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."
~Martin Luther King Jr.

Thank you for your time Representative and Kindest Regards,
Gene Tomlinson

Joy Ride

2009-06-13T17:14:00.000-07:00

Apprehensive, nervous and filled with elation
We crawl behind the wheel, now no trepidation.
Our egos sitting proudly at our side
We begin the embarkation
On our Joy ride.

Sunshowers drenching the day and our lives as we pass those
who’ve chosen to stop and smell a rose,
We hold the wheel of our sturdy steed
Mustang or mayhap a Charger, I suppose
fulfill the need.

Boldly we steer confidently we navigate hazards that appear
Fine tuned machines are we, what? Fear?
A bumpy road here, a spinout there,
We are the sports model dear.
We do not care.

Try this oil.Try this gas.It’ll make you look good as well as go fast.
Wear and tear? What? Ha, we’re made to last!
If not, I’ll get her fixed, I got the warranty.
Plus there is the cash amassed,
Of course you see.

How long will she be in the shop to fix the engine and the brakes?
I don’t remember using them for heaven sakes.
Why is there a balance due on the repairs?
Do you know what might cause aches?
Must be the stares.

Ah, back on the road! Fog, rain, snow the wipers how fast they go!
Why is there ice why sleet and why does the wind strongly blow?
Careful, look out we sure don’t want to wreck!
I’m not a weather man, I don’t know.
Hey! What the heck?!

Man, that sure is a big dent. How do we replace metal with, uh, body fill?
That sure as hell won’t rust! Though it makes a painful bill.
Ah, back on the road. Little vibration now?
In the gas tank, I drop this pill?
That’s better, wow.

Can you see out as good as you need? Come partner, reduce your speed.
This steering wildly, blindly and sowing wild seed,
Is becoming for me increasingly hard.
Besides, there is of a family to feed,
I’m a retard.

Watch, take care, slow down, don’t waste time, make haste wait what? Boy?
When this thing started, I thought it was, all for Joy?
Not tight fist, closed eyes and clenched jaw,
Waiting for the airbag to deploy.
It’s just too raw.

Nice sunset huh? And how the birds sing! See how they quickly take wing?
Come on around young folks. Look already they’ve got a ding!
I don’t blame them though I don’t suppose,
Stop, I hear something, an ice cream bell ring!
Oh look, a rose!

Paul Writes America

2009-06-13T14:35:00.000-07:00

I would like to share with you an imaginary letter from the pen of the Apostle Paul I put together several years ago. It is what I imagine the Apostle Paul might have said were he writing a letter to American Christians in 2005 A.D. And here is the letter as I envision what he might have said…….

I, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to you who are in America, Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
For many years I have longed to be able to come to see you. I have heard so much of you and of what you are doing. I have heard of the fascinating and astounding advances that you have made in the scientific realm. I have heard of your dashing subways and flashing airplanes. Through your scientific genius you have been able to dwarf distance and place time in chains. You have been able to carve highways through the stratosphere. So in your world you have made it possible to eat breakfast in New York City and dinner in Paris, France. I have also heard of your skyscraping buildings with their prodigious towers steeping heavenward. I have heard of your great medical advances, which have resulted in the curing of many dread plagues and diseases, and thereby prolonged your lives and made for greater security and physical well-being. All of that is marvelous. You can do so many things in your day that I could not do in the Greco-Roman world of my day. In your age you can travel distances in one day that took me three months to travel. That is wonderful. You have made tremendous strides in the area of scientific and technological development.
But America, as I look at you from afar, I wonder whether your moral and spiritual progress has been commensurate with your scientific progress. It seems to me that your moral progress lags behind your scientific progress. Your poet Thoreau used to talk about "improved means to an unimproved end." How often this is true. You have allowed the material means by which you live to outdistance the spiritual ends for which you live. You have allowed your mentality to outrun your morality. You have allowed your civilization to outdistance your culture. Through your scientific genius you have made of the world a neighborhood, but through your moral and spiritual genius you have failed to make of it a brotherhood. So America, I would urge you to keep your moral advances abreast with your scientific advances.
I am impelled to write you concerning the responsibilities laid upon you to live as Christians in the midst of an unChristian world. That is what I had to do. That is what every Christian has to do. But I understand that there are many Christians in America who give their ultimate allegiance to man-made systems and customs. They are afraid to be different. Their great concern is to be accepted socially. They live by some such principle as this: "everybody is doing it, so it must be alright." For so many of you Morality is merely group consensus. In your modern sociological lingo, the mores are accepted as the right ways. You have unconsciously come to believe that right is discovered by taking a sort of Gallup poll of the majority opinion. How many are giving their ultimate allegiance to this way.
I see in Americans another trend that I find frightening. In many cases, there are prayer groups, prayer wheels, prayer communication urging the forwarding of that prayer to others. Let’s remember how Jesus prayed, privately. Jesus led us by a shining example of action, love and compassion. That is the way it should be. “They will know we are Christians by our love.” I would dare say many people do indeed pray for America and the world in times of need. I would also dare say that prayer, in many cases is the only action taken. This is not what prayer should be about. Prayer should accompany action. Were you America, to feed your hungry (not your government mind you) shelter your homeless and love the unloved, the government, and your Republic would be in a much better state of health, as would your lives.
And dare I say, whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn't anyone who doesn't appreciate kindness and compassion. Love and kindness are the very basis of society. No religion basically believes that material progress alone is sufficient for humankind. All religions believe in forces beyond material progress. All agree that it is very important and worthwhile to make a strong effort to serve human society. To do this, it is important that we understand each other. Due to narrow-mindedness and other factors, there has always been discord between religious groups. This should not happen. If we look deeply into the value of a religion in the context of the worldwide situation, we can easily transcend this. For, there are many areas of common ground on which we can have, and kindness and compassion stand paramount in these. We should be side by side- helping, respecting, and understanding each other in a common effort to serve humankind. The aim of human society must be the compassionate betterment of human beings.
But American Christians, I must say to you as I said to the Roman Christians years ago, "Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." Or, as I said to the Phillipian Christians, "Ye are a colony of heaven." This means that although you live in the colony of time, your ultimate allegiance is to the empire of eternity. You have a dual citizenry. You live both in time and eternity; both in heaven and earth. Therefore, your ultimate allegiance is not to the government, not to the state, not to nation, not to any man-made institution. The Christian owes his ultimate allegiance to God, and if any earthly institution conflicts with God's will it is your Christian duty to take a stand against it. You must never allow the transitory evanescent demands of man-made institutions to take precedence over the eternal demands of the Almighty God.
I understand that you have an economic system in America known as Capitalism. Through this economic system you have been able to do wonders. You have become the richest nation in the world, and you have built up the greatest system of production that history has ever known. All of this is marvelous. But Americans, there is the danger that you will misuse your Capitalism. I still contend that money can be the root of all evil. It can cause one to live a life of gross materialism. I am afraid that many among you are more concerned about making a living than making a life. You are prone to judge the success of your profession by the index of your salary and the size of the wheel base on your automobile, rather than the quality of your service to humanity.
The misuse of Capitalism can also lead to tragic exploitation. This has so often happened in your nation. They tell me that one tenth of one percent of the population controls more than forty percent of the wealth. Oh America, how often have you taken necessities from the masses to give luxuries to the classes. If you are to be a truly Christian nation you must solve this problem. You cannot solve the problem by turning to communism, for communism is based on an ethical relativism and a metaphysical materialism that no Christian can accept. You can work within the framework of democracy to bring about a better distribution of wealth. You can use your powerful economic resources to wipe poverty from the face of the earth. God never intended for one group of people to live in superfluous inordinate wealth, while others live in abject deadening poverty. God intends for all of his children to have the basic necessities of life, and he has left in this universe "enough and to spare" for that purpose. So I call upon you to bridge the gulf between abject poverty and superfluous wealth.
I would that I could be with you in person, so that I could say to you face to face what I am forced to say to you in writing. Oh, how I long to share your fellowship.
Let me rush on to say something about the church. Americans, I must remind you, as I have said to so many others, that the church is the Body of Christ. So when the church is true to its nature it knows neither division nor disunity. But I am disturbed about what you are doing to the Body of Christ. They tell me that in America you have within Protestantism more than two hundred and fifty six denominations. The tragedy is not so much that you have such a multiplicity of denominations, but that most of them are warring against each other with a claim to absolute truth. This narrow sectarianism is destroying the unity of the Body of Christ. You must come to see that God is neither a Baptist nor a Methodist; He is neither a Presbyterian nor a Episcopalian. God is bigger than all of our denominations. If you are to be true witnesses for Christ, you must come to see that America.
But I must not stop with a criticism of Protestantism. I am disturbed about Roman Catholicism. This church stands before the world with its pomp and power, insisting that it possesses the only truth. It incorporates an arrogance that becomes a dangerous spiritual arrogance. It stands with its noble Pope who somehow rises to the miraculous heights of infallibility when he speaks ex cathedra. But I am disturbed about a person or an institution that claims infallibility in this world. I am disturbed about any church that refuses to cooperate with other churches under the pretense that it is the only true church. I must emphasize the fact that God is not a Roman Catholic, and that the boundless sweep of his revelation cannot be limited to the Vatican. Roman Catholicism must do a great deal to mend its ways.
A great man was in your country just 50 or so years ago. His name was Martin Luther King Jr. He said that “In the end, we will not remember the words of our enemies, rather the silence of our friends.” You must rise up and speak out America if you are to survive as a moral nation. With this attitude you migh be considered a dangerous radical. Sometimes it might mean going to jail. If such is the case you must honorably grace the jail with your presence. It might even mean physical death. But if physical death is the price that some must pay to free your nations’s children from a permanent life of psychological death, then nothing could be more Christian. Don't worry about persecution America; you are going to have that if you stand up for a great principle. I can say this with some authority, because my life was a continual round of persecutions. After my conversion I was rejected by the disciples at Jerusalem. Later I was tried for heresy at Jerusalem. I was jailed at Philippi, beaten at Thessalonica, mobbed at Ephesus, and depressed at Athens. And yet I am still going. I came away from each of these experiences more persuaded than ever before that "neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come . . . shall separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." I still believe that standing up for the truth of God is the greatest thing in the world. This is the end of life. The end of life is not to be happy. The end of life is not to achieve pleasure and avoid pain. The end of life is to do the will of God, come what may.
I must bring my writing to a close now. Timothy is waiting to deliver this letter, and I must take leave for another church. But just before leaving, I must say to you, as I said to the church at Corinth, that I still believe that love is the most durable power in the world. Over the centuries men have sought to discover the highest good. This has been the chief quest of ethical philosophy. This was one of the big questions of Greek philosophy. The Epicurean and the Stoics sought to answer it; Plato and Aristotle sought to answer it. What is the summon bonum of life? I think I have an answer America. I think I have discovered the highest good. It is love. This principle stands at the center of the cosmos. As John says, "God is love." He who loves is a participant in the being of God. He who hates does not know God.
So American Christians, you may master the intricacies of the English language. You may possess all of the eloquence of articulate speech. But even if you "speak with the tongues of man and angels, and have not love, you are become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal."

In Him, Paul

With Love to all who’s eyes this might meet. Capt. Gene D. Tomlinson

Federal Reserve Notes vs. Toilet Paper

2009-06-13T12:49:00.000-07:00

The abjectly fictional nature of modern paper currency and fractional-reserve banking encourages the question: why do fiat FRNs continue to circulate, and banks without any real monetary reserves continue to function? Those who accept the theory that "money" is whatever the government decrees would answer that FRNs (or bank-deposits denominated in FRNs) have value as media of exchange in the marketplace because people must acquire them in order to pay their taxes. The obvious fallacy here, though, is that the government accepts payment of taxes in FRNs precisely because those notes have a finite purchasing-power in the market, and therefore are usable as "money" by the government. It is not the present and future taxability of the notes that gives them their market exchange-value, but their residual market exchange-value that renders them viable as a medium of taxation. One must recall that FRNs were originally redeemable, directly or indirectly, in gold coins, silver coins, or both. For that reason, FRNs had a real exchange-value in the market that reflected their underlying redemption-values in gold or silver, and depended not at all on their use as a medium of taxation but indeed made them valuable for that purpose. When FRNs became wholly irredeemable after 1968/1971, they lost any fixed or predictable market exchange-value in terms of real money, and therefore became of increasingly uncertain value as a medium of taxation, too (at least to the extent they continue to depreciate in market exchange-value, as they have, steadily, since then). A more realistic explanation for the continued circulation of FRNs (or bank-deposits denominated in FRNs) as "money" is that the general public is the victim of a confidence-game, in which the government and the banks have foisted off paper liabilities in the place of real monetary assets in an inverted pyramid of monetary fraud. At the tip of this upside-down pyramid are real "dollars": silver and gold coins that are themselves monetary assets and no one's liabilities, and circulate among those knowledgeable about the differences between real money and paper money. Next in amount in circulation - and at the first level of the institutionalized fraud - are the base-metallic token (or "clad") coins of cupro-nickel alloy. These are monetary assets to the extent of their salvageable metallic content - which is worth about 2% or less of their face values - , but otherwise are liabilities of the government which at one time were redeemable in silver, but are today wholly irredeemable. The next largest fraudulent circulating medium consists of actual FRNs, today "redeemable" only in "clad" coins. Finally, the greatest portion of the so-called "money supply" consists of bank demand-deposits, most of which have been loaned at interest to persons other than the depositors. Revealingly, not only are these purported deposits not actually on deposit in the banks at all, but also the deposits are not even formally "redeemable", because the deposits themselves are not the depositors' "money", but the banks'! The deposits are loans of money the depositors (many of them unknowingly) have made to the banks, and which the banks have then further loaned to third parties. But how many people are aware of this situation? Why do the government and the banks not educate those who are unaware of what is really going on - other than because the government and the banks knowingly profit from public ignorance and therefore intentionally promote it? And how long can such a swindle continue? This question highlights the second of the contemporary political-economic conditions that underlie the problem of collapsing domestic banks: namely, the inability of the banks to continue indefinitely to increase the supply of money within the domestic economy, that is (as the saying goes), to "expand credit" (because the supply of new money derives from the extension of bank-credit to borrowers). The answer to the question "How long can this confidence-game last?" is "Not forever!". If, on the one hand, the banks overly expand credit, hyperinflation occurs (that is, the purchasing-power of the monetary unit falls exponentially). If, on the other hand, the banks overly restrict the expansion of credit in order to avoid hyperinflation, recession and then depression occurs (that is, people borrow less, and then existing borrowers in massive numbers default on loans). The bankers' "trick" (and dilemma) is to continue to expand credit within an expanding, and therefore essentially noninflationary, economy. The insoluble problem inherent in credit-expansion through fractional-reserve banking, however, is that expansion of a fiat money supply inevitably misdirects and wastes real economic resources, resulting in an increasingly nonrational economy - that is an economy that does not expand in real terms. In short, credit-expansion by fractional-reserve banking in the long run guarantees economic collapse, with resultant social chaos and political crisis. CONCLUSIONNo crystal ball is necessary to predict that a turning-point in the history of money and banking in the United States is drawing nigh. The burden of governmental debt - much of it made possible only by central-bank "monetization" - has approached levels unsustainable in real terms even with drastically increased confiscation of Americans' earnings through explicit taxation. But Americans seem reluctant to accept more taxation to fund the never-ending follies of a spendthrift welfare state. Thus, repudiation of the debt (in whole or in part) through extreme depreciation of FRNs and bank-deposits denominated therein appears likely, if not certain. For this looming debacle, Americans can thank the FRS, the "experts" who administered it since 1913, the politicians who wed it as a "cover" to finance their own careers, the bankers who profited from their monopoly over the emission of "legal-tender" paper currency, and the "intellectuals" in academia, the press, and the media who (quite unlike their counterparts in the last century) remained strangely silent on the issue of money and banking. That is, Americans can properly thank these people if Americans become aware of what the FRS is, what it does, and why it is responsible for having undermined to the point of collapse the nation's once proudly prosperous economy and staunchly republican political process. Hopefully that day of a new national awareness will soon be at hand.

The State of Dis-Union

2009-06-13T09:19:00.000-07:00

Warm Greetings My Fellow Countrymen,Let me make this MY state of the Union address. It is my opinion, that we as a Republic are currently in greater danger than we have ever been since we were "brought upon this continent". No foreign power, army or entity has ever threatened us as we are now threatened. Our enemy is within our Republic. No, it is not the current administration. It is not the Federal Reserve. It is not the judicial system. It is not the media. It is not liberals, conservatives or any other party. Our enemy America, is us. We threaten the existence of our Republic. We threaten our children's freedom and liberty which was won by the blood of our forefathers.

"Men fight for liberty and win it with hard knocks. Their children, brought up
easy, let it slip away again, poor fools. And their grandchildren are once more
slaves." ~D.H. Lawrence

How you ask? Our soft and privileged living has put us in a place where we perceive everything as disposable and replaceable. In our minds, everything has a price tag, or more appropriately, a UPC code. We are taught from childhood that if one wants something, one should find a way to accumulate the wealth to buy that want. Even our souls. Tithe, give to the Church, send an offering overseas to a hungry child or a foreign mission. Why do we remit these? Is it because we truly are concerned about the financial condition of the Church, the empty stomach of said child, or needs of the mission? Maybe sometimes, but more likely it is because it makes US feel better. It somehow washes away the guilt ridden fact that we are driving to the grocery store in an SUV that cost what it would take to fund any one of the above entities for a good long time (especially the hungry child). But the $5 we pledge somehow placates our need to feel "charitable" or "altruistic". We feel that by sitting in a pew and dropping a pittance in the plate somehow makes us a charitable Christian. Maybe praying for an ill friend or acquaintance, or forwarding an email "prayer wheel" might fill our perceived spiritual requisite. It's the "little dab will do ya" and off to the restaurant so we can hurry up and eat and get home to watch "Family Guy". Couple of cocktails and a prozac and off to never-never land and a good night's rest so we can get right back to solving the world's problems tomorrow. Break something? No problem, buy another. Lose something? No problem, buy another. I think the size of our trash cans paint for me a pretty good picture of our attitudes and lifestyles. Remember when we carried out one metal can to the curb once or twice a week? Now we haul out a plastic sack that size at least once a day and chunk it into a dumpster big enough to hold, well, Pavarotti. We keep nothing anymore.Add to this list of disposability and replaceability, the mentality with which we perceive our great country. Nothing confirmed. Rush to the polling place and place your vote. Put a bumper sticker on aforementioned SUV. Listen to the news and complain about how things are going, or not. With that we are "politically active" or "publicly engaged". Ha. I wonder what the framers would think about that heavy handed approach to our government? "Little dab will do ya". Yeah, I've heard of something called The Constitution, but, hey that is what I voted for those folks for. Let them handle it. Yeah, I know a guy who is always quoting it, but man, these days you've got to be careful because the boss is a staunch demo-republi-crat and if HE finds out that I am voting something besides a straight ticket and compiling a pamphlet that may run contrary his pigeon-holed dogmatism. Why I might lose my job! My benefits, my mortgage, my big screen! The country will take care of itself if people will just vote for MY candidate! I am a Republi/Demo/conervo/liberalcrat. I parrot what Rush, Obama, Bush, PBS, Fox News say. I know that I am politically engaged.

"Fewer and fewer Americans possess objects that have a patina, old furniture,
grandparents pots and pans, the used things, warm with generations of human
touch, essential to a human landscape. Instead, we have our paper phantoms,
transistorized landscapes. A featherweight portable museum."~Susan Sontag

"This will be the land of the free, only so long as it is the home of the
brave"~Elmer Davis

These days, we are either left or right, black or white, liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican and divided by vast gulfs of ignorance, apathy and cowardice. Yes cowardice. I feel that the courage and conviction of the average American when it comes to our Republic are abysmal. Bold we might be when defending our cable bill I'm sure. I think we fear everything from rebuke from our peer groups, employers and families, to audit by the IRS when standing up for our political beliefs. Many people these days like to say that the public are sheep, sheople, indoctrinated, brainwashed or you choose the adjective/pejorative. This is why I fear for our country. Many people would prefer to crawl into their brick homes and submit to usurpation than to stand up for what they know is the right thing. Our courage I think, is like our morality. Sold.Let me use my own religious views as an appropriate albeit a non-sequitur analysis. I am a Christian. I am not a member of a denomination. The reason I am not a member of a denomination is due to my personal belief that we as Christians, have so segmented ourselves through denominalization and separatism that it is my (very humble) belief that it is irreparable. We have spent so many "ecclesial calories" if you will trying to defend our own agendas, Bible interpretations and "rightness" if you will, that we have lost sight of our true mission of goodness, kindness, gentleness and love. Had we led by example and deed, instead of insisting by words fraught with criticism, pride and hypocrisy, we would have no problem with our religion. Ghandi once said, (paraphrase)"I like your Christ, it is some of your Christians that I have a problem with".The "side" I pick is United States Citizen. I may have conservative viewpoints, but I will fight to the death for one to hold a liberal one. I would never burn our flag, but I went to war for one to have the right to do so should they choose. I definitely don't agree with it, but I also know that the ones who might be so inclined would never agree with me on many issues, nor should it be my lot to convince them otherwise. The most wonderful thing about this country is it's diversity, and most importantly freedoms. Try to imagine a stadium of 100,000 filled with citizens from across our country chosen at random. Now imagine anyone trying to convince this diverse demographic that their way is the "right" way. Of course that will never happen. The giant task we have before us, is to prepare the mindset of coming generations to become engaged, informed and grateful citizens unable to be swayed by the and spin" you mention, unappreciative and prone to becoming "bonzai"minded like so many now. (I like to use bonzai because of the current seemingly dwarfed and intentionally bent minds of our population) Not engaged and informed conservatives, liberals, Democrats or Republicans. You are right, this is not a middle of the road issue. I don't want to go to the center no more do I want the left to come my way. I want to do be the best American that I can and I believe that the cause most noble is not to pick a side and pound on the other, but to make all aware of our rights and duties as citizens, while simultaneously making them aware of it's precious purchase and fragile existence. When one accepts another's belief when their's is diametrically opposed, and is ready willing and able to work within that context, then there will become many common points that one was originally not able to see and in turn, many that they did not see. And accepting our difference while understanding we are all Americans and focus our intentions making a better Republic, no one whether it be the right, left or middle will argue with one should one lead by a shining example of kindness, charity and gentleness. Don't insist that your way is the only "truth". Lead by good action and show that your way is beneficial for the common good of our Republic. Good work is difficult to argue with successfully. We need everyone to be an advocate of America. Our laziness and disengagement has put us in the position we are currently in and it will be a huge task to remedy.I don't believe there is a quick fix for the position our country is in. We have been irresponsible and apathetic too long and have allowed the government to grow out of control. Resteering this ship can't be done quickly. Convincing those who have no clue about the process will be a monumental task. The dissension in this country now is just what those who would destroy our republic would have. We're not going to get there as conservatives, Libertarians, Democrats, Republicans, socialist or otherwise. The only hope we have for our country in the future is to overcome this divisiveness and division and come together as Americans. The one thing we can all agree on is that we want to keep our country. We all must stand on this common ground.I believe that should we should concentrate on education of the process, without our own viewpoint at this early stage. No one can argue with education, should we educate responsibly and accurately and without imparting our own feelings or beliefs. Our tactical position must be one of common concern about our country and the role of each citizen in it's government. Our plan of action should include a plan to educate the people on the process and the importance of their engagement in it. Education that would be aimed at your average middle schooler to understand the meaning of the Constitution. I believe we should take this posture, then our actions will be difficult to differ with and can be a great example to emulate. Should we take a right sided stance, though difficult as it is not to, we risk the chance at being that example. I don't aspire to whip the left into shape by pounding my ideas into them or attempting to convince. I aspire to bring everyone into the process and once in and understanding how our great country works, extraneous convincing should be moot and our ideas and beliefs will become reality and truth to the other folks.

"To speak, tho' sure, with seeming diffidence.For want of modesty is want
of sense.If you ask, Why less properly? I must repeat the lines,Immodest words
admit of no defense,For want of modesty is want of sense."

"For, if you would inform, a positive and dogmatical manner in advancing
your sentiments may provoke contradiction and prevent a candid attention. If you
wish information and improvement from the knowledge of others, and yet, at the
same time, express yourself as firmly fixed in your present opinions, modest,
sensible men, who do not love disputation, will probably leave you undisturbed
in the possession of your error. And by such a manner you can seldom hope to
recommend yourself in pleasing your hearers, or to persuade those whose
concurrence you desire."~Benjamin Franklin

Here is our challenge. How can we effectively and immediately take up the mantle of good and engaged citizenship. How can we be an example for our youth? How can we be the kind of American that all will want to be while preserving the principles and beliefs of the framers? What can we do to reach the most ears and to gently and morally educate? What can we do today for our republic tomorrow? What must we do to embolden? What must we do to be that example to emulate?What simple but effective action can I do as a citizen? How can I give back? What issues in my area are in need of attention? How can the hand of my humble leadership take my children and those they know to a different America than the one we see approaching us today? As a citizen of an America that generations of people have fought to preserve, how can I show those who would like to learn to be a better American citizen, to free their minds enough to own them, to choose their battles so as to win them?What can I do to help them?Whether it is in education of the public, feeding of the hungry, housing of the cold or love of the unloved. This is the higher purpose of our nation. When our countrymen realize this, we will heal. Not by political action, not by violent revolution, not by dogmatism and insistence, but by gentleness and kindness. These powers heal. That is why we have advocated so strongly education first. Not strong and divisive action. We hope you understand these things.With that being said, let us remind ourselves where we come from and of the things that would aim to divide us. Let us resist those things as if they were death, as if they were the spoilers of our prosperity, as oftentimes they are. Let us advocate a return to that place of origin and let us hold accountable all actions up to this point so that we may by reproof or by recognition, return to a greater good. Let us respect one another enough to not criminalize dissent but engage the dissenter so as to dissolve all barriers between us. I co-wrote much of this letter with my friend Paul A. Mabelis from Rochester, NY. I am from Abilene, TX. There could be no more opposite cultures in our country than the two from which we come, however we stand as an example that all of us have a common interest. Citizenship, patriotism and love of country.Let us be conscionable in our efforts to restore the republic and retrieve what we have lost; for with this premise shall we have the promise of a renewed Republic proud once again in its independence, shining in its example, worthy of its stature and rich in its citizenship.

Kindest Regards,

Capt. Gene Tomlinson (Texas)

Paul Adrian Mabelis (New York)

This Part of Texas ~ This Season of My Life

2009-06-13T09:15:00.000-07:00

This Part of Texas, This Season of My Life As I watch the west central Texas sun set on a cold, crisp afternoon, the meaning of the name of this particular place where I live now creeps into vision. Lake Ft. Phantom Hill, named after the cavalry fort just a couple of miles west and north of the lake upon which so far, I have spent this sad and lonesome winter. I feel like what I imagine one of the other soldiers who lived here might have felt, a member of their unit, one of their own, a kindred soul and fellow soldier indeed. Only one hundred and fifty or so years removed we are, a tick in the infinity of time. They too were missing their wives, children and homes they too looked skyward as I now do as the shadows creep, on a wind-blown night when clouds are dashed against the moon. Starlight flickers, conjures visions, summons those restless phantoms of days before. Before the eyes of my imagination these ghost do indeed return, those vapor forms of Indian, Spaniard, Texan, dragoon, rebel, outlaw; mixed and mingled shades now stalk my present. Faintly the shouts and din of battle I can still hear, lingering from those old winds, at times, when I walk this ground. The smell of horses and gunpowder hangs in this dust; an old musket ball, misshapen from impact and broken bit of arrow tip conjure the hushed moans of the wounded or perhaps the courageous aching silence of my dead comrades, my brothers in arms. Each step of my boots on this ground stirs the ashes of soldiers. It is said a portion of their spirit encamps here for all time. I can feel the euphoria of a warrior’s victory here, blended with the ancient thump of drum-beat and campaign, of bugle and shout, of sacrifice and duty’s loneliness, of unsung valor, of grief and sadness that rend tears now as it did then. My tears mingle with the dust within which the salt from their eyes surely remains, bonding our misery as surely as the feelings of desperation now bond our souls. Like all soldiers now I feel the comradeship forged from war’s hard wire. A price for the future they paid here on this ground. A price for my past I now remit to the same soil. I now in my turn, become the past. Here was the sharp, dangerous and deadly edge of the frontier for our country. Ft. Phantom now becomes the rough, unyielding and painful birthplace of my frontier. Ft. Phantom and my dead brothers now turn my head to the sunset horizon. Not the Texas sunset, but mine.

Morning

2009-06-13T07:41:00.000-07:00

I like to sit outside in the mornings. I know that is where all of us were meant to be that time of day when the weather permits us. There is the smell of early morning and the flowers. The voices of all the birds come together as a symphony of glad sound. The light is gentle and slowly and gently helps us into full day. There is a white wing dove that isn't afraid of me, that has been busy building her nest. She comes to our birdbath, drinks and washes very near where I sit. Her gentle demeanor, along with all the beautiful sounds, smells and sights, allow me a glimpse of the beauty and love of God. These are all surely gifts from our Father. Small tokens from Him to brighten our lives, and confirmation of His abounding love for us all. Surely in the morning, we can all feel, see, hear and smell what our Father has in store for us in Glory