Peter King And Obama's Tan Suit

I am not necessarily a fan of Barack Obama. He is our Commander In Chief and I do not hate him. However, he is unlikely to go down in history as one of our greatest Presidents. Nevertheless, Rep. Peter King (R-NY) embarrassed himself and his political party for criticizing the President for wearing a tan suit. How petty can you get? Is King losing his mind? King implied that Obama was not properly dressed to discuss the important issues facing the nation. This is ridiculous. Actually, it is beyond ridiculous.

"If I'm A Cop"

The following post is an excerpt from an article written in the Washington Post on August 19, 2014. It was written by a Los Angeles police officer named Sunil Dutta It is the end of a fairly long article. But as he states: it is his "bottom line." In short, he is basically saying:

"I'm a cop. If you don't want to get hurt, don't challenge me." "Even though it might sound harsh and impolitic, here is the bottom line: if you don’t want to get shot, tased, pepper-sprayed, struck with a baton or thrown to the ground, just do what I tell you. Don’t argue with me, don’t call me names, don’t tell me that I can’t stop you, don’t say I’m a racist pig, don’t threaten that you’ll sue me and take away my badge. Don’t scream at me that you pay my salary, and don’t even think of aggressively walking towards me. Most field stops are complete in minutes. How difficult is it to cooperate for that long?"

Founding Principles

If something has worked for centuries, why do away with it? If certain laws have kept people safe, why do away with them? Yes, times change. But some things will never change. Human nature must be protected from itself. We are not lower animals without a sense of morality. But we are capable of becoming beast-like if we do not keep ourselves "in check." How do we do that? By supporting principles that keep us civilized. Where do we get those principles? From a source that works. From a source that has demonstrated success. From a source that is perfect. From a source that has not only proven to respect humanity, but a source that loves it. I am a pragmatist. If something works, do not toss it out.

"The deterioration of every government begins with the decay of the principles on which it was founded." C. L. De Montesquieu (1689-1755)

Apartheid? Israel? No Way

Israel does not practice apartheid. Ignorant people accuse them of it (keep the races, colors, peoples apart) Israel's government is probably the fairest on this planet. (another reason to be insanely jealous of them) To those who have legally obtained citizenship status, Israel gives full, no nonsense, unconditional citizenship, which includes voting and all other rights. Arabs and Palestinians have received great benefits from this policy. Israel respects others. The same cannot be truthfully said about Hamas. What is their view of Israel? "Israel must cease to exist, and all Jews must die." Hatred and ignorance is a deadly combination. It causes people and groups to make things up and render false accusations. Declaring that Israel practices apartheid is a prime example of such an accusation. Israel just wants to continue to exist. Is that an unjust aspiration?

Mussolini And Common Core

My thanks to Liberty Tree Quotes for the following quote by Benito Mussolini. He was an Italian Dictator during WWII. It reminds me a little bit of where the educational system in the United States is heading with the "Common Core" program. Just something to think about.

"At every hour of every day, I can tell you on which page of which book each school child in Italy is studying." Benito Mussolini (1883-1945)

Do A Great Job! Get Started!

When you have a great and difficult task, something perhaps almost impossible, if you only work a little at a time, every day a little, suddenly the work will finish itself.” (Isak Dinesen, author, Out of Africa) “One of these days is none of these days.” (Old English Proverb) “If you wait until all the lights are green before you leave home, you’ll never get started on your trip to the top.” (Zig Ziglar) “Reward yourself for a job well done. This is positive reinforcement. The reward is an opportunity to stop and smell the roses that bloom as a result of your hard work.” (K. Jeffrey Miller) “People rarely succeed unless they are having fun in what they are doing.” (Dale Carnegie) Don't always wait "for the right time." The "worst time" is sometimes the best time. (Robert Dominguez)

A Martyr Of The Early Church

A MARTYR OF THE EARLY CHURCH Polycarp is a celebrated figure in the history of Christianity. A direct pupil of the apostle John, Polycarp lived between 70 and 155 A.D., connecting him to both the biblical apostles and the age of the early church fathers. Several ancient sources document the contributions of Polycarp to Christianity, including his letters written to the church at Philippi, in which he encourages the members to remain strong in their faith and to flee from materialism. He also instructs the members in the proper handling of financial dishonesty that was creeping into the church. Polycarp served as the bishop of the church at Smyrna (modern day Izmir), and was recognized as one of the early combatants of Christian heresies. He rejected the teachings of Marcion, an influential heretic who tried to create a "new brand" of Christianity by redefining God and rejecting Old Testament teachings. In his well-known thesis, Polycarp combats Gnostic heresies that were beginning to spread throughout the Christian church. A MARTYR FOR TRUTH Polycarp's greatest contribution to Christianity may be his martyred death. His martyrdom stands as one of the most well documented events of antiquity. The emperors of Rome had unleashed bitter attacks against the Christians during this period, and members of the early church recorded many of the persecutions and deaths. Polycarp was arrested on the charge of being a Christian -- a member of a politically dangerous cult whose rapid growth needed to be stopped. Amidst an angry mob, the Roman proconsul took pity on such a gentle old man and urged Polycarp to proclaim, "Caesar is Lord". If only Polycarp would make this declaration and offer a small pinch of incense to Caesar's statue he would escape torture and death. To this Polycarp responded, "Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?" Steadfast in his stand for Christ, Polycarp refused to compromise his beliefs, and thus, was burned alive at the stake. A RELEVANT TESTIMONY FOR OUR LIVES Polycarp's martyrdom is historical reality. He died for one reason - his unyielding faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. Yet Polycarp's well-recorded death is only one of many lives that were given to reveal and proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ. In light of the cruel and torturous deaths of the first and second generation Christians, all theories that Christianity is a fabricated myth, created for the personal gain of its followers, must be rejected. Even today, many will die for a belief, but none will die for a lie. God allows the deaths of His saints not because He is a helpless or indifferent Lord, but because their deaths are powerful declarations of the free gift of life that is offered to us through the Person of Jesus Christ. If you have any doubts about the truth of Christ as revealed in the Bible, reexamine the biblical text in light of the willful deaths of nearly all of its writers, men who were eyewitnesses to Christ's life and ministry. Polycarp, like many other Christians to this day, was only able to die for Christ because he lived for Christ. His life was radically transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit -- the desires, worries, pains and fears of this world no longer bound him. Polycarp's life and death provides an inspirational example for all Christians. He gave his earthly life for Christ, and in the midst of his sacrifice, he gained eternal life. (An excerpt from "All About Religion")

A Davy Crockett Opinion

I agree with Davy Crockett, however, once the government has its' hand in your wallet, it is next to impossible to get it out of there. "I want people to be able to get what they need to live: enough food, a place to live, and an education for their children. Government does not provide these as well as private charities and businesses." Davy Crockett (1786-1836) American hunter, frontiersman, soldier and politician

Flag Vandalism In Oceanside

Three Hispanic teenagers vandalized 3 American flags recently in Oceanside, CA. One of the flags was owned by a 91 year old WWII veteran. By one of the flags was a camera. They were filmed doing the damage. One of the flags had "f*ck America" spray painted on it. At this point, all I can say is this: It is not America's fault that you are young, confused and angry. It is not America's fault that you are bored. It is not America's fault that you are poor. It is not America's fault that you have family disruption. It is not America's fault that you were not taught the importance of respect for the property of others. It is not America's fault that you are not performing well at school. It is not America's fault that you are not a talented athlete. It is not America's fault that you know nothing about Biblical guidelines. On the contrary, America provides opportunities. But you need to go look for them. In America, there are many opportunities for sound Bible studies. There are ball parks, grassy areas, libraries, beautiful beaches (especially where you are) and much more. Get yourself a part time job. Volunteer somewhere. Assist someone while they are baby sitting. Do your homework. Get excellent grades. Go out for Oceanside High's football team. They have a glorious tradition. Maybe you have some untapped potential. Get busy doing something constructive. Get some new friends. Are all of these things out of your reach? No. "With God all things are possible." Forget religion......find God.

Democracy, Socialism And Liberty

We live in a nation whose system of government is a republic. We like to say we live in a democracy. We do not. We live in a Republic. Democracy is imperfect, as all systems of government are. Does not democracy represent "majority rule"? Does the majority know absolutely what is most beneficial, fairest, and appropriate? Does democracy necessarily allow for order? Maybe. But democracy, in a pure form can escalate to something that resembles rule by disorder and lawlessness. Socialism attempts to make sure that human needs are met, therefore it is essential that those who cannot provide for themselves must be assisted by the able, as a result, the providing citizenry is under obligation to support a governmental system that is not necessarily in harmony with liberty. Of these three, only liberty approaches greatness. It is a product of the divine. God proclaims we have "been called to liberty." (Ga. 5:13) He is present where liberty is. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (II Cor. 3:17) The nations in this world are not able to provide a system of government that truly offers and provides for genuine liberty. As I have mentioned, it is a product of the divine. However, on an individual basis, if one chooses genuine liberty, there is an important condition, he/she must choose the divine.

A Quote From Malcolm X

I am a firm believer in belonging to groups that satisfy your serious needs. I am not very interested in belonging to political groups. Although I do belong to a political party, politics never has been nor ever will be my greatest concern. I have not given my heart to any religious organization or denomination. I have a personal relationship with my Lord and Savior.....Jesus Christ. He is the best. He is the most powerful. He is eternal. He is full of truth, love, mercy and much more. He is the greatest there is. Why should I play in the dark. I must admit, however, that the quote below gets my serious attention. It really makes sense to me. "You put them first, and they put you last...'cause you're a chump. A political chump! ... Anytime you throw your weight behind a political party that controls two-thirds of the government, and that Party can't keep the promise that it made to you during election time, and you are dumb enough to walk around continuing to identify yourself with that Party you're not only a chump but you're a traitor to your race." (Malcolm X)

Endowed By Their Creator

Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence. He was not an atheist, as some men claim. He believed in the Bible. He believed in God. He believed in Jesus Christ. "Endowed by their creator," means he believed we have a creator. Thomas Jefferson was a gifted man. He was one of the most brilliant persons in the history of this great nation. "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." Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the Declaration of Independence, 3rd US President

Anti- Jewish Protests In Germany

The following is a quote from Angela Merkel, the first female Chancellor of Germany. These are but a few words she spoke after learning of some anti-Jewish protests in Germany. I agree with her. There is absolutely no need to mistreat people. "These outbursts and statements are an attack on freedom and tolerance and an attempt to destabilize our free democratic order. We cannot and will not accept this. . . . The security authorities are taking every attack onto a Jewish institution very seriously. Anti-Semitic acts are being prosecuted consequently and by all legal means.” Angela Merkel

Hamas And Israel

Hamas exists for the express purpose of ending Israel’s existence. Does the nation of Israel desire to kill people? No. However, they must defend themselves. And defend themselves they will. In spite of their small size, I am quite sure that they have the greatest military fighting machine on this planet. They are not bullies. They just want to survive. They have tried to live at peace. But what do you do when you are surrounded by jealous and hateful people, who attack you. I know what you do. You thrive. You develop an outstanding government and military. You build universities. You train and teach the young. You teach them to respect others. You teach them academics. You develop a vigorous economy which includes manufacturing, a tremendous agriculture, banking, finance and commerce. And what about the arts? There is much more. I could go on and on. I will end with this: Israel is the apotheosis regarding how a country should be run. The desire to destroy it is complete insanity.