"America is Great Because America Is Good"

French writer Alexis de Tocqueville  visited America in 1831.  He was fascinated by it.  He was intrigued by it.  He could not understand why there was so much order and so much respect for the law.  He wrote much about the greatness of America, but the following paragraph condenses his attitude toward America.

 "I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests--and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning--and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution--and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!"

I just have two questions:  Who is the greatest teacher of  "good"?  If America is great because it is good, does it not stand to reason that somehow, America had to be taught how to be "good."?

"To Spare Servetus............"

Why did John Calvin have Michael Servetus martyred......burned at the stake?  Because Servetus did not believe in the trinity, and he spoke against it.  Calvin had written a booklet in defense of the trinity.  Because Servetus spoke against it, Calvin argued "that to spare Servetus would endanger the souls of many."  A Christian scholar by the name of Sebastian Castelio wrote an essay entitled "Contra Libellum Calvini," (Against Calvin's booklet).  Here is part of what he wrote, and I agree one-hundred per-cent:  "To kill a man is not to protect a doctrine; but to kill a man.  When the Genevans killed Servetus, they did not defend a doctrine; they but killed a man.  If Servetus had wished to kill Calvin, the Magistrate would have properly defended Calvin.  But when Servetus fought with reasons and writings, he should have been repulsed by reasons and writings."

Pregnant Teen And Elderly Person Pepper Sprayed

It is risky going to a demonstration. It is risky going to a concert. Sometimes people get trampled to death. It is risky going to a Dodgers, Giants baseball game. It is risky going to a Charger, Raider football game. Please be mindful that a police officer is not to blame for one's unhappiness with the economy. Pregnant women and the elderly need to be mindful of their safety. Yes, they have rights, but let us be realistic. Among those protesters are the homeless and hard core criminals. Why should one be victimized? There are many ways to be a political activist, not just via demonstration. Don't be unkind to a police officer. He/she is just doing the job he or she was assigned to do. The pregnant and the elderly have their priorities. So do the police. Please do not assign yourself to victimhood.

I'm Going To Hillsdale

In several days, I will be flying to Detroit, Michigan and then be driven 90 miles Southwest to Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. I am really looking forward to this trip. I will be attending the 2012 Hillsdale Hostel Program. It will be Session IB "Ancient Roots of Western Civilization." Although it may not be the case with many others; this, to me, is a great opportunity. It could very well be "the learning experience of a lifetime." I plan to never stop studying. I will stop studying when I am physically unable to do so.......or dead. I plan to blog about what I will have learned.

Bullying Has Always Been A Problem In School

Bullying has always been a problem in school. For some kids, it has taught them to deal with and prepare for some harsh realities of life. It is a problem. It is a legitimate problem. However, it appears that this legitimate problem is being used to advance a certain agenda.........the homosexual agenda. The homosexual movement is deviously using this legitimate problem to attempt to legitimize homosexuality. They are "piggy backing" their agenda to a serious problem. This is wrong. It is a misrepresentation being promulgated by a special interest. School districts and teachers unions all over the country need to be aware of this. Bullying in schools can be dealt with in a variety of ways using existing laws. One method that may be used to prevent bullying is to teach students to respect other students....period.

Pelosi's Declaration About Gay Marriage

Nancy Pelosi recently said: "My Catholic faith compels me to support same sex marriage." I am not a Catholic. I never have been. Nevertheless, in spite of its' scandalous past, I have been led to believe by the Roman Catholic Church, that it is against gay marriage. Therefore, how can Pelosi make a statement like that? It is extremely hypocritical. It is an example of selling out to political expediency. Yes, gay marriage is a reality. But in my view it is an oxymoron. Marriage is between a man and a woman. I believe the Word of God is superior to the opinions, trends and stubborness of men. In the defense of marriage, there is much I could quote from the Bible. But I will stick to one quote from Jesus. "But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife." (Mark 10:6,7) Nancy Pelosi owes the Catholic Church an apology. Does not the Catholic Church believe in the sanctity of marriage?

I Can Do Without Facebook

Facebook can be entertaining, informative and interesting. But I can do without it. As we all know, it is difficult to have too many friends. There are friends, and then there are acquaintances. "Facebook friends"? I have no problem with it. I just tend to think that it reeks of superficiality. Facebook friends are people we know who are not our enemies. And yes, sometimes they are close friends. Facebook friends are people we know who sometimes give us very important information. But most of the time it is miscellaneous information. Sometimes it is "gossipy." Most of the time it is harmless. Information? What kind do I need? What kind do I want? Yes, I would like to connect with people from the past. It would be interesting to connect with someone I knew from elementary school, or someone I served in the Army with. No doubt it would be interesting. Necessary? Probably not. I am a busy person. I do have a blog. My blog would get more exposure if I were on Facebook. At this time no Facebook for me. I don't have time to look at pictures of somebody's waffles or somebody's cat. I don't want to know what show someone watched on TV last night. Some users just want to brag. Most do not. Some Facebook users are sneaky and deceptive. Some are looking for scandal and/or trying to create it. But I think most are not. Most just want to share news and have some fun. Nothing wrong with that. But I just don't have that kind of time. Maybe some day in the future, I will change my mind. Facebook has positive attributes and is connected to success and fulfillment in the lives of many. Facebook has potential. There is much proof of that. But for now, I can do without Facebook, and Facebook can do without me.