They are Ruining It

My grandparents lived in a small frame house on the outskirts of a little farming community.  They didn’t have indoor plumbing until around 1953, and they finally got a small, portable, black and white TV when their kids gave it to them in 1958, or so.  After supper, they would read, play board games, do picture puzzles, and talk.  Around

8:00 PM, it was time to go to bed.  Grandma wouldn’t let anybody sleep past 7:00 AM because that was “glakit.”

From time to time, my grandfather would recite the poem “Barbara Frietchie” by John Greenleaf Whittier from memory.  His family was Society of Friends (Quaker), but he was not a pacifist.  He always said he was too young for the Spanish American War, and too old for WW I.  He loved our country, nonetheless.

My mother died in 2012, after a long struggle with osteoporosis.  Before she passed, she asked me to read the poem to her in her room at the nursing home.  I started it, but I got all choked up and couldn’t finish it.  I seldom get “emotional,” but I looked over at her with tears in my eyes and said, “I can’t Momma. They are ruining it (the country) … for money.” She replied simply, “I know.”   

Barbara Frietchie

By John Greenleaf Whittier

Up from the meadows rich with corn,

Clear in the cool September morn,

The clustered spires of Frederick stand

Green-walled by the hills of Maryland.

Round about them orchards sweep,

Apple- and peach-tree fruited deep,

Fair as a garden of the Lord

To the eyes of the famished rebel horde,

On that pleasant morn of the early fall

When Lee marched over the mountain wall,—

Over the mountains winding down,

Horse and foot, into Frederick town.

Forty flags with their silver stars,

Forty flags with their crimson bars,

Flapped in the morning wind: the sun

Of noon looked down, and saw not one.

Up rose old Barbara Frietchie then,

Bowed with her fourscore years and ten;

Bravest of all in Frederick town,

She took up the flag the men hauled down;

In her attic window the staff she set,

To show that one heart was loyal yet.

Up the street came the rebel tread,

Stonewall Jackson riding ahead.

Under his slouched hat left and right

He glanced: the old flag met his sight.

“Halt!”— the dust-brown ranks stood fast.

“Fire!”— out blazed the rifle-blast.

It shivered the window, pane and sash;

It rent the banner with seam and gash.

Quick, as it fell, from the broken staff

Dame Barbara snatched the silken scarf;

She leaned far out on the window-sill,

And shook it forth with a royal will.

“Shoot, if you must, this old gray head,

But spare your country’s flag,” she said.

A shade of sadness, a blush of shame,

Over the face of the leader came;

The nobler nature within him stirred

To life at that woman’s deed and word:

“Who touches a hair of yon gray head

Dies like a dog! March on!” he said.

All day long through Frederick street

Sounded the tread of marching feet:

All day long that free flag tost

Over the heads of the rebel host.

Ever its torn folds rose and fell

On the loyal winds that loved it well;

And through the hill-gaps sunset light

Shone over it with a warm good-night.

Barbara Frietchie’s work is o’er,

And the Rebel rides on his raids no more.

Honor to her! and let a tear

Fall, for her sake, on Stonewall’s bier.

Over Barbara Frietchie’s grave

Flag of Freedom and Union, wave!

Peace and order and beauty draw

Round thy symbol of light and law;

And ever the stars above look down

On thy stars below in Frederick town!

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45483/barbara-frietchie

Good Riddance

Today, President Trump withdrew the United States from the Iran Nuclear Agreement.  Thank you, Mr. President!  At the time the agreement was being considered for approval, I wrote my Senators begging them not to approve it.

Barack Obama, John Kerry, and the rest of the so called “progressives” believed it was inevitable that Iran and North Korea would develop nuclear weapons and their associated delivery systems.  They were not willing to use every option available to them to prevent it.  Their policy was to delay it as much as possible in the hope that the totalitarian governments in those countries would “evolve,” and forsake nuclear weapons of their own volition.  The mind boggles.  I can’t find words to describe this kind of thinking.  Stupid, cowardly, naïve, treasonous, greedy (for trade), and appeasing come to mind, but they seem inadequate somehow.

Although I completely agree with President Trump’s action, “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

(https://www.brainyquote.com/search_results?q=Isaac+Newton)

We should prepare ourselves for the possibility of Iranian retaliatory measures.  To name a few, they may cause the terrorists that they sponsor to attack American interests at home and abroad; civilian and government.  They already sponsor attacks on Israel, but the intensity of those attacks may increase.  The European Union, the Russians, and the Chinese will profit from the removal of American competition for the Iranian market, and our businesses will suffer loss.

I think it is worth it.  I think the United States should even take it a step further. We must make it unmistakably clear that we will stop Iran from developing nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons by any necessary means and at any time we deem it to be necessary.

My fellow Americans, if Iran is allowed to proceed you may be certain that they will use, or threaten the use of, those weapons against the United States, Israel, other Middle Eastern nations, and possibly Western Europe.  You may be equally certain that they will use terrorist groups as a delivery system if they think they can accomplish their goals (without endangering themselves) by doing so.  This is a matter that directly affects our national safety and security; and our ability to conduct foreign policy freely.

I believe that if we make it crystal clear that we will use all means, including military force if necessary, to stop Iran’s expansionist ambitions, other countries will also impose sanctions.  It seems to be working with North Korea.  With some people, force is all they understand.  Like any common criminal, they interpret everything else as weakness, and they try to manipulate to take advantage every way they can.

Good riddance to the Iran Nuclear Agreement!  Forward with methods that get results!  Pray that God will provide a peaceful resolution.  Be on your guard.  Be ready to fight if we must.

King Nebuchadnezzar

Power is transient.  Of those who come to power, very few experience complete autonomy in how they use their power.  King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon ruled an empire, but eventually his rule came to an end.  During his reign, he let his almost absolute power go to his head.  He had a psychotic break, and he was removed from power for seven years.  He was returned to power when he came to his senses, and he acknowledged that God is in control.

Some of our current world leaders might take a lesson from King Nebuchadnezzar’s experience as reported in the Holy Bible, Daniel chapter 4 (NKJV):

1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, To all peoples, nations, and languages

that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.

2 I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that

the Most High God has worked for me.

3 How great are His signs, And how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is

an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation.

4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace.

5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts on my bed

and the visions of my head troubled me.

6 Therefore I issued a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me,

that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.

7 Then the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans,

and the soothsayers came in, and I told them the dream;

but they did not make known to me its interpretation.

8 But at last Daniel came before me (his name is Belteshazzar,

according to the name of my god; in him is the Spirit of the Holy God),

and I told the dream before him, saying:

9 "Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know

that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you, and no secret troubles you,

explain to me the visions of my dream that I have seen

and its interpretation.

10 "These were the visions of my head while on my bed:

"I was looking, and behold, A tree in the midst of the earth,

And its height was great.

11 The tree grew and became strong; Its height reached to the heavens,

And it could be seen to the ends of all the earth.

12 Its leaves were lovely, Its fruit abundant, And in it was food for all.

The beasts of the field found shade under it, The birds of the heavens

dwelt in its branches, And all flesh was fed from it.

13 "I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed,

and there was a watcher, a holy one,

coming down from heaven.

14 He cried aloud and said thus: 'Chop down the tree

and cut off its branches, Strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.

Let the beasts get out from under it,

And the birds from its branches.

15 Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth,

Bound with a band of iron and bronze, In the tender grass of the field.

Let it be wet with the dew of heaven, And let him graze with the beasts

On the grass of the earth.

16 Let his heart be changed from that of a man,

Let him be given the heart of a beast,

And let seven times pass over him.

17 'This decision is by the decree of the watchers,

And the sentence by the word of the holy ones,

In order that the living may know

That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men,

Gives it to whomever He will,

And sets over it the lowest of men.'

18 "This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen.

Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation,

since all the wise men of my kingdom

are not able to make known to me the interpretation;

but you are able, for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you."

19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time,

and his thoughts troubled him. So the king spoke, and said,

"Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you."

Belteshazzar answered and said,

"My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you,

and its interpretation concern your enemies!

20 The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong,

whose height reached to the heavens

and which could be seen by all the earth,

21 whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant,

in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt,

and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home--

22 it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong;

for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens,

and your dominion to the end of the earth.

23 And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one,

coming down from heaven and saying, 'Chop down the tree and destroy it,

but leave its stump and roots in the earth,

bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field;

let it be wet with the dew of heaven,

and let him graze with the beasts of the field,

till seven times pass over him';

24 this is the interpretation, O king,

and this is the decree of the Most High,

which has come upon my lord the king:

25 They shall drive you from men,

your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field,

and they shall make you eat grass like oxen.

They shall wet you with the dew of heaven,

and seven times shall pass over you,

till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men,

and gives it to whomever He chooses.

26 And in as much as they gave the command

to leave the stump and roots of the tree,

your kingdom shall be assured to you,

after you come to know that Heaven rules.

27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you;

break off your sins by being righteous,

and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor.

Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity."

28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.

29 At the end of the twelve months

he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon.

30 The king spoke, saying,

"Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling

by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?"

31 While the word was still in the king's mouth,

a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken:

the kingdom has departed from you!

32 And they shall drive you from men,

and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field.

They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you,

until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men,

and gives it to whomever He chooses."

33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar;

he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen;

his body was wet with the dew of heaven

till his hair had grown like eagles' feathers

and his nails like birds' claws.

34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven,

and my understanding returned to me;

and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever:

For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

And His kingdom is from generation to generation.

35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;

He does according to His will in the army of heaven

And among the inhabitants of the earth.

No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, "What have You done?"

36 At the same time my reason returned to me,

and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me.

My counselors and nobles resorted to me,

I was restored to my kingdom,

and excellent majesty was added to me.

37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven,

all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice.

And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.

https://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/daniel/4.html

Haiku for You

Here are a few Haiku poems I wrote:

                          Cool September day

                          God's world covered in soft light

                          Makes me feel content

                          

                          No one can predict

                          What tomorrow will bring us

                          Trust Jesus today

                          

                          Cold windy spring day

                          Water’s too cold for fishing

                          Wait a while longer

I hope you liked them.

The Lamplighter

Times are Changin'

I saw a Republican on TV a day or two ago; one of our “elected representatives” in the house or senate in Washington, D.C.  I can’t quote him verbatim.  He was saying something to the effect that he knew they blew it this time, however, if we would just reelect them in November they would get it right next time.

When pigs fly!  As my father-in-law used to say, “Throw out the old crooks.  Elect new crooks.”

It is absolutely imperative that all registered Republicans vote in the primary and vote against the incumbent … especially if that incumbent voted for the obscene $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill recently passed by congress.  I am reminded of what Flip Wilson used to say, “The Devil made me do it!”  Noooooooooooooo!  They did not vote for the bill because the Democrats made them do it.  They voted for the bill because they didn’t have the guts not to, and they didn’t have the skills to bring their case to the people.

The Democrats held defense spending hostage until the Republicans caved … and agreed to excessive spending on social programs.  The Republicans believed that they would be blamed if the government shut down because a spending bill failed to pass.

I remember the last time that happened.  The federal government shut down, and nobody missed it.

One of the most feared words in the English language among politicians and college students is MIDTERMS.  I will be voting in the Republican primary to turn out the incumbents.  Drain the swamp!

Of course, I will vote for Republican incumbents that make it to the general election in November.  Better a swamp dwelling Republican than a Democrat who hates America. Folks, we must send a Republican voting majority to the house and senate in November.  Get out and vote Republican … even if you have to throw up afterwards.

Bob Dylan wrote the following in support of a different cause.  However, the words ring just as true for the corrupt in both parties who must run for office next fall.  There is a revolt brewing, and true conservatives have a chance to help President Trump drain the swamp.

Come senators, congressmen,
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway,
Don't block the hall,
For he that' gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled,
There's a battle
Outside and it's ragin'
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'

                                                For the times they are a-changin'

Songwriters: BOB DYLAN
© BOB DYLAN MUSIC CO
For non-commercial use only.
Data From: LyricFind

Gov. Jerry Brown

California Governor Jerry Brown is an old hippie.  During a previous term as governor in the early 1980’s, he was unable to deal with an infestation of Mediterranean fruit flies.  Now he is unable to help President Trump deal with an infestation of people entering the country illegally.  Why should we expect anything different?

The trouble with our Liberal friends is not that they're ignorant;

it's just that they know so much that isn't so.

Ronald Reagan

https://www.brainyquote.com/search_results?q=ronald+reagan

Supporting President Trump

Donald J. Trump is the duly elected President of the United States.  “Duly elected” means that he holds the office of President legally following an election that was conducted according to the provisions of the United States’ Constitution.

President Trump’s opponents in both major parties should stop trying to remove him from office by “trumping up” phony charges about the 2016 campaign.  To date, after extensive investigation, no evidence has been presented which establishes that President Trump, or others acting on his behalf, had a quid pro quo arrangement that promised anything in return for Russian interference that may have benefited President Trump in the election.

Furthermore, the President’s unfortunate history of philandering was well known prior to the election, and he was elected anyway.  Therefore, it is dishonest to try to use law suits to entrap him into perjury with trick questions about his past extramarital affairs.  Don’t tell me the accusers have not been “encouraged” to pursue their cases.

So, let’s please move on and get the peoples’ business done.

I did not vote for President Trump.  I wrote in for Ted Cruz.  I felt that, as a Christian I could not vote for President Trump, due to his history of misogyny and lack of moral character.  I was also concerned that he would not stand his ground on issues like the peoples’ right to keep and bear arms or the right to life, if things got tough.

However, I support what he is doing to help Americans have safer and more prosperous lives.  I believe that, as a Christian, I owe allegiance and cooperation to governmental authorities as long as they do not tell me to violate God’s commandments, or make me complicit in such violation.  It does not cause me a conflict of conscience to support the President’s policies if I agree that they are good for the American people; even if he is a swine with women.  I am sure that liberals had to make similar choices regarding (former) President Bill Clinton.

To be honest, I am very pleased with what President Trump has done (as President), so far.  If an election were held tomorrow, I might vote for him.  I want the things he wants for the country.

The same cannot be said for our Senators and Congressmen.  I want a Republican voting majority in both houses of congress.  I will never vote for a Democrat; ever again.

However, in the Republican primary, I will not vote for the incumbent Republican candidate; if a choice is offered.  I am going to step down from the podium for a moment to say plainly that I have never seen such a sorry bunch of incompetents as the current crop of Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate.  I would only vote for them if they make it to the ballot in the 2018 general election.

When I was in the Army, they taught us: “If you can’t respect the man, respect the rank.”  I respect what President Trump has accomplished, and I respect his abilities.  I have enough sins in my own past to avoid passing judgement on the President.  However, he has not demonstrated the kind of moral character that earns my respect.  Please pray for the First Lady.  Melania Trump has shown a lot of class in the face of what must be overwhelming humiliation.  She is a better wife than her husband deserves.

Politically, I consider myself to be a Christian conservative.  Every American must make up their own mind whether to support President Trump; including my fellow Christians.  I am not setting myself up as a model for others, but I support President Trump because I agree with his vision for America.