Editorial Cartoon Smorgasbord!

Health Care Questions for Senator Claire McCaskill!

Representative John Conyers doesn't think he owes it to his constituents to actually read the Health Care bill that will affect all Americans and cost taxpayers trillions of dollars. As I watched the above video clip last night, I decided it was time to call U.S. Senator McCaskill and find out if she felt the same way.

I have already contacted Representative Sam Graves' office and he is one of 93 Congressmen who has signed a pledge promising to read the bill. I will be contacting my other U.S. Senator Kit Bond as well, but I'm pretty confident that he will be one of those joining that list.

Here are my questions for Senator McCaskill:

1) Do you plan on voting against or in favor of the Health Care bill?
2) Have you read or do you plan on reading the Health Care bill and will you join Let Freedom Ring's Pledge to Read the bill?
3) Will you and your family be on the same public health plan that Congress plans on subjecting the rest of the country to?

I encourage everyone to contact your Congressmen and women and ask them if they plan on joining the pledge, and where they stand on this extremely important bill that will have drastic consequences for our future.

A Review of "Taking Chance"

The movie, "Taking Chance" is a must see!! It is an HBO film based on a moving true story. To be honest, whenever I hear that a movie is done by HBO, I'm pretty skeptical. The reason being that HBO is pretty good at putting out liberal propaganda pieces. That said, this is not the first time I've been pleasantly surprised. The first time was when I was wowed by Iron Jawed Angels.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael R. Strobl made a journey in 2004 that was so moving, he decided to write an article about it. Even though it was unusual for someone of Strobl's rank to escort a fallen soldier's body home, Strobl volunteered to do just that. He didn't even know Pfc. Chance Phelps, but he noticed that he was from a hometown right next to Strobl's own hometown.

Since, Strobl himself helped write the screenplay for the movie it ended up being very accurate. The neat thing about the movie also is that everyone can watch it and be moved whether they are for or against the war. There is nothing political about it.

Below are some excerpts from Strobl's article that show what big hearts Americans have in this country for our men and women who are putting their lives on the line for our freedoms:

On this day there were some civilians doing construction on the mortuary grounds. As each hearse passed, they would stop working and place their hard hats over their hearts. This was my first sign that my mission with Pfc. Phelps was larger than the Marine Corps and that his family and friends were not grieving alone.
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The woman behind the counter already had tears in her eyes as I was pulling out my government travel voucher. She struggled to find words but managed to express her sympathy for the family and thank me for my service. She upgraded my ticket to first class.

After clearing security, I was met by another Northwest Airlines employee at the gate. She told me a representative from cargo would take me to the tarmac to observe the movement and loading of Pfc. Phelps. I hadn't really told any of them what my mission was, but they all knew.

When the man from the cargo crew met me, he, too, struggled for words. On the tarmac, he told me stories of his childhood as a military brat and repeatedly told me that he was sorry for my loss. I was starting to understand that, even here in Philadelphia, far away from Chance's hometown, people were mourning with his family.

On the tarmac, the cargo crew was silent expect for occasional instructions to each other. I stood to the side and saluted as the conveyor moved the container to the aircraft. I was relieved when he was finally settled into place. The rest of the bags were loaded, and I watched them shut the cargo bay door before I headed back to board the aircraft.

One of the pilots had taken my carry-on bag himself and stored it next to the cockpit door so he could watch it while I was on the tarmac. As I boarded the plane, I could tell immediately that the flight attendants had already been informed of my mission. They seemed a little choked up as they led me to my seat.

About 45 minutes into our flight, I still hadn't spoken to anyone expect to tell the first-class flight attendant that I would prefer water. I was surprised when the flight attendant from the back of the plane suddenly appeared and leaned down to grab my hands. She said, "I want you to have this, " as she pushed a small gold crucifix, with a relief of Jesus, into my hand. It was her lapel pin, and it looked somewhat worn. I suspected it had been hers for quite some time. That was the only thing she said to me the entire flight.

Bottom line: I give the movie 2 thumbs up and recommend it for all to see. I only caution you to have a box of kleenex close by.

Additional links:
A Marine's Journey Home
Taking Chance
HBO Films’ Taking Chance - Kevin Bacon, Michael Strobl Interview

July 27th Edition of Conservatism With Heart!

LIVE TODAY at 9:00-10:00 am CST!! To listen, go here!!

Some of the articles and topics I will be discussing:

--Palin: Never Apologize for our Country...
--Ann Coulter on Sarah Palin's Legacy
--A Marine's Journey Home
--HBO Films’ Taking Chance - Kevin Bacon, Michael Strobl Interview
--Taking Chance
--Why Obamacare is Sinking
--And more...

To be a part of the show, call in, toll-free 1-877-864-4869!!

To listen to podcasts of my previous shows, go here!

Where are the Jobs?

--Brilliant!... 134 GOP House Members Ask President Obama: "Where Are the Jobs?" (Video)

"Not only has the stimulus not worked and the economy not been rescued, the President continues to promote policies that will create more unemployment in America. The national energy tax that went through this House last month will cause millions of Americans to lose their jobs over the next 10 years, at 2.5 million per year.

And we're debating the health care plan, the government takeover of health care, which according to the Presidents council of economic advisors model will cost five million more Americans their jobs."--Rep. John Boehner

Obamacare!

--Sen. DeMint (R-SC) Has Questions for Obama's Press Conference
An excerpt:

Below are the top five questions Sen. DeMint would've liked the president to address last night:

1. If the major provisions of the health care bills will not kick in until 2013, four years from now, why the rush to pass a thousand-page bill before the August recess, a bill you admit that you haven’t fully read yourself?

2. You have said your health care bill will cut costs and not increase the deficit. But, independent analysis by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office contradicts both claims, saying it will raise costs and increase the deficit by $240 billion in the first ten years. What independent analysis will you provide that supports your claims and refutes CBO’s?

3. You have repeatedly said that your health care bill allows any American who likes their current employer-based plan to keep it. But the most comprehensive independent analysis available, by the Lewin Group, contradicts your claim and found your bill will force over 80 million Americans to lose their current coverage. Will you provide independent analysis to refute this study?

4. Your own record in the Senate reveals you spent years voting against nearly every reform to make health care more affordable and accessible, but this week you said that opponents of your plan are “content to perpetuate the status quo, [and] are, in fact, fighting reform on behalf of powerful special interests.” Which specific elected officials will you cite that have proposed to keep the status quo, and is that how you characterize the opposition of the 52 Blue Dog Democrats in the House and the moderate Democrats in the Senate?

5. Yes or no question: Will you guarantee pro-life Americans that, under your plan, they will not be forced to subsidize elective abortions?

--O'S BROKEN PROMISES (HEALTH BILLS V. PREZ'S WORDS)
An excerpt:

President Obama promises that "if you like your health plan, you can keep it," even after he reforms our health-care system. That's untrue. The bills now before Congress would force you to switch to a managed-care plan with limits on your access to specialists and tests.

--Millions Would Lose Private Insurance Under Health Reform Bill, Study Shows

--Leading Blue Dog Democrat: Pelosi Does Not Have the Votes for Health Care Reform
An excerpt:

ABC News' Jake Tapper and Z. Byron Wolf report:

How is health care reform progressing on Capitol Hill?

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., today insisted everything is smooth sailing with the House bill that would require every American to have health insurance or pay a fine; create a government run health plan to compete with private insurers to drive costs down; and impose an up to 5.4% new tax on top wage-earners.

“I have no question that we have the votes on the floor of the House to pass this legislation,” Pelosi told reporters.

But a leading conservative “Blue Dog” Democrat told ABC News that claim is questionable.

“No, I don’t think they have the votes,” Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., said, arguing if that were the case he and the other six Blue Dogs on the House Energy and Commerce Committee who have been holding up the bill in committee would be under far less pressure.

--Obama Doesn't Even Know What's in his own Health Care Bill

--Doctors Wage War Against Obama's Health Care Overhaul

--Make sure you check out the Heritage Foundation's Rapid Response Page dedicated solely to Obama's Health Care plan

Dennis Miller on Alford vs. Boxer!

Dennis Miller is spot on and entertaining at the same time!

Harry Alford Hands it to Barbara Boxer!

Harry Alford, President of National Black Chamber of Commerce slammed Barbara Boxer for using race politics. I don't think Boxer is used to being challenged. When Alford was on O'Reilly last night he said that he had received a lot of supportive emails. One can only imagine how many of us were standing up cheering as he took on Barbara Boxer and won ;-)).

Gateway Pundit spoke to Senator James Inhofe who invited Alford and has Inhofe's hearing statement.

Alford was also on John Ziegler's show sharing his thoughts on Barbara Boxer!

Bottom line: Cap and Trade is a disaster and Boxer thought she could combat Alford's logic by quoting another black man's view on it. Alford was right in saying it was extremely condescending. If she didn't agree with his views on cap and trade thats fine, but don't drag race into it.

July 20th Edition of Conservatism With Heart!

LIVE TODAY at 9:00-10:00 am CST!! To listen, go here!!

Some of the articles and topics I will be discussing:

--Movie Reviews
--Soldier held in Afghanistan is 23-year-old Idahoan
--Governors Fear Medicaid Costs in Health Plan
--Fly Girls are no longer forgotten
--Obama taps genetics pioneer
--My Take on Sarah Palin
--My Take on Michael Jackson
--Gerald Ford Museum
--And more...

To be a part of the show, call in, toll-free 1-877-864-4869!!

To listen to podcasts of my previous shows, go here!

Nick Vujicic!

A friend posted this on Facebook. This man's life is a testament to us all and an inspiration! If you've fallen down and feel like you can't get up, take courage! Never give up!! It makes me think of all the people that succeeded only because they didn't quit! May we take heart and be encouraged!

A Review of "Valkyrie"

While on vacation my parents and I watched Valkyrie with Tom Cruise. I have to say that it exceeded my expectations and is probably the best character role I've ever seen Cruise play.

Cruise plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, who was one of the key players in what was known as the July plot (Operation Valkyrie) to assassinate Hitler. What was fascinating is that it was more than just an assassination attempt, it was a plan to take over the whole German government. I was wondering how accurate the movie was to history and found this:

Peter Hoffmann, professor of history at McGill University and a leading authority on the German Resistance, was a consultant for the filmmakers. Hoffmann spoke of the film's accuracy, "[Valkyrie] gives a fundamentally accurate portrait of Stauffenberg and his co-conspirators. There are details which must be counted as liberties. But, fundamentally, the film is decent, respectful and represents the spirit of the conspiracy."

My Mom and I were amazed that we had never heard more about the July plot or how widespread the German resistance was. There were a total of 15 assassination attempts on Hitler's life by the time the war ended.

Even though I knew how the movie would end and that the plot would fail, I still found it all to be very inspirational. These men and women put their lives on the line for a cause they believed in, they stood up against evil when they knew it could cost them their lives, and it did. Thats what I call courage. I marveled at the thought of how differently Germany would be viewed to this day if they could've taken back their own country from a mad man.

Gilmore Girls!

Several friends and I are watching the show Gilmore Girls on DVD right now. It is an amazing show. I have several great quotes that I will add to this post later when I get a chance.

My Take on Sarah Palin!

The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
--From Hamlet (III, ii, 239)

Sarah Palin's resignation had barely hit the airwaves and the convulsions and screaming from the left hit an all time high. High pitched squeals were heard about how this was the end of her career, etc, etc...

Why is it that the left is so afraid of her? Especially, elitist liberal women? And some elitists on the right as well? As the above Hamlet quote says, some are protesting a little too much.

During this past week, I've had many ask me why Sarah Palin isn't running for re-election as Governor and why she is resigning. Since, we've heard the high pitched squeals on the left, lets look at what some others have said.

--Roger Stone gave his insight in his article entitled, Palin's Plan. An excerpt:

As Bill Kristol, the only DC based analyst who "gets it" said the move also frees Palin to "write her book, give speeches, travel the country, and educate herself on some issues." It also frees her to build a net work of fundraisers and supporters throughout the country - many of whom will be her TV viewers.

Palin will also be more in demand as a dinner speaker, fundraiser and campaigner than any other Republican in 2011. She can suspend her TV career and will have a chance to collect countless political IOUs along the way, campaigning for candidates and raising them money and hitting the State Republican dinner circuit. Demand for the "New Palin" will only increase.

Palin's "star-power," charisma, presence and genuineness can not be discounted. No one can discount her moxie, her energy and her inspirational qualities. Her anti-elite middle-class message can have resonance again when the Obama economic polices likely fail. The Ivy leaguers and Hollywood crowd so high on Obama may be riding for a fall. The media has unfairly labeled her as "dumb." All she must do is disprove this...and she can have sixty minutes each week to do it.

Palin's stunning move guarantees an outsider strategy in which Palin is a movement but not a party candidate. No decision on running should be made until 2011 and focus must be on image repair. This is a woman who held off 36 year Senate vet Joe Biden in a 90 minute debate. She may just be up to the task.

--Conservatives for Palin had an extensive post where they listed reactions from many. One of those was from The Anchoress who took the words right out of my mouth. An excerpt:

It’s tough to govern and not go broke when the other side has decided to nibble you to death – and to build up a “record of questionable ethics” against you while they do so. The left and the press, who one might characterize as “at war” with Palin and her family, have tossed together a mess of Palin narratives (she’s “stupid,” they’re “trailer-trash,” the daughters are “sluts,” she looks like a “slutty flight attendant,” they are cornpone, she is inept, she “can see Russia from her window” and oh, yeah, she’s really her son’s grandmother, and one of her “slutty” daughters got pregnant just a few weeks after giving birth to that retarded kid that everyone wishes she [or her daughter, winkwink] had aborted) and they have created an enormous battle-hill out of all of that.

And I suspect Sarah Palin has looked around and decided, no – she is not going to die on that hate-constructed hill. I think she’s going to do her thing, forge her own path by her own lights, and eventually head back into politics on her own damn hill – and with (one fervently hopes) a hum-dinger of a speech-writer.

One of the jobs of a believer -whether Christian or not- is to find meaning in what is going on around and within. I suspect Palin is finding meaning in the abuse she’s been handed. I suspect her interior strength and her interior narrative of faith, family and love of homeland are commingling into a strategy, based on that meaning; a strategy that will be broad in scope, takes the long-view and is played close to the vest.

While, I don't know the exact reason for Sarah Palin's latest move, I do take great offense to how her and her family have been treated by the hate filled left. No one, not even Bush has had their family put through so much torture. Not one hate filled thing has been said about Obama's children and barely a mention was made about Biden's daughter's drug problems. Yet, somehow it is okay to drag Sarah Palin's children and family through the mud. I would think the line would be drawn at making fun of a Downs Syndrome baby, but apparently not.

I conclude with a post from Legal Insurrection by William Jacobsen. He is convinced that the main reason for the Palin Derangement Syndrome is precisely because of her audacity to give birth to Trig, a Downs Syndrome Baby.

My Take on Michael Jackson!

When I was 13 years old and buying my first albums, I bought a copy of Thriller. I liked a couple of his songs and thought he was a good singer. As the years went by his popularity soared and so did his bizarre behavior. To be honest, I didn't pay too much attention. So, I didn't really know much about the first allegations of child sex abuse in 1993.

Then, as an adult, I started to see how tormented Michael Jackson seemed to be, as the surgeries and behavior increased. By the time the second set of allegations of abuse against Jackson were filed in 2005, I was paying attention. The surgeries, the behavior and the allegations all pointed to someone who was a very tormented individual.

I watched a documentary on him that showed how he kept having surgeries so he could look like his hero, Peter Pan. He named his ranch, Neverland and he spent time with young boys. Jackson never had a childhood and seemed determined to spend the rest of his life attempting to re-create one.

Micheal Jackson's death is tragic, as any loss of life is. We don't know yet how culpable any of his Doctors will be in his death. Yet, the bottom line is he had insomnia, he wasn't at peace with himself or his life and he was willing to go to great lengths to find drugs to help him sleep. While I feel sad about the loss of life and empathy for his children, this man was not a god to be worshiped. He was a great entertainer, but one who like Presley and many others found fame fleeting and needed more out of life and didn't find it.

Gerald Ford Presidential Museum

My thanks to Mike and Rivka for the great guest blogging while I was gone. I want to weigh in on numerous issues this week but I'll start off with something I did while on my trip.

I always go and visit family in Michigan every summer. While I was there this time, my Mom and my 2 youngest kids and I went to the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum. Ford wasn't one of my favorite presidents, but my goal is to make it to all of the presidential museums. So, Ford's was a lot easier than Clinton's will be, and I'm not sure I will even be able to bring myself to go to Carter's.

What I liked about the Museum:

--It was a very nice museum overall
--They had a really nice set-up covering Ford's funeral. They had recordings of the speeches at his funeral and you could hear each of them by pushing different buttons. I was able to hear Cheney, Bush and Rumsfeld's comments.
--A re-creation of what the Oval Office looked like during Ford's term
--They had a temporary exhibit of Caroline Kennedy's Doll Collection which was fascinating.

Interesting Facts that I learned:

--Ford was on the Warren Commission and he wrote a book on it
--Ford's vast experience
--That Rockefeller was his initial VP but because he was such a liberal Republican Ford dumped him for Bob Dole when he ran for President because of the challenge by the conservative Ronald Reagan

Some of my Thoughts:

--I always have to buy fun stuff at the Presidential Museum gift shops. I bought the book to the left by Betty Ford. Although, I didn't choose to get the autographed copy which was $50.
--While Ford and Dole are 2 of the most patriotic and experienced men to be on a ticket, I can't think of 2 more boring men. Is there any wonder why they lost? The best thing they did was deliver us Jimmy Carter who in turn gave us Ronald Reagan.

The Palin's Taking On The Left!

Don't mess with Sarah! Late last night to my delight I stumbed across this from Gateway Pundit:

It's On! Palin's Legal Counsel Threatens to Sue Liberal Blogs and State Run Media For Slander.

we will be exploring legal options this week to address such defamation.
This is to provide notice to Ms. Moore, and those who re-publish the defamation, such as Huffington Post, MSNBC, the New York Times and The Washington Post, that the Palins will not allow them to propagate defamatory material without answering to this in a court of law.

I am with Jim- Go for it Sarah, it is about time!

By the way, those who say that Sarah ruined her political career by resigning are wrong. IF her political career is ruined it is because of the liberal slugs who made her look like an idiot either by comedy, or slander or defamation of her character. I also blame the tin foil hats who continue to regurgitate the lies they hear.

The left did the same thing to Bush and that is how Obama got elected.

I hope Sarah sets a precedence by sending a STRONG message to Liberals that they can't do a Saul Alinsky on Conservatives and their children anymore and get away with it.

UPDATE: I found a great analysis regarding Palin's resignation. Click here.

UPDATE #2: Click here for Mark Levin's assessment based on what he knows as of yesterday, not based on 'speculation' as to 'why' she resigned.

The Declaration Of Independence... READ IT!

I challenge you to read this to your family tonight. Happy 4th of July!
~Rivka

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

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 secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers 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 Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, 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. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

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

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws of Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our People, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

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:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

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

For imposing taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

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

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

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

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy of the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

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.

Nor have We been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

John Hancock
Button Gwinnett
Lyman hall
Geo Walton
Wm Hooper
Joseph Hewes
John Penn
Edward Rutledge
Thos Heyward, Junr.
Thomas Lynch, Junr.
Arthur Middleton
Samuel Chase
Thos. Stone
George Wythe
Charles Carrol of Carrollton
Richard Henry Lee
Th Jefferson
Benja. Harrison
Thos Nelson, jr.
Francis Lightfoot Lee
Carter Braxton
Robt Morris
Benjamin Rush
Benj. Franklin
John Morton
Geo. Clymer Smith
Geo Taylor
James Wilson
Geo. Ross
Caesar Rodney
Geo. Read
Tho M: Kean
Wm. Floyd
Phil. Livingston
Frans. Lewis
Lewis Morris
Richd. Stockton
Jno.WItherspoon
Fras. Hopkinson
John Hart
Abra. Clark
Josiah Bartlett
Wm. Whipple
Saml. Adams
John Adams
Robt. Treat Paine
Elbridge Gerry
Step. Hopkins
William Ellery
Roger Sherman
Saml Huntington
Wm. Williams
Oliver Wolcott
Matthew Thorton

How many of these 'acts of the king' do you find eerily familiar in this day and age? I will give you one: "Imposing taxes on us without our consent".

Sarah Palin ~Breaking The Mold Again!

As you already know, Sarah Palin has stepped down and said she is not retreating but is moving forward!

I think Sarah is just doing what she always does. She isn't 'leaving the scene', she is just moving forward! Much to the leftist chagrin. There is nothing wrong with resigning in order to move forward to a possible run for president or to support real Conservatives running for office.

It is humorous hearing the left say that by resigning she is ruining her political career. After all, Obama being in a hate-filled racist church for 20 years and buddying up with people like Ayers didn't seem to make a difference in getting elected. Barry's lack of experience, especially compared to Palin, didn't matter either.

Sarah Palin is a leader, she is strong. Today I saw her as someone who is made in the Reagan/Thatcher mold. I am convinced she is the one we need in 2012 or 2016 who will reverse the damage Obama has done. She has the guts to do it. She has more guts than any man I have seen who has run or is rumored to run on our side. She won't drop her convictions to 'get along' like so many other Republicans have done.

I can see why she stepped down. She is a mover and a shaker and doesn't want to waste her time and Alaskans money to have to work on defending herself from the wild accusations from the wacko statists who hate her in Alaska. Why waste time doing that when she can get out there and make a difference and perhaps save this country from the downward spiral into socialism with Obama and the leftist nuts in charge.

I say go for it Palin!

By Rivka

4th of July Bombshell: Sarah Palin to Resign as Alaska Governor July 26

Does this signal readiness for a run in 2012?




More to come... stay tuned!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!

photo by Mike's America

I'm so thankful I was born here!

You know how some people celebrate Christmas in July. I like to celebrate Thanksgiving on the 4th of July.

It's a day to be truly thankful to be an American. It's such an amazing country that millions around the world will stake everything they have to get here and enjoy the same freedom that those of us who were born here enjoy every day. Some new arrivals may think we take our freedom for granted (read the story of one first generation American who thanks his mother for coming here). Well, that may be true for some Americans (and we know who we are talking about don't we?) but it's not true for me.

Today is a celebration of Thanksgiving for being so fortunate to live in one of the greatest nations that ever blessed the surface of the earth.

It's a day to be proud of our accomplisments, our history and the hard won freedom that made it all possible.

Celebrate with music

Two favorites here: Lee Greenwoods "Proud to be an American" and the US Air Force Band's jazz version of "Battle Hymn of the Republic." If you are done with loud sounds for the day and ready to mellow out, how about the USAF Band's instrumental version of "America the Beautiful?"





More links to patriotic music downloads at the bottom of this post.

Contrasting Demonstrations in Honduras: Violent Communists for Dictatorship vs. Peaceful Democracy

Guess which side Obama is on?

Citizens of the small Central American country Honduras are getting tired of the bad rap they have taken by removing their President before he could declare a dicatorship. They've taken to the streets for the past few days eager to send us all a message about what is really happening.

A pictorial of their demonstrations contrasts with the image of communist inspired violence in the streets:

People demonstrate against ousted president Manuel Zelaya and in demand of peace and democracy, at Morazan Square in central Tegucigalpa, on June 30, 2009. Tensions were running high in Honduras Tuesday with new street protests planned as deposed Zelaya vowed to return only days after being ousted in an army-backed coup.

Supporters of ousted Honduras' President Manuel Zelaya hold up placards during a march in downtown Tegucigalpa July 1, 2009.

A man holds a banner during a demonstration against ousted president Manuel Zelaya and in demand of peace and democracy, at Morazan Square in central Tegucigalpa, on June 30, 2009.

The poster reads, "Yes to democracy, not to dictatorship of Chavez".

A woman holds a sign reading: "We are happy Mel. Do not come back."

Contrast the above with this:

A demonstrator throws a Molotov cocktail during clashes between supporters of ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and armed forces in Tegucigalpa on June 29, 2009.

And if you want to know who is behind the violence, here's a clue:

A demonstrator holds a banner of the late Argentine-born revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara during a show of support for ousted Honduras President Manuel Zelaya outside the Ministry of Foreign Relations in San Jose July 1, 2009.

Yep, the same old communist evil that has been directly responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands and the oppression of millions more thoughout Latin America.

Unemployment Continues to Skyrocket as Obama's Stimulus Plan Fails

Remember the CBO warning that Obama's plan was worse than doing nothing? They were right!

Thursday news that employers cut a larger-than-expected 467,000 jobs in June, driving the unemployment rate up to a 26-year high of 9.5 percent.


I've updated this chart:

The original chart (minus the actual unemployment figures in red) is from the Obama's transition team and was used as a scare tactic to insist that disaster would fall on us if we didn't agree to Obama's spending spree.

Reminder: All of the economic forecasts, budget projections and deficit outlooks are based on rosy assumptions by the Obama economic team that have now been proven to be completely false! That means things are likely to be even worse than we originally feared!

Promises, Promises....

Obama announces his position on taxing health benefits is "evolving."Those making $250,000 or less are about to see their taxes go up... AGAIN!

Throughout the campaign, then Senator Obama delivered a variation of this pledge:

"I can make a firm pledge. Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes." --Barack Obama

I've been watching a historical drama of the years Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain led Britain to the threshold of disaster in the late 1930's. At one point, Neville is pressed on a pledge he made to repair Britain's defenses. He responds: "A pledge doesn't mean it's forever."

Months ago, most of us learned that the promises Barack Obama made as a candidate were never intended as solemn vows. More like campaign slogans that can be discarded as readily as an American flag at an Obama rally. At the beginning of April President Obama signed the bill which was the single largest increase in tobacco taxes in history. That tax mostly impacted the poor and black Americans who are more likely to smoke.

Obama often signals his intention to abandon another campaign pledge by suggesting his stance on an issue is evolving. That language is being used again in the discussion over taxing health care benefits and also mandating same style health plans for everyone (something candidate Obama opposed).

At Wednesday's Obama campaign rally Town Hall meeting on health care, Obama managed to skewer both promises in a single answer. A new personal best!

Read carefully:

Q: Rob on Twitter said, "Does it really make sense, Mr. President, to tax me on my health care coverage?"

OBAMA: let me describe for you how this argument has evolved and where I've stood on it in the past and what's being debated in Congress.
...
Now, nobody at this point is -- or not many folks are talking about taxing benefits or completely eliminating the exclusion. What they are calling for now in Congress is to cap the exclusion so that people who have very high-priced health care, at a certain point they can only get a deduction up to a certain point, right? So let's say that the average health care cost for families -- a good health care plan costs $13,000. What they would say is the employer and the employee get an exclusion up to $13,000, but if you get some Cadillac plan that costs $17,000, then what we're going to do is you're going to have to pay taxes on that last $4,000. And the idea that is being debated in Congress right now is, is that a good way to ensure that people don't have these big Cadillac plans but instead have more sensible plans?

Now, I don't think -- and by the way, that also raises some money. So this has been offered as an alternative way to pay for that extra one-third of health care that we're not able to pay for through simply reallocating money.

I think the better way to do it remains the proposal I have to cap itemized deductions. I think that is a way that we can ensure that people who currently have health care aren't suddenly seeing the costs go up to pay for other people's costs going down, but instead everybody's costs can go down effectively.

In between all the usual Obama doublespeak one clear message rings out: TAXES WILL GO UP! And if you think only the rich will be paying higher taxes, think again.

Yes, think again next time you walk into a dark room and turn on the lights or start your car. Under the cap and tax energy bill that narrowly passed the House of Representatives last week every American will pay more for energy and every product and service with an energy component (that's everything).

Will Obama be Held Accountable for Breaking His Pledge?

Readers old enough to remember will recall how the first President Bush paid dearly for breaking his "read my lips, no new taxes" pledge. Will Obama be held to the same standard? Unlikely. With most Americans seemingly more interested in the latest celebrity tragedy than with how much Democrats are stealing from their pockets, any political points on this issue made by Republicans is likely to be ignored.

Still, there remain enough mushy middle ground voters of above average intelligence who are beginning to realize this isn't the "hope and change" they voted for. And if we keep pounding the drum, those numbers will continue to grow.

Keep pounding the drum!