A Test of Faith

 The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

~ Article VI, US Constitution (emphasis added)

Now that Amy Coney Barrett has been named as the nominee for the open seat on the Supreme Court, the American public is already hearing and reading all kinds of crazy accusations that she's a religious "nut" of some dangerous sort. Although this was predictable, it remains disappointing.

There is little doubt that Barret takes her religion seriously. So what? It tells me she knows right from wrong, good from evil, and will be faithful in discharging her duties should she be confirmed to the high court. Sincere Catholics are careful not to lie, cheat, steal, or slander their way into preferred results. I know this because I strive daily to be a sincere Catholic. It's not an easy road, but it's a worthwhile pursuit.

Leftism is a kind of religion unto itself, with "self" being the operative word. Lefties want their own way, often at any cost. Hard line left wingers know little of Catholicism, yet they tear it to shreds to further their own aims. The next few weeks will be ugly as the left tries to force its way to their desired outcome. 

If you're a person of faith, please say a prayer for our country. If you're not, fine, don't pray. But please try not to be destructive.

Framed in Clarity

He [the President] shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

~ from Article II, Section 2, of the United States Constitution

The text quoted above is direct and straightforward. The salient points of the moment appear in bold font. It never ceases to amaze me that hysterical lefties seem never to have paused in their emotionally overcharged protestations long enough to read the document that undergirds our entire national legal system.

The death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg has ignited a fireball of controversy over whether or not her successor should be appointed now or later. The left's battle cry is "Merrick Garland," the judge who was nominated to the high court by Barack Obama before the end of his second term. In that case, the president was truly a lame duck; he was not running for reelection to his second term. More importantly, while Obama was a Democrat, the Senate held a Republican majority. The president exercised his power under the Constitution; the Senate responded with their own.

The Republican Senate simply advised Obama that there would be no consent for his nominee from the opposition party. Article II, Section 2, was satisfied.

Justice Ginsburg must have realized her time was short. Yet she chose to keep her seat, gambling that she would outlive Election Day. She lost. That's very sad, but it's no reason to hold the workings of our constitutional republic in suspended animation. Her "instructions," as Obama termed her dying wish that her successor be chosen by the next president, bear no weight. Ginsburg seems to have overlooked the very real possibility that Trump will be reelected, leaving the choice of the next justice to sit for more than four years for "the new president," which is not a feasible alternative. Our country has a Constitution that defines what happens next, not a deceased justice and a former president. 

President Lincoln described our Constitution as the "frame of silver" surrounding the "apple of gold,"--the Declaration of Independence. That's a poetic way to remind us that the brilliance of our nation's Framers, whose careful construction of the documents was prescient in anticipating constitutional crises, is indeed priceless.

Red Alert

 We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

- Preamble to the United States Constitution

It's Constitution Day. On this day 233 years ago, our Constitution was signed into law. How very tragic that we Americans can't apply any of the attributes outlined in the Preamble to the current state of our country. Nothing in the grand introduction to our marvelous US Constitution is valid today.

A more perfect union? Not lately, not anywhere in our country.

Establish justice? Insure domestic tranquility? Ask residents of states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Oregon how that's going.

Provide for the common defense? That's highly unlikely if police departments across the nation are going to be defunded and "reimagined."

Promote the general welfare? After watching the brutal destruction they have perpetrated all summer, do you really think BLM holds that ideal?

Secure the blessings of Liberty? There is no security now--not in employment, not in personal safety--unless you keep your opposing viewpoints to yourself. Such merciless oppression indicates we are no longer a free people.

The nation's Founders would be aghast at the dark depths to which our country has sunk. The danger of losing our national heritage and legacy is critically real. Can we, as a nation, pull out of this frightening death spiral? The upcoming election holds the answer. But no matter what the election's outcome, given the climate of hostility and intolerance running rampant throughout the land, one thing is certain:

There will be trouble.

Never Forgotten

9/11 Memorial - New York City, New York

9/11 Memorial - Shanksville, Pennsylvania

9/11 Memorial - Washington D.C. 

Nice Country You've Got Here...

...it would be a shame if something happened to it.

That's essentially what mainstream media and the Democrats (pardon the redundancy) are telling American citizens: vote a second term for President Trump and watch the entire nation burn, baby, burn.

Polling about the election is interesting to watch, but it could well be meaningless. There are uncounted numbers of Trump voters in every state, and they cover a wide range of demographics. For obvious reasons, law enforcement officers in every agency across the country support the president. Despite the recent sickening hit piece that spouted negativity about Trump vis-a-vis the military, President Trump enjoys a healthy percentage of their support; I live in a military town, and I've talked with enough service members and veterans to know this is true.

Also, enthusiastic Trump voters can be found in so many small business and gun owners, people of faith, immigrants from countries devastated by socialism and communism, parents for school choice--and most of their families and friends. One could include in this group senior citizens who remember a more civil, respectful America. There are probably other voter groups I've  overlooked (boaters, perhaps?), but you get the idea.

Because they have common sense, most Trump voters won't publicize their political stance. This reticence is sometimes described as the "Shy Tory" effect. I believe it is especially relevant in our currently criminal, violent and explosive political climate. President Trump has far more silent support than any poll indicates. The president also enjoys some brave and outspoken voter support. Just take a look at today's New Jersey boat parade.

Threatening Trump voters with violence is a poor strategy that will produce more quiet resolve to resist the destruction of our national institutions. The upcoming presidential election will not be decided by the rioters, looters, Communists and anarchists that dominate the news. Millions of law-abiding, hard-working, tax-paying American citizens will cast their private votes on Election Day. The outcome could well be the whisper heard round the world.