This, I Would Buy

But that's not what they published. Based on the trash they did choose to publish, it's safe to say that I will never purchase a copy of Rolling Stone magazine. Ever.

Media Distraction

So the Zimmerman trial is over and done with.  Can we all be allowed to move on with our lives?

I'm proud to say that I never watched a single nanosecond of the Zimmerman media coverage. I did read an online account of the "not guilty" verdict when it hit the headlines. Now if only the president would sit down and shut up over situations that have nothing to do with his job, maybe some American "journalists" would refocus long enough to report on actual news.

Missing the Point

Even at a pivotal moment in world history, the media can't get a clue on reporting a real story. Egypt is exploding with political strife, yet all the network news want to yammer on about is a murder trial and a plane crash, with an occasional dash of immigration angst thrown in for variety. And, of course, breaking news on the Kardashians at any interval.

I'm about ready to cancel my cable television subscription. If I can't find news of incalculable global significance being covered, why am I paying good money for "news" stations?

No matter how the highly volatile situation unfolds, the outcome of what's happening right now in Egypt will affect the rest of all of our lives--probably our children's lives, also. Don't you think, as I do, that perhaps "journalists" might be able to figure that out?

Happy Birthday, USA

The Declaration of Independence ~

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen 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 shewn, 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....

Read the full text for the list of grievances against the king, and think about current events in our government. The striking parallels in the clash between the People and their ruler will give any American who is serious about our fundamental rights pause for deep thought.

Grief in Arizona

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."
~ Matt 25:13

Mayer fire department chaplain Rev. Bob Ossler, reacts during a memorial service for 19 wildland firefighters, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz. Nineteen Hotshot firefighters were killed on Sunday when when an out-of-control blaze overtook the elite group near Yarnell, Ariz. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Keeping It Simple

It can be challenging to decide how to start a blog post these days, what with all the explosive news stories percolating simultaneously, worldwide. But the article I stumbled across about Pope Francis being a no-show at the Vatican concert really captured my fancy.

Story/photo: Reuters 6/25/13. Link www.csmonitor.com

I mean, really. A white "throne" for Francis to sit on, apart from all the other attendees? Have these guys been paying any attention at all? The College of Cardinals reminds me of the United States Congress--they just don't get it. Both entities want to continue doing things their own comfortable way and are astonished when their bosses--the People of the United States, in the case of Congress, or Pope Francis, in the case of the cardinals--prefer a different approach.

Here's a quote that's beyond priceless:

"It took us by surprise," said one Vatican source on Monday. "We are still in a period of growing pains. He is still learning how to be pope and we are still learning how he wants to do it."

Francis, "learning how" to be pope? Um, I don't think so, confused Vatican source. That man knows exactly what he's doing. Pope Francis is the right man at the right time, and he's a breath of fresh air blasting welcome shock waves through the tired, dusty old Catholic Church.

My advice to you and your brethren, dear slow-witted Vatican source? Keep on "learning how he wants to do it." You can start by auctioning off the white throne.

Happy John's Day

If I'm ever lucky enough to visit Latvia, I hope it's during John's Day celebrations.

Big Brother Online

For several weeks I’ve been following the various snooping scandals engulfing the Obama administration. The hacking of news reporters’computers, phone records, e-mails; the IRS intimidation of Tea Party participants and various other political opponents; the NSA/Big Brother data storage complex in Utah that we still wouldn’t know about if it hadn’t been for a whistleblower. It’s a lot to take in, and judging from the polls, Americans are none too pleased with their president.

sourcefednews.com

But I have to say, none of it surprises me. For some time now, we have been living in the brave new world of electronic monitoring, and the technology is too enticing for those in power to leave lying fallow. If we use a computer or a mobile phone—and virtually all of us do so--probably most, if not all, of our daily lives are recorded somewhere.

I’ve been awaiting revelations of privacy destruction for years. As an example, since September 11, 2001, I’ve been interested in buying a copy of the Koran. I’d like to read it for myself and see just what America is up against in her murderous Islamist enemy. But I have never purchased it. I’ve always been apprehensive of my transaction being relayed to some Office of Black Boots, followed by badges knocking on my front door. Even if I paid cash, what about those surveillance cameras at the bookstore?

And speaking of cameras, last year I began receiving snail mail from the U.S. Department of Transportation. It seems they had “observed” my car on its daily commute and wanted me to participant in a long-term transportation survey. I ignored the first two communications, but reconsidered after receiving the third. The Feds already know my home address, license plate number, and daily travel route—not to mention every other iota of personal information going back to my date of birth. It might not be a good idea to irritate Big Brother, I reasoned; I may end up being audited by the IRS. So I decided to play nice and take the survey. I’m being rewarded for my time with two Amazon.com gift cards, one at the start of the survey and the second upon conclusion. Consequently my reading habits are now also duly recorded for the the Federal government’s scrutiny. And if they've drilled down to monitoring individual Kindles, I hope they're enjoying my progress through Book 5 of the Game of Thrones series.

As anyone who reads this blog knows, my political views lean firmly to the right. I’ve always understood that entails a certain amount of personal risk and probable surveillance, but in the spirit of ’76, I’ve persevered in my pursuit of free speech and expression. So, most likely at some future date, when I need a hip replacement or a heart stent, my name will be dropped to the bottom of the Obamacare list—if it appears at all. Well, we all have to die of something. If I had to choose, I'd just as soon die on principle.

I don’t know what, if anything, is to be done about loosening our electronic chains. But I do know the fact that I was so well prepared to receive the news of government snooping and subterfuge saddens me. Benjamin Franklin, upon the birth of the United States, remarked that what we have is "a Republic, if you can keep it.” As we are learning, that's a very big "if."

The Endurance of Dad

John Patrick Carroll - c. 1945

The photo is of my father in what Mom would call his "heyday." Dad's been gone many years, but I still miss him. I've long since accepted the fact that I always will.

Those of us who are fortunate enough to grow up with a good father understand that the relationship is lifelong. Whether he is living or dead, Dad is part of your life. You remember his words, actions, and values, and you find ways to apply his example. I still ask myself "What would Dad do?" when I'm struggling with an issue. Answering that question usually leads me to a satisfactory and wise course of action.

There is only one dad to a customer, so be good to yours while he's here. He'll most likely be gone before you; but I'm constantly amazed at how often thoughts of my father accompany me on my daily path. I can only hope that you will be so lucky.

Very Well Said

"I'm not here as a serf or a vassal. I’m not begging my lords for mercy. I’m a born free American woman. Wife, mother, and citizen. And I’m telling my government that you've forgotten your place...." 
~ Becky Gerritson

Her testimony didn't get much coverage in the news media (big surprise there), but every American citizen who is concerned about the abuses of power by the Federal government should take time to listen to what she had to say.