We The People… July 9, 2008

 

I just got the best email from BIll and had to blog about it. I don’t know how this has escaped me; apparently its been forwarded across teh interwebs for quite sometime. But honestly, nothing has gotten me this fired up politically in a few days. As a matter of fact, Kit and I were talking politics last night and I was kind of depressed thinking about the direction I see our country heading and the great possibility that Osama Obama may be the next President. Heaven help us. 

The best part of what you’re about to read is the fact that it was written by a Congressman from the great state of Georgia, Mitchell Kaye (R), representing Cobb County. The worst part, you ask? He’s unfortunately a jort-wearing, 2 time graduate of Florida. Oh well, nobody’s perfect. 

Anyways, Congressman Kaye has written a brilliant response to the ever-increasing population of lazy, morons in this country that possess a ridiculous sense of self-entitlement. Bill’s email referred to it as the new Bill of Non Rights. I think it should be called…

 

The New Preamble To The Constitution Of The United States of America

“We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other liberal bed-wetters. We hold these truths to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim they require a Bill of NON-Rights.”

 

• ARTICLE I: You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.
• ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone — not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc.; but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.
• ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful; do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.
• ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes.
• ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we’re just not interested in public health care.
• ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don’t be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.
• ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don’t be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won’t have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.
• ARTICLE VIII: You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful.
• ARTICLE IX: You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness, which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.
• ARTICLE X: This is an English speaking country. We don’t care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it or go back to wherever you came from!
• ARTICLE XI: You do not have the right to change our country’s history or heritage. This country was founded on the belief in one true God. And yet, you are given the freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution. The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is part of our heritage and history, and if you are uncomfortable with it, TOUGH!

 

I live and am registered to vote in Clarke County, so I don’t have the pleasure of punching Congressman Kaye’s name at the ballot box. Too bad he’s not running for President; I’d vote for him in a skinny minute. He’s already proven to be leagues above the two phonies currently clammoring for the job.

 

Amen and God Bless America!

My Country ‘Tis Of Thee July 4, 2008

“The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever.” President John Adams in a letter to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776.

Living overseas for 5 years taught me more about patriotism than the 23 years prior that I had growing up as a privileged American. Living in an oppressed western African nation where freedom and liberty are just a dream showed me how blessed I was to have been born a citizen of the United States, and especially a southerner. More than ever before I began to appreciate how profoundly awesome it is to have the RIGHTS to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I came to fully grasp what so many of my forefathers sacrificed just to live freely, speak freely, worship freely, expect justice, and to possess an equal protection of the law.

Because of my years abroad, the 4th of July is no longer just a day off for me. Its no longer about a party by the pool with friends & family or a day of fun on the lake. It will never again be just a day of cookouts, parades, & fireworks. Independence Day for me will hopefully always include those things, but only in celebration of the liberties & freedoms I so abundantly enjoy, at the great expense of so many during the last 232 years, and by the immeasurable grace of God Almighty.

 

 

As I sit here writing this all I want to do is thank God for His wisdom, grace, love, and mercy in guiding the creation of this magnificent country. At the same time I feel compelled to beg His forgiveness for my sins and the sins of my country. Everyday I see changes in the way we live our lives, gravitating towards what mankind wants and further away from what God intended. I firmly believe that our social fabric is at stake if we continue to separate ourselves from God’s ways. But also, the degree of liberty we enjoy today is dependent upon Americans believing in a transcendent moral order for the way in which we live. I believe that America is exceptional, not because we made it that way, but because we experienced God’s undeserved blessings upon this nation.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  2 Chronicles 7:14

When we say, “God bless America,” we are asking God to treat our nation better than we deserve. The inclusion of God in America is what has historically been the best part of our country! The precious gift of God’s blessing is what has set us apart & made this country so extraordinary. And still seeking His blessing is a way of making sure that we can define our future in new and more promising ways. It is also a way of honoring the words in George Washington’s eloquent farewell address: “Religion and morality are indispensable and our national greatness, unless we allow them to be subverted and obliterated by secularism.”

But no oration or prayer I have to offer is as powerful as the ones given each year on this day to our Representatives by the Congressional Chaplain. This one in particular spoke to me today and was delivered July 2, 1969 to members of Congress on the Senate floor by the Rev. Edward L. R. Elson:

“We thank Thee, O God, that the freedom we celebrate in coming days is not an attainment, but an obtainment that it is Thy precious gift to man as part of his createdness. We thank Thee for the daring of our forefathers in reclaiming their “ancient rights.” We thank Thee, too, for the heroes’ valor, the patriots’ devotion, the prophets’ vision, and for all the blood and sweat and toil by which our freedom was purchased. As we commemorate our national independence accept again the declaration of our everlasting dependence upon Thee. In all our joy and thanksgiving enable us to remain a nation “under God,” and give us grace and goodness to minister to mankind in His name. Amen.” (Source: Congressional Record-Senate, 91st Congress)

 

Amen, indeed. May God continue to bless America.

Never Forget September 11, 2007

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 6 years since the most horrific day on American soil since Pearl Harbor. I would love to say that I could blog eloquently about my reflections concerning that day, but quite frankly I just don’t have the energy, much less the talent.

Thankfully though, Kit wrote a great post remembering what that day was like for him. His list of memories triggered my own and I know they will do the same for you. Be sure to leave your list in his comments section.

I’m so thankful that I can never forget that day. September 11, 2001 sparked a fire in me to be a better American…To love, serve and honor my country. To preserve it’s values and respect it’s history. To revere those who courageously protect my freedom day and night. To continually seek God’s guidance and blessing upon a nation so magnificent only He could create.

  

May God Bless America.

Justice for Ron Mexico? July 29, 2007

Ugh. That about encapsulates my feelings for Michael Vick. I am no fan, never have been. Quite frankly, I think he’s a low talent, classless, narcissistic, ass-clown. His years of continually embarrassing, bullshit, behavior eroded any respect I ever had for him as a player and especially as a man. The latest allegations of dog-fighting made me angry. After reading the 18 page indictment, I am sickened and horrified to say the least. Only a demented psycho could do what the Feds say he did.

That being said, I absolutely do not believe he should be suspended by the NFL.

Before you start sending me hate mail, let me explain.

I grew up around some brilliant legal minds. My uncle Bob, for instance, was a Solicitor and a US Congressman from the great state of South Carolina for 16 years. He was also one of the most intelligent & compassionate men I’ve ever known. To this day, he is still the man I admire most. He loved his country and believed that our judicial system was bar none the best in the world. He always encouraged me to have faith in the wisdom of our legal process, even though it is sometimes flawed. He taught me that without question, the greatest tenet is our constitutional right to a fair trial in which a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The prosecution always has the burden of proof. Contrary to what the media tries often to sell, an indictment or grand jury verdict is not a result of due process or an equitable hearing. It only serves to show probable cause; probable being the operative word. Yet, somehow I’ve increasingly noticed how quick the American public leaps to judgment based on little fact and a singular point of view. Have we already forgotten about the Duke non-rape case?

To say what happened to Reade Seligmann, Collin Finnerty, and David Evans was a gross rush to judgment is the understatement of the century. These boys were vilified by many Americans who ignorantly bought into the vicious deceptions of a contemptible DA. At a minimum, they were branded rapists and taunted with death threats all because some people chose to believe in their guilt before the court’s ruling. Even their university, professors, fellow students, and community cast their lot with a power-hungry, devious, son-of-a bitch with his own sick agenda to advance. I realize this is an extreme example to present, but nonetheless valid. Just as the Duke Lacrosse players deserved the assumption of innocence, Michael Vick does as well.

Do I think he will be proven guilty in a court of law? You bet. Here’s why:

1. The Federal government, from statistics as late as 2005, has a conviction rate of 94.1%. That is unfathomable & phenomenal to me.
2. Michael Vick’s case is being prosecuted in the US District Court in Richmond, Virginia - this court is famously referred to as the “rocket docket”. There will be no lengthy delays in heading to trial - I can assure you. In fact, his trial date is already set for early November.
3. He will be facing a notorious hard-nosed, no-nonsense, jurist in US District Judge Henry Hudson. He’s known for denying defense motions and rejecting delays. More than 80% of his cases are heard within 4 months. Again, unfathomable.
4.  Tony Taylor (not the Dawg we all know & love), the man who started this whole case & the first defendant, will be in court tomorrow morning to presumably turn state’s evidence. Then it’s only a matter of time before the other 3 follow suit & turn against Michael.

This all leads me back to my original statement… I do not believe Michael Vick should be suspended by the NFL. I absolutely think it is a colossal mistake to condemn a person without due process. Michael Vick deserves a fair trial and his day in court. How is he to receive that when the NFL has essentially decided to advance the course of judgment outside of the law? As it stands now, Vick has been ordered to stay away from training camp until the NFL can “complete their own review of the case.” That’s incredibly suspect. In adherence with Commissioner Goodell’s ruling, Falcons owner Arthur Blank backed off his planned 4 game suspension and publicly agreed with the NFL’s stance on the situation. Not surprising. It should also be noted that the NFL is completely within their right to discipline a player even before a conviction, according to the collective bargaining agreement. Just ask Pac-Man Jones.

Deion Sanders recently penned an interesting take on this situation in his column with The Fort Myers News-Press. No surprise that his position may be a little outrageous for some, but he does raise some interesting points. Such as, what a dog means to Vick may be different than what it means to you or me. He talks about the status symbol in dog fighting - owning the biggest, baddest dog around. The most intriguing point he raises is about the importance level of this issue as compared to the murder of a human.

“Can I pause for a moment to ask you a question? Who shot Darrant Williams? Remember the Denver Bronco cornerback? I’m just more concerned about bringing to justice someone who killed a human. Or finding out who broke into Miami Heat forward Antoine Walker’s home, tied him up and robbed him at gunpoint. We should have the same passion for man that we have for man’s best friend.”

I’m not saying Deion is right, but he does add another dimension to the story. <<btw, if you didn’t click the link to read it, you should.>> Above all, he implores us to allow Michael Vick the same rights afforded you and me, to gain some perspective on the situation, and to let the legal process play out. Amen to that!

The bottom line is, I don’t know what’s the right thing to do with Michael Vick while he prepares for his trial. The NFL, the Falcons, Nike, etc. all have a brand and image to protect. This is not just about American justice; it’s about business. I get that. I simply submit that the protection of an individual’s personal freedom is more important than public pressure or marketing. I also submit that we are a better nation, a better society, when we cease to convict a man before he’s prosecuted.

Agree? Disagree? Tell me what you think! Let me have it in the comments section; I can take it.