Why do we, or at least most of us, celebrate Christmas? Is it about family, Santa Claus, presents, trees, reindeer, and snowmen? Not really, it's about the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Regardless of your religious affiliation, most historians would agree that the most influential figure in the history of the world was Jesus Christ. I believe He was the Messiah foretold by the prophets of Israel. You may disagree, but the impact of Christ, and Christianity has been profound and for the benefit of all humanity. Peter Hammond argues:
Similarly, slavery was eradicated as a result of the tireless efforts of Christians such as William Wilberforce, David Livingstone and General Charles Gordon. Respect for life and liberty are a fruit of Christianity. Those promoting abortion, euthanasia and pornography are not offering us progress, but only a return to pre-Christian paganism.
Most in our society do not seem to realise how much we owe to the advent of Jesus Christ. Hospitals as we know them were an innovation of Christianity (hence the universal healing symbol of a cross to represent hospitals). The nursing profession was founded by Florence Nightingale out of devotion to Christ. One of history's greatest humanitarian movements, the International Red Cross, was founded by Christians in response to the Scriptural injunction to care for the sick and suffering. Christians, such as Dr. Louis Pasteur, have fuelled some of the greatest practical advances in medicine. More hospitals have been founded by Christians than by all other religions combined. The Christian Church has been the supreme (and often the only) force restraining man's inhumanity towards man.
The whole concept of charity was a Christian innovation. The Church of Christ has done more than any other institution in history to alleviate poverty and suffering. Before Christ, benevolence to strangers was unknown. Where the Bible became known, compassionate and unselfish sacrifice flourished. Dr. James Kennedy's book “What if Jesus Had Never Been Born?” documents a wide range of the unparalleled contributions of the Christian Church.
The Christian Church has made more positive changes on earth than any other force or movement in history. Most of the languages of the world were first codified and put into writing by Christian missionaries. More schools and universities have been started by Christians than by any other group. The elevation of women (from the second class status they were assigned to by other religions) was a Christian achievement; as was the abolition of slavery, cannibalism, child sacrifice and widow burning. Those countries which enjoy the most civil liberties are generally those lands where the Gospel of Christ has penetrated the most.
Something to think about amidst the distraction of malls, shopping, and annoying songs on the radio.
The Strong Conservative Blog
- Strong Conservative
- Toronto
- "People should not fear the government, government should fear the people." - V
2009-12-22
Gingrich: What it Takes to Win
Newt Gingrich spells out how the Republican Party can return to its roots and win elections consistently. He describes winning big, not just base-driven victories that attack the opposing Democratic candidates, but winning fundamental arguments on the direction of where the country needs to go. Take the time and watch the whole speech, well worth it.
Video available at Human Events
Video available at Human Events
2009-12-14
An Inconvenient Moment for Pope Gore
Pope of the religion (cult) of global warming was caught in an unfortunate circumstance during a speech.
In his speech, Mr Gore told the conference: “These figures are fresh. Some of the models suggest to Dr [Wieslav] Maslowski that there is a 75 per cent chance that the entire north polar ice cap, during the summer months, could be completely ice-free within five to seven years.”
Oops. As Reagan noted, facts are stubborn things, and Al isn't stating facts, he's spouting fear based on speculation. Why Al is hoping for the worst is beyond me. His office soon had to correct the error, shouldn't be hard they have billions of dollars to spend on corrections.
However, the climatologist whose work Mr Gore was relying upon dropped the former Vice-President in the water with an icy blast.
“It’s unclear to me how this figure was arrived at,” Dr Maslowski said. “I would never try to estimate likelihood at anything as exact as this.”
Mr Gore’s office later admitted that the 75 per cent figure was one used by Dr Maslowksi as a “ballpark figure” several years ago in a conversation with Mr Gore.
The embarrassing error cast another shadow over the conference after the controversy over the hacked e-mails from the University of East Anglia’s Climate Research Unit, which appeared to suggest that scientists had manipulated data to strengthen their argument that human activities were causing global warming.
Ouch. Sorry Al. First the Internet, now your "fuzzy math" rears its head. Could it be that the sea levels also aren't rising?
Screw the facts, we must transfer trillions of dollars to the third world now! We must become poorer so we do not increase carbon levels in the atmosphere, it doesn't matter if CO2 is a trace gas that plants need to live! It also doesn't matter if crops are most successful as CO2 levels increase, nor does it matter if some glaciers are growing.
Your penance is owed to Pope Gore and Priest Suzuki. Obey or else you'll be sent to re-education camps.
Seriously, could it be more obvious that green is the new red?
In his speech, Mr Gore told the conference: “These figures are fresh. Some of the models suggest to Dr [Wieslav] Maslowski that there is a 75 per cent chance that the entire north polar ice cap, during the summer months, could be completely ice-free within five to seven years.”
Oops. As Reagan noted, facts are stubborn things, and Al isn't stating facts, he's spouting fear based on speculation. Why Al is hoping for the worst is beyond me. His office soon had to correct the error, shouldn't be hard they have billions of dollars to spend on corrections.
However, the climatologist whose work Mr Gore was relying upon dropped the former Vice-President in the water with an icy blast.
“It’s unclear to me how this figure was arrived at,” Dr Maslowski said. “I would never try to estimate likelihood at anything as exact as this.”
Mr Gore’s office later admitted that the 75 per cent figure was one used by Dr Maslowksi as a “ballpark figure” several years ago in a conversation with Mr Gore.
The embarrassing error cast another shadow over the conference after the controversy over the hacked e-mails from the University of East Anglia’s Climate Research Unit, which appeared to suggest that scientists had manipulated data to strengthen their argument that human activities were causing global warming.
Ouch. Sorry Al. First the Internet, now your "fuzzy math" rears its head. Could it be that the sea levels also aren't rising?
Screw the facts, we must transfer trillions of dollars to the third world now! We must become poorer so we do not increase carbon levels in the atmosphere, it doesn't matter if CO2 is a trace gas that plants need to live! It also doesn't matter if crops are most successful as CO2 levels increase, nor does it matter if some glaciers are growing.
Your penance is owed to Pope Gore and Priest Suzuki. Obey or else you'll be sent to re-education camps.
Seriously, could it be more obvious that green is the new red?
2009-12-12
Canada's Justice Minister is Trying to Erode Our Civil Rights
The following email train is an exchange between myself and the Hon. Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice. Canadians should be extremely worried about the government's plans to change the search and seizure laws in regards to driving under the influence. Obviously, no one can justify drunk driving, but removing a sacred liberty of being free from search and seizure by the police without reasonable suspicion is at the core of our inherent rights as a free people. The lobby group, MADD (Mother's Against Drunk Driving) may have worthy goals of saving lives, but their advocacy of allowing police to search drivers and force them to take an intoxication test without cause is repugnant.
Such powers of search and seizure could easily be expanded if this law is passed. Imagine your home, your car, your person being subject to random searches by police out of the possibility of doing something unlawful. In a free nation, the police powers are checked by the Constitution or Charter of Rights so that they may only violate your RIGHT to be free of such harassment if legal cause exists and a judge approves a search warrant.
This was my email exchange:
Mr. Nicholson,
As a Conservative Party member, I am shocked and saddened by your response. You have completely failed to address the issues that concern individual freedom and civil rights.
Freedom means freedom from government, not at the behest of it. You have just advocated a position that innocent Canadians should be subject to police search for driving, regardless of whether any suspicion of intoxication has been reasonably raised. How can this be justified in a democracy under the Charter of Rights? Perhaps your office or home should subject to random search by the RCMP or OPP. Would that be any different or justifiable? Of course not. Your position obligates you to defend the freedoms and civil liberties of the people, not to diminish those inherent rights. Those who sacrifice freedom for the sake of security will have neither. I'll be publishing your response on my blog.
Sincerely,
Jonathan D. Strong
----------------------------------
Subject: Correspondence from the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:23:14 -0500
From: mcu2@justice.gc.ca
Dear Mr. Strong:
Thank you for your correspondence concerning random breath testing on drivers. I regret the delay in responding.
Our Government is committed to strengthening the criminal justice system’s response to impaired driving. We have made legislative reforms to address this important issue by providing stronger penalties for impaired driving.
As you may know, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights tabled its report on impaired driving in June 2009, which included a unanimous recommendation that Canada adopt random breath testing on drivers. The Government accepts the Committee’s recommendations in principle; however, I do intend to consult further with the provinces and territories and other stakeholders prior to proceeding with legislative reform in this area.
Random stopping is not a new concept. The Supreme Court of Canada has already determined that police have the authority to randomly stop vehicles for the purpose of checking drivers’ licences, driver sobriety, and vehicle fittings. However, under the current provisions of the Criminal Code, police must have a reasonable suspicion of the presence of alcohol in the driver’s body in order to demand a breath test using an approved screening device. Studies have shown that a significant percentage of drivers who had been stopped at sobriety checkpoints but were not tested with an approved screening device, as police did not have the required reasonable suspicion to do so, were subsequently found to have a criminal blood alcohol concentration when they were tested by a research team stationed only a short distance away. Random breath testing at the roadside has proven to be a highly effective road safety measure in European countries and Australia.
I look forward to the results of our consultations regarding random breath testing on drivers.
Thank you again for writing.
Yours truly,
The Honourable Rob Nicholson
-----------------------------------
I've highlighted some areas of his email to signify the blindness Mr. Nicholson has to the problematic nature of this law. I do not wish to become like Europe, or like Australia if they permit such random searches without a warrant or justification. Of course "random stopping" is not a new concept, but neither is tyranny. What a stupid argument for a Minister to have made.
I encourage you to write to Mr. Nicholson at:
The Honourable Robert Douglas Nicholson
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
284 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H8
Or email him at Nichor@parl.gc.ca and tell him that as free citizens, we will not tolerate such laws. We live in a free country, not a police state. The government has limits as to what it may do. The government exists at the consent of the people and our rights do not stem from the good graces of authorities, they are inherent and sacred.
Write to your MP and Prime Minister Harper as well and tell them that such intrusive laws that violate the Charter of Rights will be peacefully opposed by the people of this country who believe in freedom and the rule of law. Write to Andrew Murie, CEO of MADD, that our rights cannot be compromised for a false sense of security at amurie@madd.ca.
Stand up for your freedoms, or you'll live under oppression.
Such powers of search and seizure could easily be expanded if this law is passed. Imagine your home, your car, your person being subject to random searches by police out of the possibility of doing something unlawful. In a free nation, the police powers are checked by the Constitution or Charter of Rights so that they may only violate your RIGHT to be free of such harassment if legal cause exists and a judge approves a search warrant.
This was my email exchange:
Mr. Nicholson,
As a Conservative Party member, I am shocked and saddened by your response. You have completely failed to address the issues that concern individual freedom and civil rights.
Freedom means freedom from government, not at the behest of it. You have just advocated a position that innocent Canadians should be subject to police search for driving, regardless of whether any suspicion of intoxication has been reasonably raised. How can this be justified in a democracy under the Charter of Rights? Perhaps your office or home should subject to random search by the RCMP or OPP. Would that be any different or justifiable? Of course not. Your position obligates you to defend the freedoms and civil liberties of the people, not to diminish those inherent rights. Those who sacrifice freedom for the sake of security will have neither. I'll be publishing your response on my blog.
Sincerely,
Jonathan D. Strong
----------------------------------
Subject: Correspondence from the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:23:14 -0500
From: mcu2@justice.gc.ca
Dear Mr. Strong:
Thank you for your correspondence concerning random breath testing on drivers. I regret the delay in responding.
Our Government is committed to strengthening the criminal justice system’s response to impaired driving. We have made legislative reforms to address this important issue by providing stronger penalties for impaired driving.
As you may know, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights tabled its report on impaired driving in June 2009, which included a unanimous recommendation that Canada adopt random breath testing on drivers. The Government accepts the Committee’s recommendations in principle; however, I do intend to consult further with the provinces and territories and other stakeholders prior to proceeding with legislative reform in this area.
Random stopping is not a new concept. The Supreme Court of Canada has already determined that police have the authority to randomly stop vehicles for the purpose of checking drivers’ licences, driver sobriety, and vehicle fittings. However, under the current provisions of the Criminal Code, police must have a reasonable suspicion of the presence of alcohol in the driver’s body in order to demand a breath test using an approved screening device. Studies have shown that a significant percentage of drivers who had been stopped at sobriety checkpoints but were not tested with an approved screening device, as police did not have the required reasonable suspicion to do so, were subsequently found to have a criminal blood alcohol concentration when they were tested by a research team stationed only a short distance away. Random breath testing at the roadside has proven to be a highly effective road safety measure in European countries and Australia.
I look forward to the results of our consultations regarding random breath testing on drivers.
Thank you again for writing.
Yours truly,
The Honourable Rob Nicholson
-----------------------------------
I've highlighted some areas of his email to signify the blindness Mr. Nicholson has to the problematic nature of this law. I do not wish to become like Europe, or like Australia if they permit such random searches without a warrant or justification. Of course "random stopping" is not a new concept, but neither is tyranny. What a stupid argument for a Minister to have made.
I encourage you to write to Mr. Nicholson at:
The Honourable Robert Douglas Nicholson
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
284 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H8
Or email him at Nichor@parl.gc.ca and tell him that as free citizens, we will not tolerate such laws. We live in a free country, not a police state. The government has limits as to what it may do. The government exists at the consent of the people and our rights do not stem from the good graces of authorities, they are inherent and sacred.
Write to your MP and Prime Minister Harper as well and tell them that such intrusive laws that violate the Charter of Rights will be peacefully opposed by the people of this country who believe in freedom and the rule of law. Write to Andrew Murie, CEO of MADD, that our rights cannot be compromised for a false sense of security at amurie@madd.ca.
Stand up for your freedoms, or you'll live under oppression.
A Re-Declaration of Independence
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to reform the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the renewed and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of humanity requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the reform.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all of humanity is 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 recreate it, and to institute renewed 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 subject to radical reform for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that humanity is 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 over-reach, corruption, abuses and usurpations, pursuing unchecked government expansion evinces a design to reduce them under virtual Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to re-make such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of the people in each State; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present Congress and Executive is a history of repeated injuries, usurpations, confiscations, corruption, and patronage, all having in direct object the establishment nearing Tyranny over the people. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
They have refused withdrawal of laws and regulations the majority of the people find burdensome and oppressive in direct opposition to the public good and the foundational values upon which this Nation was founded.
They have forced agencies, Tsars, and regulators to pass Laws of implausible burden, to further the interests of Special interests and those friendly to the President’s statist agenda; and when so passed, he has utterly neglected to consider the financial encumbrance upon future generations.
They have refused to pass other Laws for the tax relief of large districts of people, unless those people would accept becoming dependent upon government and the elitist Representatives in the Congress, dependence in direct confrontation to the values so long cherished by the people of these States.
They have called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, secret, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
They have unjustly pressured and bribed Representatives, Senators, and State Assemblies repeatedly, for opposing with patriotic firmness their invasions on the rights of the people.
They have caused for a long time, after such pressures, to cause others to be elected through manipulation of the voting system, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have remained distant from 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.
They have endeavoured to coerce the populations of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands through judicial fiat.
They have obstructed the Administration of Justice by manipulating Judiciary Powers so that the allies of the Congress and the Administration might avoid the People’s justice and their day in court.
They have made Judges dependent on their Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
They have erected a multitude of unaccountable New Offices, tsars, regulations, agencies, and boards, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and confiscate their property and impose “command and control” over the free market belonging to the people.
They have threatened to establish among us, in times of peace, civilian defense forces without the Consent of our legislatures.
They have affected to render the Military weak while alienating our democratic allies abroad to the detriment of the populace and Western Civilization.
They have combined with others to subject us to a false international consensus, a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving their Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For transporting our treasure overseas to tyrants and unaccountable international bodies to combat unproven climate theories and provisions for unelected and unaccountable international bodies who repeatedly attack the American Republic and its democratic allies:
For protecting Judicial appointees and political allies, by administrative fiat from punishment for numerous lawbreakers which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off or burdening our Trade between the states and with all parts of the world:
For imposing burdensome Taxes on us without our Consent while mortgaging the future of unborn generations:
For depriving us in most cases, of the right and duty to protect the unborn:
For transporting terrorists across the Seas to be tried for horrid offences in Civilian Courts with the full rights of American citizens:
For abolishing the System of checks and balances instituted by our forefathers on the various levels of government, establishing therein an Arbitrary system of tsars and overseers, and enlarging its Powers so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for forcing coercive rule upon the people.
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments stemming from our Judeo-Christian heritage:
For causing this aforementioned Heritage to be attacked and forgotten through unelected judges and magistrates, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever without limit.
They have abdicated all restrictions upon Government, by declaring us within all their believed Protections and waging War upon democratic values of the Republic.
They have prevented us from accessing our own resources, causing dependence upon foreign despots for energy, restricted lawful enterprise, and attempted to destroy the entrepreneurial spirit of our people.
They have at this time transporting large Armies of bureaucrats to complete the works of taxation, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of regulation, Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most over-regulated ages, and a totally unworthy government of a civilized nation and free people.
They have attempted to constrain, on numerous occasions, our fellow Citizens to bear Arms against those that threaten their families and selves, to become the victims of criminals, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
They have excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and have endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless government bureaucrats whose known rule of operation is to take from the productive and hard working, every penny they can extract.
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 and insult. A self obsessed Messiah, whose character is thus increasingly 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 attentions to our socialist countrymen. 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 inherent rights and freedoms 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, individual rights, and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our reformation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in Politics, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the people of the united States of America, in General accord, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these States, solemnly publish and declare, That these free people are, and of Right ought to be Independent of government, that they are Absolved from all coercion from unelected bureaucrats and judges that seek to undermine freedom, and that all political connection between them and the Congress and Executive agencies, is and ought to be totally reformed; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to protest, speak out, resist oppression, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, create wealth and to do all other Acts and Things which free people 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.
This article is also available at Family Security Matters
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all of humanity is 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 recreate it, and to institute renewed 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 subject to radical reform for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that humanity is 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 over-reach, corruption, abuses and usurpations, pursuing unchecked government expansion evinces a design to reduce them under virtual Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to re-make such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of the people in each State; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present Congress and Executive is a history of repeated injuries, usurpations, confiscations, corruption, and patronage, all having in direct object the establishment nearing Tyranny over the people. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
They have refused withdrawal of laws and regulations the majority of the people find burdensome and oppressive in direct opposition to the public good and the foundational values upon which this Nation was founded.
They have forced agencies, Tsars, and regulators to pass Laws of implausible burden, to further the interests of Special interests and those friendly to the President’s statist agenda; and when so passed, he has utterly neglected to consider the financial encumbrance upon future generations.
They have refused to pass other Laws for the tax relief of large districts of people, unless those people would accept becoming dependent upon government and the elitist Representatives in the Congress, dependence in direct confrontation to the values so long cherished by the people of these States.
They have called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, secret, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
They have unjustly pressured and bribed Representatives, Senators, and State Assemblies repeatedly, for opposing with patriotic firmness their invasions on the rights of the people.
They have caused for a long time, after such pressures, to cause others to be elected through manipulation of the voting system, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have remained distant from 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.
They have endeavoured to coerce the populations of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands through judicial fiat.
They have obstructed the Administration of Justice by manipulating Judiciary Powers so that the allies of the Congress and the Administration might avoid the People’s justice and their day in court.
They have made Judges dependent on their Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
They have erected a multitude of unaccountable New Offices, tsars, regulations, agencies, and boards, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and confiscate their property and impose “command and control” over the free market belonging to the people.
They have threatened to establish among us, in times of peace, civilian defense forces without the Consent of our legislatures.
They have affected to render the Military weak while alienating our democratic allies abroad to the detriment of the populace and Western Civilization.
They have combined with others to subject us to a false international consensus, a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving their Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For transporting our treasure overseas to tyrants and unaccountable international bodies to combat unproven climate theories and provisions for unelected and unaccountable international bodies who repeatedly attack the American Republic and its democratic allies:
For protecting Judicial appointees and political allies, by administrative fiat from punishment for numerous lawbreakers which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off or burdening our Trade between the states and with all parts of the world:
For imposing burdensome Taxes on us without our Consent while mortgaging the future of unborn generations:
For depriving us in most cases, of the right and duty to protect the unborn:
For transporting terrorists across the Seas to be tried for horrid offences in Civilian Courts with the full rights of American citizens:
For abolishing the System of checks and balances instituted by our forefathers on the various levels of government, establishing therein an Arbitrary system of tsars and overseers, and enlarging its Powers so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for forcing coercive rule upon the people.
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments stemming from our Judeo-Christian heritage:
For causing this aforementioned Heritage to be attacked and forgotten through unelected judges and magistrates, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever without limit.
They have abdicated all restrictions upon Government, by declaring us within all their believed Protections and waging War upon democratic values of the Republic.
They have prevented us from accessing our own resources, causing dependence upon foreign despots for energy, restricted lawful enterprise, and attempted to destroy the entrepreneurial spirit of our people.
They have at this time transporting large Armies of bureaucrats to complete the works of taxation, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of regulation, Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most over-regulated ages, and a totally unworthy government of a civilized nation and free people.
They have attempted to constrain, on numerous occasions, our fellow Citizens to bear Arms against those that threaten their families and selves, to become the victims of criminals, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
They have excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and have endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless government bureaucrats whose known rule of operation is to take from the productive and hard working, every penny they can extract.
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 and insult. A self obsessed Messiah, whose character is thus increasingly 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 attentions to our socialist countrymen. 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 inherent rights and freedoms 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, individual rights, and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our reformation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in Politics, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the people of the united States of America, in General accord, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these States, solemnly publish and declare, That these free people are, and of Right ought to be Independent of government, that they are Absolved from all coercion from unelected bureaucrats and judges that seek to undermine freedom, and that all political connection between them and the Congress and Executive agencies, is and ought to be totally reformed; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to protest, speak out, resist oppression, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, create wealth and to do all other Acts and Things which free people 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.
This article is also available at Family Security Matters
2009-12-02
Climate Gate: Someone Owes Me a Beer
Us "deniers" (sic) are having a great few weeks, no doubt. The Globe and Mail, CBC, and other have tried their darndest to cover up the massive scandal involving the Climate Research Unit (CRU) of East Anglia University in the UK.
The facts are these and they are not in dispute: Scientists have manipulated data, laws regarding freedom of information were likely broken, opposing views were purposely suppressed, and data has been destroyed that has been the main evidence of the Earth's supposed increase in temperature.
The politics of global warming have been intertwined with the science (or lack thereof behind it)behind the theory. Science is not supposed to be political, it is supposed to be empirical. But as George Costanza accurately observed, "you can't stop science".
Indeed, there will be far more scrutiny over claims of climate catastrophe that we've become so used to hearing. And just in time too. With Copenhagen looming, the West faces potentially catastrophic taxes and transfers of wealth that will cripple economic productivity, prosperity, and growth. Indeed, Copenhagen could be a massive step in the wrong direction in the drive to alleviate the grip of poverty in many parts of the planet. All for the "hope" of bringing down world temperatures as if the sun has nothing to do with the earth's temperature.
But anyway, I'm still hoping (in Obama like fashion) that one day I'll be able to grow a palm tree in my front yard.
The facts are these and they are not in dispute: Scientists have manipulated data, laws regarding freedom of information were likely broken, opposing views were purposely suppressed, and data has been destroyed that has been the main evidence of the Earth's supposed increase in temperature.
The politics of global warming have been intertwined with the science (or lack thereof behind it)behind the theory. Science is not supposed to be political, it is supposed to be empirical. But as George Costanza accurately observed, "you can't stop science".
Indeed, there will be far more scrutiny over claims of climate catastrophe that we've become so used to hearing. And just in time too. With Copenhagen looming, the West faces potentially catastrophic taxes and transfers of wealth that will cripple economic productivity, prosperity, and growth. Indeed, Copenhagen could be a massive step in the wrong direction in the drive to alleviate the grip of poverty in many parts of the planet. All for the "hope" of bringing down world temperatures as if the sun has nothing to do with the earth's temperature.
But anyway, I'm still hoping (in Obama like fashion) that one day I'll be able to grow a palm tree in my front yard.
Obama Copies Bush
I'll give Obama credit, at least he copied Bush in a good way by using his own "surge" in Afghanistan to stem Taliban advances. The problem is, he's given into his far left base in providing an end date for withdrawal (or at least draw-down). If the Taliban can hold out for 18 months, they'll have a free ride to continue their onslaught of the Afghan government.
Nevertheless, the same type of strategy that worked for General Patraeus in Iraq will be used in different form by General McChrystal in Afghanistan in an attempt to provide a lasting and stable government in the same area that bogged down Alexander the Great, the English, and the Russians.
Can it work? Probably, because the American, Canadian, British, and Polish soldiers are willing and capable of great sacrifice to achieve victory. Unfortunately, Obama is acting like a "Copperhead" Democrat. The Copperheads were the Democrats who believed in peace at any price during the American Civil War. The vehemently opposed Lincoln, abolition of slavery, and the Emancipation Proclamation in an effort to stop the war against the "Rebels" of the South.
George Will, who has advocated withdrawal from Afghanistan, is extremely skeptical of Obama's plan:
Other columnists believe Obama is asking soldiers to die for a half-assed effort in Afghanistan:
Yet, as quickly as the courageous words left Obama's mouth, they were slain from behind by words of cowardice.
The president told Americans -- and our patient, stone-age enemies around the world -- that we plan to fight hard for a while before beginning to pack up and head for home in 18 months.
Obama assures us that the withdrawal will be done responsibly, recognizing conditions on the ground.
But the president telegraphed to the terrorists that the draw-down of forces will begin in July 2011.
But Obama the amateur may be showing his cards once again. He's angered the left-wing fringe of his base by expanding the war and alienated many hope-enthralled supporters who thought he was the anti-Bush (which he is in many ways). Republicans and moderate Democrats will support the increased effort towards victory, but they will fall away if the task of victory is far from complete in 2011.
Jimmy Carter II, as I predicted.
Nevertheless, the same type of strategy that worked for General Patraeus in Iraq will be used in different form by General McChrystal in Afghanistan in an attempt to provide a lasting and stable government in the same area that bogged down Alexander the Great, the English, and the Russians.
Can it work? Probably, because the American, Canadian, British, and Polish soldiers are willing and capable of great sacrifice to achieve victory. Unfortunately, Obama is acting like a "Copperhead" Democrat. The Copperheads were the Democrats who believed in peace at any price during the American Civil War. The vehemently opposed Lincoln, abolition of slavery, and the Emancipation Proclamation in an effort to stop the war against the "Rebels" of the South.
George Will, who has advocated withdrawal from Afghanistan, is extremely skeptical of Obama's plan:
The president's party will not support his new policy, his budget will not
accommodate it, our overstretched and worn down military will be hard-pressed to
execute it, and Americans' patience will not be commensurate with Afghanistan's
limitless demands for it. This will not end well.
A case can be made for a
serious, meaning larger and more protracted, surge. A better case can be made
for a radically reduced investment of resources and prestige in that forlorn
country. Obama has not made a convincing case for his tentative surgelet.
Other columnists believe Obama is asking soldiers to die for a half-assed effort in Afghanistan:
Yet, as quickly as the courageous words left Obama's mouth, they were slain from behind by words of cowardice.
The president told Americans -- and our patient, stone-age enemies around the world -- that we plan to fight hard for a while before beginning to pack up and head for home in 18 months.
Obama assures us that the withdrawal will be done responsibly, recognizing conditions on the ground.
But the president telegraphed to the terrorists that the draw-down of forces will begin in July 2011.
But Obama the amateur may be showing his cards once again. He's angered the left-wing fringe of his base by expanding the war and alienated many hope-enthralled supporters who thought he was the anti-Bush (which he is in many ways). Republicans and moderate Democrats will support the increased effort towards victory, but they will fall away if the task of victory is far from complete in 2011.
Jimmy Carter II, as I predicted.
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