Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Amen Brother!
This was posted on one of the Appleseed Project sites. Very good stuff. Oh, and if you are not part of the Appleseed Project then visit their website.
Get online, find a local event and get busy.
Mike~
Friday, August 27, 2010
In Response.....
I saw an article on Yar-hoo. It was about the Glenn Beck 8/28 rally in DC. Linked Here. Here is is one of the comments from 3815G posted in it's entirety. I was just wanting to comment on his comment.
The first thing out of his mouth tell's me what kind of bone head he is. Concervitism and the Tea Party's are not destroying our trust in the Government. The Government is destroying our trust in the Government. It's corupt or inept people like Pete Stark, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and don't get me started on the local level Government.
Then he goes on to rant about Capitalism and the environment. What a crackhead. How about this... Lets just get rid of all big business and while we are at it, let's make it hard for any business to grow and prosper. Lets just jump from one extreme to another. Me need to find middle ground and stay there. Right now we are far left of center thanks to..............
Mike~
"The right wing conservatives and Tea Party are undermining and destroying our trust in government.
Tax evaders who run to other states and OTHER COUNTRIES to avoid paying taxes, which would fund things like oil drilling and pipeline safety, are leading to the massive underfunding of our federal, state and local governments that would normally do things like monitor oil drilling and pipeline safety, fund schools, build roads, monitor labor conditions, monitor and regulate food safety & giant agribusiness operations as well as make sure are water and environment are not being polluted/destroyed by reckless business/manufacturing practices.
The 50 states of the U.S. should band together and tell big business that they will not continue to recieve tax cuts when they threaten to leave one of our states or move to AUTHORITARIAN COMMUNIST CHINA, Southeast Asia or other countries that abuse workers and the environment.
Our states are all now heavily indebted because of this practice and our schools and other government services are now being shut down. China's river and ground water is now some of the most polluted on earth from multinational/corporate abuses caused by these tax, labor and environmental law evaders who have fled to China from all the nations of the world to do business. This ground water will stay polluted for MANY years with heavy metals and various factory and farm chemicals sickening MILLIONS of Chinese citizens.
The Chinese government now distributes and sells water filters as well as face masks to their citizens so they can drink water and breathe air without getting sick.....have any of you ever seen news photos from China?.....do you ever wonder why their often wearing face mask......it's because the air is so filthy from poorly regulated multinational manufacturing. Poor people who can't afford these face masks and water filters simply get sick
The last administration loaded the E.P.A. with leaders who cow tow to big business/oil companies etc., Now were seeing the results of this cowardice and greed with increased oil spills and other eco-system damage.
Those believing that tax cuts as well as big business worshipping are the answer to all worldwide woes are creating a cult or fanatical religious sect which has tax cuts and destruction of government at it's center.
Tax cuts and destruction of civil government in favor of giant corporations and the rich will not bring riches and blessing to any country but anarchy and DESTRUCTION to lands, water people and air.
Corporations are not democratic institutions and need the hand of democratic government and it's people to guide them. Not regulating corporate excess leads to the destruction of all commerce and eventually these corporations themselves will collapse when world resources become exhausted because of abuse. Being a responsible U.S./world citizens that allow the hand of democratic governments to guide them is in these multinational corporation"s best interest.
Destruction and undermining of governments and tax bases will not only destroy governments but also business. The rule of law is what makes just and fair capitalism possible and healthy, not the destruction of government.
The U.S. and European governments are not big but increasingly small as the tax base becomes increasingly degraded and undermined by multinational power and extortion. The U.S. is a nation of 300 million who needs a government of fairly large size to regulate our markets, which are the world's largest. Regulation requires an adequate tax base to hire, train and employ regulators who can and will stop/prevent multinational extortion and abuse. Without adequate govenment we are at the mercy of non-democratic multinational corporate powers accountable to NO ONE and motivated only by increasing profits beyond sustainable levels."
Tax evaders who run to other states and OTHER COUNTRIES to avoid paying taxes, which would fund things like oil drilling and pipeline safety, are leading to the massive underfunding of our federal, state and local governments that would normally do things like monitor oil drilling and pipeline safety, fund schools, build roads, monitor labor conditions, monitor and regulate food safety & giant agribusiness operations as well as make sure are water and environment are not being polluted/destroyed by reckless business/manufacturing practices.
The 50 states of the U.S. should band together and tell big business that they will not continue to recieve tax cuts when they threaten to leave one of our states or move to AUTHORITARIAN COMMUNIST CHINA, Southeast Asia or other countries that abuse workers and the environment.
Our states are all now heavily indebted because of this practice and our schools and other government services are now being shut down. China's river and ground water is now some of the most polluted on earth from multinational/corporate abuses caused by these tax, labor and environmental law evaders who have fled to China from all the nations of the world to do business. This ground water will stay polluted for MANY years with heavy metals and various factory and farm chemicals sickening MILLIONS of Chinese citizens.
The Chinese government now distributes and sells water filters as well as face masks to their citizens so they can drink water and breathe air without getting sick.....have any of you ever seen news photos from China?.....do you ever wonder why their often wearing face mask......it's because the air is so filthy from poorly regulated multinational manufacturing. Poor people who can't afford these face masks and water filters simply get sick
The last administration loaded the E.P.A. with leaders who cow tow to big business/oil companies etc., Now were seeing the results of this cowardice and greed with increased oil spills and other eco-system damage.
Those believing that tax cuts as well as big business worshipping are the answer to all worldwide woes are creating a cult or fanatical religious sect which has tax cuts and destruction of government at it's center.
Tax cuts and destruction of civil government in favor of giant corporations and the rich will not bring riches and blessing to any country but anarchy and DESTRUCTION to lands, water people and air.
Corporations are not democratic institutions and need the hand of democratic government and it's people to guide them. Not regulating corporate excess leads to the destruction of all commerce and eventually these corporations themselves will collapse when world resources become exhausted because of abuse. Being a responsible U.S./world citizens that allow the hand of democratic governments to guide them is in these multinational corporation"s best interest.
Destruction and undermining of governments and tax bases will not only destroy governments but also business. The rule of law is what makes just and fair capitalism possible and healthy, not the destruction of government.
The U.S. and European governments are not big but increasingly small as the tax base becomes increasingly degraded and undermined by multinational power and extortion. The U.S. is a nation of 300 million who needs a government of fairly large size to regulate our markets, which are the world's largest. Regulation requires an adequate tax base to hire, train and employ regulators who can and will stop/prevent multinational extortion and abuse. Without adequate govenment we are at the mercy of non-democratic multinational corporate powers accountable to NO ONE and motivated only by increasing profits beyond sustainable levels."
The first thing out of his mouth tell's me what kind of bone head he is. Concervitism and the Tea Party's are not destroying our trust in the Government. The Government is destroying our trust in the Government. It's corupt or inept people like Pete Stark, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and don't get me started on the local level Government.
Then he goes on to rant about Capitalism and the environment. What a crackhead. How about this... Lets just get rid of all big business and while we are at it, let's make it hard for any business to grow and prosper. Lets just jump from one extreme to another. Me need to find middle ground and stay there. Right now we are far left of center thanks to..............
Mike~
Monday, August 23, 2010
A Rambling Patriotic Cops View of the Bill of Rights - Amendment 2 - Right to Bear Arms.
Amendment 2 - Right to Bear Arms. Ratified 12/15/1791.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
The Second Amendment - this is a good one folks. Lets looks at the first part. A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State. Here we go talking about Militias. What is a Militia? Well for those of you that are unsure, here is what our friends at the World Dictionary say:
World English Dictionary
militia — n
1. a body of citizen (as opposed to professional) soldiers
2. an organization containing men enlisted for service in emergency only
Dictionary.com has Militia listed as:
mi·li·tia –noun
1. a body of citizens enrolled for military service, and called out periodically for drill but serving full time only in emergencies.
2. a body of citizen soldiers as distinguished from professional soldiers.
3. all able-bodied males considered by law eligible for military service.
4. a body of citizens organized in a paramilitary group and typically regarding themselves as defenders of individual rights against the presumed interference of the federal government.
I am going to stick with my World English Dictionary. Number 4 on the Dictionary.com makes me think it was written by some far left liberal college professor. So, it is safe to say that a Militia is a loosely formed group of citizens who are not necessarily professional soldiers, who in emergency's, ban together to defend their country or community. Sounds good to me.
Actually, here in Alabama, there is a State run Militia. It is called the Alabama State Defense Force. I don't know a lot about them except that the few people that I have met were very professional (one is even a Constitutional Attorney). I also seem to remember hearing that they could only be activated by the Governor or Lt. Governor (maybe) and that they only served within the State. I guess that means that Go. Riley couldn't order them up and send them marching to Panama City, Florida for maneuvers.
I know that there are different types of groups in each state. Some maybe better run than others. But that's neither here nor there. The Second Amendment states that the people have a right to form a Militia in defense of the state. Actually, it says that their right to form a Militia shall not be infringed.
Wow... so if a Militia is a loosely formed group of citizens who are not necessarily professional soldiers, who in emergency's, ban together to defend their country or community. Why is the Arizona Militia not running the Mexican Drug Runners out from the border. I know "undocumented democrats", I mean illegal immigrants are a different matter entirely, but armed drug runners with the cartels. I have not seen it but hear that there are places near the Arizona border that are OFF LIMITS to Americans because the freakin' drug dealers are running through there. That is bull freakin' crap.
Hhhmmmm.... think of my happy place. Anyway, that is another topic for another day as well. So a Militia is a good thing according to the Bill of Rights. And I know that there are fruit loops out there. The Hutteree for example. I know that they were targeting Police to get at the Government. Well, that's just not smart. I as a police officer ain't got nuthin' to do with no Government. But, I think for them most part people that are in Militias are patriotic Americans who only want whats best for their community's and I can't blame them for trying to prepare.
Lets look at the second part. The right of the people to keep and bear Arms. Well, that also sound pretty straight forward. People of this country have a right to keep and bear arms (weapons). I'll also mention that that right shall not be infringed as well. Who said that an armed society is a polite society? Robert A. Heinlein I think. I may be wrong. He went a little further and said that "manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." If everyone was armed, I think thugs and thieves would think twice before home invasions or robberies.
All of this could really be boiled down to the right to defend oneself. And you could say family, friends and fellow citizen.
And while I'm talking about it, let me say. I get asked a lot when I'm going to start going door to door taking peoples guns. I posted this on another forum as well. Well, let me tell you. You won't ever find me going door to door. And there are three simple reasons.
1. It's not Constitutional. Plain and simple. That is the measuring stick to end all measuring sticks.
2. I am not going to let some old man give me his gun. And I say that as in barrel first while pointed in my direction with a bullet screaming down the pipe. That ain't happening either.
3. If the government ever did take the populations gun. Who do you think they would come after next. That's right the Poe Poe.
So in closing. Support your local gun store. Buy a gun or two and become proficient with it. Heck buy a good knife while you are at it. Learn all you can about firearm safety and choose to not be a victim. Heck, learn how to hunt if you don't already. There is my two cents.
Mike~
A Rambling Patriotic Cops View of the Bill of Rights - Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression
Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
I hear this all the time (on at least more than I can remember). You violated my freedom of speech. It is usually when they won't shut up, after they have been arrested. At that point, I really don't care what you say. Just be quite until we get back to the PD. Anyway. I decided to write this as a police officers view of what the Bill of Rights say in pseudo layman's terms.
They very first words (Congress shall make no law). Obama had it right. The Constitution and Bill of Rights is a negative document. It says what the Government can't do to its citizenry. But that's a good thing. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. To me this reads that Congress either shouldn't be making laws to create a religion or maybe in support for or against a particular religion. It shouldn't get in the way of how a person chooses to follow his or her religion. Maybe we need a new religion. Patriocostal. And our "holy land" is Washington D.C. where we must make a pilgrimage to sing the National Anthem at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial. I'm sure Pelosi's head would implode if that were to happen.
Congress shall make no law to abridge freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble. I think I heard that Kenya has a New Obama friendly constitution. One full of "positive's" that the government can do to its people. Freedom of speech was the first to go. I think personally that you have the right to say anything (as long as it doesn't border harassment). Like for instance, I love bulldogs but I'll sure them as an example. If I say I can't stand bulldogs and a bulldog gets offended because I said that, then who cares? It doesn't matter. It would be my opinion or my view of the bulldog.
I have to listen to gay rights crap on the news all the time and I am offended. But that doesn't mean that because I am offended that I have the right to censor others voice on the matter. Or Christian tee shirts. I cringe when I hear about students sent home from school because of what their tee shirt reads. Come on people. Get a grip... Hhhmmmm, I'm offended cause am a little whiny girly boy. Get over it.
Freedom of Press. Well the Government should dictate what the press does stories on. Or maybe they shouldn't censor what the press does stories on.
Peaceful assembly anyone. Standing in the middle of Talladega Blvd. during race week is not a proper place to peacefully demonstrate. And you should be arrested (for your own safety). Getting in the way of that many race fans (some who may actually be card carrying rednecks) could be hazardous to your health. Wait, change that. Go ahead and let that be a well earned "life lesson". All I am saying is to use common sense. If you want to gather on private property, make sure it is yours or someones property that likes you (or at the least, tolerates you). Or how about this.... Ask for permission. Wow, there is a novel idea. If it is private property and the owner asks you to leave, then by all means leave (especially if the police have also asked you to leave). That is call trespassing if you don't. And it is a very arrestable offense in Alabama.
And the last, to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. I should be able to tell the government that they are a bunch of boneheads with out worrying about retaliation. Sounds simple enough. You'd be surprised.
There you go. I'll post more later.
M~
Thursday, August 19, 2010
A brief history lesson.... Worth the view.
I found this online.. It is worth the time to read. I am sure they schools are no longer teaching this. Pay attention to history people or you are doomed to repeat it.
And here is some of the slide into the New Dark Age documented. Sad.
Thomas Paine
M~
And here is some of the slide into the New Dark Age documented. Sad.
Thomas Paine
M~
I am amazed.......
I just took a spin around the different blogs on Blogspot. I am amazed on a couple of different level.
First, I was amazed at the number of raving lunatics there are. And am glad that I their freedom of speech lets me read about them. No wonder this country is sliding down into crap. Liberal minded extreme left thinking goon pots with their eco-friendly carbon credits and man made global stupification (if there was ever such a word). Man.... I am so glad that my southern, heterosexual, white, male, capitalist, born again Christian, right wing, family loving self has never drank that brand of cool aid.
I don't say this without checking out both sides of the spectrum. For one of the blogs I read about health care. One gal was praising Obama and Peloise in the push through (or cram down - depending on your perspective) of Nationalized Health Care. Now, my problem with Nationalized Health Care stems from the face that it has been crammed down our throats. I think Ole Nancy said it best.. "me must pass the bill to know whats in it." Are you serious. How about read the bill to know whats in it BEFORE you pass it. I mean really. A three year old is smarter than that.
On the other end of the blog spectrum was a Christian family that decided to adopt and are now trying to better a few kids lives. Way to go. I'll keep you in my prayers.
STOP DRINKING THE COOL AID AMERICA!!
And I'll leave you with this......
Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.
M~
First, I was amazed at the number of raving lunatics there are. And am glad that I their freedom of speech lets me read about them. No wonder this country is sliding down into crap. Liberal minded extreme left thinking goon pots with their eco-friendly carbon credits and man made global stupification (if there was ever such a word). Man.... I am so glad that my southern, heterosexual, white, male, capitalist, born again Christian, right wing, family loving self has never drank that brand of cool aid.
I don't say this without checking out both sides of the spectrum. For one of the blogs I read about health care. One gal was praising Obama and Peloise in the push through (or cram down - depending on your perspective) of Nationalized Health Care. Now, my problem with Nationalized Health Care stems from the face that it has been crammed down our throats. I think Ole Nancy said it best.. "me must pass the bill to know whats in it." Are you serious. How about read the bill to know whats in it BEFORE you pass it. I mean really. A three year old is smarter than that.
On the other end of the blog spectrum was a Christian family that decided to adopt and are now trying to better a few kids lives. Way to go. I'll keep you in my prayers.
STOP DRINKING THE COOL AID AMERICA!!
And I'll leave you with this......
Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.
M~
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
A Word On Tolerance....
I actually met a fellow today that was writing a book on "Tolerance". I didn't get a chance to talk to him in depth, but since to topic of the day seemed to be the current issues going on in New York regarding the Mosque that is to be built (or is being talked about being built) near Ground Zero.
Let me start by saying that I don't have a personal problem with someone who chooses to believe in Islam. My problem lies in the fact that a majority of Islamic Terrorist are practitioners of Islam and want to kill me. I have a big problem with that and take it very personal. Anyway, back to topic.... I believe that any religion that wants to practice has a right to worship anywhere they can afford to build their church or mosque or temple. I believe that the right to have religious freedom covers that. I also think that peace loving Muslims need to start keeping their brothers in check. Cause it is guys like these that are giving Islam an bad name.
I do however think it is a stupid idea to build a mosque at Ground Zero. Build it on the other side of New York. There are already more than 100 mosques in New York and the area around Ground Zero is not a residential area so its not like they will be ministering to the neighbors. If you are trying to build bridges to heal the community then don't build the dang mosque right there. You'll be pissing in everyone's cornflakes.
If I were Muslim and wanted to convert people to my way of thinking, I think I might be a little concerned that building a mosque where many Americans died in the name of the religion I was promoting. I a bunch of Christians raided a mosque and killed a bunch of folks, people would be raising immortal cane.
I also know that most major news outlets (NBC, CBS, MSNBC, ABC, CNN) don't show this anymore. But, let us remember what radicalized Islam did on September 11th. Just a stones throw away from where they now want to build an "outreach center".
Lets here it for Allah..............................................................................................
M~
Let me start by saying that I don't have a personal problem with someone who chooses to believe in Islam. My problem lies in the fact that a majority of Islamic Terrorist are practitioners of Islam and want to kill me. I have a big problem with that and take it very personal. Anyway, back to topic.... I believe that any religion that wants to practice has a right to worship anywhere they can afford to build their church or mosque or temple. I believe that the right to have religious freedom covers that. I also think that peace loving Muslims need to start keeping their brothers in check. Cause it is guys like these that are giving Islam an bad name.
One of the 911 conspirators,
A whole gang of Al Qaeda tards.
Mr. Personality himself..... Freak!
Didn't he have a bomb in his shoe or something? Smart..
The Ft. Hood crack head..
I do however think it is a stupid idea to build a mosque at Ground Zero. Build it on the other side of New York. There are already more than 100 mosques in New York and the area around Ground Zero is not a residential area so its not like they will be ministering to the neighbors. If you are trying to build bridges to heal the community then don't build the dang mosque right there. You'll be pissing in everyone's cornflakes.
If I were Muslim and wanted to convert people to my way of thinking, I think I might be a little concerned that building a mosque where many Americans died in the name of the religion I was promoting. I a bunch of Christians raided a mosque and killed a bunch of folks, people would be raising immortal cane.
I also know that most major news outlets (NBC, CBS, MSNBC, ABC, CNN) don't show this anymore. But, let us remember what radicalized Islam did on September 11th. Just a stones throw away from where they now want to build an "outreach center".
Lets here it for Allah..............................................................................................
M~
Saturday, August 14, 2010
An email I just recieved.
Got this in an email and found it interesting. Just thought I'd share it with you.
--------------------------------------------------
Please take three minutes to read this.
Maybe he’s wrong, but what if he’s right?
David Kaiser is a respected historian whose published works have covered a broad range of topics, from European Warfare to American League Baseball. Born in 1947, the son of a diplomat, Kaiser spent his childhood in three capital cities: Washington D.C. , Albany , New York , and Dakar , Senegal . He attended Harvard University , graduating there in 1969 with a B.A. in history. He then spent several years more at Harvard, gaining a PhD in history, which he obtained in 1976. He served in the Army Reserve from 1970 to 1976.
He is a professor in the Strategy and Policy Department of the United States Naval War College. He has previously taught at Carnegie Mellon, Williams College and Harvard University . Kaiser's latest book, The Road to Dallas, about the Kennedy assassination, was just published by Harvard University Press.
--------------------------------------------------
History Unfolding
by Dr. David Kaiser
I am a student of history. Professionally, I have written 15 books on history that have been published in six languages, and I have studied history all my life. I have come to think there is something monumentally large afoot, and I do not believe it is simply a banking crisis, or a mortgage crisis, or a credit crisis. Yes these exist, but they are merely single facets on a very large gemstone that is only now coming into a sharper focus.
Something of historic proportions is happening. I can sense it because I know how it feels, smells, what it looks like, and how people react to it. Yes, a perfect storm may be brewing, but there is something happening within our country that has been evolving for about ten to fifteen years.. The pace has dramatically quickened in the past two.
We demand and then codify into law the requirement that our banks make massive loans to people we know they can never pay back? Why?
We learned just days ago that the Federal Reserve, which has little or no real oversight by anyone, has "loaned" two trillion dollars (that is $2,000,000,000,000) over the past few months, but will not tell us to whom or why or disclose the terms. That is our money. Yours and mine. And that is three times the $700 billion we all argued about so strenuously just this past September. Who has this money? Why do they have it? Why are the terms unavailable to us? Who asked for it? Who authorized it? I thought this was a government of "we the people," who loaned our powers to our elected leaders. Apparently not.
We have spent two or more decades intentionally de-industrializing our economy.. Why?
We have intentionally dumbed down our schools, ignored our history, and no longer teach our founding documents, why we are exceptional, and why we are worth preserving. Students by and large cannot write, think critically, read, or articulate. Parents are not revolting, teachers are not picketing, school boards continue to back mediocrity.. Why?
We have now established the precedent of protesting every close election (violently in California over a proposition that is so controversial that it simply wants marriage to remain defined as between one man and one woman. Did you ever think such a thing possible just a decade ago?) We have corrupted our sacred political process by allowing unelected judges to write laws that radically change our way of life, and then mainstream Marxist groups like ACORN and others to turn our voting system into a banana republic. To what purpose?
Now our mortgage industry is collapsing, housing prices are in free fall, major industries are failing, our banking system is on the verge of collapse, social security is nearly bankrupt, as is Medicare and our entire government. Our education system is worse than a joke (I teach college and I know precisely what I am talking about) - the list is staggering in its length, breadth, and depth. It is potentially 1929 x ten...and we are at war with an enemy we cannot even name for fear of offending people of the same religion, who, in turn, cannot wait to slit the throats of your children if they have the opportunity to do so.
And finally, we have elected a man that no one really knows anything about, who has never run so much as a Dairy Queen, let alone a town as big as Wasilla , Alaska .. All of his associations and alliances are with real radicals in their chosen fields of employment, and everything we learn about him, drip by drip, is unsettling if not downright scary (Surely you have heard him speak about his idea to create and fund a mandatory civilian defense force stronger than our military for use inside our borders? No? Oh, of course. The media would never play that for you over and over and then demand he answer it. Sarah Palin's pregnant daughter and $150,000 wardrobe are more important.)
Mr. Obama's winning platform can be boiled down to one word: CHANGE. Why?
I have never been so afraid for my country and for my children as I am now.
This man campaigned on bringing people together, something he has never, ever done in his professional life. In my assessment, Obama will divide us along philosophical lines, push us apart, and then try to realign the pieces into a new and different power structure. Change is indeed coming. And when it comes, you will never see the same nation again.
And that is only the beginning..
As a serious student of history, I thought I would never come to experience what the ordinary, moral German must have felt in the mid-1930s. In those times, the "savior" was a former smooth-talking rabble-rouser from the streets, about whom the average German knew next to nothing. What they should have known was that he was associated with groups that shouted, shoved, and pushed around people with whom they disagreed; he edged his way onto the political stage through great oratory. Conservative "losers" read it right now.
And there were the promises. Economic times were tough, people were losing jobs, and he was a great speaker. And he smiled and frowned and waved a lot. And people, even newspapers, were afraid to speak out for fear that his "brown shirts" would bully and beat them into submission. Which they did - regularly. And then, he was duly elected to office, while a full-throttled economic crisis bloomed at hand - the Great Depression. Slowly, but surely he seized the controls of government power, person by person, department by department, bureaucracy by bureaucracy. The children of German citizens were at first, encouraged to join a Youth Movement in his name where they were taught exactly what to think. Later, they were required to do so. No Jews of course,
How did he get people on his side? He did it by promising jobs to the jobless, money to the money-less, and rewards for the military-industrial complex.. He did it by indoctrinating the children, advocating gun control, health care for all, better wages, better jobs, and promising to re-instill pride once again in the country, across Europe, and across the world. He did it with a compliant media - did you know that? And he did this all in the name of justice and . . .CHANGE And the people surely got what they voted for.
If you think I am exaggerating, look it up. It's all there in the history books.
So read your history books. Many people of conscience objected in 1933 and were shouted down, called names, laughed at, and ridiculed. When Winston Churchill pointed out the obvious in the late 1930s while seated in the House of Lords in England (he was not yet Prime Minister), he was booed into his seat and called a crazy troublemaker. He was right, though. And the world came to regret that he was not listened to.
Do not forget that Germany was the most educated, the most cultured country in Europe . It was full of music, art, museums, hospitals, laboratories, and universities. And yet, in less than six years (a shorter time span than just two terms of the U. S. presidency) it was rounding up its own citizens, killing others, abrogating its laws, turning children against parents, and neighbors against neighbors. All with the best of intentions, of course. The road to Hell is paved with them.
As a practical thinker, one not overly prone to emotional decisions, I have a choice: I can either believe what the objective pieces of evidence tell me (even if they make me cringe with disgust); I can believe what history is shouting to me from across the chasm of seven decades; or I can hope I am wrong by closing my eyes, having another latte, and ignoring what is transpiring around me..
I choose to believe the evidence. No doubt some people will scoff at me, others laugh, or think I am foolish, naive, or both. To some degree, perhaps I am. But I have never been afraid to look people in the eye and tell them exactly what I believe-and why I believe it.
I pray I am wrong. I do not think I am. Perhaps the only hope is our vote in the next elections.
David Kaiser
Jamestown , Rhode Island
United States
--------------------------------------------------
Please take three minutes to read this.
Maybe he’s wrong, but what if he’s right?
David Kaiser is a respected historian whose published works have covered a broad range of topics, from European Warfare to American League Baseball. Born in 1947, the son of a diplomat, Kaiser spent his childhood in three capital cities: Washington D.C. , Albany , New York , and Dakar , Senegal . He attended Harvard University , graduating there in 1969 with a B.A. in history. He then spent several years more at Harvard, gaining a PhD in history, which he obtained in 1976. He served in the Army Reserve from 1970 to 1976.
He is a professor in the Strategy and Policy Department of the United States Naval War College. He has previously taught at Carnegie Mellon, Williams College and Harvard University . Kaiser's latest book, The Road to Dallas, about the Kennedy assassination, was just published by Harvard University Press.
--------------------------------------------------
History Unfolding
by Dr. David Kaiser
I am a student of history. Professionally, I have written 15 books on history that have been published in six languages, and I have studied history all my life. I have come to think there is something monumentally large afoot, and I do not believe it is simply a banking crisis, or a mortgage crisis, or a credit crisis. Yes these exist, but they are merely single facets on a very large gemstone that is only now coming into a sharper focus.
Something of historic proportions is happening. I can sense it because I know how it feels, smells, what it looks like, and how people react to it. Yes, a perfect storm may be brewing, but there is something happening within our country that has been evolving for about ten to fifteen years.. The pace has dramatically quickened in the past two.
We demand and then codify into law the requirement that our banks make massive loans to people we know they can never pay back? Why?
We learned just days ago that the Federal Reserve, which has little or no real oversight by anyone, has "loaned" two trillion dollars (that is $2,000,000,000,000) over the past few months, but will not tell us to whom or why or disclose the terms. That is our money. Yours and mine. And that is three times the $700 billion we all argued about so strenuously just this past September. Who has this money? Why do they have it? Why are the terms unavailable to us? Who asked for it? Who authorized it? I thought this was a government of "we the people," who loaned our powers to our elected leaders. Apparently not.
We have spent two or more decades intentionally de-industrializing our economy.. Why?
We have intentionally dumbed down our schools, ignored our history, and no longer teach our founding documents, why we are exceptional, and why we are worth preserving. Students by and large cannot write, think critically, read, or articulate. Parents are not revolting, teachers are not picketing, school boards continue to back mediocrity.. Why?
We have now established the precedent of protesting every close election (violently in California over a proposition that is so controversial that it simply wants marriage to remain defined as between one man and one woman. Did you ever think such a thing possible just a decade ago?) We have corrupted our sacred political process by allowing unelected judges to write laws that radically change our way of life, and then mainstream Marxist groups like ACORN and others to turn our voting system into a banana republic. To what purpose?
Now our mortgage industry is collapsing, housing prices are in free fall, major industries are failing, our banking system is on the verge of collapse, social security is nearly bankrupt, as is Medicare and our entire government. Our education system is worse than a joke (I teach college and I know precisely what I am talking about) - the list is staggering in its length, breadth, and depth. It is potentially 1929 x ten...and we are at war with an enemy we cannot even name for fear of offending people of the same religion, who, in turn, cannot wait to slit the throats of your children if they have the opportunity to do so.
And finally, we have elected a man that no one really knows anything about, who has never run so much as a Dairy Queen, let alone a town as big as Wasilla , Alaska .. All of his associations and alliances are with real radicals in their chosen fields of employment, and everything we learn about him, drip by drip, is unsettling if not downright scary (Surely you have heard him speak about his idea to create and fund a mandatory civilian defense force stronger than our military for use inside our borders? No? Oh, of course. The media would never play that for you over and over and then demand he answer it. Sarah Palin's pregnant daughter and $150,000 wardrobe are more important.)
Mr. Obama's winning platform can be boiled down to one word: CHANGE. Why?
I have never been so afraid for my country and for my children as I am now.
This man campaigned on bringing people together, something he has never, ever done in his professional life. In my assessment, Obama will divide us along philosophical lines, push us apart, and then try to realign the pieces into a new and different power structure. Change is indeed coming. And when it comes, you will never see the same nation again.
And that is only the beginning..
As a serious student of history, I thought I would never come to experience what the ordinary, moral German must have felt in the mid-1930s. In those times, the "savior" was a former smooth-talking rabble-rouser from the streets, about whom the average German knew next to nothing. What they should have known was that he was associated with groups that shouted, shoved, and pushed around people with whom they disagreed; he edged his way onto the political stage through great oratory. Conservative "losers" read it right now.
And there were the promises. Economic times were tough, people were losing jobs, and he was a great speaker. And he smiled and frowned and waved a lot. And people, even newspapers, were afraid to speak out for fear that his "brown shirts" would bully and beat them into submission. Which they did - regularly. And then, he was duly elected to office, while a full-throttled economic crisis bloomed at hand - the Great Depression. Slowly, but surely he seized the controls of government power, person by person, department by department, bureaucracy by bureaucracy. The children of German citizens were at first, encouraged to join a Youth Movement in his name where they were taught exactly what to think. Later, they were required to do so. No Jews of course,
How did he get people on his side? He did it by promising jobs to the jobless, money to the money-less, and rewards for the military-industrial complex.. He did it by indoctrinating the children, advocating gun control, health care for all, better wages, better jobs, and promising to re-instill pride once again in the country, across Europe, and across the world. He did it with a compliant media - did you know that? And he did this all in the name of justice and . . .CHANGE And the people surely got what they voted for.
If you think I am exaggerating, look it up. It's all there in the history books.
So read your history books. Many people of conscience objected in 1933 and were shouted down, called names, laughed at, and ridiculed. When Winston Churchill pointed out the obvious in the late 1930s while seated in the House of Lords in England (he was not yet Prime Minister), he was booed into his seat and called a crazy troublemaker. He was right, though. And the world came to regret that he was not listened to.
Do not forget that Germany was the most educated, the most cultured country in Europe . It was full of music, art, museums, hospitals, laboratories, and universities. And yet, in less than six years (a shorter time span than just two terms of the U. S. presidency) it was rounding up its own citizens, killing others, abrogating its laws, turning children against parents, and neighbors against neighbors. All with the best of intentions, of course. The road to Hell is paved with them.
As a practical thinker, one not overly prone to emotional decisions, I have a choice: I can either believe what the objective pieces of evidence tell me (even if they make me cringe with disgust); I can believe what history is shouting to me from across the chasm of seven decades; or I can hope I am wrong by closing my eyes, having another latte, and ignoring what is transpiring around me..
I choose to believe the evidence. No doubt some people will scoff at me, others laugh, or think I am foolish, naive, or both. To some degree, perhaps I am. But I have never been afraid to look people in the eye and tell them exactly what I believe-and why I believe it.
I pray I am wrong. I do not think I am. Perhaps the only hope is our vote in the next elections.
David Kaiser
Jamestown , Rhode Island
United States
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