From Vicki:After participating in a Veteran's Day Scrabble tournament in North Carolina this past weekend, I realized I hadn't written for the blog in a week! Yesterday was Veteran's Day. I thought about my Uncle C.J., a young 17-year-old, newly-enlisted United States Marine whose first overseas trip was to Guadalcanal at the beginning of WWII. He went up through the ranks, becoming a sergeant and a leader, but he was still my grandmother's little boy, her firstborn, even after he retired 23 years later. All of somebody's little boys and girls are doing the most important work for the United States of America: they are protecting our precious freedom. They've been doing it for many, many years. God has given them the courage and principles to understand just how special their work is. Thank you to our veterans and our current and retired service personnel for protecting we the people. And another thanks to Senator John McCain for his service to our country. He is a constant reminder of someone who understands our freedoms and doesn't take them for granted. We should pray and give thanks to God for all of them, all the time.
This morning, instead of to the buzz of an alarm, I awoke to a voice coming from my radio: the local talk radio mavin, Hallorin Hilton Hill, had written a letter to the president-elect of the United States and wanted listeners' opinions. He congratulated the president-elect and said many positive things, in addition to reminding him that he has the weight of many, many expectations on his shoulders. It was positive reinforcement with a few suggestions. After hearing it a couple of times, that was my take. He read it on air, then took calls asking if the listeners would send it or shred it. The letter was respectful and honest, yet this talk show host received calls from listeners who questioned why he felt it was his responsibility to tell the incoming president how to do his job! They didn't listen to the congratulatory part or any substance of the letter; they simply responded to the notion of the letter. My question: since when has our president, elected by we the people, become so elevated in his position that he is beyond listening to we the people? Wasn't he elected to serve this country to the best of his ability, based on our well-written, time-tested United States Constitution? This is absolutely amazing! Too many people out there (minus about 55 million) believe this president-elect is absolutely beyond reproach in his perfection. And that was part of Hallorin's letter--high expectations. Certainly we need to pray for our president and leaders of our great country, and remind them we're out here. When/if the day comes when our President of the United States of America fails to remember who elected him, who protects him and the rest of us, and why we are a democratic republic, then God bless and help him. That's when we the people need to quickly pick up our metaphorical torches and pitchforks and take back our union! We should always be on alert for this. Don't forget: the president has been elected by us, and God gave us an important job as the most free country on this earth. Our founding fathers followed the call of God and wrote a document for a Christian nation. We should always remember and be thankful for this. I've just added a link (left side of the screen) to the United States Constitution. This is a very good web site for reading portions of and the entire Constitution. There's even a child-friendly link. God Bless America!
From Vicki:I listen to Glenn Beck almost every day, and hope this Fairness Doctrine doesn't resurface because many of us will lose our favorite talk radio shows. I don't think the surprises are over yet. I just hope our precious Constitution stands strong in the face of this change. As Rush Limbaugh said today, "Obama says we have a long way to go yet. Just where are we going?" Back on topic: Glenn consistently suggests we should all remember the feeling we had on 9-12: that spirit of patriotism, that feeling of sobering reality of lives lost in a heinous attack against us on our soil, and how helpless and angry we felt that life was not regarded. We wore United States flag pins, flew flags outside our homes, and had flag banners on our cars. We were as patriotic as I can ever remember, probably since WWII, though I've only been told about that. It hasn't been 9-12 for me. Yes, I still feel patriotic and have always been that way. I don't consider myself a sore loser when it comes to politics and elections. Sure, I was very supportive of George H.W. Bush in the 1992 election and was sad when he didn't pull through. Until yesterday, that was the only election I'd voted in where my candidate didn't win. My daughter called this morning to talk about it. She said this is her third presidential election and the first where her candidate didn't win. She isn't a sore loser, either. I guess what I feel is deflated. I have read the issues and articles and listened to the majority of the media articulate their support for Obama rather than McCain (both words and actions spoke loudly). The direction of the Democrats is definitely not my choice; apparently, it wasn't the choice of 55 million of us who spoke yesterday. If you've paid attention to politics and watched the world around us, you understand that socialism, i.e., spreading the wealth, just simply doesn't work. Entitlements, welfare, bigger government, and lack of fairness for all of we the people is not a democratic republic or reflective of capitalism. There are a lot of generous people in this United States of America. We don't have to be told to help our fellow Americans or those less fortunate around the world. We just do it because it is ingrained in we the people. And we certainly don't need the government to institute policies to tax people who have worked hard for the benefit of others. Believe me, we will help our fellow Americans as we have done since our founding. We really don't need this kind of change. We need to empower the people to do more good for others. If 55 million of us get it, then it must be an okay concept. The election is over. We're down to the perfunctory electoral college vote to make it official. I don't understand why, until it is official, the president-elect and a lame-duck congress are starting to plan our future tomorrow. Funny how they worked so hard back in September to get that economic stimulus package ready to be signed before the election. Funny how they enjoyed blaming President Bush for this mess. Don't get me started!! And now, they want to go ahead and make more decisions, start generating legislation packages, prior to the change-over in January. For some reason, I don't remember this happening before. What is the big rush? The stimulus package already passed! Congress, take a rest and leave we the people to recover from that before you throw something else at us. President-elect Obama was not my choice for the next president. John McCain was. And Sarah Palin absolutely, hands-down, was my choice for whatever office she's asked to take. She and John, class acts in the "it would be an honor to serve our country." I do hope and pray for our new president, that he will take this seriously and will truly feel the weight of service settle on his shoulders. Sometimes you don't understand how to do the right thing until you're faced with the decision. George W. Bush has been a fine leader. His communication skills with we the people weren't the best, but he has kept us from being attacked on our soil since 9-11. Not on his watch. Thank you, Mr. President. You remind me of people who ask their doctors, "well, who is the best surgeon/specialist for my condition?" And the response, "Dr. ___ is the best in his/her field, but the bedside manner is missing/atrocious." Yep, I think Mr. President has been wonderful in doing the right thing on the foreign front even if his fireside manner with us has been lacking. I do appreciate President and Laura Bush's service to our country for the past eight years. President-elect Obama will soon discover it won't be a cake walk. God Bless America.
From Vicki:It's Election Day, November 4, 2008. It's the one day, every four years, where citizens of this blessed United States of America have the right, privilege, and responsibility to vote for the one who will serve us as the leader of our free, Constitution-based Christian country. Joe Lieberman was just on Glenn Beck a few minutes ago. He was talking about the filibuster and how necessary it is to have a democratic nation. He cited a quote about the filibuster stopping the passions of the moment votes so Congress could really think about what they were voting for and why. There are some really good-guy Joes out there supporting John McCain, and it's no wonder why. Tom and I went to the Tri-Cities airport in Blountville, Tennessee, yesterday morning to show our support for John McCain and Sarah Palin. We likened it to going to a college or high school football game but better: we were all rooting for the same team! For three hours, we stood in a hangar among war veterans, current military personnel, Christian bikers, home schoolers and their parents, people who had taken time from work, plus Virginia and Tennessee state politicians who knew this was their last opportunity to be in front of a mass of like-thinkers before the election today. We McCain supporters participated in prayer, saluting our flag, singing the national anthem, saying The Lord's Prayer, singing God Bless America, and knowing we were in the best country in the world because we are free to do all of these, gathered in a public place. We are the people of these United States of America! God bless our founding fathers and their principles!When the press started rushing through with their cameras and open laptops, we knew the Straight Talk plane was approaching. It was great to see Fred Thompson, Lamar Alexander, Bob Corker, Tom Ridge, Joe Lieberman, and many others shaking hands and smiling. Rallies are held to ramp up the support and adrenaline. I could see why the Democrat rallies garner such enthusiasm. Many supporters gathered together do cause a swell of emotion. The Republicans, Independents, and Democrats who were there to support John McCain's presidential campaign were a happy lot of people. All ages, all income levels, all free to speak their/our minds. There also was a little jitter of fear detected, fear that something would alter the outcome of this election to undermine our Constitution and we the people. Rather than allowing that fear to consume us, we chose to rally around the positive. We chose to pray and be supportive of any outcome endorsed by God because He ultimately knows what's best. John and Cindy McCain are first rate, gracious people who genuinely appear to love the United States. Tom noted that Senator McCain's suit didn't fit well around his shoulders because his arms and shoulders truly looked like they had been beaten and broken. It's not as noticeable on television or in photos as it is in person. John McCain has been a true patriot all of his life. That is noticeable even more in person. It is humbling to see this senator stand before a group of supporters and thank us for giving him the opportunity to serve us!! He has already served us well, and wants to keep doing it. We are blessed to have this man on the side of our United States of America and its freedoms. He knows what freedom really means. He's lived without it. Please be prayerful today that God will lead the voters in this important election, that He will help guide them in the passion of the moment before they push that vote button. God Bless America!
From Vicki:My Mom sent me an email forward about the 2008 election. As of late, we tend to be passing lots of these back and forth, trying to verify the validity of those in question, and reading in utter disbelief some of the ones that aren't in question.This particular email cited 2 Samuel, Chapter 5, when David had just become the king of Israel and the Philistines waged war against him. And Isaiah 61 was in another paragraph. We the people, one nation under God, should read these words and listen to God's instructions to David. When something seems impossible, it doesn't always have to be. The United States of America was founded on Christian principles by prayerful people. There are still plenty of us in the United States today. When we hear the little sound that tells us to pray then and there, to pray hard for God to show us mercy in this upcoming election, we should listen and drop to our knees in prayer and thanksgiving for what we already have. We should then pray for God to keep our blessed country a special place in this world. We should pray for Him to provide the best choice on Tuesday as the leader of our great country. Prayer helps when something seems impossible.I do believe John McCain and Sarah Palin love our country and will serve we the people to the utmost of their abilities. Would you be willing to die for your country? John McCain has already answered that question. He's not perfect, but who is? He loves the United States of America and we've already seen him serve it with honor and respect. Country First. That's enough for me.
From Vicki:I was listening to Glenn Beck this morning and he mentioned people voting for the candidate who offered the free stuff. (this is paraphrasing.) He played an audio of a woman in Florida who had just been to an Obama rally. She was excited beyond belief because of all Obama wants to do for her. Well, I'm here to admit: I've already voted and it was for the free stuff. You betcha! No, not for free gas for my car or a free mortgage or free groceries. That can be purchased today. What I voted for was purchased 200 years ago with the courage, strength, and lives of our founding fathers. And all of that free stuff I voted for has been free to me all my life: it's the free stuff we have in our great Constitution, thanks to those who cared enough and were forward thinking enough to write a document that has transcended the generations. Many of us take it for granted, though we still care about this free stuff and do not want to have a United States that is not representative of these freedoms. God gave those founding fathers such wisdom to want a Christian nation, a democratic republic. When you vote, think about voting for the free stuff to keep it free, because it hasn't always been that way. McCain-Palin 2008. They love our country and are eager to serve we the people. Just ask Glenn Beck about the Constitution. He's been a we the people supporter for a long time.
From Vicki:I was just talking with my daughter about That One's infomercial that aired last night and asked if she noticed the "bookend" commercials for McCain. She didn't pay attention--I think they flipped off the television immediately after the infomercial. But, duh! It just hit me! Betcha McCain only ran those spots in the battleground states because his campaign doesn't have as many resources to run national spots when they don't need them. Sometimes, when I talk it out with myself, I come to reason and conclusions. Please continue to pray for the freedom of this country and for a responsible leader to take the helm as Commander-in-Chief in January 2009. Our votes will matter.
From Vicki, who thanks the new readers who have commented on the blog!! I just called Tom to vent a bit. I was watching Fox News at 6:00 tonight when they were talking about the Obama 30-minute infomercial to be airing on NBC, CBS, Fox, MSNBC, Univision, and another station or two at 8:00 p.m. EDT. The anchor said the McCain campaign had purchased airtime to run a 30-second commercial before and another after the infomercial; in other words, these would be "bookend" commercials---the first thing you'd see and the last thing you'd see. Good strategy. But, I didn't see a McCain ad on the front end. And, on the back end, I flipped from NBC to CBS to Fox within a matter of seconds and they were all already into their regular programming!! I never saw a McCain ad on any of the three. Were they hidden or will the McCain campaign get a ratings report for October saying "Sorry, your ads were pre-empted on October 29 so you'll get a rebate or we'll run them later."?????? Did anyone see the McCain campaign ads this evening? Please keep praying and passing the word around about why McCain-Palin is the better choice to lead and serve our country. Thank you.
From Vicki:From the above link, the inscription on the base of the Statue of Liberty that has been on Bedloe's Island since 1886: An inscription on the base of the statue says:
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me;
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."Millions who aspired to be free from Europe's "storied pomp" of governmental control, would reach to the land of the free. Later in 1924, the island became a government owned national park, coinciding with the year when immigration became greatly restricted with the Immigration Act. ---------Why is America called the land of the free and the home of the brave? Because our founding fathers made it so with their break from England, their Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of these United States. It took brave, independent thinkers who were ready to make their own decisions without government interference. They wanted to make decisions about what was best for them!! They wanted to be a Christian nation, yet not be told by the government how and where to worship. They wanted a government of the people, for the people, and by the people. Nowhere is it stated that the government has to deliver anything to the people. The people wanted the freedom to do it themselves. That was then. This is now. The burning question: Do we still want to be the land of the free? If so, then we need to be the home of the brave and vote responsibly to keep our United States a free nation based on Christian values and capitalism...and elected officials who serve and represent the best interests of we the people. God show us mercy during this 2008 presidential election. Remind us of the past, the bloodshed over this very freedom, the strong men and women who stood up for their beliefs. Help us to remember our basic beliefs and why we live in this grand country. Help us to look forward to a better future for our children than what we could face on November 5 if we support someone who doesn't believe in capitalism and smaller government. God, please help us to have the freedom and right to say the things we want on November 5 and beyond. You have given us a most remarkable country. Help us to respect what You have done for us. Keep us strong in the coming days. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This 2008 election season brings new meaning to the founding fathers' hard work to secure these for us.Yes, I have already voted for McCain-Palin. These two are willing to lead with honor and responsibility. They are willing to serve we the people to the best of their abilities. They are earning our respect with their stance for freedom. They deserve our support and vote on November 4 if we are to be responsible with this bountiful land called these United States, created for us more than 200 years ago.
From Vicki, who feels she is the lone reader of her own blog:I want to do something, anything, to help the McCain-Palin effort. Sometimes I feel there are so many complacent people who are angry, scared, concerned, etc., about where this United States is heading. It doesn't feel like it did even five years ago. The mainstream media wants to decide this election for us by skewing and skewering---they want us to think it's all buttoned up and we should stay home, not exercising our right, responsibility, and privilege to cast our one vote. I've known the majority of the media was liberal for a long time; however, I have never seen such a sabotage effort against one party. Democracy? Do they not understand unbiased reporting?
It's not good to start every sentence with "I", yet this stream-of-consciousness diatribe demands it today. I wore my McCain-Palin lapel pin (a tiny little rectangle, for pete's sake) and a liberal friend said, "Wow! I can't believe you are wearing that in public!" Why not? Why should I be afraid to advertise my candidates? I've done it since I was six years old with my Goldwater-Miller button from my Dad. Is it not PC to have freedom of expression any more?
I sit here and I'm angry, scared, and concerned. I've done what I could---I voted, I promoted, but I'm just one voice. What happened to all the voices who feel the same? We are way beyond coffee klatch conversations about politics. We have one week to convince, remind, explain, etc., what is going to happen in this country if one party controls the executive and legislative and judicial branches. We have to wake people up!!
Our economy needs help. Our economy can be boosted by lower taxes, free enterprise, more entrepreneurial opportunities (successes and failures are a part of this, so deal with it), and smaller government. It's just that simple, yet mighty complex.
I do pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all. We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, need to take back our union!!
Take a minute to sing the Star-Spangled Banner. Think about the words. Think about the good fight our founding fathers fought for our freedom. If you do that and pray to our God (because we are a Christian nation), we might just have a chance to hold up our republic as it was formed. Re-form? No, re-claim.
Whew! That was a therapeutic vent! I invite reasonable and passionate comments, and do listen to other points of view.
From Vicki:I just designed a new t-shirt that's for sale at Cafe Press. The link is the title to this post. Here's the copy for the t-shirt:If you think Socialism is a party, you're right. We the People say NO to the invite.Vote responsibly.Our Founding Fathers would approve this message. Less than two weeks until the election. Every vote will count. Take it seriously!
From Vicki
I was listening to talk radio yesterday afternoon and heard about a meeting to take place last night. This lady, Ann, said she received a direct message from God to do something to help our country during this upcoming election. I went to the meeting and was amazed to find about 35 people who were of like mind, worried about the future of our republic and concerned we hadn't learned from the past. The election is in two weeks. Ann plans to have caravans with signage going to the swing states of Ohio, Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, etc., to carry information about voting and the candidates. Reaching young people with the message about the two platforms in an easy-to-read, quickly explained format is the key. Ann's new web page link is listed above. She got her idea from William Bennett's speech about sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs. The sheep need the sheepdogs to protect them from the predator wolves, so sheepdogs must have a vicious instinct but a compassionate one, also. I was inspired by this lady. I had wondered what on earth I could do in the state of Tennessee to help affect the votes in those swing states. Now I know. I can help with my God-given talents to produce some interesting, to-the-point handouts about our wonderful country and how we need to protect our freedom. As I learned in Sunday School years ago (and my Mom happened to be my teacher that year), I can't hide my talents in a drawer and expect them not to grow stagnant. They need to be used and used well.
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