Happy Birthday, America!

I pledge to...

Never Forget the sacrifices, the lives, the tears and the abandoned personal dreams by the soldiers who defended Our Country.

Never Forget the permanently wounded, bereaved family members those brave souls left behind.

Never Forget my individual duty to uphold, speak out about and remind others of these incredible gifts of freedom conveyed to all Americans.

Never Forget to instruct our children in the true heroic history of Our Forefathers.

Never Forget to honor these precious blessings on Our Country's significant days of remembrance including Patriot's Day, Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, this hallowed Independence Day, and Labor Day.

Never Contribute to the apathy that continues to attempt to erode what we have.

Always be thankful.

Always be respectful.

Always be indebted to and humbled by our military personnels sense of duty.

Honestly, since January 29th, when McCain stole our party's nomination, I have been disillusioned and found it nearly impossible to write here. I felt, and to some degree still feel, that much of what this country once represented has been lost... or is about to be.

While that may still prove to be true, I now look in the mirror and realize that by not contributing to the din of objection to his stances that myself and other true Conservatives find so objectionable, I am myself being apathetic. When others still, to this very second, walk battlefields still defending us... my apathy and emotions of futility are quite simply... unacceptable.

Brave men and women continue to lay their lives on the line, as so many have gallantly done before them, yet I have seen fit to be almost silent and overwhelmed. Good that so many do not retreat into virtual submission as I have done these last months. I am ashamed.

How many more and enormous difficulties have these soldiers unflinchingly faced?

Therefore, I will return to my meager contribution to the rising noise of opposition. I despise McCain, but I will fight the imperial, elitist socialism of Obama and all his power seeking, evading cronies. We have overcome much greater evils in our long, triumphant history. Who the hell is this impostor of Chicago to assume that he can overrun and quiet our voices? And who the hell am I to allow his bluster, media control and mindless minions to intimidate and squelch my fuel to oppose him loudly?

I also wish to give due credit to those who made me look in that mirror and relocate my ambition. It is all of you... my fellow Conservative bloggers whom I revere with regard you will likely never fully grasp. You are each Warriors. You undauntingly speak and risk enduring criticisms. You do it repeatedly, consistently and without fail. You inspire me and remove me from an island of isolation I would otherwise perhaps withdraw to. Just so you know... I read your words, absorb and appreciate much more than you may realize... often without deserved comment.

So... I had this *idea*. Accolades, where they are so very due! Why not? And what better day to begin than America's Birthday?

How many of you experience the same feelings of withdrawal and ineffectiveness? How often do you ask yourself "Why bother?" or "Does it REALLY ever make any difference?"

We each have, almost without exception, a "Bloglist" or "Blogroll". Mine is assembled to show others who I read and enjoy, perhaps enticing them to experience those individual talents themselves. They all have their unique approaches, styles, talents and items of importance to which they choose to direct attention. But to me, they are so very good, they deserve more than a simple title in a sidebar and a hypertext link. They earn special, one-at-a-time recognition!

Therefore, on this sacred Birthday of America, 2008, I choose to begin my periodic "Wordsmith Warrior" designation.

In it, I will attempt to place one unique and deserving blogger into the spotlight of those who might kindly visit here. I want to offer some endorsement and support for those who make such magnificent, giant efforts to keep the good principled fight.

Anyone on my bloglist is there for special reasons. I don't just add at random or for favor... ever. You can bet your butt if you're on it, you have made a big dent on my radar screen.

But now I must select the first "Warrior".

Who? There should be no question.

She is the staunchest, most consistent, caring, truthful, dedicated and loving Conservative blogger I have ever been privileged to know. All my dearest friends quite consistently open her page first when they sit down to read the daily wisdoms. She is humble, intellectual and unbending in her commitment to NEVER quit the fight. Her personal life never is allowed to become so large that there is not room in her day for her country.

God Bless and preserve you "Angel" of "Woman Honor Thyself" blog! You are the epitome of faith, service and unswerving determination. YOU inspire. YOU motivate. YOU are my mirror. Thank you for all you do to lead us and set the textbook example. I salute you, you could not be more worthy and you are my first...

"...the blessings, the liberty, the freedom! I just SO , SO LOVE this beautiful country!"

Angel, July 4th, 2008




May God allow us to recognize the precious people, places and duty bound acts that make this country so imperviously strong. May He give us the strength to persevere. May He grant us the tolerance to understand the misdirection of so many. And may God Bless this unconquerable nation to always provide the light of Freedom to mankind on all shores.

Forever may we live strong...

Thinking, Working, Getting Quiet...

Yeppir, I have been bereft of the writing bug for a period. Can't fake it and won't try to.

Personally? I'm well, healthy, even vigorous perhaps!
(*G. Gordon Liddy smile*)
...And how about you? I hope you are similarly fine.

Nationally? ...very pessimistic, and may God save us... Please.

It is my busiest time of year. I do a ton of household, domestic duties for this period because my wife works a minimum of 66 hours per week during "tax season"... such is the life of an accountant. It is also the very peak of my busiest time in my trade, too. So we chat briefly during our two common meals and race for that beautiful Tempur-Pedic's gentle cradling immediately following. Four thirty comes early in the morning, you know.

So in addition to being in a quiet mode, I have very little writing time to boot. But that's not all of it. I could squeak out the minutes if I had the compulsion.

When things get bad (and my friends, things are bad) I tend to think more and talk less. Watching the banter surrounding three potential future "Presidents", for example, would be entertaining if the office was something less important. But it isn't, so it's not. Seeing people so caught up in the fervor over which might make the "best choice" illustrates to me how we ended up with such hollow, vacuous options. I find it impossible to remain "engaged"... and I apologize for that if you think it derelict of me. If you are called to it, please carry on. But please also respect my painfully present lack of enthusiasm.

I am simply of the opinion that there is no "good choice". Thus, I tend to focus more on how we managed to realize this abominable situation. I feel that the simple answer is that we allowed the erosion of our principles. In this vein, no matter how trendy and popular it has become, I will not be a willing participant. To do so, IMHO, would be to succumb to pawn-dom. Respectfully, adamantly... I will not. I am of the opinion we have brought the coming debacle upon ourselves, and therefore we have earned the painful lessons we have forgotten, but may learn again.

I have not lost my voice. I simply have little to say. In time, that will repair.

But for now, I watch and read and listen. I work, I serve my loyal wife and honor our glorious God. I am concentrating on appreciation of life and acceptance of that which I cannot change, no matter how emphatically I wish I could. And I pray for our country, our people and humankind. I don't think that can be done too much for a long while to come.

So those who have come here before and read some of my older posts have surely found my passion for the woods and back country mountains. They have known my lust for adventure and little known places. I can find such peace in the wind, in the dead of night, on a mountain top devoid of all other people, far from the lights of any town. I can wash my soul with the light of crystal stars, a giant orange moon's rising and the essence of desolation. Cold, crisp air peaks my senses and carries me to memories and golden voices of old.

Perhaps it is healthy to find that pursuit which allows us to take inventory of our blessings and be thankful. Perhaps it is time to consider what life means to each of us. Perhaps, it is that time.

I am weary of rants and arguments. It is too late to make a difference in what is to come now. We have dues we will pay for our paucity of coherence.

So may I extend my hand and invite you to come with me to some magical places I wish to share with you today? I can't tell you exactly where this miracle is, because, I'd have to... Well, you know.

Is Spring all around you where you live now? Well, Spring has its' own face here. It may be warm in your place, but come feel the life in mine...



















































May God allow us to truly live each minute he grants us with due appreciation and wonder. Happy Springtime to all.

In Memory of What We Had...

Congratulations, Senator Amnesty.

Good job, Mr. and Mrs. Disconnected, who playfully gave him this incremental crown. Your match may well ignite a dripping trail of gasoline your Gang of RINO's Prince casually pisses behind him.

And good-bye to any risk soon of Real American Conservatism™, until we have had our noses so ground in dripping, liberal rot that somebody, someday (maybe) remembers what proudly standing for freedom reaping values once meant.

For those who haven't gripped it yet... it is gone. We have just merged onto the Socialist Freeway. No longer a threatening apparition in a distant time.

Here. Now.

The majority is going to select a fake. A fake under her actual label or a fake who wears ours falsely. Different paint... same effect, same conduct, same results. The majority has crossed the threshold and actually become so bamboozled with crap that they can no longer see.

So...music. The title is perfection and so appropriate, presaging the future. The rhythm and voice soothing (at a time when you may feel ambulatory). The mood it casts, so befittingly depressing.

How can a person not wonder if we will ever regain our strength? It will be a long, painful sequence of lessons we will all now endure. As many of us worried, '06 portended storminess for an extended period.

No, we didn't lose a lover. We have lost something much more painful. Something we truly loved, once. The underpinnings of a great country. I hope our 'majority' someday rediscovers what they relinquished.








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*UPDATE*

I have cruised some of my favorite blogs today and found so many predictably white-washing, rationalizing and re-imaging McCain's undeniably liberal actions and history. I decided the very kindest thing that I could do for these people, whom I respect but blatantly disagree with... is shut the hell up and not comment on their posts. It would accomplish nothing, but create bad feelings and folly for the Lefties to enjoy. They will not remove their seemingly perpetually rose colored spectacles.

But the attempts to re-paint John Boy won't change the vehicle under the tint. Their last ditch 'support' for him will make him no less of a liberal in deed and collaboration with the Schumers, Kennedys, Clintons and Kerrys. It will simply unite them with the others in being a part of the problem, rather than recognizing we have turned our backs on the solution, which has now slipped away with our people's releasing grasp.

And it doesn't have a thing to do with what the definition of "is" is. You don't win or maintain true Conservatism by adopting a liberal dance and trying to then claim it was yours all along. That is so painfully transparent. At the end of the day, you have won nothing... you merely changed sides and acted like you didn't notice. You joined the losers. The only one you are fooling is yourself.

This IS a truly sad day for our once great Republic.



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*UPDATE #2*

Michelle Malkin has some excellent coverage of the ascension of the McVain nightmare, including explosive e-mails (near the bottom) from her readers.



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"I'd rather deal with President Hillary than with President McCain. With Hillary, we'll get the same ruinous liberal policies with none of the responsibility.

At least under President Hillary, Republicans in Congress would know that they're supposed to fight back. When President McCain proposes the same ideas -- tax hikes, liberal judges and Social Security for illegals -- Republicans in Congress will support "our" president -- just as they supported, if only briefly, Bush's great ideas on amnesty and Harriet Miers.

You need little flags like that for Republicans since, as we know from the recent unpleasantness in Florida, Republicans are unalterably stupid.

Republicans who vote for McCain are trying to be cute, like the Democrats were four years ago by voting for the "pragmatic" candidate, Vietnam vet John Kerry. This will turn out to be precisely as clever a gambit as nominating Kerry was, the brilliance of which was revealed on Election Day 2004. "

-Ann Coulter

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"With John McCain's all-too-easy road to the nomination paved through Florida and now nearly complete one thing is clear: The Republican Party has been hijacked. Over the past month a new Axis of Evil has emerged -- not one based in Damascus, Tehran or Pyongyang -- but instead in Cedar Rapids, Charleston, South Carolina, Derry, New Hampshire and Boca Raton, Florida. It is the liberal and "independent" voters in these 4 states that have nearly completed a deed that makes Kim Jong Il envious -- the near crippling of the American Electoral System. These four states have combined their native liberal populism with an imported liberal electorate and have forced the GOP to accept a nominee so distasteful that in more than one poll -- the numbers of voters choosing not to vote and those choosing to vote third party actually exceed those who will hold their nose and vote for Maverick, War Hero, Amnesty Supporter, John McCain."


-Brett Winterble, 'Who Hijacked the Primaries?'

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WOWSA! WOWSA! So you think Mr. John Boy McVain is a "safe place" to put our economy, eh? Afterall, he is the guy who spoke libraries worth about the need to get "big money" out of campaigning, RIGHT??? This is super short and easy to digest, even for the most casual "researchers" amongst us...

PLEASE READ THIS!!!

Day of the Murdering Swine

Six years are today solemnly marked since formal war was declared on this nation by a cult of homocidal sub-human savages.






I am consumed, every single day that God allows my life to continue, by seething anger!






I choke and weep for the lost innocent lives; our hearts forever scarred.









I pray for the families of the dead, for the children of our tomorrow and for the resolve to again restore actual, bony spine within our great nation's many cowards.






Do you clearly remember? Can you ever be so selfish to allow yourself to forget?

Here follows the precise timeline of that day's invasion:

7:58 a.m. - United Airlines Flight 175 departs Boston for Los Angeles,
carrying 56 passengers, two pilots, and seven flight attendants. The
Boeing 767 is hijacked after takeoff and diverted to New York.

7:59 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 11 departs Boston for Los
Angeles, carrying 81 passengers, two pilots, and nine flight
attendants. This Boeing 767 is also hijacked and diverted to New York.

8:01 a.m. - United Airlines Flight 93, a Boeing 757 carrying 38
passengers, two pilots, and five flight attendants, leaves Newark, N.J.,
for San Francisco.

8:10 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 77 departs Washington's
Dulles International Airport for Los Angeles, carrying 58 passengers,
two pilots, and four flight attendants. The Boeing 757 is hijacked
after takeoff.

At 8:46 AM, on a spectacularly clear, crisp pre-autumn morning when hijacked United Airlines Flight 11, at over 500 mph under the control of deranged killers, flew above the city buildings and into the North Tower of The World Trade Center...






The following video is a collection of views showing the total disbelief when we witnessed Flight 175 impact the South Tower @ 9:03 AM. It also contains a multitude of raw, live video scenes from a number of news sources. It closes with mind numbing footage of collapse from nearly beneath the building. It is horrible in its' entirety... and we should never forget a second of it.






- U.S. Federal Aviation Administration shuts down all New
York area airports.

9:21 a.m. - Bridges and tunnels leading into New York City
are closed.

9:25 a.m. - All domestic flights are grounded by U.S. Federal
Aviation Administration.

9:45 a.m. - Hijacked American Airlines Flight #77 was flown into the Pentagon.






10:05 a.m. - The South Tower at the World Trade Center collapses.

See the horror... THIS is why we must fight!

Have you forgotten?






10:05 a.m. - The White House is evacuated.

10:06 a.m. - United Flight 93 disappears from radar.

10:10 a.m. - A large section of one side of The Pentagon collapses.

10:10 a.m. - Despite valiant acts of the truest bravery, when passengers confront hijackers, United Flight 93 crashed in a field near Skanksville, Pa. killing everyone aboard.





10:28 a.m. - ...and then the North Tower at the World Trade Center collapses.






We honor those men, women and children who were innocent yet murdered that day. We remember their families and consider the pain they will always endure. We honor the many members of the New York City Police and Fire Departments who died running into buildings they knew were potential death traps to try to save innocent lives other than their own.






Thank God for our military and the fine men and women who serve the people of this great nation. Bless them and their families for their many sacrifices. We should all make time to greet them in public, give every courtesy and say simply "Thanks". Remember the unity required against our enemies, which becomes the most basic of duties to sustain our Republic.






Beware the crocodile tears of the surrender monkeys, who will eagerly trade recognition, opportunity for stage and the power that it brings today for more slurs tomorrow upon our fine military and the job they continue to do so well , despite them.









Despite them, we must fight this infection upon civilization that is Islamofascism! We can NEVER SURRENDER!







*UPDATE*

I was late to work today because I could not drive by the homes and one business who had flagpoles with American flags displayed at full staff. When I turned around and drove back, I respectfully apologized for my interuption but explained that I felt compelled to ask them why. Two thanked me for "reminding" them (I managed to politely conceal my rage, I think) and immediately went out and lowered Old Glory, one threw me off his property saying I must be "one of those neocon war mongers" (I satisfied his hatred of everything American by eagerly confirming I was just that)and the remainder simply closed their doors in my face, including the business.

There ya' go, America... eight locations in 10.4 miles of driving in the Maine woods... this is what we are crumbling to. I find this nauseating beyond all description.

In harmony with these disconnected idiots, we find imbecile Dennis Kucinich on Syrian television denouncing his own country to our enemy. I pray for Kucinich, but if he heard my words he would not welcome my prayer.

For more astonishment that this is all real and not simply a nightmare from which we can awaken, take the time to view Angel's 9-11 post (she was there in the trenches with the rest of the rescuers that day) and look through the jaw dropping images shot by another champion NYC patriot, Urban Infidel. She attended and preserved in pictures the sickening 'Muslim Day Parade' which took place there on Sunday.

I am utterly, completely disgusted.



*UPDATE #2*

The Lone Voice, a British gentleman, at Newport City blog did a fantastic job assembling a more elaborate tribute than my own. We were even compelled it seems to use several same images, but you should especially view the video tribute he included at the very bottom of his post. If only more Americans had the respect this man has, while not even being a citizen of the USA! With their numerous other deplorable "blame America first" tactics, undoubtedly we can expect no shame from our liberal underminers.

What would it take to shame them, afterall?



*UPDATE #3*

Nanc at 'It's Curtains For You' has posted a story from an anonymous gentleman who was very directly affected by the loss of many friends in the Pentagon attack... it is an absolute MUST READ! If you have the strength to endure it, she also included a link to an incredibly powerful video tribute, too.

God Bless America!

It is one of my all time favorites (I prefer delivery by the late, great Kate Smith), head-to-head with 'Amazing Grace' and 'The Battle Hymn of The Republic'. Those wonderful songs always cause me to consider what they mean and the sacrifices made to give Americans what we have.

Free speech is guaranteed to all, even those who both repudiate and abuse it, but guaranteed nonetheless. Americans can denounce their leaders, disrespect our military and lament their perceived conspiracies, yet be secure that their public outcries are protected. This is one of the most cherished of our many rights. One of many that men and women defend with their lives, even this second, and have through generations. It is not the case in so many countries that are frequently lauded for their more "civilized and progressive" natures.

On a day like today, I stop to consider not just the encouragement and propaganda opportunities that the anti-war participants give our enemies, but especially the impact it must make on the soldier's psyche. Isn't it sacrifice enough to have these fine men and women go put their lives on the line for the rest of us every single day, for months and years on end? How rude and inconsiderate can people be of the monumental efforts they are making?

Our military has the very same powerful communication capabilities we have in internet news and live television. It is there for them to see and digest every day, too. Yet they turn their backs on the din of cowardly noise from home and fight on anyway. The word "hero" is tossed around far too callously these days, but not in the case of our incredible military!

It is important to realize the appreciated support the military also get from another wing of free speech, and that would be bloggers. Specifically, Conservative bloggers. It is easy to lose track of the actual difference this medium of speaking out makes, but all you have to do is more closely examine. It is time well spent and caringly invested. There is a huge exchange of ideas and information. It promotes realization of groundswell support, the very fibers of which are everything that is "grass roots". And it reminds our fighters how much many of us really care.

If it is tough to deal with the time and invasion of your personal life that sitting down to speak out requires, consider the sacrifices the military makes for you 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Much like the folks you "type to", those military men and women don't know you either. But they give and give and give more. Be inspired by the soldier's fight... they give so much more than the rest of us. Bloggers and the tsunami public outcry they stirred are surely a huge part of the recent Senate defeat of Shamnesty. It really is the least we can do.

Do have your self-imposed 'battles' with folks of differing opinions. Don't back down because you feel you will never open eyes or help an apathetic to see. That's how it is done. With facts, history and as much calm as you can possibly muster and maintain. You are correct... therefore, there's no need to lose your unalienable cool. (OK, I hear ya'... just remind me when I do it next time, OK?) It's how people are coaxed to see reality and examine their previous habits of disconnection and disinterest.

Perhaps you have friends or family who have rolled their eyes when they learned that you take the time to read, research and blog. How do they do in a discussion with you, or perhaps even a "debate"? Have you ever been sought out by them and specifically asked about your views regarding something political? Does that not tell you how they really see your interest when they seek your opinion?

I had a call from a lifelong, Conservative friend two days ago to ask me who Fred Thompson was and what I thought of him. At first, I thought he was joking. He was dead serious. I couldn't imagine that he didn't know and hadn't followed Thompson for years, as I have done.

Yesterday, I was relating the conversation to another friend who stopped by my business. I got half way into explaining my surprise that this other friend didn't know who Fred Thompson is, when I saw him getting red faced with embarrassment. He didn't know either.

My friends are not false Conservatives, just disinterested and feeling defeated. Does this mean that Fred can't win? No, it means that Fred is yet undiscovered by many good folks. When they learn about him and realize the change in the hum drum that has so completely turned them off in the first place, they will be re-energized. We, the more interested and informed, each can help that occur. Values matter to these people, but they won't invest the time and study in politics that so many bloggers do.

To a great extent, those people rely upon us in their small community groups. This is why we read, speak out and write... Gail. This is why you are hooked, too. It is why you can't escape contributing your part. By my count, you were able to resist posting 'political' a full five days! HA! What a wonderful lady you are!

I do all I can to encourage young adults to really think about the issues. The most recent topic I shared with a young aquaintance was about citizenship and what it means. Children and youth need to more frequently have that discussion. If you can start them thinking, you can start a real fire. Here's a really cool quiz that helps you consider your citizenship worthiness! (It is a link to a link, but I do that intentionally, both because that is how I found it plus I want you to check out this rock solid lady's incredible devotion to defending our 2nd Amendment. Great stuff!)

For readers who are patriotic like myself, I encourage you to view Urban Infidel's American flag images with slide show. It is her usual stunning art. It also gives pause to consider what she found to be the disappointing rarity of flag displays. Take heart, UI... some fine folks still think the flag is ultra-cool! She is a very passionate and skilled Brooklyn photographer who routinely risks her life and limb to photograph extreme leftist loon parades. Another case again of a blogger who views it as a duty to share with the world what she sees. Her archives will really open your eyes. A newly created separate blog, just for her "pretty" images, can be enjoyed here, too.

Angel has written yet another very thought provoking post about the nation's birthday and its' parallels in theology. Unlike the non-believer's often expressed wishes to mute, remove and desparage faith based folks' practices regarding religious expression, she reviews some history of our founder's views and their influence on the creation of this country. She also preaches something that the left claims they invented... "tolerance". Go figure.

I hope everyone finds their own enjoyable way to consider, share and celebrate this nation's glorious 231st birthday. Hopefully it motiovates you, as it does me, to be EVER thankful to our warriors and continue to contribute your time, efforts and cheritable donations to good causes. We each can do so much if we choose to.

And on that note, perhaps most worthy of mention on such a wonderful day, I received an e-mail from a good friend pointing me to another Real American. The e-mailer chose not to be named, and the link was actually found by him over at The Jawa Report. (Now that is an excellent blog that uses some pretty turbulent language rather frequently. I know that alone would keep some of my readers from checking it out and following the posts there, but to do so is to miss some great content.)

At any rate, get some absorbent paper products readied and don't miss viewing this honorable woman's story.

Happy Birthday, oh beautiful, steadfast America!

Please make time to pause in silence and pray for those fallen. They and their families have given everything they had to offer... for us. Please celebrate the important meaning of these gifts bestowed upon us with all appropriate reverence and pride!