A CALL TO ACTION!

Patriots Day

            Today, Wednesday (4/19) is Patriot’s Day, if you do not know why, you should immediately educate yourself. There is no good excuse for not knowing and I am not going to tell you. Some two hundred thirty years ago, one of the greatest acts for humanity occurred. There is no doubt in my mind that this act was nurtured and guided by God. No country in the history of mankind has done more to help others protect and have freedom. Yet today, the vast majority of us are lazy and ignorant. We only care about our baser needs such as entertainment. How much have we changed from the days of Rome, when bread and circus was enough to keep the masses at bay? Just give them a good show. That will keep them satisfied. Our heroes are entertainers. I often wonder if we are worthy of the great blessings that we share?

            Yet, I am hopeful. That so many of our youth will join the military and fight for freedom, indicates the spark ignited that day April 19, is still alive. The ember still glows but is in danger of being suffocated, suffocated by the lack of truth. We are constantly bombarded with idiotic thinking (so called liberal thought), because without truth, no democracy or republic can stand. Recently, I read where a group which represents screen writers produced a list of suggestions to screen writers on how they could portray firearms in as negative light as possible (as if they weren’t already doing that). The logic of course is that if we could only demonize firearms like we have tobacco people would no longer want to have them. And if people didn’t want firearms then they could be outlawed. That, I think is a great example of liberal thought. Wishful thinking with no basis in reality, but with great “hope” for improving mankind. Of course, wherever this has been tried, it has only lead to increase crime and suffering. But do not confuse me with the facts!

            Did you know currently, violent crime in Scotland is the highest in the world, according to the UN, with Great Britain following close behind? In fact even violent crime in Canada is approximately twice what it is in the US. Crime in general, but more importantly violent crime is at a thirty year low. Every year since they began keeping records, accidental death due to firearms has fallen, now to its lowest point.

But Liberals do not need facts. They operate mostly from emotion and impressions. It took me along time to realize this. You see I was beyond liberal. I was a socialist (the difference grows less all of the time). Take the time to educate yourself. Learn about US history. Not some watered down or PC history but written by a historian who has ethics. God Bless America!

Peace

I appreciate your enthusiasm and appreciate you taking the time to write. I used to have many of the same positions. Here is my response.

I am sorry, I must have missed the part of the Constitution where it says we have to declare war if we are attacked. I also missed the part that says we should attack Iraq if someone hiding in Afghanistan authorizes an attack on us. I also feel much better knowing that one person, the president, has so much power and can 'declare war' at his whim. Actually what has happened is the congress has somewhat given over their war declaring powers to the UN, however I don't think that was really legal. The Constitution states that the president can use military force but congress must declare war. It does not take a 100% vote to declare war. Maybe if congress does not declare war they know something you don't.

The problem with the Patriot Act is very few had the opportunity to read it before it was voted on. Who determines if you are a civilian or a terrorist? The Constitution protects against any illegal search and seizure. You must have probable cause. Where is that here? I am not against wiretapping with a warrant, just without one.

How much money was proposed for each person in New Orleans? I believe it was over $100k in the proposal. What a waste of money. The government is terrible at efficiently helping people. Why should I, the tax payer, be forced to support people who are often too lazy to do anything for themselves? I have lived in mixed income housing back east and seen how people live off of the government. If I want to donate to charity it should be my choice to vote for the one who is doing it the way I like.

The deficit is sky-rocketing despite high taxes. I imagine many of us pay over 50% taxes if you include income, property, sales, gas, etc. Bush has been a very irresponsible leader financially. The federal government has greatly grown under Bush. This and past growth has led to a loss of state rights over such things as education. The fed taxes so high and then bribe the states for following what they say. You say you believe in a lower deficit but your arguments seem in favor of a bigger federal government. Do you propose raising taxes even higher?

The LDS church has never supported people living off of the government and they have preached quite the opposite. Self support if possible, if not then rely on family, if you can't then rely on the church, but NEVER the government.

I think that many good LDS people, especially in Utah, confuse the President of the Church with Pres Bush. They know that Pres. Hinckley is directed by God and won't lead them astray and they shouldn't question what he says. Unfortunately they carry that over into politics. Some feel that if Bush says it then it must be true.

Remember, I used to have many of these views. I have since become more informed as to what is really going on. I encourage you to do the same.

I agree with yourself and Sound1. The Patriot Act is a needed tool in the War on Terrorism. We need the tools to fight or we will be hit again. I have read the Patriot Act. I would be fine if it were amended to 1. Only able to be used to prosecute acts or plots of Terrorism. It can't be used to prosecute any other crime within America. 2. There needs to be constant oversight by congress. 3. There needs to be a clear definition as to what Terrorism is. 4. When the war on terror is over, the act needs to be dissolved.

I'm familiar with your group the Eagles Forum / John Birch. I know what you believe. I agree with some of it. I know that you know the Constitution well. I really have a lot of respect for Scott Bradley. My problem with your group is that you all have allot of complaining to do about our government without any viable solution on how to implement your solutions. Having meetings at peoples homes once a month doesn’t really get public policy changed. Believing everyone who is high up in your organization and their conspiracy theory about the government is not always the most constructive method to clean up the corruption that you rightfully point out does exist. Calling for the destruction of the Republican Party before the Democratic Party is the wrong way to go about it. Granted, the Republican Party is full of parasites that no longer uphold conservative values based on the constitution. Just look at some of the so called Republicans who hold office in Cache, Logan Utah. They act more like Socialists.

Here is what your group effectively does, you destroy the Republican Party and further empower the Democratic Party. Which party will destroy the constitution the fastest and in the worst way? The Democratic Party! If your group wants to protect the Constitution, help us get Republicans who do not care about the Constitution out of office and out of the Republican Party. If you are going to attack a party, attack the Democratic Party. They pose the worst threat. We have to fight the fights that we can win. Having all of these little Parties of people who use to be part of the Republican Party who would be no more going up against the big Democratic Party will loose. Having a healthy Republican Party of people like yourself who know and respect the principles of the Constitution would be able to stand against the Democratic Party.

I think that you could give President Bush at least a little credit. Like you, I’m a pretty religious person. I know the light of Christ when I see it. When I look at President Bush, a see a flawed man who has made some definite errors in office. I grant you that. I don’t agree with his amnesty and spending policies for starters. I also look at him and see a man who has a good heart and really believes in what he is doing. Unlike some politicians who flip flop just to score political points, he sticks to it. I feel that he really wants what is best for our Country. You state that he has helped the UN out. I know that his father really does help the UN and I must say that it is troubling. Current President Bush on the other hand has done more to hurt the UN from what I have seen. I know that he doesn’t think much of them as a result of his policies towards them. He is not his Father! If you agree with his War policies or not, I feel that he really takes his oath to protect us to heart. It is Congress that has not performed their duty. They gave him a “blank check”. They didn’t declare War like they should have. When it comes to wire tapping, Congress is once again at fault. The Fisa law is out dated. President Bush and every President since WWII has done the same wire tapping the same way. The Fisa law needs to be revamped. By the time you go to a Fisa court and obtain a warrant, Terrorists will move on. It won’t work.

He is our President. It would be better for us to find ways to help him succeed, not fail. I feel that in the end, history will be good to this good man. As Americans, we should be ashamed of the way he has been treated. I don’t care if you agree or disagree, there is no excuse. There have been worse Presidents by far.

Let me just throw out this question to you and anyone else who reads this. What has he done right in your opinion?

Well, I have to tell you that I really appreciate your integrity as well as your intellectual honesty.

I think that you and I probably agree more than we know on the real important facts. I think that out of us regulars that hang out in this area of the Forums, we all have good valid points. It seems like it should be about trying to put the parts we agree with together and make some good happen.

It seems like these Forums are growing. I was talking with the developer/main admin of this website just the other day. Hey said that the traffic is getting very thick as each day passes. This is good because that means that our thoughts and debates are being read!

I think that your position in the Republican Party great! There is always need for more people like yourself, gunrights, code101 and sound1 to keep the Republican party and other good parties from leaving their core constitutional values.

I'm a Registered Republican. I really like the Secretary of State and was troubled to find out that she is a member of the CFR. The CFR is very bad news. You are right on that one. I guess the main part we disagree on is that I feel the President is doing a good job on the War on Terror. I tend to agree with Gunrights.

I guess that we all have some differences on particular ways and methods but it seems like the principals are for the most part the same. It is good to have some disagreements though. Out of all the disagreements, some good new ideas could come about.

It would be cool to have a sit down at some point! Keep up the good work and keep the Republicans on the straight and narrow this election season