It's True -- there is no governmental solution -- Thing

Dear America,

"...to decide the important question, 

whether societies of men 

are really capable or not 

of establishing good government 

from reflection and choice..."  

Alexander Hamilton, 

The Federalist Papers, No.1

To the first paragraph, in its entirety:

To the People of the State of New York: 

AFTER an unequivocal experience of the inefficiency of the subsisting federal government, you are called upon to deliberate on a new Constitution for the United States of America. The subject speaks its own importance; comprehending in its consequences nothing less than the existence of the UNION, the safety and welfare of the parts of which it is composed, the fate of an empire in many respects the most interesting in the world. It has been frequently remarked that it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country, by their conduct and example, to decide the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force. If there be any truth in the remark, the crisis at which we are arrived may with propriety be regarded as the era in which that decision is to be made; and a wrong election of the part we shall act may, in this view, deserve to be considered as the general misfortune of mankind. This idea will add the inducements of philanthropy to those of patriotism, to heighten the solicitude which all considerate and good men must feel for the event. Happy will it be if our choice should be directed by a judicious estimate of our true interests, unperplexed and unbiased by considerations not connected with the public good. But this is a thing more ardently to be wished than seriously to be expected. The plan offered to our deliberations affects too many particular interests, innovates upon too many local institutions, not to involve in its discussion a variety of objects foreign to its merits, and of views, passions and prejudices little favorable to the discovery of truth.

I have started this morning's musings based upon the September issue of Imprimis, the readers monthly from Hillsdale College.  This month, featuring an adaptation of a speech made by Myron Magnet, the author of the book, Clarence Thomas and the Lost Constitution.

Being just a few pages, it's surprisingly a difficult read; expect to become engulfed in a rather tight weave of the finer points of a few hand-picked Supreme Court cases -- dabbling in precedence, findings. and usurpation of the law, if any, and tying the knot with a brief biography of Clarence Thomas (advancing the belief, his grandfather saved him from a life of victim-hood and despair). 

At the end, Myron confirms what Clarence Thomas grew to know firsthand, and what very well could serve as the saving grace in the days ahead:  "there is no governmental solution."

Exactly.

..to decide the important question, 

whether societies of men 

are really capable or not 

of establishing good government 

from reflection and choice..."

...in conjunction with the understanding that there truly is no governmental solution to most things.

As Magnet magnifies in his final words:  "Regardless of race, everybody faces adversity and must choose whether to buckle down and surmount it, shaping his own fate, or to blame the outcome on powerful forces that make him ineluctably a victim -- forces that only a mighty government can master.  The Framers' Constitution presupposes citizens of the first kind.  Without them, and a culture that nurtures them, no free nation can long endure."

The establishment of good government requires that it's most precious content IS not only it's citizens, but good citizens -- good, honest, hard working, conscientious, kind, citizens, with the integrity and wherewithal to behave appropriately in all places in society, especially within the powers of government.

To that end, we have lost touch with this kind of service to God and to country.  We have totally lost touch with establishing good government from reflection and choice.  We have totally lost our sense of responsibility to be self-reliant, dependent upon the virtues and outcomes of what may come simply by being a nation elevated in good, decent self-government, fastening the security of a nation from one generation to the next.

This nation was intended to be built upon GOOD people.  

No law can take the place of just being good decent people; and every solution to our problems lies within our own, purely independent, power to change behavior.  Like George said just yesterday:

“Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.”

― George Washington

I'm alarmed by what is happening in D.C. these days.

The more light shed upon the swamp, the uglier it gets.  Our Framer's would be so ashamed of us.

Just imagine how the history books will tell it in the years to come....speaking of which, while bouncing around La Jolla on Sunday, hitting an art show and the local farmers market, my baby and me walked into a used book store -- always a good move.  Talk about falling down a rabbit hole and losing an afternoon amid musty bindings, and all the while sensing it would be a marvelous way to go, being buried in books with one wrong move (picture a game of Pick-up Sticks, only with volumes of good reads stacked to the ceiling and three rows deep).

Lucky me, though, I came away with what is titled, the Concise Dictionary of American History. printed in 1962, by the Editors of Charles Scribner's Sons, New York (first printing in 1940).  It amounts to about 1050 pages from A to Z and begins with what was called "A.B.C. Conference, which met at Niagara Falls May-July 1914, after Argentina, Brazil and Chile tendered mediation to prevent a conflict between the United States and the Huerta regime in Mexico" and ends with ZOUAVES -- "The Zouaves were a class of light infantry regiments of the French Army serving between 1830 and 1962 and linked to French North Africa, as well as some units of other countries modelled upon them. The zouaves, along with the indigenous Tirailleurs Algeriens, were among most decorated units of the French Army".

Put in another light -- this girl is proudly in possession of this Concise Dictionary, weighing in at all of 4.8 lbs,  for only a dollar!  And I haven't even got to the best part; its previous owner signed the inside cover --  "Leslie & Sam Hinton"  -- written in fancy script.   

And, of course -- I had to Google it.

Lo and behold, discovered a sweet biography through Sam's obituary at the LA Times.  He died ten years ago -- at the age of 92! -- after making La Jolla his home (apparently Leslie passed away five years earlier).   In matters of context and life intersecting life, Sam died about the same time this thing called It's a G Thing came to be; Obama was president and we were knee deep in the creation of a brand new entitlement program, better known as Obamacare.  And I just couldn't keep my mouth shut any longer, that summer of 2009, I just couldn't.

I can appreciate how Sam's life seemed a wee bit all over the place -- what a kindred spirit of mine, right.  I loved this part about him, too:  "In 1942, he became a director of the Desert Museum in Palm Springs. In 1943 he took a post doing war-related research at the University of California’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla. The research involved helping the U.S. Navy find better ways to carry the fight to the enemy or, as Hinton later put it, 'how to sink and not get sunk'.”  The personal overlap of family ties to Palm Desert and the Navy solidifies that feeling of interconnected lives we all weave, all our lives.  Indeed, how to sink and not get sunk...familiar with that kind of old-school humor.

The thing is -- establishing a good government from reflection and choice requires us to respect this kind of societal interconnection; every move we make bears an outcome, be it by one or by all.

Proving my ongoing theory meeting up with the amusing, age-old Monty Python skit--  it's my theory, and mine alone, and my theory is that we connect in the beginning, disconnect in the middle, and reconnect in the end.  (say it with a slightly high-pitched British woman's voice)

The Forward in my new Concise Dictionary of American History notes the following:

"Twenty years and more have passed since the Dictionary's first publication, years full of event and shock, glory and anxiety, the widening of our horizons and the deepening of national responsibilities.  Amid the complexities of our present course, a clear, accurate, unprejudiced knowledge of what we have been and what we stand for is demanded of every intelligent American.  Realms of knowledge which were once comfortably regarded as of value only to the teacher and scholar are now of immediate importance to us all.  Those for whom the Dictionary of American History was originally planned -- thinking, concerned men and women who wanted to know the facts of our national being so that they might make their present judgments with wisdom and without prejudice -- are counted no longer by the thousands but by the tens of thousands..."

The more history changes, the more history stays the same.

yet, again, there is emphasis on the thinking, concerned men and women -- this thing called reflection and choice continues to come up, no matter what happens.  And event and shock, glory and anxiety continue to play together, politely like taking turns.  The widening of horizons and the deepening of national responsibilities ever clear, ever present, and ever more important.

Yes, There it is again, that called anxiety.  It's like I'm back to the good old days, running on a theme.

Deep, deep breaths.

Everything will be okay, eventually. 
For a good start -- just aim for being good, in general.

Make it a Good Day, G

It's Just a Good Start Thing

Dear America,

happy 

new 

year
baby

just taking a few baby steps this morning...now nearly afternoon... as this girl ever so slowly resurfaces.......re-entering the blogosphere for the very first time in 2019; so here's our first quote to accompany us:  "Everyday is great -- it's a day extra."  [Jake LaMotta, boxer]

it's also the Day After the president's Oval Office address.  ooh rah 
must say -- he sounded a wee bit more mature  in this new year, if I'm not mistaken.  teehee

Talking about reaching maturity, whether individually or collectively, this girl is feeling sorta nostalgic on this rather bright and sunny Southern California day; so, on a whim,  a hit on the Day After, above, will link you to my very first blog! This being blog #974... from the serious to nonsensical, suffice it to say, this girl has covered a lot of ground over the last decade; just sayin'.

But oh to God be the Glory that I have lasted this long.  Day in and Day out, altogether it makes 2019 something of a celebratory year.  Traditionally, when referring to years of marriage, the anniversary is marked with gifts of tin or aluminum -- recognizing the resiliency and steadfastness required to make it thus far. So, to put this in perspective -- if this blog keeps producing 'til July 23rd -- I will have surpassed my marital devotion by a whole six months.   Now there's a new years resolution to write home about, eh?

So, on that note, and without any further dilly dilly or dally, let me link you to a wonderful breakdown of the president's Oval Office debut (you do know it was his first Oval Office address....right?)  This comes from my favorite group of patriots, @The Patriot Post; and it comes with a whole lot of common sense coming from Mark Alexander, himself, founder of The Patriot Post:


ALEXANDER'S COLUMN
The Humanitarian and Security Crisis on Our Border
A full analysis of Donald Trump's Oval Office address, as well as the Demo rebuttal


and if you have time, read Mark Thiessen's account, via Fox News: "Trump started the shutdown but Democrats are about to own it"


I do want to talk about the AOC, bouncing off a post from Leslie Marshall...but it will have to wait for it's own day.  It will need all of a day, and maybe then some; what a hoot. happy   new     year   to    me.

Maybe the world needs to be reminded about the way the real world works, and more important, how sometimes it doesn't -- as in, leading us into world wars, and other things that are not good.  For more on that, and giving you a third good read on the first day back in 2019:  READ THIS from IMPRIMIS -- Do We Need a Country Anymore?  by Larry P. Arnn, President of Hillsdale College.


THIS is what I like to call, just a good start.

happy new year
happy first blog #1
happy first Oval Office address
happy reading
happy United States of America
happy 2019 in every way
happy first day back blog #974

the end.

Make it a Good Day, G

It's Winter in America Thing

Dear America,

America's COLD CIVIL WAR

Charles R. Kesler

just read it. (yeah, that link in the heading....read it)

it explains nearly everything happening TO America...

it especially explains the current border invasion by the rather large group of disingenuous "asylum" seekers, under the organizing and cover of radical leftist groups...which is happening, as a crow flies, forty-five minutes from my front door

and ironically, it even explains what is happening outside of America....cue Paris.
And remember this!
We the People have a president with the courage to back out of that international climate change redistribution of wealth agreement (last year) and have, for the moment, saved hard working Americans from this kind of oppressive, misguided, taxation (all, except us Californians maybe....thanks to the latest proposition -- to reverse added gas taxes -- not passing...Prop 6)

Let's let Kesler say a few words --

Political scientists sometimes distinguish between normal politics and regime politics. Normal politics takes place within a political and constitutional order and concerns means, not ends. In other words, the ends or principles are agreed upon; debate is simply over means. By contrast, regime politics is about who rules and for what ends or principles. It questions the nature of the political system itself. Who has rights? Who gets to vote? What do we honor or revere together as a people? I fear America may be leaving the world of normal politics and entering the dangerous world of regime politics—a politics in which our political loyalties diverge more and more, as they did in the 1850s, between two contrary visions of the country.

Look folks,
when you have migrants storm a border, en  masse, THAT is not rational, thoughtful, respectful action, with intentions of full assimilation in the pursuance of immigrating to the United States of America, by any stretch of the imagination.  THAT is pure chaos, and they are even wearing repulsive t-shirts, and waving their home country flags, that prove it.

But here's a FLASHBACK that is most interesting, from 2013 -- um,  same behavior, same border, different president.

I love this part from Kesler --

Conservatives, by contrast, regard the individual as the quintessential endangered minority. They trace individual rights to human nature, which lacks a race. Human nature also lacks ethnicity, gender, and class. Conservatives trace the idea of rights to the essence of an individual as a human being. We have rights because we’re human beings with souls, with reason, distinct from other animals and from God. We’re not beasts, but we’re not God—we’re the in-between being. Conservatives seek to vindicate human equality and liberty—the basis for majority rule in politics—against the liberal Constitution’s alternative, in which everything is increasingly based on group identity.

indeed

We have rights 

because we’re human beings with souls, 

with reason, 

distinct from other animals 

and from God. 

We’re not beasts, 

but we’re not God—

we’re the in-between being.

love that

what's happening at the border looks a lot like action without soul, without reason, and quite indistinct from the actions of other animals....just sayin'

So if we won’t change our minds, and if we can’t change the subject, we are left with only three other ways out of the cold civil war. The happiest of the three would be a vastly reinvigorated federalism. One of the original reasons for constitutional federalism was that the states had a variety of interests and views that clashed with one another and could not be pursued in common. If we had a re-flowering of federalism, some of the differences between blue states and red states could be handled discreetly by the states themselves. The most disruptive issues could be denationalized. The problem is, having abandoned so much of traditional federalism, it is hard to see how federalism could be revived at this late juncture.

oh Kesler...this girl is right there with you...

And speaking of this girl, me, G -- I'm done giving you bits and pieces of something you should read in its entirety, all on your own.

oh wait, I like this part --  "Let us pray that we and our countrymen will find a way to reason together and to compromise, allowing us to avoid the worst of these dire scenarios—that we will find, that is, the better angels of our nature."

It's winter in America...and it came early.
brrrrrr  (yup just a totally unrelated link just to keep you on your frozen toes)

With regard to the days ahead....
will it be more      long      cold    civil    war?
Or, will we find a way to reason together?


k, now it's the end.

the end of this day in the life of an American Girl  is here.

And it's ending at the bottom of a deep chasm, suffocating in questions and chaos, with civility and compromise as elusive as the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel that never comes. We may as well throw in a groundhog telling us it will be six more weeks of winter before winter has even officially begun.

Make it a Good Day, G

It's a Day Under Par for the Common Good Thing

Dear America,

it's still summer; so that makes this summer composition numero tres.

#946

signing in.

did you happen to watch the golf this last weekend?
good stuff
good stuff

seems everybody loves a comeback, and that goes double if you're Winona Ryder (that reality only based on some hair commercial, by the way); but after Sunday, especially if you are Tiger Woods.

He was playing some goooood golf and almost pulled it off, too.

The greatest thrill, though, was just watching it.  In your heart, it felt as if the whole country was rooting for Tiger; it was as if this huge collective ovation was happening time and time again all afternoon long.  All the while, of course, Brooks Koepka kept his cool, his biceps in perfect formation, and kept on swinging in near anonymity...and after a long day's walk, took home the grand prize.  Even though all eyes were on Tiger, indeed, and that seemed fine and dandy for that fine specimen of eye candy. [oh wait, can I even say that these days...]

Still, it's a good day when you lose and still make over a million dollars...see the sweet list of dispursements here .  Did you see what I did there...I know, sometimes I even amaze myself. teehee....doink....oops I did it again....stop, G, just stop.

Thing is, I got to thinking about this idea of everybody loving a comeback....and it usually works, except if that "somebody" is the United States of America in the macro, at the swings of a Donald Trump in the micro.  That kind of a comeback is just ripe for creating pure, unhinged hysteria.

You would think -- and now, taking a moment to do what I do so swell....that being, thinking out loud and being just silly enough to put it in writing  -- that if things were happening that actually protect the common good....things like, improving the economy by merely taking command of it, getting more people (especially minorities) back to work, securing our Constitutional Rule of Law by adding a "purest" to the Supreme Court, and more recently, earnestly seeking out prison reform, and most importantly, following through on a campaign commitment to secure the border on behalf of National Security....that in the end, after a long day's walk, everyone would believe they wound up a winner.

For these are the things that are beneficial for the COMMON GOOD; the common good being, that which supports the health and welfare of the entire nation, as a whole -- and certainly not dissected into groups, led by activists, with, ironically, a penchant for destroying what the nation has in common from the ground up, actions of crazy, stupid, groundhogs notwithstanding.

We became known as the melting pot, because no matter who came to America and where they came from, they gave their allegiance to this country, this economy, this leadership, this common good and general welfare, and to this liberty; it is the kind of overarching liberty that could one day, potentially, hopefully, manifest all the happiness one could ever dream....albeit, EARN, fair and square, with a pencil and note pad to document it,  from a magical mixture of hard work, natural talent, time, and ambition, and just maybe, a college degree (and maybe not).

It is takes hard work to succeed in most anything; it takes honest to goodness time, toil, tenacity, and a certain tirelessness.  And that's just the hard truth.

Did you happened to have listened to Tiger being interviewed, not long after his long day's walk?  The first thing out of his mouth was his appreciation of the overwhelming amount of support surrounding him.  And it seemed sincere; after all that he's been through, he sounded mature...finally.  It's almost as if, during the first half of his career, he took much of it, and himself, for granted.  But now, he speaks like he has reached some deeper region of his psyche; that, after all he has done to get back on the greens, and to get his game back, to qualify each and every time, that he not only understands the complexity of his talent better, but is willing to bring that level of maturity and grace into play to finish his back nine, to see him finish his career as only a Tiger Woods could. 

And guess what, the people noticed.

It is impressive, to say the least.

In a long about illustrious way, Tiger is teaching the common good, by example. [eh hem priceless]

Perseverance when the going gets rough (badump ba) is not easy, but oh, how glorious it is to witness a fellow American making it back from what seemed like total defeat.

All of these thoughts are just winding around, over the hill, and across a wee pond, landing hard, into a hazard worth reading; it's found in the latest issue of IMPRIMIS, from Hillsdale College: Does Diversity Really Unite Us?  Citizenship and Immigration by Edward J. Erler.

So to double back....we are paying attention to the common good today...k
Yes, it all started with a little story of second chances, but hey, you should know G by now -- this is blog #946 -- and this is just how "just a girl" does DC and all that's connected to it; try to keep up.

Erler says,

In the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump appealed to the importance of citizens and borders. In other words, Trump took his stand on behalf of the nation-state and citizenship against the idea of a homogeneous world-state populated by “universal persons.” In appealing directly to the people, Trump succeeded in defeating both political parties, the media, political professionals, pollsters, academics, and the bureaucratic class. All these groups formed part of the bi-partisan cartel that had represented the entrenched interests of the Washington establishment for many years. Although defeated in the election, the cartel has not given up. It is fighting a desperate battle to maintain its power.

That,  in essence, explains everything, right?

going on, he adds this:

Progressive liberalism no longer views self-preservation as a rational goal of the nation-state. Rather, it insists that self-preservation and national security must be subordinate to openness and diversity...

and this:

In support of all this, we are asked to believe something incredible: that the American character is defined only by its unlimited acceptance of diversity. A defined American character—devotion to republican principles, republican virtue, the habits and manners of free citizens, self-reliance—would in that case be impermissibly exclusive, and thus impermissibly American. The homogeneous world-state recognizes only openness, devotion to diversity, and acceptance as virtues. It must therefore condemn exclusivity as its greatest vice. It is the nation-state that insists on exclusive citizenship and immigration policies that impose various kinds of restrictions.

and this:

Our progressive politicians and opinion leaders proclaim their commitment to diversity almost daily, chanting the same refrain: “Diversity is our strength.” This is the gospel according to political correctness. But how does diversity strengthen us? Is it a force for unity and cohesiveness? Or is it a source of division and contention? Does it promote the common good and the friendship that rests at the heart of citizenship? Or does it promote racial and ethnic division and something resembling the tribalism that prevents most of the world from making constitutional government a success? When is the last time we heard anyone in Washington talk about the common good? We are used to hearing talk about the various stakeholders and group interests, but not much about what the nation has in common.

oh there is a whole lot more to read...and it's all good.  But here, today, the day after Sunday, we -- I mean me, G, is speaking of the common good in all its glory.  You will just have to read the rest of Erler for yourself...perhaps in place of watching football right now...I mean, its only pre-season; who cares about that, right?

Though rich with contradictions and weaknesses, everything this president does is for the common good -- I believe that (not that it matters); his actions are what he considers to be best for all of us, together, standing united on the sidelines and from time to time maybe even witnessing something to cheer about (and sometimes not).  In simple terms, it's just part and parcel of every good come back story in the making, like reality TV but only better, because it really, truly, uncomfortably,  is as real as you can get.

America has had her share of moments that ain't too pretty, indeed.  But our roots, the fundamentals, the things we know to be true and just, with fairways that run long and wide and high and deep, are under our feet and running through our veins, from American to American.  And we are, still a sovereign nation, as of this moment....which is right about half past happy hour time, PST.

But, if I'm not mistaken, it is Trump carrying her clubs; and for that, I believe his experiences landed him into a time and place just waiting for him, as if destiny threw his name up on the board for one last ditch effort to make America great again, and again, and again.

Truth is, it is only the dividers and non-believers of our true American character and nature, that we should concern ourselves with, day in and day out.  The choice is rather apparent -- you are either for the common good or you are not; you are either for a united, homogeneous in American Spirit, commons, or you are not.

But let's end with a high flying nine iron, shot from the final tee, shall we?....America is abundant with examples of excellence in sports, and otherwise.  But this day goes to Tiger, my muse from Bellerive; you, sir, certainly gave this common girl something to blog about and more.

This is all I have to say, today.

the end.

Make it a Good Day, G

It's About the Threads that Bind Thing

Dear America,

 "Thus, what enables 

the wise sovereign 

and the good general 

to strike and conquer, and achieve things 

beyond the reach of ordinary men, 

is foreknowledge."

Sun Tzu

chapter thirteen

so, the good news --- even Alabamans recognized Roy Moore was a couple of nuts short of a fruitcake...whew.  we can all get a good giddy up for that, right?

that guy had no business representing the fine state of Alabama, let alone the Republican party; while the winner, Doug Jones -- oh he knows that he must represent the whole of Alabama, and that means the Senate has received a more temperate democrat than the far left norm.  He must also know, when he runs for re-election, he will be met with an entirely new set of conditions on the ground and the opposition will be fierce, ready with a commanding -- and far more deserving -- candidate.  [At least, a girl can hope.....G-zoo, what a whackadoo; and the Alabama  GOP better be moving in that direction, as of six months before yesterday., just sayin'.]

Let's go to Sun Tzu on this happy thursday morn...and get to more from his killer chapter on "The Use of Spies."

He rattles off "five classes" of spies....local; inward; converted; doomed; and surviving.  And goes on to say, "When these five kinds of spy are all at work, none can discover the secret system.  This is called 'divine manipulation of the threads.'  It is the sovereign's most precious faculty."

And this, "Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity...cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness...without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports."

And this, "The end and aim of spying in all its five varieties is knowledge of the enemy; and this knowledge can only be derived , in the first instance, from the converted spy.  Hence, it is essential that the converted spy be treated with the utmost liberality."

........."Spies are a most important element in war, because on them depends an army's ability to move."

Gosh, I love this sh*&  teehee.

What I am stuck on, though -- totally captivated in its intelligence and caught in its web  -- is that part when he articulates the sovereign secret: the "divine manipulation of the threads."  It takes a clear thinking leader to not only orchestrate the retrieving of information, but the experience and shrewdness to know what to do with it, to separate truth and lies and manipulation from the enemy within and without, in order to ultimately use the information to devise the proper response in a timely fashion and win -- be it just a battle or the whole dang war.

It takes a mind that is already three steps ahead of the enemy; it takes a disposition that does not show emotion, or the actual state of mind.  It is always thoughtful; always awake; always working, weaving the threads together into the magnificent weave of  war and peace.

A wise sovereign and the good general, Sun Tzu says, often and much...

This is my wish this Christmas.

For I'm missing that feeling of total confidence in this country's leadership (and mind you,  it has less to do with Trump, and more to do with the entire Republican party -- not to mention, just how dirty overall politics has become).  

I'm missing that feeling of total security, that those in charge are wise, are capable of recognizing that at their disposal are these long and sometimes twisted threads of intelligence, and is prepared to manipulate and move and make plays based upon the integrity of the information, and all with the greater good and sovereign nation as it's benefactor.

That level of enlightened leadership has come to America only a spattering of times:  under the nation's founding, under the leadership of our founding fathers; under the Lincoln Administration; under the Reagan Administration; and for a nano-second under the W Administration, just after 9/11.

With the rise of Identity Politics -- the Trump Administration will never be given a fair opportunity to fully lead the nation under the things that truly unite us all --  unlike the grace and latitude given to the Obama Administration, which in fact, resulted in a rather tyrannical force against our foundations right from its start.  And that is a shame.  A real shame; whatta sham.

[Proof...Just look at what they are capable of -- just look at how the Fake Dossier, Russian Collusion, the Clinton State Department, the Clinton Foundation, the FBI, the Justice Department's Special Counsel, the Obama Administration and its Deep State intrusion into the security of this new administration.....is being met with just more mainstream media in denial, more spies, more inside manipulation of the truth and lies, in order to protect the power of the Left.]

So this morning, my spies are telling me a couple of things:

The first:  America is in the middle of perhaps the most gravely essential war in over a hundred years -- that being the Left warring and DIVIDING AMERICA into itty bitty parts....standing on the front lines and headlines, one front after another, against the very things that have made America exceptional, and in no uncertain terms, pretty great (BT: way, way, Before Trump).

The second:  The Left waging war against the half of Americans who legally, and ethically, and systematically voted for Trump, for reasons The Left will never respect, let alone understand. 

Which brings me to my second Christmas wish -- that Santa brings President Trump a whole lotta foreknowledge.  Like huge.  Like, really big... Like, a lot.

All of this brings me to a little required reading for you today, a piece from Hillsdale College IMPRIMIS:  The Problem of Identity Politics and Its Solution by Matthew Continetti.  

Continetti lays it all out there, as if he knows a thing or two; he goes big and broad, just as our founders did, and would probably do today; he looks to America's common threads and higher purpose, and not to the things which carry the potential to disconnect us -- as the Left has done -- causing factions to rise up, only to bring harm against the very nature of the whole, the whole of who we truly are as a country, as a people.

The Left has spies everywhere, in every class, from the elite of Hollywood and Media and Politics, all the way down to the less-affluent community organizers; and manufactured, the final product is the stuff that made Obama into the leftist god he is today.  

But make no mistake: America --- in part or in whole --  has become enemy number one to The Left; according to their reindeer games and strategies the whole year through, America stands in the way of sugar plum dreams and globalist schemes. (...this day did begin on a fruitcake, doncha know) 

So, on that note, allow me to close with the very same close from Continetti, quoting Abraham Lincoln:

"We are not enemies, but friends.  We must not be enemies.  Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.  The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."

exactly.

And once again, THIS DAY, this G, goes full circle, taking a hold of each unique thread, each strand of pure intelligence, and then coming to a nice, tight, conclusive knot;  everything. and I mean everything,  comes back to "the better angels of our nature."  [In some circles, this is also widely recognized as a constant target and/or tool of leftist strategies far and wide (See also, Rules for Radicals).]

this day is about the beauty of threads that bind, not break; the threads that do not even resemble a broken candidate (like Roy Moore); the threads that together, infiltrate the enemy and return with knowledge, being the stuff required to strike and conquer, and achieve things 

beyond the reach of ordinary men....

....revealing the truth of who we are as AMERICANS, living securely, under "a wise sovereign and good general," under God, and in the company of "the better angels of our nature."

(touche, day; well played)

Make it a Good Day, G

It's a Fight for Harmony Thing

Dear America,

-- harmony -- 

by definition, is

"the combination of simultaneously 

sounded musical notes

 to produce chords and chord progressions 

having a pleasing effect."

this little tidbit of inspiration on the day comes courtesy of the Kerry Shook Ministry, as seen on TV just this past Sunday afternoon; Shook began his message, defining harmony, just before redirecting a string of relationship advice to couples experiencing conflict.  His point -- for harmony to actually happen,  each individual note must struggle, even fight, for it's voice to be heard and then blended into the whole.   It is through these subtle and not so subtle differences that we carry a tune, and, hopefully, make beautiful music -- whether we are talking a combination of two, or twenty two, or twenty million.  True harmony sings praises of our differences!

Isn't that something!

And this also calls to mind one of my favorite Coca-Cola commercials of all time...when in the seventies they had a cornucopia of humanity standing side by side, singing..."I'd like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony..." 

love love love

It would seem the world has forgotten how to do it -- you know, harmonize around our differences with a modicum of mutual respect and maybe, if we are really lucky, even a little bit of love.

Case in point on the day: THIS, featured on www.fortune.com. just yesterday.

Because it's so uber cool to hate Trump, this man-made plummeting of America's Global Image has now gone politically correct worldwide.  Oh color me surprised.

And now, how about we pause for a good chuckle, as also duly noted in the post comes this:

"Both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, with confidence ratings of 27% and 28% respectively, scored higher than Trump [22%]. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, with a confidence rating of 42%, scored highest among the four leaders in the survey."

So out of the 40,447 people polled  -- there is more confidence in either Putin and Xi to "do the right thing in world affairs" than in the guy elected by the American people, fair and square, to be the leader of the free world?  Seriously?  In an age immediately following the discovery of Putin allegedly interfering with an American election and a conniving President Obama doing nothing about it?  And a couple of communists -- representing countries guilty of human rights atrocities for centuries -- get a higher vote of confidence than the American businessman turned president, political lightening rod?  Really?

Where is the world wide contempt for Putin?

Surely, Trump knew his presidency would be met with some discord, but this is ridiculous.

ridiculous.

As The Left continues to harmonize only among themselves -- gathering up it's fair share of global governance comrades, college snowflakes, radical militants, and un-peaceful protestors large and small; and what remains to be seen is their complete inability to co-exist with any person, place or thing singing a different tune.  They don't want harmony one iota; if what you think or believe doesn't jive with the leftist and progressive agenda then they will simply aim to yell over you for as long as it takes, and with all hope, ultimately stomp you completely off the stage.

And heaven forbid we, the people, dare ask or even require complete assimilation into one American culture  -- e pluribus unum -- speaking one language, playing multiple instruments of various talents, appearing at a myriad of venues from sea to shining sea, and complete with each individual soul bearing it all, in duty and delight, with a certain reverence to the nation's foundation of God, Country and Family in perfect harmony.

It's a disgrace, really.

Much of the blame can be thrown directly into the direction of the conductor -- the mainstream media.  For shame, for shame.  The power to twist the truth, or forgo the truth altogether, has been turned into a modern day opera of ill repute.  The mad men and women who make up the leftist dominated journalists (80/20 ratio) are the true obstructionists, the collaborators perpetuating the on-going crime that defies their own profession while putting all Americans at risk and into harm's way.

If it's a fact that the country is split pretty much down the middle 50/50 upon leaning left or right, one just has to wonder, do these leftists really know us, their audience, at all?  What is to be gained by dismissing, drowning out, an entire half of the total supply -- half the chords are being silenced!  Where is the harmony in that?

For more on that view -- go here, to IMPRIMIS, as Michael Goodwin let's it rip.

Here's a really good part:

"Free speech is under assault, most obviously on many college campuses, but also in the news media, which presents a conformist view to its audience and gets a politically segregated audience in return. Look at the letters section in The New York Times—virtually every reader who writes in agrees with the opinions of the paper. This isn’t a miracle; it’s a bubble. Liberals used to love to say, “I don’t agree with your opinion, but I would fight to the death for your right to express it.” You don’t hear that anymore from the Left. Now they want to shut you up if you don’t agree. And they are having some success."

Oh to have that kind of mutual respect......and to simply agree to disagree; and then, taking it but one octave higher, in equal portion, "fight to the death for your right to express it."

Oh hallelujah, alleluia

and can I get an amen...

When coupled in a relationship, it is totally unrealistic to expect to agree on everything, let alone believe your partner is responsible to fulfill your every need; that would be what we call immature.  

And besides, where's the real harmony if one person in the relationship just gives in all the time, laying themselves down like a doormat over and over again, denying how they really feel, and leading to a situation where one day they simply walk away flat out broken?

So taking this idea large scale, just how in the world did America get here?

When did it become popular to shout down dissent?
When did it become cool to shut out opposing views?
When did it become uber-worldly by the uber wealthy elitists to decry and attack a sitting and standing and tweeting American president?  macron, anyone    or    merkel, anyone

The thing is, when it comes to all this disdain against President Trump --  what the world, these 40,447 people polled, and leftists don't understand, is that REAL Americans voted for him, in the same manner as real Americans voted for Obama, and every other president, to date.  And if this is an accurate assessment of the amount of hate of one man, in turn, it quickly becomes an accurate assessment of the measure of contempt against half the country.  That's a whole lot of hate.

It's a whole lot of immaturity.
It's a whole lot of unrealistic expectations.
It's a whole lot of selfishness without any concern of the needs of the other half.

Where is the harmony, if the clear and distinct note of tolerance -- one highlighting our differences in a manner that lifts co-existence to a tenor of no return -- is no longer sanctified in society?  If only a hundred years ago we were at war against Germany, is it all that inconceivable to arrive at an age warranting another civil war?  It's just a question.  How far will this obsession of obstruction and oppression, at the hands of The Left, go?

Whatever.  Bring it.  I am not afraid to fight like an American Girl....I will fight to the death for your right and mine, to speak and to sing as freedom rings.

and didn't really want to end on this note, 
but that's just where the music stops.

God bless America.

Make it a Good Day, G

It's Cornerstones of Liberty Thing

Dear America,

"...America has always been the land of dreams because America is a nation of true believers. When the pilgrims landed at Plymouth they prayed. When the founders wrote the Declaration of Independence, they invoked our creator four times, because in America we don't worship government we worship God. That is why our elected officials put their hands on the Bible and say, 'So help me God,' as they take the oath of office. It is why our currency proudly declares, 'In God we trust,' and it's why we proudly proclaim that we are one nation under God every time we say the pledge of allegiance. 

The story of America is the story of an adventure that began with deep faith, big dreams and humble beginnings..."

...Just a snapshot for the family album -- for more of the Trump commencement speech, @Liberty University.....hit this: May 13, 2017 .

So given it's Mother's Day, and given little miss gthang here just loves taking twists and turns with the news...doesn't  this soft curve in the commencement describe somewhat just how motherhood happens?  The triad of deep faith, big dreams, and humble beginnings align with a bang --  no matter how frightening the reality of being totally unprepared for such a big adventure may be; and no matter if the little pitter-patter of little matter was fully expected, maybe even planned, or not --  when that scrumptious little thing pops out, we step forward in faith one sleepless night at a time. [And no worries for the naysayers; God made it -- the creation process -- so natural and beautiful and wonderful, that even non-believers can do it, too...and isn't that brilliant and awfully gracious.]

For those of us who live and love and have our being through this kind of faith in God, we often compare it to building our house upon The Rock -- a foundation of principles, and precepts, and prayer, that was not only preordained in prophecy as written in the Bible, but with every brick and mortar and commandment kept, all these things combine to create the very cornerstone of our existence!  From the pilgrims to the modern day family, the story of America has grown 300 million strong, all in God's image, predominantly as a nation of believers (fact); and as Joel Osteen proclaimed just this morning, we should also recognize that each one of us is "God's favorite child."   For more of that good stuff, just go to sermon #725, "Knowing you are Loved."

But back to the family corner stone:  Cornerstones are essential -- for everything else depends upon planting that puppy correctly, right from the start.   It's supreme purpose is to anchor -- the longevity and security of something requires its unyielding existence and resistance to erosion; we are speaking of firm, unshakable, remarkable and indispensable, pillars of civilization kinds of things.

This goes to the heart of the profound and enlightened vision of our founders -- to co-create with God one sleepless night at  time, through a revolution and beyond.

And since today is all about mothers (fathers will have their day,all in due time my pretties), dare we agree that from the start -- the makings of faith, dreams, and humble beginnings begin to grow up, too, expanding ever so slowly into the roll,  revealing every unknown, with the same great American spirit that embraces risk and reward and all;  eventually, with a whole lot of luck, dexterity, and grace, crowning mom another family cornerstone becomes fit for a Hallmark holiday,  

Relating to all things household:   having the omniscience and omnipotence of knowing where everything is on any given day, from whipping up a splendid hot meal with nothing but leftovers and a well honed pantry, from having the capacity to understand the incomprehensible, to right the wrongs, and  even get a giggle in the most challenging of times, mama becomes the glue of everything and nothing within the confines of family.  In hindsight of my own childhood, even the little bit of yelling and the screaming could be strangely deemed something out of sainthood.  

[Just love this op-ed, Our Mothers As We Never Saw Them, from Edan Lepucki, in the New York Times.  Even though it's truly a good read, in full disclosure, my googly-eyed trance is more because my own girl sent me this link.  Being on opposite coasts this Mother's Day almost goes unnoticed with these feelings of connectivity and mutual appreciation bridging the miles and under-girding our bond ...how I love that girl so.] 

Just as President Trump noted,"[W]hen the founders wrote the Declaration of Independence, they invoked our creator four times, because in America we don't worship government we worship God,"   and thereby, the responsibility of teaching the nation's cornerstones, such as this, falls directly to the parent(s).  And having said that, even the First Amendment of the Constitution can only go so far -- for every generation must FIGHT for it --- taking the time to understand it, to respect it, to protect it, securing it six ways to Sunday, allowing it to fully permeate the hearts and minds of every American who comes along, believers and non-believers alike.  It is through this kind of process of citizenship by osmosis, that we celebrate being active participants who have a duty to be in the constant motion of elevating our virtues and passing it on to all we come in contact.  

It's a constant push, really; almost feels like it will never end.

It's like the most magnificent push ever....with the kind of strength and force only heaven could conceive, something unseen becomes known -- even given a name.   Hello, my name is First Amendment; hello, my name is America; hello, my name is Self-Reliance; hello, my name is Independence; hello, my name is FREEDOM OF Religion, middle name FREE EXERCISE THEREOF; hello, my name is Favorite, Exceptional, You Name It!  It's a fun game, isn't it... think a mom made it up when she ran out of Cheerios and there was still another 45 minutes of errands to run with two hungry mouths to feed and kicking and screaming in the backseat.

[ooooh which reminds of another good read...The Left's War on Free Speech, by Kimberley Strassel.  It is in April's  Imprimis from Hillsdale College.  The well researched narrative on how The Left intimidates and threatens and bullies its way through the world, from sea to shining sea, taking a jack hammer to the nation's cornerstones is only one aspect of it; the best part is how she begins -- telling a story from around her own dinner table.  so precious, so precious]

Just as nature and nurture begins with the Creator, let's be real -- in oh so many ways, the day to day operations are carried out on the backs and side hips of moms everywhere; and this just so happens to be one day out of 365 when we get to honor that.   And oh honey, your mama doesn't need a thing, I'll just make a sandwich or something and watch a little T.V. ;)

The thing is, a good and decent culture --  one that mirrors our Maker and is modeled after the examples given by our elders, one that teaches the finer points of America's exceptional foundation -- is built upon the cornerstones, one mama at a time, from generation to generation.  It's a rather simple operation if left free to be you and me.   And while fearing the boys within range are getting their fruit-of-the -loom's in a wad, let not your hearts be troubled -- when Father's Day arrives, this girl won't have to say much of anything --  just a sex change later and it's a  transcontinental goldenboy blog.  bada boom bada bing (teehee  I know -- sometimes, I even amaze myself.)

In closing, let's return to Liberty and one more thing from Trump:

I know that each of you will be a warrior for the truth, will be a warrior for our country, and for your family. I know that each of you will do what is right, not what is the easy way, and that you will be true to yourself, and your country, and your beliefs. In my short time in Washington I've seen firsthand how the system is broken. A small group of failed voices who think they know everything and understand everyone want to tell everybody else how to live and what to do and how to think. But you aren't going to let other people tell you what you believe, especially when you know that you're right.

amen to that.  amen to that.

And last, but not least, I love you, mama -- may my kisses cross the blogosphere and greet you, today and every day, for I AM nothing without you.

Make it a Good Day, G

It's an Intelligence and Insight Thing

Dear America,

"When we survey our lives 

and endeavors 

we soon observe that 

almost the whole of our actions

 and desires 

are bound up with

 the existence of other human beings."  

Albert Einstein

some time ago...an outfit called Liberty Guard (the founder and chairman, Congressman Bob Barr, retired), produced a pamphlet titled, "Hillary Rodham Clinton: A History of Scandal, Corruption and Cronyism" and the very first thing, was this:

"1)NEW YORK TIMES: ...Canadian uranium billionaire Frank Giustra and Bill Clinton flew to Kazakhstan together.  Giustra then landed a huge uranium mining deal.  Giustra donated $31 million and pledged another $100 million to the Clinton Foundation.  In 2010 a Russian company wanted to buy Uranium One, which had taken over Giustra's company.  The new Chairman of Uranium One, Ian Teller, secretly donated $2.35 million to the Clinton Foundation, which failed to report this money.  In June of 2010, Bill Clinton was paid $500,000 to deliver a speech in Moscow.  In October of 2010, the U.S. State Department under Hillary Clinton approved the sale of Uranium One to the Russian company.  The $135 million in donations the Clinton Foundation received from investors in Uranium One were never disclosed, violating Hillary's signed deal with the Obama administration.  Uranium is the essential element needed to make nuclear weapons.  Thanks to Hillary, Russia now controls 20% of U.S. uranium."

the full story can be found at New York Times, circa 2015, HERE.

Now, to the controversy, beginning with the letter to James Comey, former FBI Director:

Dear Director Comey: 

I have received the attached letters from the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General of the United States recommending your dismissal as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I have accepted their recommendation and you are hereby terminated and removed from office, effective immediately. 

While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the Bureau. 

It is essential that we find new leadership for the FBI that restores public trust and confidence in its vital law enforcement mission. 

I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors. 

Donald J. Trump.

The democrats are treating this as a constitutional crisis, when in fact, the president just got rid of the riff-raff...an act that is fully under the law as president of the United States; and further, an act that actually followed through with the wishes of the democrats, dating back to July 5th, at least. (And thank you, Mark Alexander for this post, @The Patriot Post, a place where true intelligence meets the day to day news with a courageous, authentic, patriotic, spirit and great insight --- with honors!)

The president stated in the letter, that there were three times when the former director, Comey, told Trump that he was NOT under investigation.

Now someone who should be investigated -- for canoodling with the Russians....and ....um....like, sending confidential top security emails via a personal email account AND using a personal unprotected server for her confidential State Department correspondence -- the very illegal server that even President Obama, himself, knew all about...and of course, there is the horror of developing an entire lie to cover up the Benghazi misstep at the State Department, after ignoring requests to beef up the security, which as we all know now, ended with the tragedy of losing four Americans.....hello? --- might just be Hillary, for Edgar J. Hoover's freaking sake.

As the president said --

"It is essential that we find 

new leadership for the FBI

 that restores public trust

 and confidence

 in its vital law enforcement mission."

Based upon polling just a little over a month ago, the truth is, Comey had an embarrassing 17% approval rate!  That is so pathetic.  GO to The Hill, here.

The thing is, what the people expect of the FBI, and really all entities designed to protect and defend the Rule of Law -- is an unbiased , law abiding, non-political, experienced body, that is being led by an unbiased, law abiding, non-political, experienced leader.

Comey became a liability the moment he began to step up to the mic, the second he said too much in the public arena, the instant he began to overstep his authority with the way he played with the truth and lies, and things known and unknown.

Trump could not fire Comey in July
-- he wasn't the president.
Trump could not fire Comey in November
-- he was merely the president-elect.
Trump could not fire Comey on day one
-- for he just didn't have all the information yet.

Trump waited to have the key information, in order to make the key judgement necessary,  from the man who would become Comey's direct boss -- which only happened two weeks ago -- Rod Rosenstein.  See HERE.   Hey, and even if it was not Rod's idea to begin with -- as rumors seem to say -- the president is the president, this is his call to make any way you want to shake it.

[You better click that link to Rod's recommendations; it says it all.  And it is very complete.  Don't even waste your time getting the account correct from CNN and Anderson Cooper; that is truly fake news.]

But clearly, it's like Trump was damned if he did and damned if he didn't; but nobody can deny that Trump waited to have all the information, and that's a good thing.  While The Left predicted his administration would be going nuclear at every turn, the truth is, his directives have been nothing but measured.  So, what, that's not attractive now just because it's Trump doing the doling out?    Seriously?

And another thing!  RUSSIA DID NOT EFFECT THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION.

Hillary was, and continues to be, the worst possible candidate for the democratic party -- possibly ever.  How many times do we have to go over this?  It says nothing, to say she got the popular vote -- concentrated mostly from two states, California and New York.  Why bother talk about it anymore; this is old news with fake news of Russian interference playing with the whole truth and nothing but the un-truth.  Hillary is really good at masterminding a story to cover a story to cover up something that is just gawd awful.  [The Liberty Guard pamphlet listed, like, fifty of em]

And really, if we were to spend any matter of time on this matter, the Podesta discovery -- apparently leaked by  wikileaks and the Russians...was pretty damaging all on its own.  The Donna Brazile controversy, the leaking of questions to the Clinton camp, dealt a series of serious self-inflicted blows....and you can just read this for all the dirty details.

But let's be real -- all these conversations and sneaky situations actually happened; it's not like the leaked emails were totally made up -- these were actual emails between the upper echelon of the Clinton campaign.  Is that the Russian's fault?  And just where, oh where, is the "needy latino" uproar, once that comment came to see the light of day?

There is a fascinating piece offered from Hillsdale College, it's monthly publication, Imprimis, which highlights a talk from Herbert Meyer in the February issue.  It may not have anything to do with Comey's firing, but it has everything to do with the timing and the gathering of intelligence, and what happens when we add experience and insight.

With a little luck, key judgement comes after asking the right questions; it becomes the proper response only after the gathering of information combines with experience and insight and ultimately paves the way to making a decision that changes everything.  This Comey firing is a perfect example.

In the same way, a case could be made that the American people gathered intelligence all on their own throughout the 2016 presidential campaign, in spite of, both candidates having their fair share of issues and controversy.  The bottom line is that Trump came out the winner and is the president of the United States.

This is key judgement; the reason this is key judgement is because the United States of America is still a republic--  the intelligence and insight of the masses came together and made Trump the victor. End of story.

We will know how serious this president is about the Rule of Law once we see his pick...
and it goes without saying, this will be a chance for Trump's "intelligence and insight" to properly meet and make good on his intentions, on behalf of the American people.

In the meantime, this is not a good day for America, for it illuminates just how wide and deep personal and political bias frames the news of the day -- mainstream media, and much of the cable news networks, are coming unhinged, being completely out of touch with where most Americans truly stand on Comey's Bureau worthiness, and all but ignoring what the democrats as a whole were saying about Comey...that is, up until May 9th.

Rod Rosenstein made quite clear a set of recommendations to the president; the president took that intelligence to heart and mind, adding a wellspring of his past experiences and insight -- a culmination of years of working with people from all over the globe -- to shape his final decision.

My final recommendations:  Let's move on.  Given that all critical/favorable eyes will be upon whoever the next FBI Director may be, let's get on with it!    Let's start over!   [And may that person also have the back bone to investigate Hillary all over again, starting with the Clinton Foundation, then scaling the open borders of Benghazi, and finally delving into the deep space storage and transmission of confidential intelligence, amid an illegal private server, adding up to innumerable felonious acts while Secretary of State.]

Make it a Good Day, G

It's Just One Child of God to Another, and another, and another, Thing

Dear America,

"Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles....They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator -- who is forever praised.  Amen."  Romans 1:22-23, 25

Living in a spirit of gratitude is the evidence that God is working inside us; and what God wants most of all (according to my imagination, anyway) is to be good people, reflecting the love of God in our daily lives, and to meet each day full of the Holy Spirit -- giving thanks, giving back, giving freely of our time and talent and wealth in the purpose of doing  every good in thought, word, and deed.

America began with this sense (and sensibility) of good self-government at the heart of all things, seen and unseen.

Our first thanksgiving was entirely, openly, lovingly grateful, and clear; it was all about giving great thanks to God, without exception.  The first settlers, Pilgrims -- the ones who survived, anyway -- spent three days glorifying God and giving thanks for being alive, alongside their newfound friends, the native Americans of the Wampanoag tribe.

Since little old Gthing essentially skipped over Thanksgiving without skipping a beat, here is a wonderful piece from one of my favorite places for inspiration -- Hillsdale College, Imprimis publication:  Thanksgiving and America, by Melanie Kirkpatrick.

Following our national holiday celebrating the bounty and glory of life, love, and family -- the nation is swept right into the Christmas, complete with Black Friday matters and Cyber-Monday.

It is immediately after that, America spins a weave of gift giving and charity, creating the first Tuesday after Cyber-Monday as Giving Tuesday, calling upon all of us to spend a moment giving back to a higher purpose under heaven.  It's these kinds of things -- the generosity of time and talent and abundance and grace -- that has always been a cornerstone of American life.  Birthed from our Judeo-Christian roots that conceivably date all the way back to 1621, for America's foundation was built upon a rock of faith.

All of our founding documents were inspired and made manifest through the Holy Spirit, through the tireless works of a whole bunch of enlightened men, who consciously glorified Divine Providence itself, both in word and deed, while in the governance of creating America's political system.  Entire townships centered around faith, family and the fellowship of countrymen, as we set our sights upon a new way to live and prosper.   While the origins of all of the Ivy League colleges grew from the pulpit, literally and figuratively,  each new generation that flowed -- whether from distant shores or from within --  continued in the safe keeping of a certain reverence towards heaven and the things of God.

Sunday's message from a local preacher, Dr. David Jeremiah, noted that a gift is not a gift until it is accepted.   Going on to remind us of what the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8 --

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

So one thing is for certain -- to be saved, we must ACCEPT the gift of God in pure faith and be on the side of God, and be counted as one of the believers (not a denier...teehee); and second, it is not about what we do or what we give at all -- because THAT is just what is expected of you, being  a child of God and all.  Isn't that beautiful.

Indeed, and can I get an hallelujah!


Boasting -- the prideful self indulgence of gloating of the good works we sometimes do -- is a big fat no no.  Which is why, traditionally, churches and organizations centered around a certain faith do the work quietly, unseen, from one soul to another, nearly in secret.  These kind of things go on every day in America, with or without an official declaration by name, like "Giving Tuesday."   That's child's play, right?  Although, come to think of it, Sunday's round of football games, calling attention to the players cleats, did make my heart skip across about ten yards to a first down.  Well done, NFL, well done.

Dr. David Jeremiah also told the story of Lew Wallace, author of Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.  As it has become widely known, Lew set out to write the story coming from a place of "indifference" towards religion, and God.  And yet, after his research and the incredible devotion of time and toil, his faith in God moved from an awkward indifference to a downright conviction -- as he writes in the preface of another book, The First Christmas:From "Ben-Hur"!

[Dear Santa:  that would be a lovely thing to find under the tree]

The thing is, this girl feels that our nation's foundation needs some work.

We've essentially lost that loving feeling towards the Almighty; and me thinks it has much to do with the conscious extinguishing of so much of our religious heritage, the traditions of faith we once lived by, and made learned, and certain, and just part of our daily life with a conviction to the likes of Lew. Hence, the life-lessons of the truth and consequences of a higher dimension upon us, that which we are learning on the fly as the days go by.  Only Divine Providence knows which way this story ends (well, unless you count the little birdie of a thing called Revelations).

But for certain, this is something that everyone must tackle on an individual basis -- and besides, who am I to call attention to it, but another soul who struggles with keeping in relationship with God all on her own.  Just a girl is imperfectly pretty and pink, though lives each day simply striving to be a better girl then the day before, that's it, that's all.

Now speaking of girls -- mine is coming home for Christmas soon.  It's been a long wait, these six months while she has gallivanted and schooled herself through South America.  One thing is for sure, these days ahead are full for me -- overfloweth, really; just never know when this thing called G will show up again...

That, and the knowing that this girl is purposefully planning on placing politics asunder until the new year....oh joy to the world!

So until we meet again, in spirit, and in everlasting peace....

Make it a Good Day, G

It's Can We All Behave Thing

Dear America,

so Colin (and a teammate Eric Reid) kneeled during the national anthem last night, here in San Diego; which is far better than sitting on the bench, right?  Either somebody got to him to straighten out a wee bit -- or -- something deep down inside him made him tweek his stance in order to meet America half way.  And this girl considers that, a good start. 

Not only did he kneel, but he also said this after the game:

 "I'm not anti-American. I love America," said Kaepernick, who stayed on the field long after the game to sign autographs for enthusiastic fans. "I love people. That's why I'm doing this. I want to help make America better, and I think having these conversations helps everybody have a better understanding of where everybody is coming from."

Speaking of the American Huddle of yesterday's blog, we can all appreciate that, right; for surely we didn't get this love of country message upon his first anthem protest.

So let's then continue the conversation.  It's what Colin is asking for and that's easy enough...to talk about it, right?

If we look to having "a better understanding of where everybody is coming from," then everybody is everybody.  So props to Colin for giving us all permission to discuss it.

And considering Colin voluntarily became a catalyst of this new found freedom of expression against oppression of our time  -- a time when  grassroots activism called "Black Lives Matter" has become all the rage, raising awareness of police brutality against people of color, highlighting how many in the black community consider this an illustration of the continued oppression against blacks in America -- leading many, like Colin, to outright disrespect the flag for which she stands until
such change comes.

And it makes me wonder -- what does that change really look like, how do we get there from here, given the facts surrounding the whole truth about this alleged oppression by police within the black community?  At what point will Colin believe we have reached resolution?

As Heather Mac Donald pointed out -- in the Hillsdale publication, Imprimis, April 2016  (See  my early summer blogs on this in particular....here and here; might I add, this issue of Imprimis is gaining alot of mileage on the old gthing...we can't seem to stop bringing it up....funny how a little truth goes far, but I digress.) --

"We have been here before.  In the 1960's and early 1970's, black and white radicals directed hatred and occasional violence against the police.  The difference today is that anti-cop ideology is embraced at the highest reaches of the establishment:  by the President, by his Attorney General, by college presidents, by foundation heads, and by the press."

As Heather illuminated with statistic after statistic, we have reached a new age for modern America, and it just so happens to take us backwards --  having reached a time where violence against the police has doubled during the first three months of 2016, and in it's more minute expression, an age of sitting during the national anthem on the sidelines of America's favorite past time.

More Heather:

"Given the history of racism in this country and the complicity of the police in that history, police shootings of black men are particularly and understandably fraught. That history informs how many people view the police. But however intolerable and inexcusable every act of police brutality is, and while we need to make sure that the police are properly trained in the Constitution and in courtesy, there is a larger reality behind the issue of policing, crime, and race that remains a taboo topic. The problem of black-on-black crime is an uncomfortable truth, but unless we acknowledge it, we won’t get very far in understanding patterns of policing."

You know, Colin -- if you care about understanding the larger reality of black on black crime -- you should consider reading what Heather Mac Donald has to say; matter of fact, I wish you had, back in April, perhaps then this whole phase might look a whole lot different by now, right?

And shocking! --  and surely, Colin,  you will concur -- is the truth of violent crime committed in America's 75 largest counties...From data compiled in 2009, Heather notes:  "blacks constituted 62 percent of all robbery defendants, 57 percent of all murder defendants, 45 percent of all assault defendants—but only 15 percent of the population."

and while this isn't a statistic anyone in the black community wants to talk about, the ugly truth of what's happening within the black community must also understand what the black community does to itself:

"Every year, approximately 6,000 blacks are murdered. This is a number greater than white and Hispanic homicide victims combined, even though blacks are only 13 percent of the national population. Blacks are killed at six times the rate of whites and Hispanics combined. In Los Angeles, blacks between the ages of 20 and 24 die at a rate 20 to 30 times the national mean. Who is killing them? Not the police, and not white civilians, but other blacks. The astronomical black death-by-homicide rate is a function of the black crime rate. Black males between the ages of 14 and 17 commit homicide at ten times the rate of white and Hispanic male teens combined. Blacks of all ages commit homicide at eight times the rate of whites and Hispanics combined, and at eleven times the rate of whites alone."

So when Colin wants to have this conversation, can we include this reality hiding in the shadows on the field?

It is interesting that Colin -- with tats of Bible verses up and down his hot bod -- wasn't so vocal until he met his new girl.  A year of indoctrination by dating later,  the influence of a beautiful Muslim activist upon this all American football heavyweight  heart is showing. Ahhh yes, love, that explains it -- for the love of pete; Colin's love of country is all asunder, dying a slow death under the fog of real love, impressing upon him a certain and rampant oppression undermining the general welfare of blacks in America...all for no reason at all and totally unwarranted, it would seem.

And let's veer another direction, shall we?  It's just popular to hate the flag altogether.  When did that start?   hummm

indeed

circa 2008.  What I see is the president (then, merely a senator) being the only one not crossing his heart.  Can we talk about that?

With regard to the popular email chain that depicts the President speaking to the press without a flag anywhere close by, let alone right behind him, as customary (circa 2010)-- Snopes gives cover like so:

"Although it is typical practice that U.S. flags are present as a backdrop whenever the President of the United States speaks to the press or engages in other types of public appearances, such displays are not always present. Due to other factors (e.g., an event's nature, or its being impromptu, its being held at an unusual location) an opportunity to set up U.S. flag backdrops may be missed or skipped, or flags may be present but simply not visible in the camera angles used by photographers, so it's not hard to turn up photographs of the other recent Presidents referenced above addressing the press with no U.S. flags visible anywhere..."

and then proceeds to show some pictures to back them up.

Only problem is, in this scenario -- and any other press conference inside the White House -- there really is no excuse not to have a flag stationed behind the President.  I mean, how hard is that?  Why would the flag ever have to move from behind such a podium?

And then we have, from more recent days, what happened in New York, in the small town of Poughkeepsie -- fire department told to take the flags down, until the public outcry!  How is this even possible in America today?

And here's a fascinating change of allegiance....see infowars on PS75.  OR how about this new Florida law...here.

Something is afoot, America.

And looking high and low, it seems to be the American flag.

If working from the premise that dissing/removing all flags, from all countries guilty of oppression and wrong doing against its people, and perhaps casting a wider net to include all countries fraught with government abuses, deception, corruption against the general welfare -- starting with America --  is not only appropriate, but a mandate for political and cultural retribution  especially on behalf have racial injustices and inequalities -- then what flag in all the world would be left flying?  What flag would be left worthy of any salute?

In light of what is actually happening on the streets in America, where is the logic behind allowing the current strife within desecrate the flag as if it stands for nothing good at all?  Isn't that extreme?

When it gets down to it, isn't Colin capable of having this conversation, while he says he "loves America" and still salute the flag?  Why does he opt to go all in with showing his disgust, his disrespect, rather than his love?   Especially now -- now that's it's done, now that he's made his point, now that the conversations are happening all over the world -- why does he continue to hold out until he sees the change?

And NOW, folks,  we are back to where we began.

The thing is, just how do we get to resolution when we begin with the actual truth, the facts and stats, clearly conflicting with personal bias?

What does the change that Colin so badly wants to see look like, act like, if it's not the outright demand that all Americans behave themselves, no matter the color of their skin or station in life, whether wearing a badge or not?  Behave!

Wouldn't that be the answer?

Forget about the meme contemplating can we all just get along -- how about we all behave ourselves and go about our days simply doing the right thing for the right reasons with the right attitude.

Is that asking too much?

....that all of us in America just follow the fricken law and stay out of trouble from the start....to go to school and get an education...to stay out of gang life....to honor our mother and our father...to honor our children and be good parents...to only use our guns for self-defense, and only at the last resort, and keep our guns under lock and key and away from our babies...
don't drink and drive...don't steal...don't kill...don't lie -- and that goes especially to yourself...

yeah, let's begin by looking at the whole truth --  for the fact remains, the whole duty and responsibility to behave lies upon each and every one of us, to God and to country, every single day.

When we tackle that, we all win.

And then there is this parting thought....
This girl would have to believe that if Colin had trouble at his million dollar home, he would call the police, right?  But would they hurry or take their time now that he wears pigs wearing police hats on his socks?  hummmm


Well well well we have talked and talked today.  And what a conversation, right?
Thank you, Colin -- for if not for your actions, this little snap chat would have been about something else this week.  spring up, oh well!

happy friday, everybody

Make it a Good Day, G