What in Blue Blazes?!?




I'm getting ready for a two week trip with my brother(Carl) and his hiking buddy(Lee) on the Appalachian Trail.We gave it a practice run on an eight mile(+) loop on the Buckeye Trail at West Branch,Ohio.

 



It was a tad muddy.



Carl & Lee.

Me

One of the many many spider webs we found along the trail.



Like a mirror...notice the Blue Heron nests in the background.



Beautiful road walking.

Baron,the dog.

A steep down.

A really big tree.

Walking the high line.



I couldn't resist.Last,but not least,here is a beaver shot.



Thoroughly Modern Millie

Last weekend,our highschool put on the fantastic play,"Thoroughly Modern Millie".It was supreme.The BHS put on a magnificent production :Great singing;terrific acting;great costumes;fun dancing;A LIVE ORCHESTRA,professional sound and lights,and -of course-the wunderful sets...designed & created under the tutelage of my beautiful and talented wife,Robyn.What a positive outstanding musical

Mitt Romney Believes In The Total Eradication Of All Christians In America

  I have talked before about the importance of the separation between church and state.As a Christian and as an American,I believe the very fabric of our nation depends on this notion.The Republican candidates each claiming to be holier than thou is a good example why this is true.

 Here lies the danger.With each candidate proposing to be closer to God,we come closer to having a despot king.

Here's why.

The reason our founders did not want a king-in fact-were so afraid of a king,is that kings can have absolute power.

The way most despots become king is to claim that they and only they,via God's authority,have the right to be king.How else can they be king other than by God's will?God's grace falls more on these rich and the powerful men because God loves them more.This is why they become king.Because they have a better 'in' with God,They are God's mouthpiece.The arm of God.Thus,it can be said,once they become king,they can claim to be God.

Of course,the saying,'absolute power corrupts absolutely',is given full meaning in this falsehood.No man,except Jesus, is God.To claim so is craziness.Thus leaders-claiming religion only to suit their needs,become despots...This is why in America,we rejoice in the claim that all men are created equal:that we will have no king.We are all for one,and one for all,in this together.We will not accept any king's 'state run religion'.We will shout for the separation of anything that will create such a despot.We will believe[or not believe] as we so choose.There will be no government run church.We will be free men.Created equally.

This is why,until recently,candidates ran as if our democratic,republic was their main reason for their running for office.They ran to serve the public.All of the people.

 But,now,since Rick Santorum,Mitt Romney and there ilk seem to be using their faith as a springboard to kingdom come...er..the presidency,I feel I am on fair ground bringing their religion into play.

 Mitt Romney believes in the total eradication of all Christians in America.

This is not conjecture.This is not name calling.This is one of Mitt Romney's fundamental religious beliefs.

 The media tends to point out  that The Mormons-The Church Of Latter Day Saints-have a few quirky differences in their dogma that few of the rest of us believe.That Mormons-if they are good-can end up,upon their deaths,ruling their own planet.That they can baptize the dead of other religious denominations into their Mormon faith.That they can wear sackcloth garments under their clothes.And,in order to be married in Heaven,they can  be sealed in the Mormon Temple first.

I have heard different LDS'ers argue against all these points.

What,however,I have never heard any Mormon argue against,what,in fact,every Mormon believes,is this:That all of the Christians that lived in the ancient times of America were wiped out.Totally annihilated.All remnants of their existence destroyed.

 Except,of course,The Golden Tablets.

 But this is the chosen land. The land of Divine Providence God's country. How can this be? Is it possible?

 No.But why not?

Because of our Declaration Of Independence. Because of our Constitution. These documents-some say-inspired literatures-were written by our founding fathers.They guarantee freedom and justice for all.Freedom from despots.Freedom from kings.Freedom from a government that forces its faith upon those that do not choose to worship its way.

Do we really need-or want-men proclaiming to know God better than you and me-trying to get our votes?Are we really searching for God Kings?Do we really want to go down that road again? As a God fearing American,I say thee:NAY! I need no man to order his supposed God's will upon me.Do not dare tell me it is God's will to attack a country when it's your own.Do not pretend to be king,and that your decision is based on His will instead of the people that voted you into office! If you truly love and fear Our Lord,honor our country and the rules it iss governed by.

Lead!Don't Mis-lead!

With liberty,and justice for all. .

Mitt Romney: Mormon Moron or Just Huge Hypocrite

Ok,watch the video first(sorry about the commercial and having to click on the link):







This is decent clip.Mr.Romney speaking his mind...voicing his opinion.Being against governmental intrusion on religion is a no brainer...right?!?


Well...no.


Mitt Romney is either a moron on Mormon history:His own family's history,or he is a huge hypocrite pandering to voters-ok--mis-leading voters-to get elected.


Way back in the day,the Mormon church felt so strongly about making the Utah territory a state that without United States approval,they formed their own state.


The United States was strongly against this proposition,so strongly in fact,that they began a secret war against the powers that be:The Mormon Church.


Push came to shove.The government of The United States proclaimed that Utah would never become a state as long as the Church of Latter Day Saints followed the practice of polygamy.Though the church felt so adamant about polygamy that they sent a group of missionaries to Mexico to continue the practice,they capitulated to the government of the U.S.of A.,and Utah became a state in 1896.


Is Mitt Romney ignorant of his own family's history?Of his church's?Or is he saying that America was wrong to enforce it's views on religion,then,as well as now?If the third option is his choice,then what does that say about his beliefs?His own church was willing to bend-you could say change-it's rules and capitulate on matters most would argue are far more intrusive then birth control for employees.Why should he not be equally inclined to allow the government of the people by the people for the people to demand compliance to it's established laws?


One would also have to ask if Mr.Romney would be so compassionate for all religions and their rights to to proclaim religious law over American civil laws.Would Mr.Romney argue for the right of a religion to chop off the hand of any person that caught stealing-even those not of that religion?Hanging people for smiling to the wrong person?Crucifying someone for performing miracles?


America must have the separation of church and state.When we separated from England,king George was not only just the king,but he was also the head of the Church of England.It is one of the fundamental reasons we fought against the British and why we so strongly hold the right of no governmental sanctioned religion.We are against oppressive omnipresent demigod kings.America believes ,'That All Men Are Created Equal'.


Governmental laws must trump religious laws,just as federal laws must trump state laws.Granted,this is a fine thin line.Religious rights and states rights,for the most part,must be left to these individual organizations.But,just as if you are receiving governmental funds,you must play by their rules and regulations to incur them,so must you play by the laws of our great country in order to incur the most out of its benefits.


'Live Free Or Die',is not just a Tea Party catchphrase,it must be the spirit all of us,as Americans,should live by.As our friends to the right are so fondly of saying,'Freedom Isn't Free'.


For Mitt Romney to spout that he will get rid of governmental influences shows that he has no grasp on his own past,let alone that of America's.Do we really want a glorified money launderer as president,or do we need a commander in chief?


You decide.I have.

Republicans Adding "In America" To The Lord's Prayer.

Hippocratic sources from deep within the Republican National Committee speaking on conditions of anonymity are here quoted as stating that both Mitt Romney & Newt Gingrich are campaigning to add the words,"In America",to the Lord's Prayer.

"Yes,it's true,"stated our sources.One source went even further,"The 'Pledge Of Allegiance' was meant to be a statement of allegiance to the United States of America.This repetitive enunciation may have been all well and good for the school children to stand up and state every morning during both World War I & II,But the fact is,we needed to win those wars.Saying the pledge every day guaranteed loyal citizenship.

"But,let's face it,"continued the RNC source,"Without,"Under God," to divide "One nation indivisible,"the pledge is just liberal heathen banter."

Both candidates-according to our multiple sources- claim that the idea of adding ,"In America,"to the Lord's Prayer as being their idea.

"Mitt feels adding,"In America," to the prayer would show him to be the more Christian candidate.No one loves Jesus and America more than Mitt.Mitt plans to be the first Mormon to rule a planet before dying.Becoming the leader of the free world is very important to him."

Meanwhile,the Gingrich camp is just as adamant that the ,"In America" idea came from Newt,"It just seems like a good fit,"Gingrich is claimed to have said via our sources,"There may have to be a separation of church and state,but the idea that the state and the church have to be separate is not only ludicrous,but plain out unAmerican."

Strangely,the placement of the words,"In America," inside the prayer is not the issue holding up the "In America" Lord's Prayer annoucement,but an ideological difference on which version of the prayer to use."I don't care which version is used,"Newt is said to had stated,"But it has to appear that I care."

Mitt,on the other hand,doesn't want to appear too concerned either,"Newt has to come to me on this issue.I am the Protestant,after all."

                                                      The New GOP In America Lord's Prayer

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done In America,on earth,
And as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
[For thine is the kingdom,

The power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.]

Amen.

The Hyppocratic Party will have more on this story as soon it becomes avaliable.

A Great Speech From A Great Man

 Hurray!Adam & Marissa got engaged!You are such a cute couple-just made for each other!May you  have a long and wunderful marriage that is blessed by God & family.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

A Drew 102 Repeat:An Open Letter To Go Comics

This post was orginally published Sept. 18,2006.

First off,I am a BIG Bob Dylan fan.I have been one since way back in high school when my brother,Greg,got a couple of his greatest hits albums,and we played them over and over.In College,Dylan was touring for his 'Saved' LP.He only sang the songs from his newer religious stuff{from 'Saved' and what I consider his best album of all time,'Slowtrain'},and he was GREAT.To this day,I say his concert at The Akron Civic Theater was one of the very best concerts I have ever been to.IT IS the only concert that I have ever been to where after they had already turned up the house lights,people kept cheering:AND HE CAME BACK OUT TO PLAY SOME MORE.I like Bob Dylan so much that when I found out that my boys liked lyrics that mattered,I recently burnt them a CD of some of his better stuff.Now,I have my kids singing 'Hurricane Carter' back to me.WoW!good stuff.

I know you have heard that all good artists,borrow from other artists,and that great artists steal.And I also know you probably have heard of Milton Berle saying that he,'knows a good joke when he steals one',but Bobby on his new CD,'Modern Times',takes stealing to a new level.

Maybe,I should be writing this post after I have actually purchased the CD,but this post isn't about the music(the lyrics,in part-maybe-but not the yet,as unheard of by me,music).

This post is about Bob's thievery.

The CD title is itself a rip-off of Charlie Chaplin's movie of the same name.The CD cover art,is the same 1947 photo (Taxi,New York Night,by Ted Croner)that appears on an EP by a band called Luna.It is on their 1995 'Hedgehog' release.Not only does Mr.Dylan take credit for writing a 'traditional' song called,'Rollin' and Tumblin',but,as you can see from above,that at least four of his songs have almost identical lyrical word usage as the 19th century poet,Henry Timrod.
Wowzer!Each of these things separately could be considered as borrowing unintentionally.But put together....man....it seems like Bobby boy had to be doing this on purpose.
In these days of constant sampling,is this really that bad?I think so.But could Bob Dylan's intent-simply by doing all this-be his social commentary on today's society?Or is that just a too easy of an excuse that I am willing to give to him because I enjoy his music?
Either way,I just know I am going to get the CD.And,in spite of myself,probably like it.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

You May Be A Redneck..Tea Party Version Pt III

You may be a Tea party Redneck If...


...you think the "Honkies For Herman " bumper sticker is funny,but not racist.

...you think the sexual harassment charges against Herman Cain are funny and made up,but condemn Penn State,because Penn State involved defenseless children,but Herman Cain involved adult women who should have known better.

...umm,third is..umm.

...you believe the Wall Street Occupiers should be jailed,while the Tea Party demonstrators are proud Americans.

...you think McCain is a fast food pizza joint.

...you think it's OK for CEO's to make 300 plus times more than their average employees and then blame the said employees for making too much money for their companies to compete in America.

...you believe Mitt Romney belongs to a cult,but you will vote for him anyway if your party can't find someone better.

...you believe a straight out lie from your candidate if it gives you a chance to give it to the other guy.

Frog Applause

Just a reminder that Frog Applause is an awesome comic strip.Of course,I love 'this' one:

Replacing The Ten Commandments

As both an American and as a Christian,I believe that God is the divine providence that blesses America.However,one of the major things that I believe that helps keep America great is our God given right to believe[or not believe] as one sees fit.

What America does not need is a force claiming to be the welding arm of God,nor one that then forces this power on the American people against the American people's will.

This,in my opinion,has more to do with following God as one chooses more than disarming,destroying and/or forcing God out of America.For I believe you can not extinguish God out of America any more than you can extinguish God.

Is God any less because someone states that God does not exist?No.Mankind could vanish or learn to totally ignore God,and God would still be the creator of all things.

This is why America is so great.We acknowledge the divine providence that is God.God is on our money.We swear by God in our courts.We live as though God is providing for us.In this way we give thanks and praise.

But by forcing faith on those whom choose not to believe as we do,we open a Pandora's box against ourselves that we can not easily close.For,who are 'WE'?

By forcing claims of faith upon the people of America,how are we as Americans to know whether we are following the will of our Lord or the excess's of man?

I could prophesize to you or you to me.Do you baptise me as a babe,or I you as a willing adult?Do we drink real wine or grape juice to share in the blood of Christ?Soon,we are no longer free in the message of the good news,but muddled down in which rules and regulations we are to follow.Next,we are arguing if we should even be following the rules and laws or relying on the grace and mercy of God's will.

This nit picking of intolerance gathers steam into a those who are not with us are against us tirades.Our strongest strength,the strength of God is whittled down to the choosing the chosen few.Divine providence is no longer over the whole land,just mine,or yours.

While belief in God is worth fighting for,we end up fighting against the very thing we already have.The right to believe the way we so choose.

Therefore,only by keeping the church and state separate can America keep God's providence over the land.By fighting for the right to believe[or not believe] as we each personally choose,we truly allow for each person to keep God utmost in their hearts and souls(if they so chose to do so),thus we increase God's hand upon the land.

For our faith comes from God.Not man.

This is way I am against the Ten Commandments being posted on City,State or Federal property.

Much has been written about this[read this and this] position.Suffice it to say that there is not just one Ten Commandments in The Bible,not only even these two versions [Exodus 20:1-17 & Deuteronomy 5:1-21 ],but a third lesser used version that is the only one that actual claims to be the Ten Commandments[Exodus 34:15-28]!Complicating things,different faiths have different opinions on how these commandments are divided up,and different versions of the Bible state them differently.

Not only that,but only when the Hollywood movie mongol Cecil B. DeMille got together in 1955 with the F.O.E.(Fraternal Order Of Eagles) did the Commandments actually become a traditional  display on State and Federal grounds [read here ].

Despite all this,the best argument against posting the commandments on public property is that they are virtually universally ignored and send no message except that these are laws which few choose to follow.It is only the arrogant piety of a selected few that would hypocritically even want to post these.

Before I am stoned by the masses,let me go through as far as a need be to to explain my position.I am not against the Ten Commandments.As a Christian I see the need for them.However,as a Christian,I don't see them as being the most Christian of doctrines,or the need for them to be posted everywhere.I intend to go through the commandments,state my case,and then,as a Christian offer an alternative more in line with the Christian message.

I will use the Ten Commandments found on the F.O.E. monuments.

#1:Thy Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me...Jesus said,“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Jesus also said,‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Of all the Ten,this seems the commandment most people tend to follow.Yet,how many of us-at least at times-put our jobs,or other factors before God?And doesn't Jesus appear to be discounting the rest of the Ten by saying all the rest of these laws are based on loving God and our neighbors as ourselves?

#2:Thy Shall Not Make To Thyself Any Graven Images...The cross-alone-could be considered a graven image.But paintings,Statues,even movies such as 'The Ten Commandments' could also foot this bill.In a bit of irony,monuments of the commandments could even break this commandment.

#3:Thy Shall Not Use The Name Of The Lord God In Vain...OMG!We are all very lax in this to the point of absurdity.

#4:Remember The Sabbath Day And Keep It Holy...The Biblical passages[Exodus 20:8-11] goes into much more detail about this.No work at all!None!Jesus cured on the Sabbath.If Jesus negated this  commandment...why are we so adamant about about it?And not many Christians are.This is the absurdity of wanting the Ten Commandants posted at the courthouse:Most court houses are open on Saturday!

#5:Honor Thy Father And Thy Mother That Thy Days May be Long Upon The Land Which The Lord God Giveth Thee...These are good words.We all should honor our parents,and most people do.I believe the whole commandment is printed here as a blessing upon America when this commandment is carried out.But Jesus,in Mark 7:5-23,questions the letter of the law over the law itself.In order to save America you must love it.It must come from your heart.You can't force morality.That turns people clever in ways of avoiding the laws.

#6:Thy Shall Not Kill...There is legal murder everywhere.Yet,Jesus Christ not only died on the cross,he forgave those that did it.Even in life,Jesus proclaimed,"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell." The 6th commandment is superseded by Christ's message.To forgive.To have mercy.To settle things.

#7:Thy Shall Not Commit Adultery...Here,Jesus does not only forgive the adulteress["Then neither do I condemn you.Go and sin not more."],but again superseded the commandment:For Jesus said,"“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Jesus goes further on to say,"If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."I don't see too many one eyed followers of Christ.I don't hear this preached.But I do see allot of lustful situations on Tv.On the radio.Tv commercials!It seems our whole society is built on lust.Like Jesus,I will not condemn.But in #7,we don't do too much of looking the other way..in fact,we can't keep our eyes off it.This is a big case for love,mercy and forgiveness.

#8:Thy Shall Not Steal....Again,Jesus' authority comes into play:"If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic."And ,"“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” These are both cases for 'Christian' charity.But,too many times in America today,the corporations teach the value of America is ,'I've got mine',and that the poor are lecherous,greedy,lazy and deserving of everything they get and don't get.The stealing the poor do is easily and readily condemned.The stealing the rich do is easily overlooked and justified.Money is the root of all evil....not the lack of it.

#9:Thy Shall Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor...In The Parable Of The Good Samaritan,Jesus clarifies that even our enemies are our neighbors.Yet,politicians,Tv news and Wall Street commercials bear false witness all the time.It is no longer easy to vote on a candidate's merits,but by which politician is less creepy.Slander,is a given.

#10:Thy shall Not Covet Thy Neighbor's House.Thy Shall Not Covet Thy Neighbor's Wife,Nor His Manservant,Nor His Maidservant,Nor His Cattle,Nor Anything That Is Thy Neighbor's....This is where those that claim that America is a Capitalistic society come in direct conflict with the Ten commandments.We,as Americans,are taught to covet from birth.The grass is always greener.You can't be happy unless you have this new and improved this or that.Posting 'Thy Shall Not Covet' to Americans is a joke.Christianity and Capitalism are almost always at conflict.Greed vs. charity.Selfishness vs. love.Ministers in Cadillacs.It just doesn't fit.

As you can see,the Ten Commandments are not as a good an example to Americans as one would suppose.Their religious values can not be denied,but as you have just read,most of them have either been superseded by Jesus or mostly or totally ignored by most mostly good Americans.

Why there is a fight to put these up on public governmental property is almost beyond me.One must ask,just whose purpose does their display serve?God's?The Government's?Either?Neither?Both?Just whom are they commanding?



You can not command faith.

I purpose a compromise.Not commands.Not condemnation.But blessings that serve the American purpose.I suggest if Americans have to post any doctrine,it be the Christian,Jesus said Beatitudes:
  He said:
   ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
   for they will be comforted.

⁵ Blessed are the meek,
   for they will inherit the earth.

⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they will be filled.

⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
   for they will be shown mercy.

⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
   for they will see God.

⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they will be called children of God.

¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.


I know that the Beatitudes don't have the reach or the inclusiveness of the Ten Commandments,but what it  does have is a tone more in tune with the American spirit and the American documents such as The Declaration Of Independence and The Constitution.

The Beatitudes order no one.Give no commands.But blesses those that need blessed.

I believe-if any religious purpose should be posted in public at all-The Beatitudes are the correct choice.

You May Be A Redneck...Tea Party Version..Pt.II

You maybe a Tea Party Redneck if...

...your idea of political action is Googling 'Michele Bachmann- corndog'

...you think the bumpersticker,'Don't Blame Me/I Voted For The White Guy' is funny,but not racist.

...your car is up on blocks and still think the working man has it too cozy.

..you like Rick Perry because you like his idea of strengthening state rights by changing federal laws.

...you believe the best way to save America is by destroying it.

...you say that corporations shouldn't have to pay taxes,but then say that those that don't pay taxes shouldn't have access to health care,police and fire protection.

...you think the Civil War was fought over state rights.

...believe that Jesus would wear a rebel flag ballcap.

...you think that it's okay for the Patriot Act to take away your Constitutional freedoms,but then you say you have the right to bear arms because you're a Constitution sort of guy.

...you hate our government but call yourself a proud American.

Beautiful Photos From Last Night At Indian Lake

A Drew102 Repeat:JFK Labor Day Speech-Sept 5th,1960 And Doonesbury Cartoon

 I have come here today, on this day that belongs to all the people, to state my case and my cause to you * * * the American people. I am here to ask for a mandate - a mandate to achieve the promises of that stirring and historic document the 1960 Democratic platform. I am here to ask for men - the men who can translate that platform into action.


Give me your mandate. Give me the men. Give us more men in the Senate like Phil Hart and Pat McNamara. We only need a few more. A shift of only four votes would have given us a decent bill to provide medical care for the aged under the social security system. And next January we will have those votes. We will not be threatened with a Presidential veto. And we will not have to settle for a medical care program that is based on the pauper's oath.


Give me a Congress next January with more members like your Michigan Democratic Congressmen. We only need a few more. A shift of four or five votes in the House last June would have enacted a real minimum wage bill, with coverage for several million more families and a minimum of $1.25 an hour. Next January we will have those votes - and you will have a President who knows what a strong minimum wage law means to stop runaway shops and to raise living standards.


I ask you also to elect John Swainson as Governor of Michigan - a great Governor to succeed a great Governor. And I intend to work with both John Swainson and Mennen Williams to lead this State and Nation to a future of hope and promise.


I am taking my case to the American people because that is where it belongs - because that is where there will be no threat of veto or parliamentary obstruction - and because that is where we can always place our confidence. I take our case to you because I am confident that the American people want an enduring peace in which human dignity, truth, and justice under law are secured for all men everywhere. I take our case to you because I am confident that you are willing to do whatever has to be done to make us first in the world militarily, and thus first in the fight for peace.


I take our case to you because I am confident that all of us here, as descendants of immigrants, are ready to renew our hospitality to the homeless, the tired, and the poor, from other lands, without discrimination as to national origin. I take our case to you because I am confident that, as citizens of one world, we are willing to share our plenty with our brothers in the new states of Asia and Africa, and with those in Europe and Latin America, who need our help and our friendship.


I take my case to you because I am confident that the American people are not going to tolerate pockets of poverty and chronic unemployment in this land, the waste of idle men and women who are ready, willing, and able to work, or the decline of our farms. I take my case to you because I know you agree with me that racial discrimination must be eliminated everywhere in our society; in jobs, in housing, in voting, in lunch counters, and in schools.


And finally, I am here because I know we share a deep-seated belief in free collective bargaining, and in the growth and development of free and responsible unions - and unlike our opponents, we do not believe in this only on Labor Day.


I welcome the support of the working men and women of this country. I am proud of the fact that I was endorsed by the AFL-CIO. For I know that the American Labor movement wants for America what I want for America: the elimination of poverty and unemployment, the reestablishment of America's world leadership, the guarantee of full civil rights for all our citizens. I know the American labor movement opposes what I oppose: complacency, unemployment, economic stagnation, racial discrimination, and national insecurity.


Our labor unions are not narrow, self-seeking groups. They have raised wages, shortened hours, and provided supplemental benefits. Through collective bargaining and grievance procedures, they have brought justice and democracy to the shop floor. But their work goes beyond their own jobs, and even beyond our borders.


Our unions have fought for aid to education, for better housing, for development of our natural resources, and for saving the family-sized farms. They have contributed funds and talent to improve our oversea relations. They have spoken, not for narrow self-interest, but for the public interest and for the people.


For the labor movement is people. Our unions have brought millions of men and women together, made them members one of another, and given them common tools for common goals.


Their goals are goals for all America - and their enemies are the enemies of all progress.


The two cannot be separated. The man who opposes a decent increase in the minimum wage is not likely to be more generous toward a badly underpaid schoolteacher. The man who opposes proper medical care for the aged has no more compassion for the small farmer or the small businessman or the hungry families in this Nation and around the world. He likes things the way they are. He sees no need to change - no need to grow. His theme song is: "You never had it so good."


But let him try to tell that to the more than 4 million men and women who cannot find employment. Let him try to tell that to the 3 million men forced to work less than full time. Let him try to tell that to those who live on our hard-hit farms, in our depressed areas, in our deserted textile and coal mine towns. Let him try to tell that to 5 million men, women, and children trying to get by on an average of $20 worth of surplus food a month - or the millions of retired workers trying to get by on all average annual income of less than $2,000 a year.


This is the greatest country in the world. But we can be still greater. This is the most prosperous country in the world. But we can be still more prosperous . . . so that every American can share in that prosperity. We have the means to achieve our goals - to put our house in order - to regain our position of preeminence in the world. It all comes under the name of "economic growth" and today I want to talk with you about economic growth. There is nothing cold or dull about the meaning of economic growth. It means jobs and homes and schools for our children. Lack of growth means unemployment and pockets of poverty and a weak, declining nation.


Under Republican leadership, we have not been growing. The workers have noted it in unemployment and short workweeks. Businessmen have noted it in idle plant capacity and rising inventories. And Mr. Khrushchev noted it when he promised to "bury" us.


Three facts are indisputable:


Fact No.1: Between 1947 and 1953, under the administration of Harry Truman, our average annual rate of growth was 4 1/2 percent. Between 1953 and 1959, under a Republican administration, the rate was only 2 1/2 percent - less than half as much. And today our key industries such as auto and steel are operating at much less than full capacity.


Fact No.2: While our economy is crawling forward at an average rate of only 2 1/2 percent, the Russian gross national product is annually increasing 7 percent - three times as fast.


Fact No.3: Our rate of growth was surpassed by almost every major industrial nation during the past years of drift and indecision - including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, and Japan. These are the facts which we must face. This is the record which our opponents have described as a "healthy rate of growth." And I defy them to find anything healthy about it.


When this country, with all its potential, is growing at less than half the rate achieved by the Soviet Union, less than the rate of almost every major industrial nation on earth, then our health is obviously down and we had better call for a new doctor in Washington. These facts and figures are not remote. They affect the welfare of everyone. With a really healthy rate of growth, each family of four would have received, on the average, an additional $1,300 every year between 1953 and 1959 - a total of more than $7,000 - $7,000 you could have had for a rainy day, or to finance a college education, or to take a trip, or help buy a house - $7,000 that these restrictive policies have kept out of your pocket.


With a really healthy rate of growth, we can have full employment - and let me make clear right now my conviction that in this country we cannot afford to have any goal except genuine full employment.


With a really healthy rate of growth, we can end the gnawing doubts about our national defense. If we had maintained a healthy rate of growth, it would have paid many times over the cost of the vital defense programs which the administration has said we cannot afford - the cost of putting our Strategic Air Command on a continuous air alert, the cost of modernizing our Army and Navy, and the cost of building more Polaris and Minuteman missiles. These are steps which must be taken and, once this country starts moving again, these are steps that will be taken.


With a really healthy rate of growth, we can provide our children with the best in education and eliminate the shortage of classrooms and the scarcity of teachers which is depriving millions of young Americans of adequate school training. And finally, with a really healthy rate of growth, we will win the crusade for economic justice. Here we have no time to spare. For it is a shameful fact that 32 million people in this, the richest land on earth, are forced to live on a standard of living that is woefully inadequate - a standard below that which $2,600 a year would buy for a family of four. It is a shameful fact that 7 million of our fellow citizens are dependent upon charity for their existence - that 5 million city homes lack plumbing - that breeding places of juvenile crime abound in our cities - and that abject poverty characterizes too much of our farm community.


These are some of the reasons why I say economic growth is not simply a cold, remote statistic. And these are some of the reasons why it is not enough to merely talk about it. It is time to do something about it - and we are going to start on next November 8.


The first step we must take is to put into office an administration which has faith in a growing America. The Republican Party, since the departure of Theodore Roosevelt some 48 years ago, has not had this faith - and it does not have it today. For example, on August 10 the President said that automobile production may exceed 6 million - and this, he said, "is really a very fine year." But the facts of the matter are that we made 7.5 million cars a few years ago. The facts of the matter are that thousands of autoworkers are out of jobs today or working on short time. If this is "a very fine year," I don't want to see a very bad one.


While these men are idle - while these facilities are idle - we see critical needs on every side of us that could "consume and absorb" their output, if only given a chance. We see the need for schools - for highways - for dams and powerplants, homes and hospitals, stronger defenses, and a rebirth of our cities. These projects need busy plans and working men. And so our second step toward economic growth must be to put back to work our idle machines and men - to return to the Democratic policy of full employment which for 8 years has been shamefully neglected. We have the tools - the legislation and the programs to put men back to work - and in 1961 we are going to do it.


As a third step, we can help our Nation grow by unlocking the riches of our natural resources. From our forest must come the timber, from our rivers must come the water and power, and from our mines must come the fuels and metals to meet the needs of an expanding population. Franklin Roosevelt raised the economy of an entire region through unified development of the Tennessee Valley. The Bonneville and Grand Coulee Dams have repaid their cost a hundredfold. Yet the Republican policy is "no new starts."


Fourth, we must put to work the wonders of automation in a way which will be a blessing for all America - not merely a curse for the workers. In the coal beds of West Virginia automation means joblessness, poverty, and deprivation. But automation can also bring lighter work, lower prices, and better jobs under a Government which cares for people - a Government which is unwilling to have men thrown on the scrap heap like obsolete machines.


And fifth and finally, if we want to grow, let us put an end to scarce money and high interest. Those who collect the interest may have profited. But every American who has financed a home, an automobile, a refrigerator, or a television set has suffered. Those of you who buy a home with a $10,000, 30-year mortgage today will pay out $3,300 more in interest charges than you would have paid under the last Democratic administration - $3,300 that could have been put to better use for you and your family.


This is a sound workable program to stimulate the growth of our free enterprise economy - a program which will keep our economy healthy and free - a program which will bring growth without inflation or increased government controls. We have heard that this kind of growth is merely an idle dream. But this country was built by dreamers - not by those of weak hearts and little faith.


In 1776 there were those who said that national independence was an idle dream. In 1789 there were those who said that a sovereign union of equal states was an idle dream. In 1860 there were those who said that freeing the slaves was an idle dream. In 1932 there were those who said that a New Deal for the American people was an idle dream.


Now, in 1960, we face problems unlike any we have faced before. Never has the challenge been so great. Never have the stakes been so large. Never have the dreams and the ideals and the dedication of free men been so essential.


We have no time for complacency, timidity, or doubt. This is a time for courage and action. This is a time for strong leaders - leaders who are not afraid of New Frontiers - leaders who are not afraid of the facts - leaders who can turn our dreams into reality.


Give me your mandate. Give us the men. For I believe the job can be done.


During the dark days of World War II, Winston Churchill appealed to America for help, pleading "Give us the tools and we will finish the job." Today - in 1960 - when America faces challenges and perils greater than ever before, I say to all Americans who want to build a better America - "Give us the job for we have the tools."

Rick Perry Is Pro-Gun Control

These people make a big show of saying the right thing,
      but their heart isn't in it.
   They act like they're worshiping me,
      but they don't mean it.
   They just use me as a cover
      for teaching whatever suits their fancy."


I,as an American,could never vote for a person that spouted secessionism,even if only as a veiled threat.But,it seemed that there are plenty of people ready and willing to drink the tea tinged Kool-Aid of Texas governor Rick Perry.

Gov. Perry,a career politician,pretends to be anti-Washington big government.He pretends to be all about state rights,but his very actions say otherwise.That he chooses to say one thing and then do another is very telling.One has to ask,why would he choose to mis-lead rather than lead?Does he have a hidden agenda?Sounds very Washington~esque to me.

Of course this is just my opinion.Let's explore shall we?

Gov.Perry is a states rights sort of guy.By definition,this means that he believes that the states should be able to handle their problems on their own without any or little federal government interference.

Then why,we must ask,is Governor Rick Perry so gung ho about changing the United States of America's  Constitution seven times if he is so against the use of these very same federal powers to begin with?I reckon it is either because he feels he is impotent as a state governor to change these positions within his own state,or that he realizes that there is more power at the federal level to enact these changes.He is openly chasing the very power he is rallying against-thus nullifying his own argument.

Some Constitutional amendments have been good.Others not so.Perhaps we should look at these Constitutional changes to see why the governor of the great state of Texas is willing to make these changes:

1. Abolish lifetime tenure for federal judges by amending Article III, Section I of the Constitution.
This amendment is aimed at judges not judging with their mind on the Constitution.Lifetime tenure was created to make the judges less susceptible to outside influences.This meant that they didn't have to worry about re-elections or outside sponsors.They could judge with their minds and hearts-be they liberal or conservative.Evidently,Rick Perry must feel that this goes against individual states say so.This bias would have been very convenient during the civil rights era.Or maybe,even more so during the next close presidential election.On the forefront this looks like a no brainer for state rights...but it's just another federal power grab that makes it just a tad bit easier to steal away state rights.

2. Congress should have the power to override Supreme Court decisions with a two-thirds vote.
Hmm,consolidating federal power into two branches instead of three...I can see how this would evolve into less power at the federal level.

3. Scrap the federal income tax by repealing the Sixteenth Amendment.The plan to scrap the federal income tax sounds appealing until you realize that it benefits mostly the upper class.Taxing the rich became a wartime event.After all,it was their factories benefiting from the wartime production.The government overpays for tanks and guns,you give a little bit of the money back and everyone goes home happy.Alas,these are the old rules.Corporate welfare is the new acceptable greed.CEO's making in half a day what their average employee does in a year should more than make up for what little money the feds want back.It doesn't.If the FIT is leading to serfdom,it's only in the fact the money is now going to everywhere except into the serf's pockets.

4. End the direct election of senators by repealing the Seventeenth Amendment.What?!? Let the serfs have a say?Why they might actually vote in a Democrat!

5. Require the federal government to balance its budget every year.
OK.We start by repealing the tax subsidies(breaks) to the rich and the corporations.That's the way Clinton did it.

6. The federal Constitution should define marriage as between one man and one woman in all 50 states.
Just what the states need...another federal law.Even Jesus was against the union of  religion and government(Give to Caesar what is Caesars,and give to God what is God's---by the way,Jesus paid his tax!) Who is this for anyway?Not only are the majority of Americans now for gay marriages,there are also Christian churches supporting gay unions!So...this is for a limited Christian religious minority?Are all Christians now supposed to bow to the beliefs a just a few?This stinks of the beginnings of a federally run religion.Kennedy said he would not let his Catholicism run his politics.I bet if you put all of our founding fathers in a room to debate their religious views,you never would have gotten them to agree on much except that we are a country of divine providence.A state run religion might work great in Saudi Arabia or Iran,and you can evangelize me all you want.But my house follows The Lord.I don't bow to you.

7. Abortion should be made illegal throughout the country.
Man,Gov.Perry,do you believe in state rights at all?Do you?Yes,we all believe that abortion is murder.States killing innocent men is murder,too.When did you become so squeamish?What type of government do you believe in that forces me to chose an unborn child over the life of my wife?What right does the federal government have in interfering in such a personal  life or death decision ?This is not the U.S.S.R.if you truly believed that abortion was murder,you would preach programs that made sexual education more prominent.But,no.You don't.You try to convert your fellow Americans to your state run religion,and instead of making their tasks easier,you make it harder.

All this leads to is a smoke and mirrors campaign.Mis-leading instead of leading.Mr.governor,in my opinion,you are a Pontius Pilot Christian...Just what is the truth?Anything you want to make it?You are washing your hands of both the truth and justice.All I call say is that your constituents better pack up and hide their guns.Because Republicans used to preach the power of the Constitution in order to protect their guns.Now,Rick Perry wants to gut it for no purposeful reason.He talks gun,but with this many Constitutional amendments,how long can it be before he throws it all away ?How long can we believe that he is anything but anti-gun?You speak with a forked tongue,gov.Perry.You say you are pro-state,all the while trying to push federal law after federal law down our states' throats.You speak like you want us to be free.You actions tell as if you want to enslave us.

You'll never get my vote.

Live Free or Die.

Tea Party Distancing Itself From Michele Bachmann

"They are drinking the cool-aid,"says our unidentified Tea Party source over Michele Bachmann,pictured above,"Sure,we all want Obama out of the White House,but her crass lewdness has just gone on too far."

Asked to explain her comment our source continued,"It's bad enough that she has too eat footlong corndogs in front of our men folk so suggestively,but...going sleeveless?Think of our daughters!

"And,she even danced with her husband in front of God and everyone!This is going too too far."

Another Tea Party source told us,"My husband is always explaining to me that a woman's place is in the home.That she should always obey only her husband.When I questioned him on why we like Michele,he told me to shut up and get him a beer.A woman running for president is just too liberal for me.Next thing you know husbands will be getting their own beers.Then where will we be?"

A third source didn't understand why she just didn't marry Mitt Romney,"She's so hoi polloi.Why doesn't she just marry him?Mormons are allowed to marry more than one wife,right?Wouldn't that be like getting two presidents for the price of one?"

Yet,another source claimed,"I used to believe that the Tea Party stood for something.Michele Bachmann makes me forgot just what that was."

The Hypocritic Party doesn't know whether these sources are loose cannon Tea Party outsiders,comic fodder or something in between.But it does appear that some partyers are distancing themselves from their queen.

An Open Letter To The Tea Party

The Tea Party purports to speak for the average United States citizen.

I don't believe them.

They usually profess in every preamble that ,'The American people want this," or that,"The American people need that."

I don't believe them.

Don't presume to tell me you know what I want.You can say,'most of ', or ,'we believe that' the American people think this way or that.But how dare you imply that that we of the people, by the people, for the people all believe in every single idea that comes out of your mouth.

We don't.

Most of us love our government.We are the government.We love one man,one vote.We love having duly elected officials.We love the benefits of living in a republic.

Don't tell us that we would rather have our government default than raise the debt ceiling.You act like a balanced budget is impossible to achieve through the proper governmental channels. It isn't .The Clinton administration achieved this-to you-seemingly impossible goal beginning in 1994!It balanced the budget!

How?!?

By {gasp} tax increases to the rich.

Thus,when George W.Bush gave his tax subsidies(not,cuts) to the rich,he was -in fact-helping to create the deficit hole which you,the Tea Party,find so impossible for us to get out of.

Even if George W. Bush's intentions with the tax subsidies were honorable,the proof is in the pudding.They didn't work.If they did,would we be here where we are now?Would you,the Tea Party,be fighting so hard to maintain the cuts:AT THE COST OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA RENEGING ON IT'S DEBTS?!?

You see,if you claim to speak for the people,why are you so for renewing a tax subsidy that started this unchecked deficit in the first place?Why are you against getting us out of this hole at the expense of only 2% of the population,and only at the cost of this subsidy's removal?

In fact,Mr. & Mrs.Tea Partier,why are you,instead,willing to recover this debt on the back of 98 % of the people you are presumably speaking up for?Why are you saying that you speak for us when you shout out that unions are costing America jobs?!?Aren't CEO's  making 350 times on average what the average Joe makes?!?Why are you not shouting for them to lower 'their' wages and  hire back hundreds of employees?!?

Why do you that supposedly speak for me,support international businesses interests when they are the ones that have sent our good jobs overseas?Enjoy international tax loopholes,hire lobbyists that try hand over foot to corrupt our congress?

Are you insane?

Are you corrupt?

Are you racist?

How can you purport to speak for the American people when your thinking is so terribly askew?

If you think the government is so devoid of righteousness,why are you clamoring so hard to get in bed with all that's wrong with it?You claim to love God and country,but your rants on how our elected officials can not balance the budget proves-despite that we have done it before-that you believe in neither.

Yes,I do believe you are the new Tea Party.But it is US that you are throwing aboard.