Blacksheep Speaks

Welcome back!

I don’t expect a single politician out there to agree with me on this, but our entire political system could use a complete overhaul. We are supposed to be a Democracy, after all.

The Electoral College is outdated, unneeded and unfair. It causes a lot of folks to vote… and the votes mean nothing. Don’t believe me? Check it out… if you vote for a Republican, and so does forty percent of the rest of your state…. but sixty percent vote Democrat, then ALL the electoral votes cast in your state are Democrat, thereby nullifying the votes of the minority. There have been cases where a president that actually won the popular vote lost the election because of this. The POPULAR VOTE is what reflects the wish of the people, yet it is routinely ignored.

We also need to abolish the party system in this country. Make the candidates stand on their own and you find out what they are made of. We also wouldn’t have all the political infighting in the congress and senate.

Just a couple thoughts.

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I can’t stand it when people hype a candidate and don’t give any credit or consideration to the other candidates running. So, at the suggestion of my daughters, I am going to give equal time on my blog to my candidate’s opposition. Ignore his squeaky voice… this guy is promising two bicycles in every garage! Just pull up your home theater seating and check him out! My daughters are campaigning for him… he can’t be ALL bad.

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Personally, Mike Huckabee had my support. Now I don’t know what to do. It was bad enough with Hillary’s progesterone laden speeches… now McCain has thrown in an unknown from Alaska. Now, I have nothing against Alaska. It’s the “unknown” thing that bothers me. But Obama? NObama. That man can’t say the same thing twice in a row. I don’t care if he’s white, black, purple, pink, or polka dotted… he still has no “steady” if you know what I mean. So, I guess I’ll be throwing my support behind an independent candidate. Check him out:

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The Olympic Torch is making it’s way across the world as we speak… or, as I type and you read, anyway. On tonight’s news, there was a story about the path being interrupted by protesters. This occurred, I believe, in London… well, I am absolutely certain it was in Britain, I THINK it was London. They were protesting because the games are being held in China.

Well, let’s see. China has been systematically sending us poisoned goods for quite some time now, from pet food to kill our animals to lead painted toys that harm our children. They are cracking down hard on Tibet, whose people are only after human rights. They are demolishing the homes of THEIR OWN PEOPLE to make way for these games, putting families out on the street with no place to go. The list goes on and on….

When the torch gets to the US next week, I hope Americans have the guts to show what we think, too. Great Brittains have proven that they are not sheeple. What about us? PLEASE NOTE that I am not and DO not advocate violence. But to let the world believe we approve of China when it is doing all this?

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Well, for me it is, anyway. My candidate dropped out last night. As for those who are left, well, Obama waffles back and forth too much, and Hillary? Hmm. Being from Arkansas, which she was a “native” of right up until she dumped us for a place where she hadn’t lived in decades but had a better chance of getting elected (probably because they don’t know her like we do) ….I am in a position to know that she is dangerous. And frankly, for me that overrides the joy (?) of having a woman in the white house. Even though I have usually considered myself a Republican, McCain is just about as bad for waffling as Obama. So, looks like I am done. Maybe I ought to go kill off my sorrows playing slots at some Las Vegas hotel with the rest of the losers, huh?

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It’s been a long time now since the Westside shootings occurred, but, like Columbine, the phrase still brings a passionate outcry. The two boys, each around thirteen years old or so, were caught, tried, and convicted. The courts put them in jail until they turned 21, at which time they were released and their records (theoretically) sealed. But that’s NOT what the people wanted. Spurred on by the local media, they wanted blood. They wanted those boys to DIE for what they did. At approx. 13 years old, these boys were children. Yet people wanted them dead. Because of this, their whereabouts upon release were concealed.

A little over a year ago, Mitchel Johnson was in a van that was pulled over on a tip that the van contained hundreds of pounds of marijuana and several guns. Bearing in mind that Johnson’s record was sealed, apparently someone “forgot” to lock the record. The arresting officers thought he was a convicted murderer. What was found in the van… the friend’s van, not Johnson’s… was less than a quarter ounce of marijuana and one gun. So, we are looking at a minor drug and firearm possession charge. Usually carries probation. Yet today, Mitchell Johnson went to trial in a federal court on these charges. The media local to Westside is televising the trial. Earlier, they had crowed “MITCHELL JOHNSON’S WHEREABOUTS FINALLY REVEALED!” as though they had always had a right to know, but had been denied that right. Since the arrest last year, that television station has been constantly reminding viewers about the Westside shooting case, keeping tempers up and, as a side issue, pouring salt on the wounds of the families of the victims.

At his deposition a year or so back, when asked why he did the shootings, no one believed him when he said he didn’t know. Yet, if put on the spot, how many people would know why they did what they did and thought what they thought when they were thirteen? Thirteen is still a child. Most people can’t remember why they did what they did last YEAR. Of course he doesn’t remember. Yet people still want him to bleed for what he did as a child.

And as long as the media continues to crucify him, he isn’t going to be able to live out his life in safety. In my opinion, a news media that fans the flames of hatred, and then publishes exactly where the hated target lives is deliberately putting that person in danger. And if anything happens, they are just as guilty as the boys who pulled the trigger on that fateful day.

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Earlier today, I posted my opinion about the lack of respect shown to our Pledge of Allegiance. You can read about that in the post which immediately preceeds this one. In response I recieved two comments from someone calling himself “TheMan” who cited “facts” from a website called “nobeliefs.com” and whose email address begins with “fearthesheep”. The comments were directed entirely at the part of my post dealing with God in the Pledge, and pretty much ignored the rest. This BEING a free country (though this is a private blog) I choose to post his comments, not in the comment section, but here in the main body of a new article. Before I do, however, here are a few facts that can be backed up via many historical avenues that “TheMan” and many others apparently aren’t aware : (His comments will follow this commentary…hey, it’s MY blog, I get to write first!)

The Declaration of Independence, which began the fight for freedom in this country (at least on a public level) cites as it’s CORE BASE for being, 27 violations of Biblical principal. In other words, the founding fathers relied on the Bible and what it says to back them up and give them reason for a revolution.

Thomas Jefferson is quoted as calling the Bible “the cornerstone of American Liberty”. He then put the Bible into the schools as the MAIN TEXTBOOK.

Patrick Henry made it VERY clear in his writings and correspondence that he believed our constitution to be written and founded upon the Gospels.

55 men got together and formed the Constitution. Of those 52 were church members citing Biblical principal for what they did. The other three simply didn’t state their beliefs one way or the other.

James Madison said, “We’ve staked our future on our ability to follow the 10 Commandments, with all our heart.”

George Washington, ib his final address as President, can be accurately quoted as saying “You can’t have national morality apart from Religious principal,”

And it goes on and on. Anyone who believes this country came into being without God in the minds and hearts of it’s people apparently cannot read, either. Or, perhaps, they CHOOSE to be sheeple, citing what they have read on a website without bothering to check it’s accuracy. That said, on to give TheMan’s comments the airing they deserve… YOU can judge for yourselves. It IS a free country!

In regards to your comments about God, I have to disagree. My most straightforward reason is that the original pledge contained no mention of God. You can read about its history at http://history.vineyard.net/pledge.htm . However, there is more to my complaint than that. The idea that this government had its roots in Christianity is a myth. You can read about the realities of religion in our nation’s establishment at http://www.nobeliefs.com/Tripoli.htm . Please do not resort to insulting those who exercise their rights by accusing them of ignorance or incompetence. We should encourage those who stand up (or sit down) for what they believe. Reciting a few words does not make you a patriot, but sometimes dissent does.

And the second comment…

Oh, also, the US is by no means the “biggest” country in the world. If by “strongest” you mean “has the largest military”, I concede that you are correct.

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As I sat with my fourteen year old daughter at breakfast this morning, she casually mentioned that several of her classmates were exercizing their “right” to refuse to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Apparently these kids simply remain seated as the others recite. According to my daughter, they do this because the Pledge forces them to show support for the government they do not agree with. Um, since when? Love of country and love of governement are not the same thing. They never have been, though those too locked into their own worlds continue to refuse to see that. Perhaps they can’t read:

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

A flag is a symbol of the country it represents. In times of battle, a flag flies above the troops. For the flag to fall to the ground symbolizes defeat. Old Glory has flown over troops at Gettysburg, in Germany, in Korea, at Iwo Jima. This old flag still accompanies our troops, flies over every hospital and school, to symbolize our ideal. To pledge to the flag shows a support for what it represents, which is a people, NOT a government organization. This flag has flown over EVERY change in government that this country has seen, but with the exception of the addition of stars, our flag has not changed.

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

I would have thought that this line was self explanetory, but, then, I always thought the Pledge was self explanetory. The United States of America is a collective of fifty states plus territories, separate, yet joined in a union where each has it’s own voice. The United States is still the biggest and strongest country in this world. It is ruled by a government that is ever changing, yet the country remains strong.

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS

The flag is a symbol of the PEOPLE of the United States, which is a republic. This only refers to the method of governing, not to the government itself. This method is the thing that lets every American Citizen to have a vote and a voice. The physical government is transitory, put in place by the people, and the governing body is not what this line refers to. You can dislike the president, but you can still maintain respect for his office and what it represents.

ONE NATION, UNDER GOD

President Eisenhower called God “our most powerful resource”. This country, whether you like it or not, has ALWAYS been based on a belief in the Almighty. It’s on our money, it’s in our Pledge, and it’s in every act committed by the founding fathers. It’s what we are based on as a nation. And, it is the reason YOU have the freedom to thumb your nose at that same God. There are places where that would get you executed. Here, in these United States, you have the freedom to think for yourself. So, whether or not YOU believe in God, it IS the devotion to His principles that has bought you this freedom that you now enjoy.

INDIVISIBLE

This simply means that we refuse to be broken apart.

WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL

This means that everyone is free to live the life they choose, what they are willing to work for and achieve. This line refers to an ideal. This is not a perfect world, and as long as humans are in charge, it will continue to be imperfect. Yet we continue to strive toward this ideal. Well, most of us. Not, of course, those who are whining and slouching and refusing to recite a pledge that they obviously can’t read well enough or think clearly enough to understand.

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For the people. Of the people. By the people.

I think our government has forgotten what that means.

I’m sure you’ve seen it in the news. Without giving the people it supposedly serves a choice in the matter, our government has declared that every state has to implement a new nationwide ID card to replace existing state issued driver’s licenses and IDs. This new card will, eventually, be able to hold all the information about your bank accounts, credit cards, and miscellaneous personal information, all in one handy dandy stealable place. Security? Retina scans and fingerprints. Oh, yeah, and lets not forget the intended GPS device so that they can locate you anytime, anywhere.

Think of the implications. You are out shopping for groceries or discount furniture or rabbit food or whatever, and because someone forgot to dot an I somewhere the computer decides that the money in your account doesn’t exist. You’ll be dining on red tape for weeks.

That doesn’t even take the privacy issues into consideration, does it.

If states refuse to comply, they will lose ALL funding from the federal government. That doesn’t mean you won’t have to pay federal taxes. It just means that because you live in a state that has guts, you have to pay for absolutely nothing when the taxman comes around, and you have to pay a LOT for that nothing.

Only six states are refusing to comply. I am ashamed to admit that my state is not one of them.

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A day or two ago, in a public forum, presidential candidate Mike Huckabee was asked a couple of very religion based questions. I find his answers interesting, if not very helpful. I also find it interesting that the questioners are still resorting to religious belief questions to try and knock down candidates… which is probably the reason for the answers given.

Please bear in mind that I am paraphrasing, not quoting directly. I heard this report on the radio, and so have no notes to refer to. Anyway, the first question was, do you believe that the Bible is the literal truth. His answer stated that, as the only one present with a theological degree, there were parts of the Bible he did not understand, but that this was a good thing, because we have an infinite God, and if He were completely understandable, He would be too simple a God. Er, sure, Mike, whatever you say.

The second question was asking how Jesus would have handled something or other, I don’t remember what. The answer? “Jesus was too smart to ever run for public office”.

Hmm. You know, I actually support Mike Huckabee for president. I am a resident of the state of Arkansas, and as such, know he has some very good agendas. But with answers like these, will anyone ELSE ever know?

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