Wisdom From Past Leaders

During the past couple of months I have been reading a book.  Crusade in Europe is written by former Supreme Allied Commander,  and President of the United States, General Dwight D. Eisenhower. As the book's title would imply it is about the battle for Europe.  The book is actually much more than that however.  It begins with the poor and shortsightedness of our government immediately after World War I and leading up to World War II.

Those in power refused to acknowledge the fact that Germany, Italy and Japan were building an industrial complex for world domination.  General Eisenhower, as I will  address him in this post, was one of the very few that was able to see and predict this shortcoming.  Were it not for him and a very few other staunch true Americans this might be a completely different world we live in today.

I marvel at how the saying "if we do not learn from our past we are doomed to make the mistakes in the future" is so apropos. After reading nearly 500 pages of about type 10 type and finishing the book this morning so many of the Generals words and statements come to mind.  Obvously it would be too burdensome to list the many, many sentences  worthy of this small and humble blogger.  In closing the General made this statement and it has never been so appropriate as now as our great country is under siege by the far left, Progressives.  General Eisenhower said and I quote:

"The areas in which freedom flourishes will continue to shrink unless the supporters of democracy match Communist fanaticism with clear and common understanding that the freedom of men is at stake..."

I truly believe the words Communist fanaticism is completely and totally interchangeable with today's far left Progressives.

If you should ever get the chance to read this book I would strongly suggest it.  

God Bless,

Pops

I Had a Thought

I had a thought (yes, I know that's had to believe) today.  Actually I had several. However, one kept coming back to me throughout the course of the day. With all the talk of the Tea Party and the Evangelical Christians swinging the vote to Newt in South Carolina and swinging the vote to Santorum in Iowa.  Just what is a Christian?  What do they believe in that other non-evangelical Americans do not.  I was watching one of the talk shows the other day and the "talking head" said the Tea Party and the Evangelical Christians were willing to "roll the dice" on Newt and lose the 2012 elections to BHO. One thing for sure, I don't think Christians gamble so therefore the "talking head" doesn't understand Christians or he's talking out his.........

But really, who are the Tea Party and Evangelical Christians that are voting for Newt and also casting votes for Santorum?  What makes them different and why?  Finally, just what do they stand for?

I don't know if I would qualify as a formal Tea Partyer (is that a word?) or as an Evangelical Christian.  I do know I was raised in a Christian (Lutheran) church.  We left the Lutheran church several years ago when it became too liberal.  I now attend Greencastle Bible Church, clik here for more info and recorded sermons. (Little advertisement for the good Pastor Flesher.) I just know what I believe in.  I sum it up like this.

I believe in God, Guns and Family (pro life).  You can add to that small government and a strong defense. My question to you and your friends is:  If you consider yourself a Tea Partyer, or an Evangelical Christian or just plan Christian just what do you believe in?  I would really like to know. If you  would be so kind I would ask  you to pass this around to your friends and see if they will answer.  If I get enough responses I'll re-post this with everybody's thoughts.

Thanks gang,

Pops@Conservative Outrage, the blog

Coalesce

	Coalesce?  Coalesce?  What in the world does that mean.  If you have been watching or listening to the news lately you could not have missed the "talking heads" using this word.  Now me,  I'm just a country boy from the farm and ain't had much fetchin' ups 'ceptun  public schools.  That was back in the day after slate and one room school houses.  But, before the liberals took over and you can't play dodge ball, bring your huntin' shotgun to school so you can hunt after school and you need to get a permission slip from little Susie to steal a peck on the cheek the last day of school.  Having said all that my teachers did teach me to ask questions and how to look up a word I didn't know in the Websters Dictionary.  Today I just used Dictionary . Com, although I still have a Websters Dictionary in my office.
	Here's what I found.
	Main Word coalesce  [koh-uh-les] Show IPA Part of Speech: verb Definition: blend, come together Synonyms: adhere, amalgamate, associate, bracket, cleave, cling, cohere, combine, commingle, commix, conjoin, connect, consolidate, fuse, hook up with, incorporate, integrate, join, join up with, link, merge, mingle, mix, relate, stick, tie in with, unite, wed Antonyms: divide, separate   What I am trying to figure out is why would all these TV "talking heads"  use this word for the Republican Party.  After Mr. Gingrich's victory in South Carolina tonight I would say the system is working pretty well.  Three primary's and three winners.  How much better can that be!   Gentlemen keep the good fight going.  Keep hammering at one another. Blisters from hard work cause callouses to form and the body becomes tough and more able to take the punishment.. I am reminded of a line from the movie The Ten Commandments .  It went something like this,  the metal must be tempered before it become the hardened steel.  The candidates of the Republican party must be tempered before the winner takes on the worst President this great nation has ever had. Onward to Florida!  Let the best man (for our country) win!

Well It Ain't Romney!

I guess it's time for me to wade in the the Republican Presidential campaign.  Not that I really am a Republican.  I quite calling myself that years ago.  I call myself  a CCCC or 4C.  All that stands for is Christian Constitutional Conservative Capitalist.  I gave up on the Republicans after I gave up on the Independents after I gave up on Democrats which really wasn't a big deal in my world.  The key is I haven't given up. I haven't given up on the United States of America which I believe many people have.  Having a little experience of what it's like to live in a 3rd world country and having a son who is an Iraqi war veteran I would like to think that gives me a little creditability when I make the statement, "this is the best country in the world in which to live."

The big question that is facing America and the Republican party is not will BHO become a one term President?  The big question is will more people who actually work for a living get off their arses and vote than the people who vote for a living.  That is the real question!  The secondary question is if they do that will they unite under on banner and vote against BHO and for America.  Or, will they put their personal feelings first and split the Republican party which  is the only way out of the BHO mess. I have not made up my mind yet but I have decided on whom I do not want as a candidate.  This list includes but is not limited to:

Donald Trump

John Huntsman

Ron Paul

Chris Christy,  a couple of these guys are playing the ego game.  Namely Trump, Huntsman, Paul and Christy. None of them stand a chance of beating BHO which it the name of the game yet they continue to try to garner headlines, fill their pocketbooks and garner headlines like they are viable candidates regardless of what they say.

It was bittersweet to see Michelle Bachmann drop out of the race as she appears to be a fine woman and a Conservative.  She did do the right thing though as she accepted the facts and knew she would only disrupt the system if she continued.  Mr. Huntsman should do the same thing, in my humble opinion of course.

 Mr. Santorum certainly jumped up and was noticed this week.  He is represented as a "true" Conservative but is noted for "pork barrel" money.  I have a problem with that on one hand.  Then he was elected to represent the state of Pennsylvania in the best manner he could.  Federal money to Pennsylvania is a good thing..............if you live in Pennsylvania................and it's money from the other 49 states.  He's for repealing Obamacare but I'm not sure of his plan.  On his web site I like his "core spending principles"  I didn't see anything that said Social Security would be touched or untouched.  At my age that is a concern however, for my grandchildren it is a major concern they can't do anything about.  

Mr. Gingrich according to darn near everyone appears to be the most intelligent of all the candidates.  He has experience in Washington which will be needed to manipulate the maze the next President will need to navigate undoing Obamacare, regaining the American credibility overseas not only with our allies but with our enemies.  America has always dealt from a position of strength not the cowardice and bowing shown by BHO.  I like his "Day One Plan"  Many of these issues are sorely needed and needed immediately.  On the other hand Mr. Gingrich was a Washingtonian for many years.  Is there a likelihood he will return to the old ways of politics.  He has been out of Washington for a reasonable of time.  As regards to his personal life.  It's not a record to brag about.  Then again to quote a very famous verse, "let those among you without sin cast the first stone".

I liked Herman Cain unfortunately he either was not squeaky clean as it seemed and foolish to think a 13 year affair would not be discovered.  Or, and that's a big or it truly was too much pressure on his family and he put them first.  I don't have the facts and I won't make a judgement.  It reality just how much do we really know about any of these candidates?  How much do we really know about our own neighbors once the door goes closed at night?

Mr. Romney, now there's an interesting man.  Let's see.  I am a billionaire and self made at that. Actually that is a good thing as he at least held a job outside of government and knows what hard work is.  I was a Republican governor of a super liberal state.  I was beat last time and I have been campaigning ever since. Hmmm.  I raised taxes in my state, according to BHO my mandatory state health plan was the model for Obamacare, I supported woman's rights and not the rights of the unborn. All the liberal news organizations want me to be the Republican nominee.  

My daddy had a saying that went something like "a leopard can't change its spots".  That keeps coming to my mind.  My daddy was a pretty smart man if I do say so myself.  One other thing that is bothering me is who is supporting Mr. Romney,  Let's see,

Karl Rove

Former President G H W  Bush

Nikki Haley

Christine O’Donnell

 Former Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire

 Former Sen. Mel Martinez

 Sen. John McCain (Ariz.).

The list goes on and on.  I would point out all of theses save Nikki Haley are old school Republicans.  Several are out of office or you might say unelected. Former Senator Judd Gregg is another Nor eastern liberal who helped with the TARP program and we all know how well that worked out. A couple let's just say are no longer dealing with a full deck due to age or disease as much as I respect them  and the service they gave to our country in their prime. So what's in it for them.  Power people just plain and simple POWER.

This post is not meant to meant to endorse any specific candidate only to explain why Mr. Romney will not get my vote when the time comes for me to go to the voting booth.  The last thing America needs is a RINO for President after BHO.

God Bless America,

Pops

As everyone else is posting a happy new year or what happened in 2011 I have decided to forgo the usual tradition and go straight to the heart of America.  Actually I don't go directly to it I am in total and complete agreement of a woman I don't even know.  She goes directly to the heart of America.  Her name is Froma Harrop and she is an editorial writer for Creators Syndicate.  I seldom read our Columbus Dispatch liberal rag let alone spend a dollar for it however, I came across a copy the other day while eating breakfast and just happened to read her article.

The title of the article," Middle class aided it own decline". is what grabbed my attention. Why?  I have been saying that for the last 20 years.  I have told my family and friends and children and anyone else who would listen middle class America has been writing a check it's ass can't cash.  Bigger homes than necessary, bigger cars than necessary, more TV's in the house than Bibles.  My personal belief is more TV's have led to the breakdown of the middle class family unit. I also believe they have greatly contributed to the "me" generation since it's not necessary to learn to share or compromise.  I have 8 grandchildren.  One household has two children in it.  There are 3 X Boxes in the home and 4 TV's.  I'm not happy with the situation by I can't control a 40 year old parent.  However...........I believe this is typical as I hear from the young people I work with all the time their houses are similar.

Ms. Harrop names such things are young girls at the mall who are more interested in showing cleavage than Barbie dolls, who in my opinion, show too much cleavage to start with. She points out how the over indulgence of keeping ahead of the Jones has caused the housing bubble and many other interesting tidbits that shows middle America blew it themselves!  You can't blame this on Bush.  

For this telling it like it is article clik here.

God Bless America

Pops

Prayer Request

As most of you know I lost my lovely wife to Cancer nearly 3 years ago.  During her valiant 6 month fight there was one woman who was there for her at every step of the way.  This was my Pastor's wife, Linda.  She visited the house and the hospital and along with Pastor was the first to arrive at the home when my Gretchen passed away.  Approximately 2 months after Gretchen passed away on a Sunday morning Pastor grabbed me as I was entering the church.  He escorted me to a quiet corner of the church and there told me his wife, Linda, had breast cancer.  For the first time in my life I saw fear in a man's eyes.  I knew exactly what he was going through and couldn't help.  He told me he wanted me to be the first before he told the congregation and this has bonded us ever since.

We have talked and I have listened while he and Linda fought the breast cancer with surgery, chemo and radiation.  We thought that through the Grace of God we had it whipped.  Needless to say I was greatly saddened when my good friend and Pastor called early Monday morning to tell me the cancer has spread to Linda's bones.  She has several areas throughout her body where the cancer has been detected.  Prognosis a this time I don't know.  I only know this woman was a rock for me and Gretchen and all the while she was there consoling us the vicious demon was coursing through her body.

These things as we all know are God's will and for what reason it is not for us to question.  For this reason I am asking any and all readers of this post to please pass this along to your friends and please prayer for Linda.She is a most wonderful and good Christian woman as I know that walks the face of this earth.

God Bless you all,

Pops

Is the Christmas Spirit DEAD!

My apologies to anyone who has stopped by for the last couple weeks expecting something profound however.....I went back to the hospital for a week due to an infection in my incision.  

Is the Christmas Spirit DEAD?  I sometimes wonder.  I drive down the road at night and see blow up snowmen, Santa Claus' and Snoopy.  Would someone please tell me what in the world Snoopy has to do with the birth of Christ.  I have read the story and find no mention of a dog anywhere in it.  I went for some frozen yogurt this evening and was as close as I want to be in an accident.  The drive of the other vehicle was left of center by about 1/2 a car and just glared at me like it would have been my fault.  I have decried the lack of Nativity scenes in not only the Home Depot where I work but at other major retail outlets.  I have cited the number of plain decorated houses vs the number of Nativity scenes in the front yards.  The plain houses outnumber by about 25 to 1.

Even in the shopping malls and stores where people are supposed to be purchasing gifts to represent the give giving of the Wise me to the baby Jesus there is pushing and shoving, rudeness and downright hostility towards their fellow man.  I watch the news or read the paper and there is some atheist trying to have the Nativity Scene removed from some public square or right of way.  Pardon my french by if you don't believe in God why the hell to you care!  I call on the phone to a company for something and after 10 prompts get a real person who may or may not answer my question.  They end the conversation with Happy Holidays.  I say BS and tell them Merry Christmas!  After all it is or at least one time about the birth of God's Holy Son, Jesus Christ.........wasn't it?  I just don't understand anymore.  Perhaps I am just getting old, Is the Christmas Spirit DEAD?

Merry Christmas to all and God Bless

Pops