Wednesday, March 23, 2011

The Sting

 
 
Too Easy
(by R.P.Edwards)

Trained by the X-Box
PlayStation, the Wii!
Ready, aim, fire!
So easy, you see?
Bad guy…and BOOM!
A cyber destroy
But these guys are real
And our weapon’s…
No toy


News Flash:  To bolster the assertion that the military action in Libya was justified in order to avert an imminent “humanitarian crisis,” the Obama administration has also ordered cruise missile attacks against the  governments of Bahrain, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, Iran, North Korea, China, Russia and, for good measure, Egypt (just in case).  “I want to make it perfectly clear,” said the chief executive as he paused before boarding Marine One, “the United States is pro-people.  No longer will we sit idly by while oppressive governments do violence to their innocent masses.” 

“Sir!” interrupted a smartly dressed marine attendant.  “Sir, we only have a fifteen minute window.”

“Yes, corporal. Thank you.  No more questions.”

____________

Even in my day it was a matter of point…and shoot.  Long ages ago I was a sonar man on a Navy Destroyer, and we too had our little video game console, and the buttons that launched…deadly stuff.  It was an impersonal act.  A “I can’t see you” kind of thing (never did it by-the-way) and, as time goes on, we learn how to deal death more accurately, and from farther away.

I certainly would not classify myself as a pacifist. I “do” believe force is sometimes necessary; even deadly force.  The actions in Afghanistan and Iraq had my nod--in my opinion there being some valid and pressing reasons--but, honestly, I don’t feel good about this latest Libya thing.  And, it’s a bit frightening that our military expertise has been so easily added because the “rebel cause” wasn’t going so well.  Methinks we should have pressed our “Allies” to more directly defend their interests.  As some have suggested, I think we may have been “played.” A European “sting”…and we are the mark…and Libya…is the loot. 

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Friday, March 18, 2011

Judging Wisconsin


 
Freedom’s Caretakers?
(by R.P.Edwards)

Holy rights
By Hand divine
For us, preserved
By blood, and spine
That we, the heirs
In measured time
Might choose our freedom’s way
And so, the people
Lend their mark
And loan, to few
The borrowed spark
And test, the ears
Of heed, and hark
To walk in freedom’s way
But due, to failure
Or to whim
 The old, are out
The new begin
A sloppy, sacred dance
We’re in
For this, is freedom’s way
But now, too often
Tyrants rise
And quell, the flow
The “We” despise
And choose, the path
To suit “their” eyes
Destroying…freedom’s way


“One thing’s definitely for sure, it’s never good when it winds up in the hands of a judge.  I don’t care if they’re left leaning or right leaning; that takes the power out of the hands of the people.” So said Fox News anchor, Megyn Kelly, on her afternoon show (America Live) after it was revealed that a Wisconsin judge, Maryann Sumi, had put the brakes to the new legislation that would have greatly reduced the collective bargaining power of public sector unions. 

Judges…and delays.  How many times have I seen it?  How many times has a judge with a particular “lean” whispered a few sentences, and legislation; legislation fought for; travailed over; constructed, deconstructed, sifted, sorted, rebutted, refined, and reassembled by, no less than THE PEOPLE’S DULY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, been put on perpetual hold because a judge decides to say, “Not so fast?”

And yeah, I acknowledge this other “branch” is supposed to bring balance but, so often it seems that it’s just a means…to an end.  Sometimes it’s a push towards a partisan end.  And sometimes it’s an ungodly, damnable end (as in held-up abortion restrictions in Illinois).  So, judges, and delays; it’s a real problem.  One solution might be term limits or, to prevent collateral defrocking, the term "impeachment" needs to take a more prominent place in our Constitutional Republic's vocabulary.

Now, back to Wisconsin; do I think Judge Sumi has a point? Not sure.  But even she admits that, at the very most, all the legislators have to do…is re-vote.  And that, dear readers, will encouraged the mobs to amass…anew.  The circus continues. 


Hang tough, Wisconsin!
(by R.P.Edwards)

Hang tough, Wisconsin!
Democracy’s stand
Your bulwarks, attend!
Your parapets, man!
The mobs come to steal
Destroy, with the flood
The treasure, preserved
By patriots blood
Hang tough, Wisconsin!
Fear not the fray
You’re armed with the right!
You’re armed with the day!
The people’s decree!
Their mandate!
Their will!
Hang tough, Wisconsin!
Your duty…fulfill!


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Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The Shaking



                        
The Shaking
(by R.P.Edwards)   

Shaken, shaken
Till we fall
Sure foundations
Crumble…all
Trust in seen
By seen, betrayed
Until our debt
To death
Is paid
Foolish we!
To linger long
Boasting thoughts
Of young…and strong
For shaking comes
And all…will fail
Save those
In hands
That held…the nail


Utter devastation.  The earthquake.  Thousands of individual lives, kingdoms, families, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters…stories, shaken to pieces; shaken…to death. 

The news; the horrible headline that, for a brief moment, moved all others to a lower place; the mammoth earthquake that struck Japan.  Japan, perhaps the most “earthquake-ready” nation on the planet; struck by a monster. The crippling uppercut from below that leveled the landscape, trapping many beneath their once comforting walls. 

And then, the wave.  We, in our self-importance, used to call them “Tidal waves,” but now, appropriately,  the Japanese word, tsunami, bears the weight. Born of great subsurface upheavals in the earth‘s crust, the ocean above convulses and conveys.  The planet pausing energy relentlessly pushes.  Millions upon millions upon millions of metric tons of salt water bow to the command and rush to the shore and, for the briefest of moments, the Lord’s command of “here, and no further”…is transgressed; and thousands--thousands waiting for the rescuers hand--are met instead by the smothering wave and dragged, helpless, nameless, lifeless, along with the destroyed and defiled remains of their being…to the uncaring depths.

Yeah, I pondered the posting for the week and, in light of Japan, I have chosen, once again, to pass over the transient and ultimately inconsequential doings of elsewhere.  Oh sure, the mideastern unrest is important.  The whole Public Union/budget thing has merit.  But…but, let the earth move and the water come, and the peripherals will immediately fall away and each of us will be forced to focus; focus on the essential task…of surviving.  And, hopefully we’ll extend our search to include life …beyond death.  For, whether the earth moves greatly, or the water comes, forcefully, each of us, individually, will meet a life robbing power. And, unashamedly, without regret, or remorse, or…retreat; I know of only one who conquered the grave.  He is the Christ; the Nazarene; the son of David; the Messiah; Jesus; and it would behoove each of us to consider Him.  To soberly, thoughtfully, contritely, consider Him…before the shaking…and before…the wave.


The Wave
(by R.P.Edwards)

There is
No reasoning
With
The Wave
No pleading
Begging
“Pardon!”
“Save!”
It comes
To kill
The whole world
‘round
Our only hope
Is higher
Ground 



Images from Google Images

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Monday, March 7, 2011

Wisconsin, Rise up!

 
 
 
The company you keep
(by R.P.Edwards)

You’re kind
You’re nice
A gent, complete
You’re brave
You’re true
And sometimes
Sweet
But all
For naught
When eye
Doth sweep
For you’re known
By the company
That you
Keep

And so the epic struggle continues.  The great fight; the confrontation; the clash of the titans!  On one side of the monumental scale; you and yours who have come to defend the rights of the “working man.“  And, on the other; those who would enslave the masses. “No further!” you scream as they who would oppress, deprive, debase, destroy! seek entrance to the hall.  “Never again!” you chant as the duly elected officials cross your lines to do their dirty deeds.  “Shame!” you lambaste as they dare to vote the people’s will.  And, as you grow weak and weary from the constant combat; there, there!…a champion comes!  A true American!  An unblemished knight of Hollywood truth!  A spokesman to speak for you; intercede for you; be you! Yes, someone to inspire and lead and be ….Michael Moore?

You know, it’s an old adage; a something Mom would say as you scooted out the door to meet with your unsavory “friends.”  “Honey…you’re known by the company you keep!”  And, by golly, Mom is right…again.  For now, as the “protestors” in Wisconsin continue to coalesce in the capitol, a spokesman has arisen to express their heart.  Yes, Michael Moore.  The very same who said:

“There's a gullible side to the American people. They can be easily misled. Religion is the best device used to mislead them.”   and,

“The small businesspeople are the rednecks that run the town and suppress the people.”  and the classic,

“I would like to apologize for referring to George W. Bush as a "deserter." What I meant to say is that George W. Bush is a deserter, an election thief, a drunk driver, a WMD liar, and a functional illiterate. And he poops his pants.”

And what do the freedom fighters do when this Mr Moore speaks?  When he compares their struggle against the legally elected officials of the great state of Wisconsin to the uprising in Egypt? Why, they cheer and applaud, of course!

Honestly, some of the most patriotic and religious people I know…are Union people.  And would we; would “I” choose Michael Moore to speak for me?  No! A thousand times…NO!

People need to understand, what’s going on in Wisconsin is more than some disgruntled state workers and some rallying rabble rousers.  What it is is an assault on democracy.  Where a miniscule “mob” tries to overthrow the will of the people. And the face; the true face of their intent…is Michael Moore.

So, to my friends in Wisconsin (the voters), I ask, “How much longer are you going to put up with this? When are you going to rise up and take back your capital?  When are you going to show you sick-leave Senators…the sidewalk?  When are you going to show (and teach) the rest of the country that you’re not intimidated by bullies, and thugs, and celebrities?” Yes, it’s a defining moment in our history.  But not about the legitimacy of organized labor; but whether “We the People” applies to the many, or to the small, and loud, and thuggish…few.


Rise up, Wisconsin!
(by R.P.Edwards)

Rise up, Wisconsin!
Clean out your house!
Out with the mercenaries!
The leech, and the louse!
Out with the pundits!
From Hollywood come
The bullies and whiners
Beating their drum
Rise up, Wisconsin!
Your statehouse reclaim!
Out with the senators
Bringing you shame
Running and ruining
Unworthy of trust
Recall and remove!
This your duty!
Your must!
Rise up, Wisconsin!
Democracy’s stand!
Don’t give in to mobs!
You’re the line, in the sand!
You’ve chosen, now choose!
To fight for your choice!
Rise up, Wisconsin!
Let your many…give voice!

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Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Union man, on Unions



If Unions
(by R.P.Edwards)

If Unions stood for babies
And rallied to their cry
Abortion mills would close up
And never even…try
And God would bless their number
And heal their dwindling ranks
And babies grown would join them
In an ever, living, thanks
If Unions stood for marriage
And morality of old
And sought the Lord for guidance
Direction, pure, and bold
Then security would follow
And sure blessings, from His hand
And all would bless the Unions
For the day
They chose…to stand


Bob was a jackass.  He was a donkey; a beast of burden; a dumb, dependable, doer.  His owner, a Tennessee farmer by the name of Ulysses S. Steel, used Bob in the same way that his daddy and granddaddy and great granddaddy used their asses; to plow the forty acres of bottom land that had been passed from one generation to the next from the time that that bloody Yankee, U. S. Grant, came through and beat the Rebs at the battle of Shiloh. Ulysses (a moniker passed on to help “remember”) grew tobacco and, since everything was bought and paid for, only general upkeep needed the occasional coin and, of course, this included fodder…for Bob.

“Darndest thing, doc,” said the chaw chewing southerner to the summoned vet.  “Ever since Bob ate the ethanol plant leftovers; well, he’s been acting mighty strange.”

“What do you mean, Ule?”

“Well, just look at ‘em.  His lips are a flappin’ nonstop!  And the noises he makes.  It’s downright creepy.”

Meanwhile, as the two humans approached for a closer gander, the thoughts of the jackass replayed the momentous happenings of the last forty-eight hours.

“It was the dawn of a new day!" recalled the burro.  "A glorious sunbeam bursting through the overcast sky!  Somehow, after I ate the magic corn, my mind has come alive!  I am self aware!  I am a sentient being!  I now embrace the cool of the night!  I caress the canopy of lights with my eyes! I relish the kiss of the dawn and the sweet, sweet smell of the clover and hay!  My heart overflows with prose and poetry and I will learn to express these things.  I will converse, heart to heart, with my master.  Yes, we will share, one with another but first; but first I must learn to speak!”

Looking long into the animated eyes of the formerly dumb beast and hearing the unsettling noises coming from his contorting lips, the vet stepped back and whispered to the owner, “It can’t be good, Ule.  I think we should put him down.  I can give him an injection right now…or you can do it the old fashioned way.”

______

Had my company physical yesterday.  Eyes, ears, heart, lungs, blood pressure, pee, mobility…but no brain.  I don’t blame them.  I am not a “mind” commodity.  But, there‘s no hard feelings.  No animosity.  I am, in essence…a jackass.  And they are…a paycheck.  It is truly a symbiotic relationship and, although there may be feigned references to “more,” it all comes down to the paycheck…and the jackass.  (hee haw)

Now, Unions.  As I’ve stated, I am a Union man and, on some levels, we “all” are.  Why? Because at it’s basest level the Union is nothing more than “you” helping “me.” In other words; individuals who are weak, join together to face a strong enemy.  The Thirteen Colonies were a Union.  The World War II Allies were a Union.  Heck, even a neighborhood watch is a Union!

So, on the local level, when the “company” seeks to maximize their profit (again, no animosity) the Union helps to blunt their plan that, left unhindered, may grind the jackasses…into jerky.  I like that.  I support that.  I applaud that.  And on some level…we all do.

The downside:  Alas, collective bargaining; useful when dealing with private companies, is a farce when employed in the public sector.  Why? Because the “bosses” are elected and, since Unions help get them into office; they are beholden.  It is a recipe for corruption.  And so, when the “National” sends out the clarion call to rally the faithful so that Public Unions are allowed to maintain their unwarranted sway; I believe they err.

As I’ve said, I support the idea of Union and, on the local level, I am on board.  But, sadly, tragically, the National leadership has chosen to align themselves with those whose values chafe violently against my Christian core. Thus, when the abortionist mercilessly ends a life; the union hand helps to hold the blade.  When the legislator opposes God’s position on marriage; the union man adds his “amen.” 

One final thought: A few years ago I approached the then President of our local, seeking the steps necessary to keep my dues from supporting politicians and parties that espoused views that I could not own.  The process seemed convoluted and I quit the effort.  I assuaged my conscience by thinking, “They can use my dues to support the opposition, and I will use my voice to counter.”  Having said that let me conclude with this heartfelt advice: If unions want to truly prosper; if they want to flourish and be an important part in the American life and economy then they need to, first of all, as our founders did, seek the aid of Divine Providence. And that, dear reader, includes supporting what “He” supports, and opposing…what “He” opposes.


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