Friday, April 29, 2011

The Viable

 
 
Viable?
(by R.P.Edwards)

The line of Viability
The end for doctors'…do
Preceding, is the bleeding
But post…?
Then, “shame on you”
We’re talking here of people
When they’re recognized, as such
And of those
Who wish to kill them
When their conscience needs
A crutch

In some ways my modest dwelling is like a time capsule.  I was reminded of this recently when taking note of some wind damage to the upper parts of the exterior.  Gone with the blast were a few sections of soffit (a horizontal covering placed under the roof overhang).  And, revealed with the peel…was a wire.  At first I thought, “cable,” but, with the addition of the ladder and a closer peek it became, “Well, I’ll be; an old antenna wire.” 

The structure was built in 1920.  No doubt the region was still rebounding from the effects of World War I and, worse yet, the deadly Spanish Flu.  I’ve read that this “super bug” killed up to “ten” times more Americans than the Kaiser’s bombs and bullets.  And, sifting through my memory I recall seeing quite a few “stones” from that period when strolling through a local cemetery a few years back.

Of course, later came World War II, Korea, Vietnam. All…life takers.  And somewhere in that time period--probably the 1950’s--the antenna went up.  Yes, simpler times.  Life was to be valued.  For one reason, it had shown itself, time and time again, as a fragile thing; an easily lost thing; a “to be defended” thing.  And then…came the seventies, and the turning.  For it was then that the Supreme Court, rather than seeking to preserve life; rather than giving “life” the benefit of a doubt; they decreed, in their passionless proclamation, that babies in the womb, were not babies at all.  And we, a generation later, and 50 million Americans lighter, are left trying to reverse the “dieing trend” that the few “wise ones” forced upon the nation.

So, here’s a genuine salute to the Indiana legislators who have fought hard to bring the law’s recognition of “personhood” down to twenty weeks gestation.  And, although the loss of life due to recent tornadic activity is indeed tragic, terrible; the loss of human life in our local abortion clinic, just down the street; just two miles from this old house; will exceed that number in just a few short weeks.  These “people,”  however, are unrecognized, and unloved.

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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

St Louis' Easter Miracle












 Silly we
(by R.P.Edwards)

Silly we
Neglecting Thee
Creator of our kind
A humble plea
A “less of me”
Then
ALL OF MINE…IS THINE


On the radar the formation seemed as a nearly solid line.  Quickly moving from east to west the pulsing orange and reds  meant violence, calamity, injury, possible death.  “Take cover!” was the bistate cry!  “Take cover, now!” And we, like mice to our holes; we, in this age of high-tech weaponry; we, the citizens of the supposedly “last super-power;” tucked our subservient heads in and scurried to our  basements to cower and cringe.  And, above us, as we trembled, the bomb bay doors opened and down they came; the powerful instruments of destruction.  But, unlike other deadly ordinance--the kind distinguished by kilos and pounds--these falling monsters were known as F1...F2...F4! 

But wait! Could it be?! Yes! There is a something; a someone who intercedes!  For, as the heartless weapons dive to destroy; as they ravenously claw towards the earth to kill and consume there is, like a huge unseen bridle to the beast, a placing, a pulling, a turning, a taming.  And, these horrible brutes that would have murdered ALL if they possibly could, they are, like the tethered hound to the master’s hand, only allowed to anxiously bound on the path; only allowed to leave their prints and teeth marks on a benign tangent; just enough to let the mortals know that Death was near; but the Divine hand…restrained.

And one may ask, “why?” Why did He who calmed the sea of Galilee intercede?  Because He is merciful?! Yes! A thousand times, Yes!  But, also, dear reader, because He was acknowledged…and asked.
______

Over the Easter weekend tornados struck the St Louis region.  The international airport, Lambert field, was sorely wounded and laid low.  Many dwellings were damaged; some utterly destroyed.  And, not satisfied with Missouri fare, the monsters crossed the river and stabbed deeply into Illinois.  But, with all the destruction and displacement…no deaths…no serious injuries.  And, as this event caught the eye of the nation, Bill Hemmer of Fox news referred to it as “An Easter Miracle.”  Missouri Governor, Jay Nixon, upon flying above to see the shattered leavings remarked, “It almost feels like a little bit of divine intervention when you look at the destruction.”  But, my favorite quote comes from a local lady who stood in front of the very barrel of the gun and, after being spared she relayed, “We just started praying, and we did…and it saved us.”

And I think, how terribly sad that it takes so much to shake us to our core.  That it takes so much to make us go to the place of our beginnings; to the one acknowledged and credited in our founding document.  The Declaration of Independence refers to Him as “Nature’s God, Creator, Supreme judge of the world, divine providence.”  And the Constitution refines the reference even more by closing with the phrase, “In the year of our Lord.”

But, sadly, truthfully, distance from the fray; distance from the turmoil, the troubling, the soul-rending circumstance…and arrogance arises.  Self sufficiency surfaces.  Self worth, self importance, self worship…manifest.  And, if these qualities reside in the powerful, the rest of the nation is, as a matter of course, steered down the damnable path of idolatry.  It is no wonder then, with God forgotten, and “fear of Him” removed, that the Supreme Court began extracting our blessed benefactor from public education “after” the memories of World War II began to fade.  That, in the seventies, human life--that which the Divine cherishes deeply--was cheapened by the black robes until now over 50 million have perished and, not surprisingly, since “He,” though our next breath is by His allowance; since He is summarily dismissed, there was no trembling at the redefining of the Holy institution of Marriage.  And, to be fair; to be honest; those who “could” restrain the usurpers, these also, with nary a palpable peep, acquiesced to “their” intellect because, as everyone knows, the wisdom of man (as our actions testify) always trumps…the knowledge…of God.

To conclude:  This writer, and this blog by extension, have a “conservative” lean.  But, unlike some whose definition of the cause is merely a shopping list that includes: a balanced budget, lower taxes, a strong military, smaller government; “my” simple conviction is that true conservatism must, MUST! be grounded and founded upon the Creator who gives us our rights.  And, as a consequence, my eyes and my allegiance are towards those whose core is “there.” Whose words and actions reveal an understanding that this blessed nation was of divine birth and, our preservation is not in any way dependent on the elite oozings of academia, but rather on the heartfelt utterances of the humble who, when faced with the reality of their fragility say, “We just started praying, and we did…and it saved us.”

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Friday, April 22, 2011

Good Friday: The Ultimate Solution



The Solution
(by R.P.Edwards)

The solution took sacrifice
Not part
But the ALL
Commitment sufficient
To Redeem
From the fall
The impetus?
LOVE
Beyond death…beyond pain
A reaching
At ready
With the call
Of His Name


It’s Good Friday, when the price for humankind’s redemption…was paid.  What cost!  Imagine, the one through whom everything was made…willingly received the punishment and penalty due to absolve the betrayers.  And, in order to do this, He actually took on human flesh; became, if you will, a part of the creation…yet without sin.

Well, I’ll not try to do justice to this momentous memorial.  There are others of greater gifts for that.  But, as a Christian I recognize the reality of this day.  The reality of my formerly “lost” state; the “I was unable to work, or earn” condition; the “I desperately need a Savior” before lament.  And, with the remembrance of “what He did” I, this day, am so grateful that His love (extended to all, John 3:16) even reached as far…as me.

So, to my fellow believers; to those who know that the Jesus of scripture is as real as He ever was; to those who remember this distant yet personal day with somber and serious thanksgiving; to these I join in one voice and with the Psalmist joyously proclaim, “O give thanks to the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever!”  (Psalm 118:29)

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Saturday, April 16, 2011

Mike Huckabee's Fair Tax

 
First tax
(by R.P.Edwards)

Remember the day
You heard them say
“And this, dear boy,
will be, your pay?”
Oh joyous thought!
Your wallet packed!
And then you learned
Of being…taxed


Since I’ve been in a Huckabee state of mind of late (video production) I thought it might be good to explore a bit more of his platform besides the essential moral/God issues.  And, I discovered, one such “plank” is the enactment of the “Fair Tax.”

“What is this,” says I, sadly ignorant of the meaning.  So, with the aid of youtube, I heard the good governor explain the concept in an interview during his failed (alas) presidential run (link below).  Basically, income taxes as we know them now…are abolished (yippee!).  And, as a consequence, so is the IRS (yippee! again). And, of necessity, the 16th amendment (which gives the Federal Government the power to tax) is repealed (yippee! X 3).  “So,“ one might ask, “from where comes the money to run things?”  At the point of consumption, dear reader; at the point of consumption.  The more you consume, the more you pay.  And  I’m told, it would be enough and--as a further benefit--that which now drives business away from the USA, when removed, would cause them…to stay.

You know, I don’t remember the last time I looked at the “gross income” figure on my pay stub; the supposed amount that I earn.  Why? Because I know it means…nothing.  It is a phantom, an apparition, a seductive specter without substance.  No, I look at the “net,” for that is what buys the groceries.  The “net” is the truth.  And, wouldn’t it be nice if we only dealt with…the truth?

In the interview, the governor relays how someone told him, in reference to the Fair Tax… “It will never happen.”  His response,   “I refuse to believe that the best ideas are the ones that will never happen.”  Hear! Hear! Mike Huckabee!  Hear! Hear!  And, might I suggest, Mr H., it’s time jump into the Presidential race.  President Obama is already campaigning (if he ever stopped.)  Others are taking the plunge.  Your presence is sorely needed.

The FairTax link of which I spoke:Huckabee on the Fair Tax

The “Mike Huckabee, Run!” exhortation.  Pass along, please.  Mike Huckabee, Run!

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Saturday, April 9, 2011

The filters

 
 
 
Snob fatigue
(by R.P.Edwards)

We acquiesce to intellect
Believing that it’s wise
But time oft tells
It smacks of hell
A satan, in disguise


The name, more than the stunning Fioravanti suit with matching Berluti shoes; more than the drop off in his candy-apple red Ferrari and impressive entourage of polished perfects; it was the name of this imported, world renowned defense lawyer that gave most in this out-of-the-way Appalachian town that star-struck, deer in the headlights look that spoke, if nothing else, of an internal compass being ever so slightly warped and wrangled to, without a word being spoken or the slightest hint of  proof, bend towards the desire of this litigating legend for, as simply all knew; “he” showed up only if there were the absolute certainty of victory.  And, as he, amidst hushed tones of audience adulation, made his way to the front table, even some in the jury box could be seen to mouth the slogan that had become synonymous with this lawyers lawyer.  “With Roger Gin…you win.”

On the bench, judge Stark.  Long in the black robes he, as it turns out, was of the same graduating class as the impressive visitor and indeed, at one time they had readily rubbed elbows in the halls of that hallowed east coast institution.  But, after graduation, their lives had taken drastically different tacks and, though one had ascended from one golden rung to the next (“always” choosing the glittering lift) the other, through a series of difficult and demanding, and even humbling choices had had nearly all the trappings of elitism, entitlement and aristocracy roughly scrubbed from his person and psyche.

“Mr. Gin, and members of the jury,” began the presider, “let me remind you that this case will be judged; or “should” be judged, the old fashioned way; by the preponderance of the evidence.” Turning to the twelve. “Ladies and gentlemen, I adjure you to not be influenced by the celebrity attached to this endeavor.  When all is said and done, the frills and the finish and finery mean…nothing.  Yours is a solemn obligation to be impartial.  Yours is the duty to not be swayed by non-essentials.  Our goal is the truth.  And, I’m sure you agree, we dare not let the truth be defined by anything less than what the evidence…reveals.”
_______

Just an old saw.  I watched some of our notable experts--the crème de la crème of higher education--tear into the famous real-estate mogul, Donald Trump, because he dare ask the simple question, “Where is the President’s birth certificate.”  These, our self-appointed mouthpieces, deride the political upstart because the elite--on the left and right--have decided that the actual document is…unnecessary.  And, since they deem it so, to actually demand evidence (or at least a valid explanation as to it’s absence [like, “we lost it,” or “the dog ate it”] is portrayed as backward, uncouth, ignorant, mid-American.

A little reminder:  those who speak for us; those with the microphone; they, whoever they are, did not bring us here.  They (and we) did not earn this United States and, frankly, I’m sick of their presumption that they “know” what’s best.  That their regurgitation of secular University speak in some way carries the weight of the Giants.  The giants through whom this republic was birthed.  The giants who knew enough to begin their quest for freedom and wisdom at a patriot’s alter; a place of contrition, and submission, and consecration. A place so very different from the man exalting shrines that we now give allegiance and import.

While I’m at it; following is a poem dedicated to those who couch their anti-life beliefs and desires and actions in the frilly words of the disingenuous, or if not that, the words of …the deceived.

Women’s Healthcare?
(by R.P.Edwards)

“Healthcare?”
Mused the pseudo-doc
His latex dripping red
“A gentle word to soothe and glaze
Translation? Babies…dead.”

****

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

I Have an Announcement

 
 
The Announcement
(by R.P.Edwards)

Academics are ecstatic!
The media, tingles on
Hollywood throws a party
And pundits, dote and fawn
The president’s announcement
An early Christmas treat!
Though some regard it sour
To these, it’s...oh...so...sweet


And so President Obama officially announces his plan to occupy  1600 Pennsylvania Ave until 2016. 

I was thinking; now that we know him a little better, perhaps I could suggest a couple ads for and against.

For:     
    -“It took Bush eight years to screw things up.  It will take eight years to fix it!”

    -“Like the doctor advises, “You need to take all the medicine in order for it to work.””

Against:   
   
    -[deficit numbers scrolling in the background behind a speaking President Obama]
     Voiceover: “We’ve all heard that talk is cheap.  You couldn‘t tell that by this man”

    -“We’ve had enough of Chicago politics. How about a candidate for the rest of us?”

    -“Remember when the world took America seriously?”

    -“We’ve had the best government money can by.  What say we just have the Best government?”

    -The Chinese proverb comes to mind, “Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me”

The other day I heard the old “too extreme” opine from those on the left who live at that address.  It inspired the following poem.  Ahem…

 
Extreme Left
(by R.P.Edwards)

“Too extreme!”
Said the extremist
After dining on the dead
Babies deemed unworthy
Dehumanized, and bled
“What fun to fool the masses!”
His arrogant opine
“I feed them fearful fodder
Then they simply fall…in line”

****

Friday, April 1, 2011

The Last Snowman


The Last Snowman
(by R.P.Edwards)

Born and built
In winter’s thrust
The man is formed
From icy dust
And life from childrens
Hands and breath
With hope for play
And distant…death
Alas, the sun
Regains the sky
And all that’s frozen
Melts…and dies
Yes, all from winter’s
Final fling
Including snowmen
In the Spring

The winter coat, retired.  The beloved scarf, at rest.  And then the last incursion; the frigid blast that pushed past the calendar and the budding tree and deposited, for the birth of one more sentry, three inches of snow.

It was a fine one, too.  The traditional three baller; but tall, accessorized, and with a defiant tilt towards the street and, since I frequently travel past the spot, I saw its sudden inclusion in the scene and, since it is Spring after all; I saw it’s meager remnants on the ground a few days later.  A kind of life thing.  One day, formidable.  The next day…dust.

That’s it.  No political commentary.  No deep delving into the days doings.  Just a place holder.  A gentle offering to keep the motor idling.  A simple notice of time and effort and fortuitous frost.  Quickly done. Quickly gone.  Perhaps next week will bring weightier words. 

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