Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Renee Ellmers and Abraham Lincoln






Common Cowardice 
(by R.P.Edwards)

I empathize with cowardice
I empathize with fear
I empathize with those who quit
the finish line...so near
I empathize with stuttered steps
of turning when not done
I empathize with losing
with the battle nearly won
I empathize with "if only I"
that haunts the mind for years
I empathize with recurring shame
that leaves its mark in tears
And I empathize with those who pray
receiving strength and grace
And I empathize with these reborn
who finally win...the race



The following is from Lincoln's FIRST inaugural address:

Apprehension seems to exist among the people of the Southern States, that by the accession of a Republican Administration, their property, and their peace, and personal security, are to be endangered. There has never been any reasonable cause for such apprehension. Indeed, the most ample evidence to the contrary has all the while existed, and been open to their inspection. It is found in nearly all the published speeches of him who now addresses you. I do but quote from one of those speeches when I declare that "I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so."

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I was thinking about the recent pro-life disappointment having to do with the "new" congress' (Republican) failure to pass a bill that would prohibit abortions after twenty weeks gestation (when pain supposedly can be felt by the baby). It was defeated by, among others, a former advocate, Renee Ellmers: Something about the "rape" provision, or the timing wasn't right.

Anyway, many of my "life-lovers" are going ballistic over Ms Ellmers' turnaroundBut, I'd like to think, that instead of being devious or traitorous (in a pro-life fashion) that she was and is, for some reason, merely...afraid.

Perhaps she lost focus for a bit. Perhaps the less committed among her colleagues put a doubt-producing bug in her ear. Whatever the reason...she hesitated, choked, fell short.  And now (although the Chief executive said he'd veto the measure [so much for his "Christian" claim,]) the babies will continue to be painfully murdered with abandon. 

But...I believe in redemption; in second chances. And, as one who has on more than one occasion been hindered by "fear," I also know that there can be a steeling, a honing, a putting on of courage. And, when it comes to the monstrous evil of infanticide...we need such as these in the seats of power. I'll be praying for Rep Ellmer's redemption and resolve. And, as for Lincoln; what began as an all-out effort to preserve the Union, ended with being a God-ordained instrument in the abolition of the great evil of his day...slavery.

Following is a copy of his SECOND inaugural address:

 
At this second appearing to take the oath of the Presidential office there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement somewhat in detail of a course to be pursued seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself, and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. 

With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.
On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it, all sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war—seeking to dissolve the Union and divide effects by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came.

One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union even by war, while the Government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh." If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him? 

Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

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Thursday, January 22, 2015

ISIS and Roe v Wade















Isis we
(by R.P.Edwards)

Isis kills
And we're aghast!
The innocents
They've slayed
But we, my friend
Have murdered more
OUR "faith"
is 
 Roe v Wade



It's the anniversary of Roe v Wade; the "landmark" decision by the Supreme Court that gave the "Okay to slay."

A new twist: we (as the above poem points out) are aghast at a group of individuals who, in the name of their god, have no problem slaughtering others who, by our "civilized" standards...are innocent. Yes, we, the level-headed and freedom-loving West, cannot fathom such "evil." 

However, it should be pointed out that there is ANOTHER realm/kingdom, that looks on at OUR actions with greater disgust. For we--civilized and educated and enlightened "we"--have no problem with filling the halls of "heaven" with the spirits of the babies we have murdered because seven "men" aspired to godhood.

It's almost funny if you think about it. "We're" troubled by some Islamic zealots beheading children, when, just down the street in good ol' America little babies--millions upon millions of them--are ripped to shreds and their parts sold to grave robbers. On that note, a saying comes to mind: When those who harvest pigs are asked what is "used" from the animal; they often reply..."Everything but the squeal." If the question would be asked to the abortionist and, by extension, to we who allow such barbarity, the answer might be..."Everything but the cry to God."

Enough said. Following are a couple quotes: Justice Byron White's dissent of the damnable ruling, and Jefferson's thoughts about another evil that has the same parent. 

I find nothing in the language or history of the Constitution to support the Court's judgment. The Court simply fashions and announces a new constitutional right for pregnant women and, with scarcely any reason or authority for its action, invests that right with sufficient substance to override most existing state abortion statutes. The upshot is that the people and the legislatures of the 50 States are constitutionally disentitled to weigh the relative importance of the continued existence and development of the fetus, on the one hand, against a spectrum of possible impacts on the woman, on the other hand. As an exercise of raw judicial power, the Court perhaps has authority to do what it does today; but, in my view, its judgment is an improvident and extravagant exercise of the power of judicial review that the Constitution extends to this Court. Justice Byron White

Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever.
Thomas Jefferson

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Monday, January 19, 2015

Ted Olson vs Martin Luther King Jr




         


Say it
(by R.P.Edwards)

Say it like you mean it
Say it like it's true
Say it like it's always been
That ignorance "Is you"
Say it from the higher ground
Say you're heaven's voice
Say that none will suffer
If the "victims" have this choice
Say our fears are meaningless
Say our thoughts arcane
Say it from the prophet's perch
Invoke the hallowed names
Say it till you sway us
Say till all believe
Say it till destruction comes
For "say it" means...deceive
  



First of all, welcome back to the Fox News Channel (from we Dish subscribers). I was in the final stages of switching. 

Speaking of Fox: I watched a Fox News Sunday segment yesterday (youtube link); a debate (well, not a debate; more a gentle questioning) involving Ted Olson and Tony Perkins over the coming querying by the court over the same-sex issue and the fourteenth amendment. Many judges have been adding their "amen" to the new/old sexual tangent; but there are a few holdouts. Supposedly the highest court will try to solve this conundrum which they themselves are the authors of.

Well, I've written on this sort of thing before; (Not the Same, Chris Wallace, NO!! and probably a few more somewhere), but, on this important memorial, and even though my chalky complexion may lessen my standing; let me just comment that I tire of the endless comparison of the plight of gays to those of African descent. Imagine equating the horrific treatment done to a whole race due to an unchangeable skin pigmentation (murders, assaults, rapes, cruel and inhumane treatment done on a societal level), to those whose "minority status" is defined by "affection" and sexual rubbing. It's absurd...and offensive.

But...my words mean nothing. Less than nothing. I only hope some whose platform is more recognizable have the courage to stand up and speak. The institution of God-ordained and defined marriage needs protecting. So too the legacy of those who literally gave all...to right the injustices brought to mind this day.




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Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Goodbye Dish Network!





Divorce?
(by R.P.Edwards)

It's called a "Separation"
That's what our parents say
But dad's no longer with us
And mom is sad all day
My mom's name is Dish Network
And dad's name is Fox News
And since they're "separated"
We children have the blues
:(



I was thaaaat close! (picture index finger and thumb a millimeter apart) to cancelling my subscription: Subscription to Dish Network that is. Why? Because of the "war" with Fox News. I'm a Bill and Megyn fan, and I'm rather fond of the whole bunch (even the "lefters"), but this "negotiation" is getting on my nerves and, to top it off! I, also being a HUGE Huckabee fan (Huckabee 2016!), I missed the "final" show because of...the war.

Anyway, I hope mom and dad settle they're differences soon. I've paid for another month due to the wishes of "other than Fox" watchers. But, if things are not resolved by then...Roku is looking pretty good.

The Fake Trio has something to say on the subject. Enjoy:




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