Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Edelweiss and me






Little Songs
(by R.P.Edwards)

Funny how a little song
can weave through castle walls
and find and pierce
the hardest heart
until the castle...falls



Probably at least thirty years, perhaps more since I sang Edelweiss with the autoharp accompaniment. 

The sweet Rodgers and Hammerstein's ballad from "The Sound of Music" (the last joint effort from this talented duo) has been an aid, from time to time, for the calming of infants past and has resurfaced this decade as a lullaby for the first grandchild. And, even now, as he approaches two years of age, it has a way of soothing and quieting the little motor that makes tiny boys run, and jump, and cry, and resist the pillow's call.

Anyway, it's usually sung with the tyke in my arms, but I thought a simple rendition with the autoharp would be nice for the internet. Depending how long the thing stays intact (meaning cyberspace) it may be a source of pleasant memories...for years to come.

Thanks again to Oscar and Dick and especially to the author of all things good.

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Monday, February 16, 2015

What Constitution?













                                          

Judge Callie Granade                   vs                           Justice Roy Moore







Judged
(by R.P.Edwards)

What do we do 
when judges rule
and the people
have no say?
What do we do
when they make the law
and our vote
is thrown away?
What do we do
when they reign as kings
and the covenant ignore?
Well that "when" is now
So let's kowtow 
Yes, lean and kiss the floor



I'm disturbed on two levels. One; as a Christian I find myself taken aback--doing one of those "I almost can't believe it" gasps--at the utter defiance and contempt shown for the author of our liberty by so many (even some Christ proclaimers) by the elevation of homosexual coupling to the level of God-ordained marriage between a man and a woman. How foolish to tempt the one who holds your breath; and yet we as a nation shake our collective fists in His face and say, "I dare you!"

But, on another level, and perhaps one that has more universal appeal, I am appalled at the "overreach" of a federal judiciary that not only renders their "opinions" but, these musings are then given the weight of law. 

Case in point: Recently a lower federal judge ruled that the Alabama Constitution's ban of same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. Chief Justice of that state, Roy Moore, on Fox News Sunday, responded in part: "This is about an extension of power beyond Federal authority...we've got to understand that what a judge says is not law...there is no law right now that overcomes the Alabama Constitution." Later, responding to some words on the subject by President Obama, he said, "...but what this Harvard Professor, who is President of the United States, does not understand; a trial court's decision on the constitutionality of a federal question is just that, an opinion...it is not overturning the Alabama Constitution." And finally, near the end of the interview: "This power over marriage--which came from God under our organic law--is not to be redefined by the United States Supreme Court or any other federal court."

And so, while many are giddy over their perceived achievement of "equality" through the courts and, as many like Judge Moore are pushed aside; categorized as backwards or worse, bigots, the nation continues to suffer from the will of the few who wield power to which they have no right. 

Call me a dreamer, but I am hopeful that there will eventually be a universal uprising (in a constitutional way) to put a leash on the black-robed abusers and, as far as "mocking" God...I reckon He'll let His will be known on the matter sooner or later.

I was contemplating including a youtube link to the interview, but, as is often the case, some of the comments were vile. A reflection of what we have become, I suppose...

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The Supreme Court Song


Thursday, February 12, 2015

Darwin, Lincoln, Blumenthal, Himes













Darwin and Lincoln
(By R.P.Edwards)

Darwin and Lincoln
Born the same day
One brought us death
One freed the slave



S.Res.66 - A resolution expressing support for the designation of February 12, 2015, as "Darwin Day" and recognizing the importance of science in the betterment of humanity.



Um, Senator Blumenthal and Rep. Himes, Sirs; we ALREADY have an important remembrance on February 12. It's referred to as LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY!!!!

Now, perhaps the good legislators have forgotten the birth memorial of our 16th president. After all, we've lumped "all" the presidents into a February weekend add-on. That means individual acknowledgements, no matter how warranted and deserved...are unnecessary. Washington? Too bad. Lincoln? Tough luck.

As to the resolution and the "recognizing the importance of science in the betterment of humanity;" I don't have a problem with the premise, however, when we speak of "science" that benefits, that's the empirical kind. You know, the "scientific method" kind; hypothesize, test, observe, retest, observe, etc. Well, "that" kind of science has nothing to do with the "guesswork" of evolutionary thought; which, naturally, has been evolving (pun intended) as one supposition after another falls by the wayside.

But, rather than spending time trying to counter the true believers of the Darwinian faith, let's just add some casual observations. Slaves: thought to be inferior by some. Even sub-human. Did Darwinism bolster this view, or weaken it? Another: Those who tried to refine the "master race" and eliminate others deemed inferior (to the tune of multiplied millions); did Darwinism aid, or dissuade, such a vile idea? Another: since the collective "we" are the result of blind, impersonal forces, has Darwinian thought, yea or nay, contributed to the cheapening of human life (merely an animal after all) and made it acceptable to end this "non-person's" existence while still in the womb (again, to the tune of multiplied millions)?

Yes, rather than celebrate the man, let us rather mourn the multitudes murdered in his name.

And, if one still wishes to set aside a time of honoring, I have a suggestion; since we no longer choose to observe the actual birthdays of people of notoriety, why not celebrate Mr Darwin's birthday along with National Atheist Day...April 1st?

For further reading: Ken Ham's view

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Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Existentially speaking


"Pharoah, sir, is this what you'd call an Existential threat?"





Existential
(by R.P.Edwards)

"Existential"
It's all the rage!
On many lips
On ever page
It's linked with "threat"
And means the worst
But the "greater" threat
Is when...we're cursed 



"Existential threat;" a phrase heard much of late. The context is usually in regards to terrorism and how its perpetrators either are, or are not an existential threat to the United States.

Well, I must admit, this pairing was a "head scratcher" for me. However, after a little research I think I have the gist, namely: a "people" being destroyed; as in, ceasing to exist; as in...a whole lot of dead "us."

So, I guess, since the "evil" folk of the Islamic persuasion don't yet have the ability to slaughter us good, their potential badness, on the dead scale, is only in the number category of, say, highway deaths (35,000)? No, that's too many. Say then, from falling off ladders (around 400). Yeah, that's better.

Of course, this only applies to "far away" us. Israel--a much closer target--is definitely in the "existential" bulls eye. The blood cult that lusts for their land is only an extended hike away. And, if nukes are acquired, that's a game-changer for all of us.

Well, if I may, and if you'll allow me; "our" collective problem is not that there is evil in the world and that it is out to get us; no, our "problem" is that we, by our actions and intent, show that we don't warrant an intervention by the Supreme Being mentioned in our founding document. We've strayed quite a bit (see previous posts) and ignoring, and even goading...Him; yes, that results in an existential threat that no distance will assuage.

Two more things: Here's a link to a palatable definition of Existential   

And a quote from our beloved 16th president seems appropriate...once again.



We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!
(Abraham Lincoln 1863) 

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