It seems that every day we wake up and find out that this malAdministration has done something else to weaken us and send us closer to the edge of oblivion. This time we begin with the Vice President, Joe "Mighty Mouth" Biden. As potential leader of the country and caretaker of national security (shiver!) , you'd think the VP would have a greater ability to zip the lip. But noooo; he can't let an opportunity to give away secrets slip by. He actually blabbed about the location of the secret bunker used to protect the VP during emergencies, to a gathering of reporters, no less. It undoubtedly cost many millions of dollars to construct and upgrade the bunker after 9-11, and was used to house Dick Cheney during those attacks. Unless Joe likes the thought of being housed in a bulls-eye during the next crisis, his disclosure means now they'll have to build another one somewhere else, on our tab. As it is, Joe is being shuffled around -- and out of sight -- since the faux pas.
Incidentally; because this is the Memorial Day weekend, I thought it appropriate to provide you with a very special link: free audio of Glenn Beck's Memorial Day tribute. Turn it up and remember that someone else paid dearly for what we take for granted. Next time you see a serviceperson, thank them.
And if you want to see a dimension of the holiday that most of us miss, I urge you to check out the HBO video Taking Chance (now available at iTunes). It is based on a true story, and stars Kevin Bacon in an unforgettable role as a Marine Major who volunteers to escort the body of Chance Phelps, a young PFC killed in Iraq in 2004. Bring your hanky and your soul; both will be wrenched.
Got Cookies? The Girl Scouts used to be a breeding ground for good, wholesome women who could handle themselves in the home or the workplace by building skills and self-confidence, while instilling the young women with a reverence for the God of the Bible and a respect for America. But, like other popular social institutions, that image is changing. Nowadays, Girl Scouts are more likely to be deeply immersed in feminism, secularism, sexual behavior (including lesbianism) and "family planning" (aka abortion).
Unlike the Boy Scouts which have risked all to preserve their tradition-based integrity and founding principles, national Girl Scout leaders have succumbed to political correctness and social engineering, having been infiltrated by feminists and lesbians. Rather than getting instruction on homemaking from successful mothers, the organization now looks to socially popular lesbians and Planned Parenthood for life lessons. I think you can guess where that path often leads.
Fortunately, there is now a constructive alternative to the leftward/downward agenda: Patti Garibay, formerly involved with the GSA for 19 years, has formed American Heritage Girls as an alternative for Moms who don't want their little girls growing up like Madonna or Rosie O'Donnell.
As much a ministry as a social organization, their 'purpose' page states, "While AHG’s mission statement is to 'Build women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country', we recognize that our overall mission as part of God’s family is the Great Commission, as commanded by our Lord, Jesus Christ." If you have a church, you might consider bringing this concept forward and promoting it. Today's young women need more positive role models, and none is more positive than Jesus, who happens to be the original women's liberator.
The rules dictate the results. It may come as a surprise to many, but according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the lowest unemployment rates typically occur in so-called 'red states' which lean toward conservatism (the Republican Party should keep that in mind). While some pundits credit that finding to political contests (including laid-off workers switching parties), I think it may be the result of less state government intrusion, lower taxes that keep the states business-friendly, right-to-work rules that limit the influence of unions, and generally happier workers who are more productive. But then, what do I know?
Get lost! I recently used a GPS device to find a really out-of-the-way friend's house, and it worked without a hitch, delivering me 'virtually' to his doorstep. That capability may degrade as soon as next year, according to a new report. Not only would everyone from FedEx to enhanced 911, and ships and planes begin stumbling around trying to find their destinations (like ports or airfields, for example), our military has a critical need for GPS for navigation and targeting. There is no other system presently available that is as dead-on accurate. Apparently, the looming national security problem is being blamed on systemic neglect on the part of the Air Force, which maintains the system and is struggling to complete a $2 billion upgrade before the entire system collapses. Meanwhile, they warn us to prepare for outages or errors. My advice: buy a good map and compass, and learn to use them. Hey - they worked fairly well for nearly a thousand years, and you don't have to worry about a battery (or satellite) failure.
Finding the moral compass. A recent Gallup poll illustrates the schizophrenia of modern American morality. While it shows a moderate to significant decrease in public approval of social issues such as divorce , abortion, gambling, embryonic stem cell research and premarital sex -- which are all very positive signs -- support for suicide remains the same at 15%, and acceptance of homosexuality actually increased by 1%.
What this indicates to me is that we are slowly getting our message out, but the other side isn't caving, and we must remain diligent. there is a lot of moral 'inertia' to overcome. While many of us have a biblical basis for our beliefs, a lot of people today don't have that faith-based moral foundation. For those folks, we have to offer reasoned responses and avoid resorting to hateful diatribes that push emotion and anger over common sense. Angry people don't listen, they shout, or they shut you out.
Enjoy your holiday, and again -whether you're partying or just resting - remember those who died to make it possible.
