Hi again everyone! Ok, my long absences are starting to get ridiculous. But it's almost 2011 (my graduation year!) and my New Years Resolution will to try to post more often here (I'm making no guarantees though!). I hope you all had a great Christmas. I did, and I am enjoying a much needed break from school and all things requring mental activity...but I missed blogging!
Speaking of Christmas...I have been thinking quite a bit about how much I enjoyed spending it at home with my family, with our tree and lights, annual Christmas Eve crab cakes (yum!) and other fun stuff...and how many of America's greatest heroes are deprived of that cherished family time this holiday season because they are serving overseas. It makes me realize how lucky I am. I could ramble on all day of how their sacrifice and dedication has given every one of us so much, but there really are no words to express my gratitude to our armed forces. Remember that they have put their lives on hold to serve, and put their lives on the line daily, in defense of our nation. To any present or past soldiers reading this, thank you! :)
I've spoken of Soldiers Angels in a previous blog post, but I'd like to bring it up again. In 2011, make a difference in the life of someone who is fighting for your freedom. There are various ways to get involved at www.soldiersangels.com... you can either Adopt A Soldier, or if you are not wanting that commitment, join a team, such as the Letter Writing Team. It is rewarding to simply put my feelings down on paper and thank deployed soldiers for what they are doing, even though I may never hear back from them. Consider it in the coming year...you'll be glad you did. :)
Well that's all for now, I'll try to post again soon... until then, a few interesting quotes by 30th US president Calvin Coolidge!
"Don't expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong."
"Industry, thrift and self-control are not sought because they create wealth, but because they create character."
"Patriotism is easy to understand in America. It means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country."
"The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten."
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
A Date Which Will Live in Infamy
Sixty-nine years ago today, December 7, 1941 became “a date which will live in infamy”…when Japanese forces brutally attacked Pearl Harbor, as well as several islands in the South Pacific and Asian cities. I found a few pictures to share and excerpts from President Theodore Roosevelt’s speech to commemorate the day…it is depressing and sad, yes, but it’s history. It really happened. We must remember with respect and awe those who lived and fought through it, and with an equal or greater respect and honor remember those who laid down their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and those who perished in the war that followed.
I’m not a Theodore Roosevelt fan by any means, but one particular quote in his December 8, 1941 speech rings true still today, as it has for America’s 234 year history: “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.”
Some further excerpts I thought particularly meaningful…
“Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.”
Read the complete speech here: http://www.famousquotes.me.uk/speeches/presidential-speeches/presidential-speech-franklin-roosevelt-pearl-harbour.htm
**NOTE: The pictures are so large they don't fit completely on the blog page, so if you want to see the entire image just click on it and it will come up. :)
Seattle Times pics: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/picturethis/2013606285_pt_pearl.html
If you’re wanting to watch a good movie on Pearl Harbor in honor of December 7 (maybe I’m the only one that plans my, though relatively sparse, movie watching schedule around historic holidays, but you never know!) I’d say the best one I’ve seen is Tora! Tora! Tora! (That’s really the name of it…means attack! In Japanese I think.) It is extremely detailed and gives the story from both the American side and the Japanese side leading up to the attack. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066473/
Oh, and how can I forget one of my most favorite quotes, said by Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto after the attack… "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve."
On a lighter note, I’m proud to announce that Present Day Patriots is now on the blog roll (a list of conservative blogs) on Smart Girl Politics.com. If you’re not a member of SGP, consider joining—it’s a free social network of like-minded patriots. Check it out at www.smartgirlpolitics.ning.com.!
Also, for my fellow Glenn Beck fans, in select theaters there will be an encore presentation of his “Broke” Town Hall meeting this Wednesday, December 8. There are quite a few participating theaters in the St. Louis area, so if you’re interested in buying tickets for Wednesday, click here to find a theater near you… http://www.glennbeck.com/content/events/?ibid=broke
Well, just wanted to drop in and post real quick since it is a very important day in our history...have a great rest of the week, I hope to post again soon! Until then...
Thank you Lord for allowing me to live in this beautiful country and give all Americans the strength to live and preserve American ideals so as to not let those who have died for our freedom have died in vain.
I’m not a Theodore Roosevelt fan by any means, but one particular quote in his December 8, 1941 speech rings true still today, as it has for America’s 234 year history: “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.”
Some further excerpts I thought particularly meaningful…
“Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.”
Read the complete speech here: http://www.famousquotes.me.uk/speeches/presidential-speeches/presidential-speech-franklin-roosevelt-pearl-harbour.htm
**NOTE: The pictures are so large they don't fit completely on the blog page, so if you want to see the entire image just click on it and it will come up. :)
Seattle Times pics: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/picturethis/2013606285_pt_pearl.html
If you’re wanting to watch a good movie on Pearl Harbor in honor of December 7 (maybe I’m the only one that plans my, though relatively sparse, movie watching schedule around historic holidays, but you never know!) I’d say the best one I’ve seen is Tora! Tora! Tora! (That’s really the name of it…means attack! In Japanese I think.) It is extremely detailed and gives the story from both the American side and the Japanese side leading up to the attack. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066473/
Oh, and how can I forget one of my most favorite quotes, said by Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto after the attack… "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve."
On a lighter note, I’m proud to announce that Present Day Patriots is now on the blog roll (a list of conservative blogs) on Smart Girl Politics.com. If you’re not a member of SGP, consider joining—it’s a free social network of like-minded patriots. Check it out at www.smartgirlpolitics.ning.com.!
Also, for my fellow Glenn Beck fans, in select theaters there will be an encore presentation of his “Broke” Town Hall meeting this Wednesday, December 8. There are quite a few participating theaters in the St. Louis area, so if you’re interested in buying tickets for Wednesday, click here to find a theater near you… http://www.glennbeck.com/content/events/?ibid=broke
Well, just wanted to drop in and post real quick since it is a very important day in our history...have a great rest of the week, I hope to post again soon! Until then...
Thank you Lord for allowing me to live in this beautiful country and give all Americans the strength to live and preserve American ideals so as to not let those who have died for our freedom have died in vain.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Soldiers Angels
Hey everyone! Hope you all have had a great week! I don't know about everyone else but it's definitely starting to feel like winter here in Missouri. Yesterday, I found an awesome website posted by a Facebook friend that I feel is worth sharing, especially with Christmas coming up: www.soldiersangels.org. This organization allows you to directly support and communicate with our dedicated men and women in uniform overseas. You can sign up to send a one-time care package, or adopt a soldier and commit to sending at least one letter a week and at least one care package a month. Several years ago I adopted a soldier and it was one of the most rewarding experiences to know that the things I wrote and sent to the Middle East were helping a soldier risking everything for my sake and the sake of my country. I just adopted a soldier from Soldiers Angels yesterday...consider taking part in this. It is a way to say thank you to those who won't be able to be home this Christmas. Regardless if you're for or against the war, we cannot ignore the sacrifices our armed forces make on a daily basis in the name of freedom.
Also, for my fellow Missourians, I was reading the Lake Saint Louis Journal and came across a rather interesting story. The ACLU is filing a lawsuit against St. Charles County challenging a law restricting picketing/protesting at funerals. The legislation passed with a vote of 6-0 from the St. Charles County Council and, from the Newstime article...
"...defines 'picketing of a funeral' as 'protest activities engaged in by a person or persons located within 300 feet of the premises of a cemetary, mortuary, church or other place of worship or other location during, and which target or disrupt a funeral.' A person who commits unlawful picketing of a funeral 'during a period from one hour prior to the commencement of any funeral through one hour following the cessation of any funeral'...if convicted, would be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined in an amount not exceeding $1,000.'"
This is aimed at individuals that feel it necessary to gather at the funerals of American soldiers to sling horrible insults and obnoxiously protest (*cough* Westboro Baptist Church *cough*), which I think is absolutely disgusting. (There are many, many much more respectful ways to get your point across). The Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church is being represented by the ACLU in the case, and claims that it violates free speech. (Westboro Baptist protests at funerals holding anti-gay signs, protesting the "nation's tolerance of gays.") Now I cannot say that I approve of that sexual orientation, but a fallen American soldiers funeral is no place to voice that opinion. This is an interesting case and I am wondering what others think of it... it could be said that this legislation is not in accordance with the First Amendment's definition of freedom of speech (as the ACLU claims).
Here's the First Amendment... "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Personally I do not see it as affecting the freedom of speech at all; this law is not shutting up these protestors or outlawing their opinions, it is providing a time frame for when such action is not lawful. The folks of Westboro Baptist Church are free to protest to their little hearts content, as long as it's three hundred feet away. It could be said, also, this challenges the right of the people to "peaceably assemble"...but, one must ask, are those of Westboro Baptist Church being peaceable? And simply, is there any respect for the families of the fallen left in our country? It is sad to say, but obviously not.
Further, ACLU confuses me. Many, many times in the past they have fought for equality for gays in the military, such as this particular story regarding salaries. http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2010/11/aclu_challenges_another_milita.html However, now they defend a group who is unquestionably anti-homosexuality. Hmmm. I think profit speaks much louder than principle with the ACLU.
I encourage my County to stand by this ordinance, and agree with County Executive Steve Ehlmann who is quoted in the LSL Journal in saying, "...we think it's[the ordinance] the right thing to do to protect the rights of family members to memorialize their loved ones without outside disruption or disturbance. You'd think in this country we wouldn't have to pass laws like this because people would have the common decency not to disturb families who are grieving the loss of a loved one. But, unfortunately, this is necessary."
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/stcharles/article_64ab695c-fd91-11df-99c9-0017a4a78c22.html
Well that is all for today...I will try to post again soon, until then remember to sign up for Soldiers Angels if you want to make a real difference in someone's life, and ponder this...
"The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us
tie the second down with the chains of the Constitution so the second
will not become the legalized version of the first." - Thomas Jefferson
Also, for my fellow Missourians, I was reading the Lake Saint Louis Journal and came across a rather interesting story. The ACLU is filing a lawsuit against St. Charles County challenging a law restricting picketing/protesting at funerals. The legislation passed with a vote of 6-0 from the St. Charles County Council and, from the Newstime article...
"...defines 'picketing of a funeral' as 'protest activities engaged in by a person or persons located within 300 feet of the premises of a cemetary, mortuary, church or other place of worship or other location during, and which target or disrupt a funeral.' A person who commits unlawful picketing of a funeral 'during a period from one hour prior to the commencement of any funeral through one hour following the cessation of any funeral'...if convicted, would be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined in an amount not exceeding $1,000.'"
This is aimed at individuals that feel it necessary to gather at the funerals of American soldiers to sling horrible insults and obnoxiously protest (*cough* Westboro Baptist Church *cough*), which I think is absolutely disgusting. (There are many, many much more respectful ways to get your point across). The Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church is being represented by the ACLU in the case, and claims that it violates free speech. (Westboro Baptist protests at funerals holding anti-gay signs, protesting the "nation's tolerance of gays.") Now I cannot say that I approve of that sexual orientation, but a fallen American soldiers funeral is no place to voice that opinion. This is an interesting case and I am wondering what others think of it... it could be said that this legislation is not in accordance with the First Amendment's definition of freedom of speech (as the ACLU claims).
Here's the First Amendment... "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Personally I do not see it as affecting the freedom of speech at all; this law is not shutting up these protestors or outlawing their opinions, it is providing a time frame for when such action is not lawful. The folks of Westboro Baptist Church are free to protest to their little hearts content, as long as it's three hundred feet away. It could be said, also, this challenges the right of the people to "peaceably assemble"...but, one must ask, are those of Westboro Baptist Church being peaceable? And simply, is there any respect for the families of the fallen left in our country? It is sad to say, but obviously not.
Further, ACLU confuses me. Many, many times in the past they have fought for equality for gays in the military, such as this particular story regarding salaries. http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2010/11/aclu_challenges_another_milita.html However, now they defend a group who is unquestionably anti-homosexuality. Hmmm. I think profit speaks much louder than principle with the ACLU.
I encourage my County to stand by this ordinance, and agree with County Executive Steve Ehlmann who is quoted in the LSL Journal in saying, "...we think it's[the ordinance] the right thing to do to protect the rights of family members to memorialize their loved ones without outside disruption or disturbance. You'd think in this country we wouldn't have to pass laws like this because people would have the common decency not to disturb families who are grieving the loss of a loved one. But, unfortunately, this is necessary."
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/stcharles/article_64ab695c-fd91-11df-99c9-0017a4a78c22.html
Well that is all for today...I will try to post again soon, until then remember to sign up for Soldiers Angels if you want to make a real difference in someone's life, and ponder this...
"The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us
tie the second down with the chains of the Constitution so the second
will not become the legalized version of the first." - Thomas Jefferson
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