US NAVY SEALS

Got this photo saying this was the last thing Osama Bin Laden saw before he died.  Interesting.

American Exceptionalism

This Memorial Day week-end I happened across this video (from last years World Cup tournament when the USA team was playing in the first round of the play-off games).  The song OVER THERE was done as a re-mix in the video by Vandon Arms.

Ok - so what does all this have to do with Memorial Day you ask?  I was just reminded of how many people today are attacking our country (from within) and really hacking at the fiber of what made this country great - American Exceptionalism!  What is American Exceptionalism?  It is what this song was stating back then of the overall personal view that Americans had regarding our country and our standards.  It was written from the heart of that exceptionalism to support the young men/women heading out to war and to bring comfort to the worried loved ones waiting at home as the first World War was launched.  People KNEW that America was great, it was where the entire world wanted to run to to escape the tyrannies of their homelands and they even were so bold that they sang about it!

The headlines across American newspapers declared on April 6, 1917, that the United States had declared war on Germany and upon hearing that, one actor, singer, dancer, songwriter, playwright and Broadway producer stared humming.  Yes, that's right, humming!  George Cohan had already written many famous songs such as "You're a Grand Old Flag," "Give My Regards to Broadway" and "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy."  He continued humming all morning and soon began to think of some lyrics.  By the time he arrived at work in the morning he had versus, chorus, tune and title already laid out.  It sold over 2 million copies by the end of the war and is still a recognized song today.  In 1936, Cohan was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for writing this song!  There was a sense of honor about what America was, who we were as a people and what we represented.  We were NOT ashamed of our endeavors, our victories or accomplishments.  We certainly did not bring apologies to the world stage about our exceptionalism back then or speak down about our successes.  We were PROUD Americans.  We put our trust in God and even declared it on our money.  As we have strayed from God we have strayed from our exceptionalism.  I pray that as we remember this Memorial Day we remember all that gave the highest price to pay for our freedom to live in such a great country!  God Bless America!

Here are the complete lyrics to the song in case you don't know them:


Complete Lyrics to "Over There" by George M. Cohan
Johnnie get your gun, get your gun, get your gun
Take it on the run, on the run, on the run
Hear them calling you and me
Every son of liberty

Hurry right away, no delay, go today
Make your daddy glad to have had such a lad
Tell your sweetheart not to pine
To be proud her boy's in line.

CHORUS (repeated twice):
Over there, over there
Send the word, send the word over there
That the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming
The drums are rum-tumming everywhere

So prepare, say a prayer
Send the word, send the word to beware
We'll be over there, we're coming over
And we won't come back till it's over over there.
Over there.
Johnnie get your gun, get your gun, get your gun
Johnnie show the Hun you're a son of a gun
Hoist the flag and let her fly
Yankee Doodle do or die

Pack your little kit, show your grit, do your bit
Yankees to the ranks from the towns and the tanks
Make your mother proud of you
And the old Red White and Blue.

CHORUS (repeated twice):
Over there, over there
Send the word, send the word over there
That the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming
The drums are rum-tumming everywhere

So prepare, say a prayer
Send the word, send the word to beware
We'll be over there, we're coming over
And we won't come back till it's over over there.
Over there.

David Barton on Glenn Beck - Courage

With all that is going on in the world today it is difficult to know who to believe, who is right, who is really full of integrity, who do we listen too?  I am not into name dropping because we all know "someone" who is "somebody" and we think that proves something but basically all it means is that we "know" someone.

I don't listen to Glenn Beck as often as I used to but when I do, I am always challenged, impressed, convicted and stirred-up.  Today was no different when I listened to him.  I was challenged, encouraged and called to rally again.  Press through the beginning as it is a mocking the recent "end time" prediction - the rest of the message is great.

This show just aired on May 20, 2011 with Glenn Beck, David Barton, Pastor Tom Mullens, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Rabbi Shlomo Riskin.  It is time for Courage people!  Let us not grow weary in these days but let us rise with God and stand in courage!

Obama and Israel

Yesterday was a tragic day in not only our nation's history but for all of humanity.  President Obama today announced that he is endorsing the Palestinians' demand for their future state to be based on the borders that existed before the 1967 Middle East war.  This announcement came just one day ahead of the scheduled arrival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington.  Netanyahu is vehemently opposed to even referring to these pre-1967 borders.

Here is a map of Israel (in green) to the right.  The area in red is Gaza and was under Egyptian rule until 1967.  The area in yellow was under Jordanian Rule until 1967.  Lebanon is the border to the north, Jordan is to the right and
Egypt is to the southwest.  The borders with Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria have now been formally recognized as part of the peace treaties with Israel and all were a part of the 1949 Armistice Agreement.   The agreements ended the official hostilities of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.  The borders with Syria and the Palestine territories are still in dispute to some and this is part of the reason for the constant unrest in this region.

To add to the events of yesterday's developments is that some thought this president was a friend to Israel.  Why did they think this?  Well because he campaigned saying he was a friend to Israel.  There were many clips of Barack Obama declaring his "intentions".  When will people ever learn?  You can read more about it with this link to the Washington Times story on Obama's faithless pledges to Israel.

Interesting to this whole discussion is the consideration of what did God give Abraham under the Land Covenant with Abraham?  Hmmm - seems like Israel is getting the short end of this deal - again.  Here is a map:

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces. For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, ‘Peace be within you.’”(Psalm 132:13)

Mike Huckabee & David Barton each on The Daily Show

Well I am normally not one to promote the Jon Stewart Daily Show but this clip I ran across was quite interesting to me as he had as a guest Mike Huckabee.  The former senator is so gracious and kind and just exemplifies a gentle spirit in all that he does.  At the end of the interview, Jon even references a genuine love for Mike based upon this kindness.  I also love how Jon states that he is challenged in his thoughts and beliefs after conversations with Mr. Huckabee.  Great interview and I hope you take the time to listen in it's entirety.

I like Mike Huckabee because what you see it what you get.  He is consistent and predictable.  We need people like him in leadership.

Mike Huckabee Part 1 - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on April 6, 2011
Mike Huckabee Part 2 - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on April 6, 2011
Mike Huckabee Part 3 - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on April 6, 2011

Several times Mike Huckabee addresses the ongoing questions raised by Jon Stewart regarding David Barton and finally, repeatedly, Mr. Huckabee says to Jon, you should have him on.  Well, yesterday Jon did.  David Barton was on the Daily Show.  It was interesting to watch David bring the questions back to the topic when Jon was pressing for answers.  Very intelligent people here who entered into a civil discussion.  I do like that about Jon Stewart - he makes jokes, yes, but he doesn't do so with the malice and meanness that I have seen others do.  Jon Stewart seems to have a tender heart and is looking for truth and understanding.  May the Lord open the eyes of his heart to see.

David Barton Part 1 - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on May 4, 2011
David Barton Part 2 - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on May 4, 2011
David Barton Part 3 - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on May 4, 2011
David Barton Bio for Daily Show

TSA and the Powers that Be...

Well it is all over the news that Osama Bin Ladin has been killed by American forces in Pakistan and there have been a wide range of emotions and postings related to the news of this terrorist's demise.

Because of the atrocities that he orchestrated on our soil back on that tragic September 11th morning in 2001 our lives have been changed, forever.  Out of fear of further attacks, Americans have willingly given up our freedoms one-by-one in the effort to "FEEL" safe.

What is troubling about all of this is now we have further and further infringements on our freedoms and it is beginning to cross some cultural lines that are raising some eyebrows.  Here is a link of a six-year-old girl who was "patted" down and drug-tested before being allowed to fly on one of our national airplanes.  We are a far cry from the days when me and my teen-age friends would play a friendly game of "trench-coat" at the airport or boldly storm a departing plane to sing a song for a traveling singer!

I have heard that some are talking about bringing litigation against the powers-that-be for pedophile crimes as these TSA agents can view "pornographic" images of children and also for fondling these same children in routine pat-downs.  We would NEVER allow teachers, priests, baby-sitters or any stranger out there the rights that we have given these TSA agents yet people continue along thinking these things are making us safe.

Israel, the country with the biggest target on their back doesn't do these silly and freedom stealing things.  They address the issue and TARGET the terrorist.  They PROFILE them!  If you have mean friends and you travel to slimy places in the world and you fellowship with known creeps then you will be targeted.  Seems like a plan to me!  Let's make this about the people DOING the crimes, not making us, the U.S. citizen the criminals.  Ridiculous!