As this magical hour approaches – magical, for me, since it is the split second shared by both the Marine Corps’ Birthday and Veteran’s Day – I cannot help but stop to think how blessed I am to have had the opportunity to serve my country. A lot of people in the current administration make it seem like it isn’t MY country any more, and in fact they want YOU to feel like YOU don’t own it, either – that you should, in fact, be sharing it with the rest of the poor, undeveloped world because it just isn’t FAIR that there are haves and have nots in this world.

I’ve got news for those who feel it isn’t FAIR – “fair” is a county thing, maybe a state thing, where you show off your livestock and your produce, the product of your own hands and sweat equity and your skills. You know, all those things the intellectuals of the world would have you believe are beneath contempt. If it wasn’t for the ones willing to get down in the trenches, both literal and figurative, the intellectuals would be crying for someone to save them. It is those who are willing, who were willing, and who will be willing in the future to lay there lives on the line for this experiment we call The United States of America that allow the intellectuals the freedom to whine about how unfair it is that we, the United States, have the largest base of manufacturing in the world. Well, we did, until the intellectuals determined that they could make all the icky manual labor jobs go away if the corporations who provided those jobs were forced to pay more for the privelege of operating within our borders.

Sorry – got off track for a bit.

I tend to do that when I think of how many family members, through the years, and tribe members and fellow sheep dogs have forfeited their lives so that We The People could have the life we have, and know that if the intellectuals had their way we would be chasing down the mighty Tofusaurus on the wide open plains for tonight’s supper – since intellectually, farming hurts the earth, and cows hurt the earth, and cars hurt the earth, and breathing hurts the earth…

Sorry, sidetracked again.

To all those who have served and are currently serving: THANK YOU. To the members, the fewer and fewer members, of the Greatest Generation: THANK YOU.

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

Yes, I’ve been MIA. I have been working part time at the deli, and when I’m not doing that I am spending time with my wife. Sorry, readers, you come after my wife in the scheme of things. The blog places a distant fifth or sixth.

I have FINALLY gotten to a point on the hope chest where I need to know what color the customer wants before I can proceed. Of course, I’ve been taking pictures, and naturally, I can’t find the camera right now to download them and post them for all to enjoy. Maybe tomorrow. Or Friday. Whenever, you know?

Tonight’s lesson was started in the first two chapters of Proverbs, covering what the wise people should do. You know, like not fall in with the wrong crowd and such.

I promise a more fulfilling post later. Remember to tune in Friday morning at 0700 Mountain Standard Time for The O Word.

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

I love a good conversation. I love having a civil debate with level-headed persons. I enjoy debating the Second Amendment. I am a firm believer in the 2A, and believe that without it this long slide into socialism would have happened a lot faster.

That being said, I wish I could tell you about a stimulating conversation that a few of us bloggers are having over at Texas Fred’s. I say I wish I could, but the truth is, it’s the usual – conservatives ask questions, liberals dodge the question and attack the questioner. The conversation started with Fred himself posting about the Mayors Against Illegal Guns organization. One mayor in the state of Texas (at the time) was signed on to this piece of liberal gun-grabbing crap, the Mayor of Hurst, Texas – a man by the name of Richard Ward. Mayor Ward was not impressed with the simple and straight forward question posed by Fred. In a very professional and politically correct return e-mail, Mayor Ward said (and I quote):

Texas Fred,
You are as ugly as you are dumb.

Hey, Hurst, Texas! That’s YOUR tax dollars supporting this guy!

In a typical liberal response to being asked a direct question about a straight forward subject, the so-called “professional” politician launched an unfounded personal attack against the one asking the question.

I’ll let you go over and follow the thread.

You know me – I had to put my two cents in. I sent an e-mail to Mayor Ward, telling him a little bit about myself, where I was coming from, and then asked him a point-blank question. “I ask you, Mayor Ward, why you would belong to a group that, on the surface, would appear to be unnecessary. The only group of people I can think of that would be in SUPPORT of illegal guns would be criminals themselves.”

The Mayor’s response to my direct question?

“Where are you from, Gary?”

That’s all there was to it – “Where are you from?” Like that’s going to answer the question I had.

Mayor Ward:

Where I am from is not germane to this conversation; however, suffice it to say that I am a very proud American citizen and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Your inability to give a straight answer is troubling.

And my name is Cary, not Gary.

One more time, Mayor Ward – why do you feel it is necessary to belong to an organization that is illogical in it’s foundation? If you feel it is not illogical, please tell me how many people YOU know who are FOR illegal guns.

Thank you.

And, his response:

Cary, (my son’s name, I cannot believe I missed that.) Perhaps the attachment will help, but why do I think you will just try to find every little thing wrong with it that you can and not read it with an open mind?????

A copy of the attachment (unaltered) can be found here. I read the document – the whole thing. I have several questions for Mayor Ward:

Mayor Ward:

Thank you for sending me the 1AAMAIG Information document. I did read the entire document, and still have to wonder, why MAIG feels it needs to exist? I know that the document outlines what MAIG plans to do, what it supports, and what it is NOT about. I still want to know WHY MAIG needs to exist?

You said: “I have had contact with many of the Mayors in the group and I have yet to hear one of them even mention the word anti-gun.“

Well, no, they wouldn’t out right indicate that they are anti-gun. But when I read sentences like “That is why we have focused our efforts on helping law enforcement gain greater access to federal data on the origins of guns used in crimes … ” the anti-gun thought is the first thing that pops into my mind. Why? Because, unlike law-abiding citizens, criminals don’t fill out paperwork and wait for a background check before obtaining a firearm. Usually, they obtain the firearm through theft from a legal gun owner. “Greater access to federal data on the origins of guns” smacks of tracking and tracing ALL guns, ALL the time. Yes, even the old shotguns you have in the closet. Hmmm – a federal database of who owns what weapons… now, where have I heard of that before? Anyone? 1930s Germany? Naw – that couldn’t happen here.

“I joined this group so that I could be a part of the group that does something about illegal guns and guns in the hands of criminals.“

You are already a part of a group (Law Enforcement Officers) that does something about illegal guns and guns in the hands of criminals – or at least, that group is SUPPOSED to be doing something about them – that is, enforcing the laws already on the books, and making the lives of ordinary, law-abiding citizens safer in the process.

And the best part of your paper – the Statement of Principles that “… every mayor … signed … “. Good golly, does this mean that all of the mayors who signed the Statement are actually agreeing to do their jobs they were elected to do? For crying out loud, what the heck were all the mayors doing BEFORE they signed the Statement? Ignoring their job duties?

Back to my original question, slightly re-worded, Mayor Ward: Why do you feel that belonging to a group that has no LOGICAL reason for existing (who is FOR illegal guns? isn’t this organization just a duplication of effort for what the member should already be doing?) is necessary?

Thank you.

Cary Cartter
In GOD We Trust
http://cartter.net

Something I didn’t ask Mayor Ward, but will if he grants me an answer or even a reply to my question, is that part in the Statement of Principles that says:

Whereas: 30,000 Americans across the country are killed every year as a result of gun violence, destroying families and communities in big cities and small towns;

30,000 people in the US are killed by firearms every year? What about OUTSIDE the Beltway? (bah-dum-bump!) But seriously, what about the 435,000 people every year who die from tobacco related products? WHy not outlaw and track and trace all the tobacco? How about the 85,000 who die from alcohol-related issues? How about the 365,000 from poor diet and lack of exercise? How are you going to legislate THAT?

And then there is this little conundrum:

Thune Concealed Carry Reciprocity Amendment: Mayors successfully supported efforts to ensure that the federal government does not override states’ authority to decide whether to recognize carry permits from out-of-state residents who have criminal records or can not meet the in-state safety training requirements.

None of the coalition’s positions conflict with any individual’s rights under the Second Amendment.

Now, according to the Second Amendment, the right of an individual to bear (possess, own, carry, display) arms shall not be infringed. In this case, it is a Federal Right (correction, as noted by Just John – this is an inalienable right, and outlined in the Constitution. The government is not GRANTING this right, but acknowledging that we have this right). All other rights not enumerated by the Constitution are to be held by the states. Since the Federal Right says I can bear arms, then the State cannot abridge or infringe upon that right. States, cities, counties, whatever, cannot, by Federal Law, infringe on the right of the individual to bear arms. The Thune Amendment had it backwards – the Federal Government is the one granting the right, and the States (counties, cities, whatever) do not have the right to override that right. Any law that says a citizen cannot own a gun is trampling on the Federal Right of the individual. A Concealed Weapon permit issued by any state in the union is valid anywhere in the union, in my opinion. Any individual in the United States has the right to openly carry a firearm, according to the Second Amendment. Saying the coalition’s position does not conflict with the 2A after saying the Federal Right does not override the state’s authority (in direct contrast to the Constitution’s assertion that it gives the individual the right to bear arms, and since it is a right granted by the Government shall not be over ridden by the states) is a direct contradiction of of the enumeration clause.

Just a little food for thought.

See also Storm’n Norman, An Ol’ Broad’s Rambling.

Quick reminder – “The O Word“ on BlogTalkRadio, Friday morning, 0700 Mountain Standard Time. Something tells me you might here a good part of this then, too.

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

Continuing in the tradition of being the busiest underemployed man in America, the blog has been falling off the plate lately. My apologies to anyone who may have missed my daily (or so) ramblings.

The position is going well – still settling into the role of prep cook – this week, with TMBWitW still awaiting the results from her procedure, and not being allowed to drive, the Chef was kind enough to let me flex my hours a bit and work earlier in the day; that way, I could drive my wife to work (the deli is in the same building she works in) and then take her home after work. TMBWitW has her follow-up visit on Friday, and she’ll be cleared to drive herself then.

MEG has developed a funny little quirk – she doesn’t like to be in a room by herself. During the day, this is not a problem. But when it’s bedtime…

I’m stealing these few moments of quiet before the house gets moving to get TMBWitW to work, then I’ve got two dogs to get to the groomer, some walnut wood samples to make, and some veneering to do on the hope chest.

Friday morning is the next installment of The “O” Word on BlogTalkRadio – I promise to have the microphone plugged in the right connection this time…

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

I received this in email today. The letter truly was read on the air by Glenn Beck on his June 25, 2009 show.

The following letter, read on Glenn Beck’s show, is rapidly circulating around the country. Americans everywhere identify with this 53-year-old woman. She has given us a voice. Once you read this, you will want to forward it to all of your friends…

GLENN BECK: I got a letter from a woman in Arizona . She writes an open letter to our nation’s leadership:

“I’m a home grown American citizen, 53, registered Democrat all my life. Before the last presidential election I registered as a Republican because I no longer felt the Democratic Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. Now I no longer feel the Republican Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. The fact is I no longer feel any political party or representative in Washington represents my views or works to pursue the issues important to me. There must be someone. Please tell me who you are. Please stand up and tell me that you are there and that you’re willing to fight for our Constitution as it was written. Please stand up now. You might ask yourself what my views and issues are that I would horribly feel so disenfranchised by both major political parties. What kind of nut job am I? Will you please tell me? Well, these are briefly my views and issues for which I seek representation:

One, illegal immigration. I want you to stop coddling illegal immigrants and secure our borders. Close the underground tunnels. Stop the violence and the trafficking in drugs and people. No amnesty, not again. Been there, done that, no resolution. P.S., I’m not a racist. This isn’t to be confused with legal immigration.

Two, the STIMULUS bill, I want it repealed and I want no further funding supplied to it. We told you no, but you did it anyway. I want the remaining unfunded 95% repealed. Freeze, repeal.

Three: Czars, I want the circumvention of our checks and balances stopped immediately. Fire the czars. No more czars. Government officials answer to the process, not to the president. Stop trampling on our Constitution and honor it.

Four, cap and trade. The debate on global warming is not over. There is more to say.

Five, universal healthcare. I will not be rushed into another expensive decision. Don’t you dare try to pass this in the middle of the night and then go on break. Slow down!

Six, growing government control. I want states rights and sovereignty fully restored. I want less government in my life, not more. Shrink it down. Mind your own business. You have enough to take care of with your real obligations. Why don’t you start there.

Seven, ACORN. I do not want ACORN and its affiliates in charge of our 2010 census. I want them investigated. I also do not want mandatory escrow fees contributed to them every time on every real estate deal that closes. Stop the funding to ACORN and its affiliates pending impartial audits and investigations. I do not trust them with taking the census over with our taxpayer money. I don’t trust them with our taxpayer money. Face up to the allegations against them and get it resolved before taxpayers get any more involved with them. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, hello. Stop protecting your political buddies. You work for us, the people. Investigate.

Eight, redistribution of wealth. No, no, no. I work for my money. It is mine. I have always worked for people with more money than I have because they gave me jobs. That is the only redistribution of wealth that I will support. I never got a job from a poor person. Why do you want me to hate my employers? Why — what do you have against shareholders making a profit?

Nine, charitable contributions.. Although I never got a job from a poor person, I have helped many in need. Charity belongs in our local communities, where we know our needs best and can use our local talent and our local resources. Butt out, please. We want to do it ourselves.

Ten, corporate bailouts. Knock it off. Sink or swim like the rest of us. If there are hard times ahead, we’ll be better off just getting into it and letting the strong survive. Quick and painful. Have you ever ripped off a Band-Aid? We will pull together. Great things happen in America under great hardship. Give us the chance to innovate. We cannot disappoint you more than you have disappointed us.

Eleven, transparency and accountability. How about it? No, really, how about it? Let’s have it. Let’s say we give the buzzwords a rest and have some straight honest talk. Please try — please stop manipulating and trying to appease me with clever wording. I am not the idiot you obviously take me for. Stop sneaking around and meeting in back rooms making deals with your friends. It will only be a prelude to your criminal investigation. Stop hiding things from me..

Twelve, unprecedented quick spending. Stop it now. Take a breath. Listen to the people. Let’s just slow down and get some input from some nonpoliticians on the subject. Stop making everything an emergency. Stop speed reading our bills into law. I am not an activist. I am not a community organizer. Nor am I a terrorist, a militant or a violent person. I am a parent and a grandparent. I work. I’m busy. I’m busy. I am busy, and I am tired. I thought we elected competent people to take care of the business of government so that we could work, raise our families, pay our bills, have a little recreation, complain about taxes, endure our hardships, pursue our personal goals, cut our lawn, wash our cars on the weekends and be responsible contributing members of society and teach our children to be the same all while living in the home of the free and land of the brave.

I entrusted you with upholding the Constitution. I believed in the checks and balances to keep from getting far off course. What happened? You are very far off course. Do you really think I find humor in the hiring of a speed reader to unintelligently ramble all through a bill that you signed into law without knowing what it contained? I do not. It is a mockery of the responsibility I have entrusted to you. It is a slap in the face. I am not laughing at your arrogance. Why is it that I feel as if you would not trust me to make a single decision about my own life and how I would live it but you should expect that I should trust you with the debt that you have laid on all of us and our children. We did not want the TARP bill.. We said no. We would repeal it if we could. I am sure that we still cannot. There is such urgency and recklessness in all of the recent spending.

From my perspective, it seems that all of you have gone insane. I also know that I am far from alone in these feelings. Do you honestly feel that your current pursuits have merit to patriotic Americans? We want it to stop. We want to put the brakes on everything that is being rushed by us and forced upon us. We want our voice back. You have forced us to put our lives on hold to straighten out the mess that you are making. We will have to give up our vacations, our time spent with our children, any relaxation time we may have had and money we cannot afford to spend on you to bring our concerns toWashington . Our president often knows all the right buzzword is unsustainable. Well, no kidding. How many tens of thousands of dollars did the focus group cost to come up with that word? We don’t want your overpriced words Stop treating us like we’re morons.

We want all of you to stop focusing on your reelection and do the job we want done, not the job you want done or the job your party wants done. You work for us and at this rate I guarantee you not for long because we are coming. We will be heard and we will be represented. You think we’re so busy with our lives that we will never come for you? We are the formerly silent majority, all of us who quietly work , pay taxes, obey the law, vote, save money, keep our noses to the grindstone and we are now looking up at you. You have awakened us, the patriotic freedom spirit so strong and so powerful that it had been sleeping too long. You have pushed us too far. Our numbers are great. They may surprise you. For every one of us who will be there, there will be hundreds more that could not come. Unlike you, we have their trust. We will represent them honestly, rest assured. They will be at the polls on voting day to usher you out of office. We have cancelled vacations. We will use our last few dollars saved. We will find the representation among us and a grassroots campaign will flourish. We didn’t ask for this fight. But the gloves are coming off. We do not come in violence, but we are angry. You will represent us or you will be replaced with someone who will. There are candidates among us when he will rise like a Phoenix from the ashes that you have made of our constitution.

Democrat, Republican, independent, libertarian. Understand this. We don’t care. Political parties are meaningless to us Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution and that is all that matters to us now. We are going to fire all of you who abuse power and seek more. It is not your power. It is ours and we want it back. We entrusted you with it and you abused it. You are dishonorable. You are dishonest. As Americans we are ashamed of you. You have brought shame to us. If you are not representing the wants and needs of your constituency loudly and consistently, in spite of the objections of your party, you will be fired. Did you hear? We no longer care about your political parties. You need to be loyal to us, not to them. Because we will get you fired and they will not save you. If you do or can represent me, my issues, my views, please stand up. Make your identity known. You need to make some noise about it. Speak up. I need to know who you are. If you do not speak up, you will be herded out with the rest of the sheep and we will replace the whole damn congress if need be one by one. We are coming. Are we coming for you? Who do you represent? What do you represent? Listen. Because we are coming. We the people are coming.”

I think she speaks for a lot of us. What do you think?

Some update news – I have secured a part-time position that pays more for less hours invested than the cab driving. The hours are afternoon/evening three days a week. I won’t be driving cab anymore, at least I don’t plan to at the moment (i know, you’ve heard that before…) so as it currently stands I may be able to start back into “The O Word” on BlogTalk Radio. I will let you know. Also, TMBWitW’s surgery is scheduled for 9/18 at 1200 MST. If you are the praying sort, we envy your prayers.

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!