COMMON MATTERS

I Told You So...

I wrote last week that if we don't do something about the government forcing us to do what it has NO business telling us to do, that they'd soon be taking away our Oatmeal Pies.  Remember?  Little did I know that about a month ago in North Carolina, a mother packed her four-year-old daughter a lunch with a turkey and cheese sandwich, a bag of potato chips, a banana and apple juice.  The food-police were in the lunchroom and took her lunch away from her because it wasn't what they deemed "healthy" enough.  They marched that little girl up to the cafeteria line, gave her a school lunch of chicken nuggets.  Excuse me...fat-fried, reheated frozen chicken nuggets made from ground-up chicken parts, are better than a turkey and cheese sandwich?????  Then they sent the mom a bill for 1.25 along with a note-of-admonishment telling her mother that the lunch she packed was not "healthy" enough.  Say what?

Even if Momma omitted a government-approved appropriate veggie, say, a bag of carrots, the food-police overstepped its authority.  It's intrusive.  It's ridiculous.  It's absolutely insane.  It's totalitarianism in every aspect of the definition of the word.  The Puritans who left the dictates of tyranical English government did not risk life and limb, give up their homeland and families, to come to America and found a country that forces mothers to add a bag of spinach to her child's lunchbag or pay a fee to replace the lunch she gave her child.  Our "founding fathers" did not write a Constitution that prohibits the freedom of parents to feed their own children.

Nor did the signers of the Declaration of Independence intend to infringe on citizens' economic freedom and force them to purchase insurance that doesn't meet their needs. I ask you...Why should I, a 63 year-old pro-life Christian woman be forced to purchase insurance that includes birth-control, abortive medicine, and procedures?

If they wanna fix health insurance problems in this country, why not offer medical/age-specific insurance choices?  We don't have car insurance that includes a boat or motorcycle, do we?  We don't insure Mustangs like we do 18-wheelers.  Car insurance is based on the vehicle.  Why isn't medical insurance?  I'm an aging lady with age-specific ailments.  I need insurance that deals with that fact.  I'd be interested in bone-degeneration insurance.  I'd be interested in accident/style insurance based on how many old folks my age have "fallen and can't get up". I don't go to the doctor every time I get the sniffles.

I don't particularly like my tax dollars going to fund the food-police in elementary schools.  Come on.  This is absurb.  A reporter asked the expert what recourse the mother had with the school system for "outing" her child and over-ruling her mother's care (Imagine how that trusting 4-year-old will question her mother's future decisions on her behalf).  What is this mother recourse?  To take her child out of that stupid school and enroll her in private school?  To homeschool her child?  But why should she be forced to pay taxes for public education (operative word: education), and not benefit from it?  Why should that mother be forced to do anything beyond what is expediently injurious to her child? 

Why should anyone in a free society, be forced to cow-tow to a totalitarian?  do we want a form of government that uses its political authority to exercise absolute and centralized control over all aspects of life? do we really want to be subordinated to the state in which opposing political and cultural expression is suppressed and we all have to eat chicken nuggets?  If so, four more years of Obama's fundamental changes to America may just give it to us.

 

Seventy Percent Prefer It

“A recent Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 70 percent of American adults prefer retailers to use ‘Merry Christmas’ signs. Twenty-four percent of those polled would rather see ‘Happy Holidays.’ According to the survey, many adults across almost all demographic groups prefer ‘Merry Christmas,’ with young adults feeling as strong as older adults.” (The Christian Post, Dec. 5, 2011)

Seventy percent.  The majority of Americans.  Yet, some folks let a minority tell them what they can and cannot say. Seems to me, that some businesses are shooting themselves in the foot with their efforts to appease the minority. The U.S. constitution ensures us the freedom of speech.  The first amendment to the U.S. Constitution states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof".  Therefore, if we want to, we should be able to greet one another with Merry Christmas even if it is July 4th.

I don't know about you, but I haven't encountered anyone who has not returned my "Merry Christmas" greeting with one of their own.  I love the Salvation Army Bell-ringers.  They all say "Merry Christmas".  It feels so good to be wished a season of happiness to remember what these hurry, scurry, hustle, bustle days are all about. The news media would have us believe that we are in the minority.  It's sad that Christmas programs at school have evolved (or dissolved) into all things Santa, Rudolf, and Christmas gifts.  Not a whisper of:

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6"

When I was a child, our school Christmas carols included O' Little Town of Bethlehem, Away in the Manger, and Silent Night as well as Jingle Bells.  We saw the Nativity displayed in our classrooms along with The Ten Commandments.  I ask you, how does talking about faith and living a life free of theft, murder, lying, and cheating, hurt the character and mind development of a child?  Since the removal of prayer in schools, and replacement of Bible reading with government controlled curriculum, we have more and more self-aggrandizement, self-sufficiency, and self-centeredness.  Life is all about "me, me, me".  Ironically, because some are offended by the mere whisper of the name of God, we have fewer schools teaching The Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.  Patriotism, pride in our country, is undermined.  This is visible in our world by the Home Owners Associations that are prohibiting flagpoles on lawns.

This is America.  Land of the free, home of the brave.  Yet, so often we see more and more prohibitions to our freedoms.  We see less and less bravery.  We shiver and shake and cower when we should stand up and "trust in the God" we have stamped on our coins and dollar-bills.  That God, my friends, is THE God who sent His only begotten Son, born of a virgin, to give His life as a perfect holy and acceptable payment for the sin and stupidity of man.  When we place our faith and trust in Him, He is faithful to cleanse us from all our rebellion against Him.  Jesus came to reconcile us to the Father...to bring peace that the world and all their powers, bombs, and armies could not give.  It is our choice to believe or not, and it's our choice as free Americans to say, "Merry Christmas" if we want to.  So for the 70 percent who prefer it, let me say Merry Christmas to all.  I pray God blesses you and your family with peace, and goodness, mercy and love in the coming days. 

 

 

The First To Respond

We've had our share of wildfires this summer.  Weeks ago, Medicine Park came close to being engulfed in a raging fire that took out some homes at Big Rock.  Firefighters battled flames for days at Elgin, too.  Our state has been ablaze far more than many folks realize.  Just last week Oklahoma City lost several homes as volunteer firemen and paid firemen battled monstrous fires.  As firefighters came from Texas and other parts of the state to battle that blaze, we had our own ignite and rage across the Wildlife Refuge again.  That insatiable fire consumed over 30,000 acres of our mountain area and destroyed two police officers' homes, and a Lawton fireman's.  That fire had no respect for the first responders who worked tirelessly to quench its thirst for more land.  The fires got thirstier with every inch of our dry parched land they consumed.  Firefighters exhausted themselves.  Volunteer firemen took off from their jobs to battle the flames we take for granted that another is battling.  They came from surrounding counties, from Texas.  They set aside their own needs, sacrificed their own time, and put their lives on the line for people they don't even know.  They went without food, rest, and comfort.

First Responders.  Heroes.  Heroines.  Dedicated.  Selfless.  Courageous.  Somewhat fearless.

These are those who go where others race to escape.  They face things we cannot even imagine.  Some are killed for simply intervening on the public's behalf.  They are the firefighters, the emts, the police officers.  The volunteer caretakers of society.  So often we take them for granted.  We forget they are even among us until we face a crisis of our own.  Then we are reminded.

Ten years ago hundreds of first responders lost their lives when terrorists bombed the World Trade Center in New York city.  They rushed to the towers hoping to help those trapped inside.  To save.  They did their job.  They did not waver as they ran full-speed to the burning inferno.  For months and months afterwards, they toiled with twisted steel and tons of concrete to recover the bodies of those innocent victims of hate.  They did this without regard to their own well-being.  Most now face life-threatening lung disease and cancer because of the horrendously polluted air they inhaled as they worked through the rubble--piece by piece, stone by stone, wire by wire.

This Sunday is not an anniversary to celebrate.  However it is a day to commemorate.  It is a day we can all join hands and raise our flags of united support and gratitude for the men and women who are so selflessly serving our communities every day.  It is a day to remember all those we know gave all for their fellow citizens in New York City on 9-11, the day which changed America forever.  No longer do we board our planes unhindered, unencumbered.  We deal with inconvenience to battle the unknown.  They deal with the unknown to protect our convenience.  9-11 changed the mindset of the bystander, too.  The heroes who brought down a fourth airliner in the lonely fields of Pennsylvania have inspired millions of everyday folks like themselves to never forget...to be vigilant, watchful.  Never again will some of us allow the evil to touch our lives--our fellow citizens' lives-- if we can help prevent it.  We watch.  We report.  We thwart the evil plans.

Thousands more-- young men and women-- stepped to the front-lines of following 9-11.  They joined the Army, Airforce, Navy and Marines and went to war to keep America safe.  Some returned to take on more jobs as first responders.  Some have since lost their lives doing what they believed needed doing.  Not everyone responds.  Some of us run to escape the infernos of our lives.  Some of us run to be first in line to give aid.  Can we honor those this week?  Can we remember them and pray for those they left behind for their courage?  I think it's the least we can do.

FIREWORKS, FEAR, AND FREEDOM

After watching blazes rage and waiting for news about the fires at Medicine Park a couple of weeks ago, I was glad when the fire marshalls decided we couldn't have fireworks to celebrate July 4th this year.

It's odd when you consider that we are celebrating freedom, yet do not have the freedom to set off fireworks in honor of Independence Day. However, with all freedom comes responsibility. Just because we are free, we do not have the right to encroach upon others and jeapordize another's freedoms. In America we have the right to live in peace and without fear. But do we?

 

Last night I read numerous posts on Facebook from mothers who had to go out and tell their neighbors to stop setting off rockets. The noise frightened their children. It woke them up. It sent dogs cowering beneath beds. One man's joy is another man's fear.

 

I think about the freedoms we have in America. I think about how 9-11 changed some of our freedom to come and go as we please--the need to protect others comes at the price of inconvenience, and curtailment of another. Our military are still fighting around the world. People in many countries are fighting for their own independence in their worlds. They fight oppression. Dictatorship. Injustice. One man's freedom is another man's war.

 

I saw where fellow Americans were fighting home-owner associations for the right to fly the American flag. I saw where some were fighting to eliminate crosses and flags. I saw where a national television station removed "one nation under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance when they made a video. I saw the uproar.

In one report I saw a young soldier return from Afghanistan and say, "We are doing good things over there." In another I saw our President call for withdrawals while commanders are saying it is a mistake.

 

I read where ministers think it is wrong to have patriotic services in church. Then other ministers rebuked their rhetoric. My heart raced as I read the debates.

 

Legislators passed a law to make same-sex marriage legal in the state of New York. My mind reeled. Culture is changing.

 

I read where a handful of counties in California want to secede from the United States. A Texas judge overturned the ruling of another judge who tried to prohibit prayer at high school graduation and a student's right to mention God.

 

Each week society succumbs to the pressures of a minority bent on ripping apart the soul of America. .

 

Did this happen overnight? No. Did it begin when atheists lobbied to remove prayer from school? Did it begin when feminists fought to legalize abortion and the women's right to choose. Did it begin when separation of church and state became the separation from church and state? When sin was redefined as diseases, rights, choice, addictions? When freedom of speech gave rise to the voices shouting God's name in vain? When victims became criminals and criminals became victims?

 

Or did it happen when good men decided to do nothing? when the majority remained silent? when the only fireworks we saw were sparklers once a year? when we watched the American flag trampled in the streets? when we sat down instead of standing up?

 

I don't know. I do hope and pray my grandchildren will not wake up some day to a country which jails people who preach unashamedly the Word of God. I hope they will always have the freedom to own land, to pursue happiness, and worship as they choose without fear. I really do.

I'm Still Proud

I was twelve when I first realized I was proud to be an American and why. Then, American history was still taught in elementary school; people loved America. It was two years before prayer was taken out of public school--before Christianity became a dirty word. Racial unrest bubbled below the surface of political podiums, but freedom of speech meant more than condemning America and her place in the world. Unruly behavior had consequences; authority still garnered respect. Our military was valued; our families, prized. The American dream thrived in every corner of the world.  Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were more than words to me. You see, I witnessed the first man launched into outer space. I believed in my heart that anything was possible.

Over 50 years came and went since then, yet, I am as to be proud an America as I was as a child. In fact, I'm prouder. You see, friends, to me, America is not defined by the person who sits in the Oval Office or even our elected officials. Our country is defined by WE THE PEOPLE.

In America, we have more churches with more Christian people worshipping God than in any other nation in the world. We still enjoy the freedom of speech. We still have opportunity to reach the world with democracy and liberty for all. The majority of men and women still stand for the values and principles of our Founding Fathers. Our constitution (though under attack), is still intact.  Our judicial system (though not always just), is still second to none. Our health-care system (though not perfect) is envied by all other nations. Education (though flailing and floundering), still produces brilliance, innovative thinkers and entrepreneurs. American is still more generous and caring than any other country in the world.

America is not perfect. But here, we have the right to strive for more than mediocrity. We are not invincible, but the vast majority of our citizenship looks to the Creator of this earth for provision and protection. We still have freedom to worship as we please. We have the right to own property and to bear arms and protect it.

In America, the first ammendment affords us the opportunity to twitter, email, blog, comment, and write letters to our newspaper editors and elected representatives when we agree, disagree, or desire change. Our government (though lacking in men and women of integrity), is still a government with checks and balances. Citizens still have the freedom to choose who represents them in various offices in the land. We have the right to vote them out if they prove to be liars and worthless. We are still a republic of states which can stand on our own to legislate and live free in the United States of America. We can demonstrate and voice our convictions without fear of being persecuted, burned, murdered, and imprisoned. We can still erect and display symbols of our faith to symbolize we submit to a Higher Power. America is a great nation.

We The People have recently been reminded we are, indeed, the people endowed privilege and responsibility to seek justice, to be watchkeepers over our blessed land. I remain ever-mindful to live humbly before our Creator and not take my citizenship lightly, or for granted. Yeah, I'm still proud; are you?