For those joining us for the first time ... and those what have been MIA or AWOL, we're in the midst of a series of Non-Political Politics posts ... the first of which is "Chamberlain's Hangover" dated August 9, 2010 ... most of which are multi-page posts.
As they're related, we suggest reading the entire series at your convenience.
Well, I just checked and we now have 4 votes in the featured poll ... regarding possible repeal of the 17th amendment.
That's a start ... glad you did, regardless of which side you may have chosen.
I haven't yet voted, but as the current post indicates, I personally support its repeal as I believe it virtually impossible for the people to make informed decisions relative to candidates at the state and national levels, though no doubt I be with the minority, as per usual.
That is to say, it's impossible because we don't know the candidates and must rely on the perceptions provided us by vested and corrupt interests.
While no doubt the state legislatures are themselves corrupted, that is something that the people are better positioned to address, by replacing the corrupt, self serving ones with others whom they know and trust to properly represent their best interests.
It would be the critical duty of the people to hold their representatives accountable and that can only be effectively done at the local level ... with each level in the chain having that duty relative to the level above it.
Then, a non-corrupted state legislature could, given repeal ... do their duty and select the best available person for the position ...
At the national level, each member of the house represents over 500,000 people ... while senators represent millions. My view is that everything possible should be done to assure that their selection is based on informed judgment and that repeal of the 17th would facilitate that being possible.
My view is exactly that ... and only that ... that is to say, it is my view.
It is a complex issue with many legitimate points to consider ... on both sides of the coin.
I would hope that you and everyone visiting the Shop will share theirs, here in the GDA ... indeed, so doing is among the primary purposes of the Shop and the GDA itself ...
If folks will but do that, progress will have been made and it will all be worthwhile.
I'm against anything that obstructs the ability of the common man to determine his own fate ... whether that be religious, philosophical, societal or political--from the local level all the way to the top!
What does that mean ... that you favor anarchy over a constitutional government of republican form?
With over 300 million citizens, that would be quite a scene, methinks!
In your view, what is the ultimate fate of a people whose governors are selected by an uninformed and/or misinformed electorate?
That's not intended as a rhetorical question ... almost, maybe ... but, regardless of the anticipated fate, would you not expect a group of the best informed, qualified and most virtuous, selected at the most local of levels by people with whom they were well acquainted ... to do the better job?
Also triggered by your comment,Mama used to say ... "you get love by giving it away"
The importance and power of our voice in our governing, individually and as a people, increases dramatically when we give up our "influence and power" at the top and passionately exercise it at the bottom ... that's what I think.
Indeed, as a result of having ignored that principle, we have none at the top ... none that I can see ... it's one of the primary reasons we find ourselves where we are ... and why we're steeped in apathy, methinks.
It's hard for a man to feel he has a voice, or see the importance of his vote for a senator ... where he's typically one of several million, especially in California where there's over 35 million folks and the information he receives is from those with agendas and vested interests ... he is controlled and has no freedom, only the perception ... again given to him by those same vested interests.
It's easy for him to become victimized by apathy.
Honorable Donkey, and any goobers in the gallery, the begged question is ... how can we effectively cut through this barrier of disinformation?
Bob, I know very little about politics, as with everything else, but I believe it was John Adams who said that "our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people, and is wholly inadequate to the government of any other" ... yours is a great idea, but until this country returns to that same moral and religious condition, how well we think we may know an individual, even on the local level, is of little consequence ... can we really know what lurks within the heart of any man? ... only that man knows ... I would be interested to know just what kind of government the Founding Fathers could form or extract from current societal conditions ... either way, I'm not for further removing the direct influence of the common man when it comes to choosing whom he will serve!
That's more like it ... did John Adams really say that?
You sure it wasn't uncle Virgil?
Somewhere I've written, if not yet posted, that I thought being religious was the glue, if not Super Glue, that binds it all together and makes it possible.
Religious being that something which causes man to ever strive to be virtuous and achieve happiness ... that is, to overcome his appetites for pleasure or vice.
Whatever that means ... sounded pretty good at the time I wrote it.
Certainly, the situation faced by the Founders was different ... they had just won independence, against long odds ... at least according to the smart money in Vegas.
The remarkable thing is that the situation faced by the founders was the same as ours too ... were that not true, would those of forethought and foresight been so concerned over the internal threats, related to the Nature of Man, ... to the integrity of our government and to our freedom?
You don't pass laws against stealing unless folks is stealing ... or you expect them to start when they get the chance.
That's why so, so, ever so many of them fellas spoke out about the importance of morality and virtue to our liberty and our government.
They didn't do it just to have something to say to which the virtuous among them would cheer ... nod their heads in approval and go back to sleep ... had the opposing forces not posed a real threat, we would not have read those quotes for they would not of been written or said.
I'm not sure what they would have done , faced with our situation ... only that they would have vigorously attacked the problems with all of the resources at their disposal ... they had faced the loss of freedoms similar to ours and were not inclined to go quietly into the night.
Indeed their quotes reflect the problems with which they were faced ... neither were they writing and saying things for history to record just so that we could marvel some two centuries later.
Well, we're under tornado warnings and Blogger already don't like the length of this response ... so I'll break it into two or three.
When I return depends on the weather ... we were without electricity for much of the afternoon and my son's night classes shut down 4 hour hours early.
Yes, John Adams did say that, but ol' Virgil might have been right there when he said it ... the thing about the Founding Fathers is that what they did say, right or wrong, was what they veritably believed, emanating directly from the heart ... what our contemporary, aspiring politicians say, right or wrong, is whatever they think will garner the most votes and nods of popularity, their main objective being nothing more than blatant self-promotion ... they neither say what they mean, nor mean what they say!
I've attempted to succinctly finish this response but it looks as hopeless as the war, during that winter at Valley Forge.
As methinks previously suggested, I believe We must reassume control ... that is to say, fill our representative assemblies with folks we know and trust ... from the bottom up!
Two quick questions ...
Do you agree or disagree ... yea or nay?
What percentage of the people do you think would agree ... ballpark?
The questions don't address the "HOW" ... that's a question yet to be asked.
I agree that we can never really know what lurks within the heart of any man ... that's long been reserved to Mr. Cranston, who's retired and evidently in seclusion, Tibet methinks.
Still, I think we have a much better chance of knowing what's in the hearts of them with whom we've been personally acquainted for some time than with strangers.
Well, the hot tub and sleep awaits ... still much to be said in response but that will come on the morrow, as the petty pace keeps on from day to day.
We'll then refuel Miss Murray, fasten our belts, and see where this takes us ... not sure where we'll be headed.
Sorry that I somehow missed your last comment; with which I totally agree ... and which will be addressed on the morrow, forthwith ... it's the very essence of me previously intended response!
Miss Murray's full of sweet feed, thanks to the most honorable SJA , so fasten up ...
Truth is, at the lowest of levels ... whether that be the neighborhood, town, county or some unit yet to be defined ... there is some percentage of folks what are truly virtuous ... some who want to be ... some who pretend to be, and some who obviously aren't. Truth is, that's the truth according to me ... others might have a different truth!
Regardless of the "HOW" ... I think there would be widespread agreement that it would be best if both the electorate and the governors come exclusively from the first two groups of folks ... even the pretenders would at least publicly agree.
Most Honorable SJA, you and I weren't created equal ... none of us are ... you're big and tall, I'm short and small ... you write real pretty too!
Guess most folks know you like beans while I prefer peas, fried corn, buttermilk, and hotwater cornbread ... not to mention fresh homemade souse meat in apple cider vinegar ... but, maybe they don't know we both like good bacon gravy and tomato sandwiches.
It's nice to see that we do agree on something else ... the difference between our founding fathers and the politicians of today. Our founders belonged in group one, mostly ... with a few in group two ... the wanted to do what was right for the country, without regard for personal ambition ... all 'cept maybe that blaggard Arron Burr whom I definitely place in group three ... which is where most of today's politicians belong!
You know that I place great stock in Noah Webster ... I just looked up "politician" in his book ... strange, but the very first entry was "a skillfully contrived person; especially a shrewd or crafty schemer" ... which I thought described today's crowd to a "T"!
Why is that so strange?
Well, you'd expect that the all powerful Media and political power brokers would have objected to that definition as being prejudiced, and demanded it be changed in the name of political correctness!
The Bible, Sears Catalog, and the book of Noah ... good books all!
Storms yesterday ... still raining today ... didn't realize the time ... need to break for lunch, and maybe a hot tub too.
Hold on, hold on ...
I just reread that entry in Noah's book a little closer ... Dang! ... they classify that definition as OBSOLETE!!
Another thing to ponder ... how many genuine, God-fearing folk of high moral standards, character and understanding would desire to leap into today's slimy pool of gutless, heartless, self-serving system of political corruption? ... not me!
Not sure if your response is intended to answer me two questions!
Mon ami, you are indeed a wizard with words ... with a truly Brobdingnagian usable vocabulary ... 'tis why Noah and I have become better acquainted ... in self defense. Indeed, you are as fastidious in the selection of your words as John Adams!
Thus I do ponder, both your posed question ... and what you truly mean.
One of the things our founders found was their rights and freedom being taken away by a tyrannical monarch ... and while I doubt that they used "slimy pool of gutless, heartless, self-serving system of political corruption" to describe their despotic government, my guess that they felt that way, all the same!
The real patriots were few in number, at least in the beginning ... but my guess is that most of them were genuine, God-fearing folk of high moral standards, character and understanding.
More to the point, most of them would have welcomed, indeed relished the opportunity to work within the system, participate, and right the wrongs that were holding them hostage ... that's more than just my guess.
Problem was, though some factions in England supported that very thing, they weren't afforded the opportunity ... that freedom had been lost!
I suggest that the day will soon come when that too will be our fate, should the genuine, God-fearing folk of high moral standards, character and understanding fail to actively participate and strive to make things ... thankful that they still have the opportunity!
The tone of your response suggests that you feel that there are few such patriots among us ... I'm not sure ... but let's be both prayerful and thankful in advance that there may still be among us, a requisite number who will passionately rise to the occasion when they realize the necessity.
I know my donkey well and you are truly among the genuine, God-fearing folk of high moral standards, character and understanding ... but your contrariwise protestations notwithstanding, I suspect you to be of those very few.
I remember no relevant quotes but surely many have suggested we select out battles with care ... not with the regard to our chances of winning, but rather with regard to the worthiness of their being fought.
That's not to diminish the importance of the winning of such battles ... but, history shows that the outcome of wars oft depend on hopeless battles that were lost ... the Alamo comes to mind.
Had the boys from Texas read the papers, took heed of the odds and given up without a fight ... things would have been different!
Same goes for them boys out west ... as it is, both are in the World Series!!
Don't get me wrong ... conditions don't exactly place our government on the list of the top 100 places to work ... as it is a slimy pool of gutless, heartless, self-serving system of political corruption ... not much question about that!
Nevertheless, it's like the Marines and needs a few good men what could truly make a difference ... but, it the people what is the problem ... and it is the people what will be the solution, if there is one to be had.
Regarding the people, the second group, those who want to be virtuous, is probably the largest ... and its members the ones most susceptible to being influenced by the third group, somewhat similar back then as now, methinks ... my view, as a long standing member.
However, over time and with proper encouragement, instruction and dedication, they can migrate to the first group.
Tom Jefferson agreed ... remember his counsel ... "encourage all your virtuous dispositions, and exercise them whenever an opportunity arises, being assured that they will gain strength by exercise, as a limb of the body does, and that exercise will make them habitual" ... a long standing notion shared by many if not all the great thinkers ... Plato, for sure.
Just so it's clear ... I know there are five groups, rather than four.
The migration is not a one way street ... as they are the ones the ones most susceptible to being influenced by the third group, migration will occur in that direction as well ... especially if the first group, the virtuous ones, fail in their duty to attend the efforts of the second to become members of their group. If they go unattended, one would expect the membership of the third group to increase, and our situation to worsen.
That's important ... it seems to jump out as being related to your "until this country returns to that same moral and religious condition, how well we think we may know an individual, even on the local level, is of little consequence"
Again the question is begged, methinks ... the answer is one in which I'm most seriously interested ... can we afford to wait until the country improves its moral and religious condition before taking action?
Though I hope already addressed multiple times and in multiple ways, I say nay ... what say ye?
Time to pause, let Miss Murray's radiator cool down a bit ... she's old, you know ... could use some more sweet feed too!
I am reasonably certain that there remains amongst us a remnant of genuine, God-fearing individuals waiting in the wings, who are more than capable of impacting this world in a positive manner ... but my bottom line is this, as God is a just and sovereign God, having said "Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me" ... unless America returns to God, there will be judgment, part of that judgment could be that we're obligated to put up with less than desirable leaders that don't have our best interests at heart ... in early Bible days, when God's children continuously rebelled and disobeyed him, God would set up evil kings over them as punishment ... it's entirely dependent upon God's will as to the quality of people which are set up to lead us ... thus the ultimate survival and direction of this nation hinges directly upon it's relationship with God!
Unless America improves its moral and religious condition, what exactly might we be waiting for? ... Bill Buckley once said of conservatives that they should be adamant about the need for the reappearance of Judeo-Christianity in the public square ... having said that, my questions are, in the absence of the aforementioned "reappearance of Judeo-Christianity"--what exactly would be an effectual plan of action as to bringing about positive change? ... and if the majority of the electorate adheres not to the tenets of Judeo-Christianity, would it not be of little consequence to that body electorate if some candidates were of that sort?
Of course I agree that "we must fill our representative assemblies with folks we know and trust ... from the bottom up" ... only a half-wit could disagree to that ... and there is likely a high percentage of people that do agree to that ...
As far as being in the fight to right the wrongs ... I've already paid quite the price, including the spilling of my blood in the dirt! ...
Bob, it would be wise to heed Writersreview's suggestions ... and I've always believed the simplest form works best as to the Shop's general layout ...
Atypical for me , I was up and out of here with rooster's crow ... just got back a bit ago ... will look at your post after a tub and a bite ... then, it seems, I've a computer problem to address.
I figured you would agree with those suggestions as you mentioned something similar a bit earlier as did my brother ... I'm considering the options ... we'll see!
Regarding simplicity ... things need to be cleaned up, that's for sure ... as they will. I could argue that like the issue we've been discussing, until things are cleaned up, the other things are of little consequence ... but, I won't ... at least not too strongly.
It did make me feel good that he or she thought the discussion was good and was struck with the fact that we seemed to keep it civil.
To help you and your site's visitors to stay update with ours ... add Ye Olde Barbershop's widget ... the working version, together with one click automated installation is now in the sidebar.
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34 comments:
For those joining us for the first time ... and those what have been MIA or AWOL, we're in the midst of a series of Non-Political Politics posts ... the first of which is "Chamberlain's Hangover" dated August 9, 2010 ... most of which are multi-page posts.
As they're related, we suggest reading the entire series at your convenience.
A fine series of posts, my man!
Thanks John ... did you vote in the poll?
Yes I did vote, couldn't you tell??
Thanks, mon ami!
Well, I just checked and we now have 4 votes in the featured poll ... regarding possible repeal of the 17th amendment.
That's a start ... glad you did, regardless of which side you may have chosen.
I haven't yet voted, but as the current post indicates, I personally support its repeal as I believe it virtually impossible for the people to make informed decisions relative to candidates at the state and national levels, though no doubt I be with the minority, as per usual.
That is to say, it's impossible because we don't know the candidates and must rely on the perceptions provided us by vested and corrupt interests.
While no doubt the state legislatures are themselves corrupted, that is something that the people are better positioned to address, by replacing the corrupt, self serving ones with others whom they know and trust to properly represent their best interests.
It would be the critical duty of the people to hold their representatives accountable and that can only be effectively done at the local level ... with each level in the chain having that duty relative to the level above it.
Then, a non-corrupted state legislature could, given repeal ... do their duty and select the best available person for the position ...
At the national level, each member of the house represents over 500,000 people ... while senators represent millions. My view is that everything possible should be done to assure that their selection is based on informed judgment and that repeal of the 17th would facilitate that being possible.
My view is exactly that ... and only that ... that is to say, it is my view.
It is a complex issue with many legitimate points to consider ... on both sides of the coin.
I would hope that you and everyone visiting the Shop will share theirs, here in the GDA ... indeed, so doing is among the primary purposes of the Shop and the GDA itself ...
If folks will but do that, progress will have been made and it will all be worthwhile.
What say ye?
I'm against anything that obstructs the ability of the common man to determine his own fate ... whether that be religious, philosophical, societal or political--from the local level all the way to the top!
Danged Politician!
What does that mean ... that you favor anarchy over a constitutional government of republican form?
With over 300 million citizens, that would be quite a scene, methinks!
In your view, what is the ultimate fate of a people whose governors are selected by an uninformed and/or misinformed electorate?
That's not intended as a rhetorical question ... almost, maybe ... but, regardless of the anticipated fate, would you not expect a group of the best informed, qualified and most virtuous, selected at the most local of levels by people with whom they were well acquainted ... to do the better job?
Also triggered by your comment,Mama used to say ... "you get love by giving it away"
The importance and power of our voice in our governing, individually and as a people, increases dramatically when we give up our "influence and power" at the top and passionately exercise it at the bottom ... that's what I think.
Indeed, as a result of having ignored that principle, we have none at the top ... none that I can see ... it's one of the primary reasons we find ourselves where we are ... and why we're steeped in apathy, methinks.
It's hard for a man to feel he has a voice, or see the importance of his vote for a senator ... where he's typically one of several million, especially in California where there's over 35 million folks and the information he receives is from those with agendas and vested interests ... he is controlled and has no freedom, only the perception ... again given to him by those same vested interests.
It's easy for him to become victimized by apathy.
Honorable Donkey, and any goobers in the gallery, the begged question is ... how can we effectively cut through this barrier of disinformation?
What's your view?
Bob, I know very little about politics, as with everything else, but I believe it was John Adams who said that "our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people, and is wholly inadequate to the government of any other" ... yours is a great idea, but until this country returns to that same moral and religious condition, how well we think we may know an individual, even on the local level, is of little consequence ... can we really know what lurks within the heart of any man? ... only that man knows ... I would be interested to know just what kind of government the Founding Fathers could form or extract from current societal conditions ... either way, I'm not for further removing the direct influence of the common man when it comes to choosing whom he will serve!
Thanks!
That's more like it ... did John Adams really say that?
You sure it wasn't uncle Virgil?
Somewhere I've written, if not yet posted, that I thought being religious was the glue, if not Super Glue, that binds it all together and makes it possible.
Religious being that something which causes man to ever strive to be virtuous and achieve happiness ... that is, to overcome his appetites for pleasure or vice.
Whatever that means ... sounded pretty good at the time I wrote it.
Certainly, the situation faced by the Founders was different ... they had just won independence, against long odds ... at least according to the smart money in Vegas.
The remarkable thing is that the situation faced by the founders was the same as ours too ... were that not true, would those of forethought and foresight been so concerned over the internal threats, related to the Nature of Man, ... to the integrity of our government and to our freedom?
You don't pass laws against stealing unless folks is stealing ... or you expect them to start when they get the chance.
That's why so, so, ever so many of them fellas spoke out about the importance of morality and virtue to our liberty and our government.
They didn't do it just to have something to say to which the virtuous among them would cheer ... nod their heads in approval and go back to sleep ... had the opposing forces not posed a real threat, we would not have read those quotes for they would not of been written or said.
I'm not sure what they would have done , faced with our situation ... only that they would have vigorously attacked the problems with all of the resources at their disposal ... they had faced the loss of freedoms similar to ours and were not inclined to go quietly into the night.
Indeed their quotes reflect the problems with which they were faced ... neither were they writing and saying things for history to record just so that we could marvel some two centuries later.
Well, we're under tornado warnings and Blogger already don't like the length of this response ... so I'll break it into two or three.
When I return depends on the weather ... we were without electricity for much of the afternoon and my son's night classes shut down 4 hour hours early.
later ...
Yes, John Adams did say that, but ol' Virgil might have been right there when he said it ... the thing about the Founding Fathers is that what they did say, right or wrong, was what they veritably believed, emanating directly from the heart ... what our contemporary, aspiring politicians say, right or wrong, is whatever they think will garner the most votes and nods of popularity, their main objective being nothing more than blatant self-promotion ... they neither say what they mean, nor mean what they say!
Well, it's later ...
I've attempted to succinctly finish this response but it looks as hopeless as the war, during that winter at Valley Forge.
As methinks previously suggested, I believe We must reassume control ... that is to say, fill our representative assemblies with folks we know and trust ... from the bottom up!
Two quick questions ...
Do you agree or disagree ... yea or nay?
What percentage of the people do you think would agree ... ballpark?
The questions don't address the "HOW" ... that's a question yet to be asked.
I agree that we can never really know what lurks within the heart of any man ... that's long been reserved to Mr. Cranston, who's retired and evidently in seclusion, Tibet methinks.
Still, I think we have a much better chance of knowing what's in the hearts of them with whom we've been personally acquainted for some time than with strangers.
Well, the hot tub and sleep awaits ... still much to be said in response but that will come on the morrow, as the petty pace keeps on from day to day.
We'll then refuel Miss Murray, fasten our belts, and see where this takes us ... not sure where we'll be headed.
til then ...
Sorry that I somehow missed your last comment; with which I totally agree ... and which will be addressed on the morrow, forthwith ... it's the very essence of me previously intended response!
Miss Murray's full of sweet feed, thanks to the most honorable SJA , so fasten up ...
Truth is, at the lowest of levels ... whether that be the neighborhood, town, county or some unit yet to be defined ... there is some percentage of folks what are truly virtuous ... some who want to be ... some who pretend to be, and some who obviously aren't. Truth is, that's the truth according to me ... others might have a different truth!
Regardless of the "HOW" ... I think there would be widespread agreement that it would be best if both the electorate and the governors come exclusively from the first two groups of folks ... even the pretenders would at least publicly agree.
Most Honorable SJA, you and I weren't created equal ... none of us are ... you're big and tall, I'm short and small ... you write real pretty too!
Guess most folks know you like beans while I prefer peas, fried corn, buttermilk, and hotwater cornbread ... not to mention fresh homemade souse meat in apple cider vinegar ... but, maybe they don't know we both like good bacon gravy and tomato sandwiches.
It's nice to see that we do agree on something else ... the difference between our founding fathers and the politicians of today. Our founders belonged in group one, mostly ... with a few in group two ... the wanted to do what was right for the country, without regard for personal ambition ... all 'cept maybe that blaggard Arron Burr whom I definitely place in group three ... which is where most of today's politicians belong!
You know that I place great stock in Noah Webster ... I just looked up "politician" in his book ... strange, but the very first entry was "a skillfully contrived person; especially a shrewd or crafty schemer" ... which I thought described today's crowd to a "T"!
Why is that so strange?
Well, you'd expect that the all powerful Media and political power brokers would have objected to that definition as being prejudiced, and demanded it be changed in the name of political correctness!
The Bible, Sears Catalog, and the book of Noah ... good books all!
Storms yesterday ... still raining today ... didn't realize the time ... need to break for lunch, and maybe a hot tub too.
Hold on, hold on ...
I just reread that entry in Noah's book a little closer ... Dang! ... they classify that definition as OBSOLETE!!
Another thing to ponder ... how many genuine, God-fearing folk of high moral standards, character and understanding would desire to leap into today's slimy pool of gutless, heartless, self-serving system of political corruption? ... not me!
Not sure if your response is intended to answer me two questions!
Mon ami, you are indeed a wizard with words ... with a truly Brobdingnagian usable vocabulary ... 'tis why Noah and I have become better acquainted ... in self defense. Indeed, you are as fastidious in the selection of your words as John Adams!
Thus I do ponder, both your posed question ... and what you truly mean.
One of the things our founders found was their rights and freedom being taken away by a tyrannical monarch ... and while I doubt that they used "slimy pool of gutless, heartless, self-serving system of political corruption" to describe their despotic government, my guess that they felt that way, all the same!
The real patriots were few in number, at least in the beginning ... but my guess is that most of them were genuine, God-fearing folk of high moral standards, character and understanding.
More to the point, most of them would have welcomed, indeed relished the opportunity to work within the system, participate, and right the wrongs that were holding them hostage ... that's more than just my guess.
Problem was, though some factions in England supported that very thing, they weren't afforded the opportunity ... that freedom had been lost!
I suggest that the day will soon come when that too will be our fate, should the genuine, God-fearing folk of high moral standards, character and understanding fail to actively participate and strive to make things ... thankful that they still have the opportunity!
The tone of your response suggests that you feel that there are few such patriots among us ... I'm not sure ... but let's be both prayerful and thankful in advance that there may still be among us, a requisite number who will passionately rise to the occasion when they realize the necessity.
I know my donkey well and you are truly among the genuine, God-fearing folk of high moral standards, character and understanding ... but your contrariwise protestations notwithstanding, I suspect you to be of those very few.
I remember no relevant quotes but surely many have suggested we select out battles with care ... not with the regard to our chances of winning, but rather with regard to the worthiness of their being fought.
That's not to diminish the importance of the winning of such battles ... but, history shows that the outcome of wars oft depend on hopeless battles that were lost ... the Alamo comes to mind.
Had the boys from Texas read the papers, took heed of the odds and given up without a fight ... things would have been different!
Same goes for them boys out west ... as it is, both are in the World Series!!
Don't get me wrong ... conditions don't exactly place our government on the list of the top 100 places to work ... as it is a slimy pool of gutless, heartless, self-serving system of political corruption ... not much question about that!
Nevertheless, it's like the Marines and needs a few good men what could truly make a difference ... but, it the people what is the problem ... and it is the people what will be the solution, if there is one to be had.
Regarding the people, the second group, those who want to be virtuous, is probably the largest ... and its members the ones most susceptible to being influenced by the third group, somewhat similar back then as now, methinks ... my view, as a long standing member.
However, over time and with proper encouragement, instruction and dedication, they can migrate to the first group.
Tom Jefferson agreed ... remember his counsel ... "encourage all your virtuous dispositions, and exercise them whenever an opportunity arises, being assured that they will gain strength by exercise, as a limb of the body does, and that exercise will make them habitual" ... a long standing notion shared by many if not all the great thinkers ... Plato, for sure.
Just so it's clear ... I know there are five groups, rather than four.
The migration is not a one way street ... as they are the ones the ones most susceptible to being influenced by the third group, migration will occur in that direction as well ... especially if the first group, the virtuous ones, fail in their duty to attend the efforts of the second to become members of their group. If they go unattended, one would expect the membership of the third group to increase, and our situation to worsen.
That's important ... it seems to jump out as being related to your "until this country returns to that same moral and religious condition, how well we think we may know an individual, even on the local level, is of little consequence"
Again the question is begged, methinks ... the answer is one in which I'm most seriously interested ... can we afford to wait until the country improves its moral and religious condition before taking action?
Though I hope already addressed multiple times and in multiple ways, I say nay ... what say ye?
Time to pause, let Miss Murray's radiator cool down a bit ... she's old, you know ... could use some more sweet feed too!
I am reasonably certain that there remains amongst us a remnant of genuine, God-fearing individuals waiting in the wings, who are more than capable of impacting this world in a positive manner ... but my bottom line is this, as God is a just and sovereign God, having said "Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me" ... unless America returns to God, there will be judgment, part of that judgment could be that we're obligated to put up with less than desirable leaders that don't have our best interests at heart ... in early Bible days, when God's children continuously rebelled and disobeyed him, God would set up evil kings over them as punishment ... it's entirely dependent upon God's will as to the quality of people which are set up to lead us ... thus the ultimate survival and direction of this nation hinges directly upon it's relationship with God!
Unless America improves its moral and religious condition, what exactly might we be waiting for? ... Bill Buckley once said of conservatives that they should be adamant about the need for the reappearance of Judeo-Christianity in the public square ... having said that, my questions are, in the absence of the aforementioned "reappearance of Judeo-Christianity"--what exactly would be an effectual plan of action as to bringing about positive change? ... and if the majority of the electorate adheres not to the tenets of Judeo-Christianity, would it not be of little consequence to that body electorate if some candidates were of that sort?
Of course I agree that "we must fill our representative assemblies with folks we know and trust ... from the bottom up" ... only a half-wit could disagree to that ... and there is likely a high percentage of people that do agree to that ...
As far as being in the fight to right the wrongs ... I've already paid quite the price, including the spilling of my blood in the dirt! ...
Bob, it would be wise to heed Writersreview's suggestions ... and I've always believed the simplest form works best as to the Shop's general layout ...
Halloween post is up in the Stall!
Atypical for me , I was up and out of here with rooster's crow ... just got back a bit ago ... will look at your post after a tub and a bite ... then, it seems, I've a computer problem to address.
I figured you would agree with those suggestions as you mentioned something similar a bit earlier as did my brother ... I'm considering the options ... we'll see!
Regarding simplicity ... things need to be cleaned up, that's for sure ... as they will. I could argue that like the issue we've been discussing, until things are cleaned up, the other things are of little consequence ... but, I won't ... at least not too strongly.
It did make me feel good that he or she thought the discussion was good and was struck with the fact that we seemed to keep it civil.
later ...
To help you and your site's visitors to stay update with ours ... add Ye Olde Barbershop's widget ... the working version, together with one click automated installation is now in the sidebar.
Currently available with two color choices ... for sidebar installation on Blogger sites only.
Please give it a try ... and feedback bitte!
Thanks!
Happy Halloween all! ... Bob, I've placed your new widget in my sidebar which includes the "get widget" links ...
The widget works as advertised Bob!
oh ... anything too controversial ... which which you disagree?
Dang the main page looks great, but where's the war?! ...
What about npp?
Yes it works too, my man!
Anybody home?
Yes, I'm here ... good to "hear" from you ... me days have become confused with me nights ... more than usual... but I'm here!
Old translates into slow but still plodding along in the agreed upon direction ...
Good to see JFK remembered but it's scary how tempus does fugit ... we've had some visitors looking at it here too!
Let's chat at your convenience ...
Dang! I was in the kitchen!!
Merry Christmas everybody! ...
Merry Christmas ... only 363 shopping days left!
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