Advent: What it Means to Wait for Something Greater

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I am going to take a break from blogging until after Christmas, but I first wanted to leave you some thoughts about what celebrating Advent means.  In the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

Celebrating Advent means being able to wait.  Waiting is an art that our impatient age has forgotten.  It wants to break open the ripe fruit when it is hardly finished planting the shoot.  But all too often the greedy eyes are only deceived; the fruit that seemed so precious is still green on the inside, and the disrespectful hands ungratefully toss aside what has so disappointed them.  Whoever does not know the austere blessedness of waiting--that is, of hopefully doing without--will never experience the full blessing of fulfillment. 

As we wait for the coming of Christ may we experience the peace that surpasses all understanding and appreciate the blessings we've received and look forward to the blessings to come.

Merry Christmas!

The Importance of History: Build it and They Will Come

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"History by apprising [citizens] of the past will enable them to judge of the future; it will avail them of the experience of other times and other nations; it will qualify them as judges of the actions and designs of men; it will enable them to know ambition under every disguise it may assume; and knowing it, to defeat its views." --Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 14, 1781

The title link above takes you to an article titled:  Our Country is Fine, But the Government is Broken.  You may not agree with everything the author presents, however, the point that our government is "broken" is something I think we can all agree on.  That is why a restoration of our Constitutional Republic is so important.  The reason that many in our country call for a restoration of our founding principles is based on increasing our awareness of events in the past and what we can learn from them.  I've said before that the major split in our country today is due to competing world views.  It becomes clearer to me with each passing day.  Those with a world view based on sound values and principles which are derived from a transcendent source are frequently derided as old fashioned, depicted as white fanatics protecting their "privilege," backwards, stupid, and, with increasing frequency, viciously attacked using vulgar terms.  Jed Brandt speaking at the Brecht Forum refers to us as "far right fascists" who "think there are some people who are not invested with rights...are really dangerous...and they will kill us."  Does that qualify as fear mongering? It does to me.

The "us" he refers to hold the opposing world view; the progressive world view I have been referring to these past months.  It is a world view that sees elites, government elites, solving all the world's problems.  So how has that worked out in the past for the totalitarian, socialist, Maoist, and communist regimes?  Millions of people have died, but, then again, "you have to crack a few eggs if you are going to make an omelet," right?  I love that Jed Brandt moans about having to "apologize" (for self identifying as a Communist) for what Joseph Stalin did because he (Jed) "hasn't killed anyone."  No, he has fought for "free speech" and "expanding the realm of possibility." As with anything, though, the devil is in the details.  Defining "expanding the realm of possibility" leads to the inevitable goal of a classless society.  The problem with this is the equally inevitable gap between theory and practice.

I believe that many people who identify themselves as socialists, communists, maoists, and, as they are more apt to refer to themselves today, progressives really and truly believe human beings and society can be perfected with the right form of governance, social programs, and elites making all the important decisions for masses.  They really believe that the world would be a better place.  However, what my world view and my reading of history tells me is that if you build the structure necessary for this utopia, the people who will end up at the top will not be the best of mankind, but the worst.  

That's why we need to be concerned with:
TSA Screening Procedures
Is the line separating collective security and individual liberty being blurred?  We, the fringe who believe in adhering to the U.S. Constitution, might wonder where the Fourth Amendment plays in to these procedures.

Net Neutrality
Net Neutrality and concepts like the Fairness Doctrine have been soundly defeated at the polls and in Congress.   The FCC Commissioner, however, seems to believe that it is the government's role to determine what type of news we hear.  Does he know about the First Amendment of our Constitution?  If you do not have full access to information and are forced to rely on what the FCC deems acceptable are you not at a disadvantage?  Senator Rockefeller  thinks that his job in Congress would be a whole lot easier if Fox News and MSNBC were taken off the air.  According to him, freedom of the press seems to be getting in the way of our citizens having confidence in their government and their future.  Do you agree with that?!

The START nuclear weapons treaty with Russia:
There is a good article you might want to read at the Constitutionalist Today:  The Kremlin Has No Comment.  Our Constitution states that the Federal Government's role is to provide for the common defense.  You might want to watch a short video at Liberty Central regarding this role and how it relates to the issues with this treaty. 

Obamacare and other Constitutional violations:
Making Stuff Up as They Go from the Tenth Amendment Center is an interesting read.  They also have a great article on nullification titled:  We Don't Need No Stinkin' Permission.

Finally, consider a recent Op-ed in the New York Times by Thomas Friedman that, among other issues, mocks our concerns about TSA screenings and the concerns expressed about the START Treaty.  This is an effective tactic used by those with the opposing world view.  If you make people feel "stupid" or "silly" for expressing concerns about the erosion of our Constitutional Republic then others will be bullied into believing there is nothing to be concerned about and will hesitate to speak up.  The thing in the op-ed I take the greatest exception to is the mocking reference to our "American Exceptionalism."  The friend who shared the op-ed on Facebook and I had a short discussion about the importance of defining terms used in a debate or discussion.   According to the "fringe group" that cherishes our Constitutional Republic (because it represents a system of government that respects those God given rights; life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness) American Exceptionalism means that our country offers opportunities that exist in very few other places, if any.  And if we fail to preserve that form of government what will replace it is a structure that, when built, will be controlled by flawed human beings.  You might say that our Constitutional Republic is lead by flawed human beings.  You are correct.  The difference is that our founders KNEW that and built a system of checks and balances to prevent any one part of the government from amassing total control and power.  It seems we're diminishing those checks and balances at a breathtaking rate.

American Exceptionalism doesn't mean we are superior.  It doesn't mean we are better than everyone else.  It simply means that our goal is to protect our citizens' life, liberty and their pursuit of happiness and that we understand that these are God given, not bestowed upon us by the government and the government elites. 

History has shown us just how seriously flawed the leaders of socialist, Marxist, Maoist, and communist countries have been.  I have found no exceptions to that pattern and, according to my world view, there never will be an exception to that pattern. 

Other articles of interest:

Lost Inspiration and the Fall of the Soviet Union (an article discussing the book:  Political Will and Personal Belief:  The Decline and Fall of Soviet Communism, by Paul Hollander.

Weapons Modernization Hostage to START Treaty?

Chinese Communists Confer with Dem and GOP Comrades

(NOTE: As always, I try to include related articles that present both sides of the issues.  In other words, from the each of the world views I refer to.  I do this in hopes that you will begin to see the difference.  I, unlike progressives, believe that you need to see all of the information in order to determine what the truth is.)

Related articles

• America is a Constitutional Republic (dakotavoice.com)
• The Big Lie (andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com)
• Where Do Our Rights Come From? (samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com)
• A close reading of John Bolton and John Yoo's ridiculous op-ed about the New START nukes treaty. (slate.com)

What do Terrorists, Mr. Potter and the Grinch Have in Common?

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My favorite movie of all time is "It's a Wonderful Life" but I have also always loved Seuss' story: How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  Although it might better be titled:  How the Grinch TRIED to Steal Christmas, because he didn't succeed.  (The Grinch and Mr. Potter have a lot in common as I will discuss below :-)

The Whos down in Whoville celebrated the spirit of Christmas without all the material stuff.  That's what I would like to believe would happen even if someone " packs up the presents!  The ribbons!  The wrappings!  The tags! And the tinsel!  The trimmings!  The trappings!...all that material "stuff" we've come to cherish.  Our true treasure is not something that anyone can take away from us.

Terrorists of all kinds try to "take away" things we treasure.  This includes not only material possessions but also includes economic and physical safety, peace of mind and even the freedom and liberties we have been blessed with to enjoy in this country.

I believe that's is where the 12 values of the 9-12 Projects become very, very important.  That is why I believe it is more important than ever to be certain of what you believe.  I believe that if we hang on to these core values and principles, which serve as both anchor and compass, we will come through anything.

Honesty
Did you ever hear the great advice, "Honesty is the best policy" as a child?  You have probably heard the story of George Washington chopping down an cherry tree and then stating to his father, "I cannot tell a lie."  It is probably fiction, but it is meant show that one of the Founders and our first President was an honorable man and that this sense of honor was instilled in him at a young age.  One of the nine principles: "I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday" embodies this value.  What if we each become more honest with each passing day?   Removing all lies from your life might be hard work, but I believe that the end result is worth it.  Knowing that you value honesty and striving to be an honest person is something no one can take from you. 

Reverence
Reverence can be defined as "honor or respect felt or shown" (as a noun) or as "to regard or treat with reverence" (as a verb.)  What do you revere? If you revere material possessions they can go away in the blink of an eye.  If you revere something that is more lasting, it cannot be taken away.  Our country's Declaration of Independence ended with:  "With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence....."  In other words, the belief in something bigger than yourself which demands reverence and respect is where your treasure lies.  That belief, if planted in a firm foundation, can never be taken.

Hope
There is a line in a song that I love (When You Believe) that says: Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill.  A hope based on a transcendent source of truth is not only hard to kill, it cannot be killed. 


Thrift
Thrift is defined in one sense as:  the wise economy in the management of money and other resources; frugality. Living your life as a good steward of everything you have been given is not something that can be taken away if you are clear on what it is you believe.

Humility
Humility is the quality of being modest, reverential....never being arrogant, contemptuous or rude.  If this is one of the values that you hold dear, it cannot be taken away.  You may not be able to display humility at all times, but if it is something you find valuable and part of your belief system no one can take it from you.

Charity
Charity is usually thought of as something given to help the needy.  Even if all of your material possessions are taken away you can still perform acts of charity.  Another definition of charity is generosity toward others or toward humanity.  If this value is a part of your core set of beliefs, it is not something that can be taken from you.  It may become challenging to be charitable, but if your belief system incorporates this value it will remain with you.

Sincerity
This is the quality or condition of being sincere; genuineness, honesty and freedom from duplicity; closely tied to the first value listed which is honesty.  If this is part of "who you are" who could take it?

Moderation
Moderation means being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme, but also can mean not violent or subject to extremes.   If this is  part of your core value system it will not disappear, even if you are placed in a position meant to push you into behaviors and actions that go against this belief. 

Hard Work
I am not sure I need to define this because we all know what hard work is like. In addition, the sense of accomplishment when you see the results of your hard work is priceless.  If you believe that this is one of your core values, nothing can make that belief go away. 


Courage
Courage is defined as the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.  I am not so sure about the "without fear" part, but the rest of the definition outlines something no one can take from you.  "Courage of your convictions" comes to mind.  If you believe in something and it is part of who you are people might make it difficult for you to express these openly, but it does not change the fact that it is part of what you believe.


Personal Responsibility
This is something I am afraid we have lost sight of in this country and, for that matter, in the world.  Suffering the consequences for bad decisions is something that has become politically incorrect.  We make "explanations" into "excuses" and no one learns anything and we ALL suffer.  However, if you believe that taking personal responsibility for your actions and decisions is a value that you hold, nothing can change that.


Gratitude
Gratitude can simply be defined as thankfulness.  The expression of gratitude is healthy and can generate optimism in the most trying of times.  Being grateful for the blessings in your life cannot be eliminated in rough times unless you willingly give this up.


Which leads to the conclusion on all of these values:  if you know what you believe and you choose to live life according to these values the only way they can be taken from you is if you give them up willingly.  I am not saying this is always easy as it is not.  And all of this reminds me of my favorite movie of all time: It's a Wonderful Life.  Mr. Potter is a man whose value system is completely based on material possessions.  He watches throughout the movie as George Bailey struggles through life without many material possessions.  What he does have, though, is a solid core set of values.  He makes a difference in peoples lives because he lives by those principles and values.  He is rewarded in many ways and most of them are not "material" rewards.  His brother, Harry, refers to him at the end of the movie as "the richest man in town."  The reason Mr. Potter hated him so much was because he could not "get his hands" on these riches.  He tries to take everything away from George but never succeeds because George's values and principles could not be stolen.

Yes, I believe George was the richest man in town and that's because he knew what is truly valuable in this life....and it IS a wonderful life!  Even if the Grinch takes all you have!