Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Sacralization of the State via The Constitution

There was a time, when the state was not a sacred entity.  In fact, individuals knew that the state was not their friend, but in fact their enemy, and far from sacred.

This time has passed, and the state is now a sacred entity, rather than the individual, or in the collective, humanity, being sacred.

In these United States of America, the new god is the state, and the state’s sacralizing document is The Constitution of the United States.

Bill Buppert has addressed this subject, and make no mistake it is a contentious subject, in a straightforward and clear manner, and in far more indepth manner than I have in the past myself.

Bill’s thoughts on the Constitution are titled The Constitution: The God That Failed (To Liberate Us From Big Government) and bear your consideration.  At a minimum, take a look at Buppert’s chart comparing the Constitution versus the Articles of Confederation, which were the original organizing concept for liberty in America.

Linked via Western Rifle Shooters Association.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/16 at 01:51 PM
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Nestle Eskimo Pie Fail

I don’t go in for DoveBars, frozen Snickers, Magnum Double Caramel bars, or any other various ice cream treats, but I do like an Eskimo Pie.

As a kid, we called them paddle pops not ice cream bars, and though they were an infrequent treat in my parent’s house, they were a treat.

You can still purchase Eskimo Pies, the brand is owned by Nestle, but I just found out, after inquiring about them at my local grocer’s, that you cannot buy the original Eskimo Pie, only faux, no sugar added, Eskimo Pies.

As far as I am concerned, I won’t be enjoying an Eskimo Pie again, and that is a Nestle Eskimo Pie fail.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/16 at 01:12 PM
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Active Duty versus Passive Freeloading

American Mercenary has posted a quite introspective essay casting his eye on his active duty service in the military, versus passive freeloading off of the government, which is well worth your time to read.  The piece is titled Barbarians.  The essay opens this way.

Rome was in decline for a long time before the Barbarians were able to sack that once great Empire.  I consider myself the first wave of the Barbarian horde sacking and looting the Republic.

What is the difference between an Active Duty Soldier who gets a paycheck to risk his life and a someone freeloading off the fedgov by “making art” or reciting “Cowboy Poetry” I ask in all seriousness.  The military produces nothing, the very best that you can get out of military spending is an educated worker who may actually end up putting back into the system more than it took to educate him.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/16 at 08:44 AM
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Rocks, Peonies and Rosemary

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Each rock, in this photo, was hand picked, over the years, for one peculiar reason, or another more aesthetic reason, and carried home, some traveling further than others to reach this destination.  A few required some effort; including a ride in a kayak, another a rather lengthy hike through the woods, one a strapping to my truck’s bumper, and others rather more mundane modes of transport.

The peony, in this photo, came from ol’ Dave’s house, a WWII Navy man, who served on a submarine tender, and with whom I had many a conversation, and not a few drinks over the years.  He passed away last year after battling cancer, and he wanted his peonies to have a good home.

The rosemary, in this photo, was raised by the Lovely Melis from a single shoot.  It has participated in many a good meal, shared its scent with abandon, and should continue to do so for many a year to come.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/16 at 07:15 AM
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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

A Snitch in Time

Claire Wolfe has an interesting post up titled Recognizing the snitch in your midst, which was written as a follow-up to post to Dealing with snitches, informers, informants, narcs, finks, rats and similar menaces (Maybe it’s a book?), which was written as a result of an alleged libertarian-anarchist, Stacey Litz, ratting her friends out (drug “war” related).

The comment threads are also very interesting reading.  Unfortunately, the subject of snitching and snitches may become more important to those individuals, such as myself, who refuse to show the alleged proper obeisance to the state.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/15 at 03:58 PM
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Don Ritchie - Loss of a Compassionate Soul

Do you know the story of Aussie Don Ritchie?  Just this headline, noting his passing, will tell you alot.

Don Ritchie, Angel of The Gap - who helped save 500 people from suicide - dies at 85

Rest in peace, Don Ritchie.

Via JB.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/15 at 12:01 PM
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Nuancing Fort Lee New Jersey’s Texting While Walking Ordinance

In a post titled WHERE U AT? NJ? GET OUT!, Tam offers a couple of nuanced defenses for individuals who may be ticketed for texting while walking in the borough of Fort Lee, New Jersey.

How is “walking” defined? Two consecutive steps? More than two? “X or more steps in X amount of time”? Does it have to be in a forward direction, or is this like ‘traveling’ in the NBA? Can you sidestep and text at the same time?

“Not guilty, your honor. My client was texting while Riverdancing, which is clearly not prohibited by the ordinance.”

Posted by John Venlet on 05/15 at 08:33 AM
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Monday, May 14, 2012

Did A Bribe Make it Go Away?

Yesterday, at 15:44:52, Drudge had the following as his front and center headline THE ‘BRIBE’ TO SILENCE THE REV.

The Drudge link took readers to a New York Post article with a headline reading The ‘bribe’ to silence Wright, wherein the following can be read.

‘Man, the media ate me alive,” Wright told me when we met in his office at Chicago’s Kwame Nkrumah Academy. “After the media went ballistic on me, I received an e-mail offering me money not to preach at all until the November presidential election.”

“Who sent the e-mail?” I asked Wright.

“It was from one of Barack’s closest friends.”

“He offered you money?”

“Not directly,” Wright said. “He sent the offer to one of the members of the church, who sent it to me.”

“How much money did he offer you?”

“One hundred and fifty thousand dollars,” Wright said.

This morning, Drudge’s headline is no where to be found on Drudge’s front page, but only in the archives.  I wonder why.

Did a bribe make the Drudge headline go away?

UPDATE:  There are allegations of bribes, and then there are inducements.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/14 at 08:23 AM
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Sunday, May 13, 2012

Battling Fire and Brimstone

I think Ann Barnhardt is indeed a true patriot in the mold of the founder’s of the United States of America, willing to risk her life and liberty not only through the free expression of her thoughts, but in denying the government, through repudiation of paying taxes, support of the government, and I admire Miss Barnhardt for these attributes.  But when it comes to matters dealing with individuals’ faith, Miss Barnhardt’s fire and brimestone hurling is lacking in basis of God’s revelation as revealed through Jesus Christ Incarnate, and requires some hosing down.

Miss Barnhardt recently posted an essay, in two parts, titled He who fears God cannot be coerced by the state, which I first noted at Vanderleun’s Side-Lines, and then at Western Rifle Shooters Association.

Vanderleun linked to Miss Barnhardt’s essay under the title Superfun Rockband church™, quoting this portion of Miss Barnhardt’s essay.

To call a group of people who worship themselves and their capacity for self-reverential “entertainment” “Christian is becoming increasingly difficult when the objective evidence points to these suburban blights as being neo-paganism in every regard. Where is the altar? There isn’t one. Where is there a Cross? There are no crosses. When is any reference made to Christ’s sacrifice in propitiation and perfect atonement for the sins of the world, including the sins of the latte-sipping dolts sitting in their reclining, triple-cushioned theater-style seats? Where are there any references to personal sin? Where are there any references to objective Truth? There are none – there is only “your truth and my truth”, “How I FEEEEL”, and then BRING ON THE ROCK BAND!

My friend, CA at WRSA, linked to Miss Barnhardt’s essay with these words of Miss Barnhardt.

He Who Fears God Cannot Be Coerced By The State

I will first comment on the quote at Vanderleun’s site.

Miss Barnhardt criticizes a current trend for churches to be, not churches, but rather Superfun Rockband churches™, stating they are neo-pagan.  I must admit, that even as recently as twenty (20) years ago I might have made such a statement, as indoctrinated as I had allowed myself to be to the preaching of the “Law,” rather than the revelation of God.  Is there too much of an emphasis on “feeling good,” as Miss Barnhardt suggests, quite possibly, but this feeling good meme pervades our entire society, it is the prevalent narrative in society.  Just look at the American Youth Soccer League (AYSO), whose first and foremost “philosophy” is Everyone Plays®.

As to the “neo-paganism” so roundly derided by Miss Barnhardt, and her juxtaposition in support of her stating that the Superfun Rockband church™ is neo-paganistic, with the statements “Where is the altar,” and “Where is there a cross?,” let me just state that the altar and the cross, which are images, have their basis in ancient paganism.

As to what is being preached in “Christian” churches throughout the world, which Miss Barnhardt also criticizes with the question “Where are there any references to the objective Truth?,” I state that in large part you will not find the objective truth within the hierarchial church, and for a good reason.  The objective truth of God’s revelation can only be found in a personal, individual relationship with God.  Jesus Christ did not ask individuals of faith to be like him, but rather, to follow him, not as a group, a collective, but as individuals.

In regards to the quote which headlines the post linking to Miss Barnhardt at WRSA, “He Who Fears God Cannot Be Coerced By The State,” this is absolutely correct, and when Miss Barnhardt expands on that thought with the following words, she is also correct.

The only thing that the people of the United States, from the “devout” Christian (including the vast, vast majority of priests and bishops) to the neo-pagan Superfun Rockband church™ denizen to the atheist, fear is the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Homeland Security. If the state says, “pay for abortions, or else”, the people will do it,... If the state says, “Sodomy is normal and good, and you will celebrate it, or else”, the people will do it...

Miss Barnhardt is a true patriot, and Miss Barnhardt’s essay in two parts does contain other coals of truth than I’ve noted, but one must first hose down the fire and brimestone in order to handle the coals.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/13 at 09:26 AM
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Saturday, May 12, 2012

This is Love!

This is love! (7:16)

Don’t listen to the music, just read the written notes.

Via JB.

UPDATE:  This video is also an exceptional Mother’s Day message.  This is love!

Posted by John Venlet on 05/12 at 07:56 AM
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Friday, May 11, 2012

On Gay Marriage

Ed Rasimus has posted a very thoughtful piece on the subject of gay marriage.  What Is It and Why?

Posted by John Venlet on 05/11 at 03:37 PM
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Some Beauty for a Friday Afternoon, So Smile a Bit

Neighbors solving a problem without the State.

Toddlers and dogs, fifty (50) of them.  My favorties, numbers 1, 6, 10, 16, 20, 23, 27 (cute as all get out), 36, 43, and number 49.  Enjoy.

Both linked via Claire Wolfe.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/11 at 12:07 PM
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Take A Good Hard Look at Who and What You’re Dealing With

Take a good hard look at DeKalb Country Georgia police officer Jerad Wheeler, below.

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Now read what this individual, who is supposedly “serving” the people of DeKalb Country, GA as a model of probity and upholder of the law has done in his capacity as a police officer.

Dekalb County police officer Jerad Wheeler was called to a home to settle a domestic dispute involving a pregnant woman named Raven Dozier, her brother and his child and baby’s mother.

As things escalated Wheeler pulled out his taser and used it on Dozier’s brother. She says that’s when she started crying and asking the officer why he used a taser on her brother.

Wheeler must not have been in a talking mood because after he used the taser on him, he then kicked Dozier in the stomach…

Dozier was almost nine months pregnant and wound up giving birth via an emergency C-section two weeks after the kick left a bruise…

Now let’s read Wheeler’s excuse for kicking Dozier in the stomach.

Officer Wheeler says that he couldn’t tell that Dozier was pregnant and that he only kicked her because she came at him aggressively. He also described the kick as “a front push kick to the abdomen, as he was taught to do at the academy,” in his police report.

Wheeler must be in dire need of having his eyes checked.

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The citizens of DeKalb County, GA should be converging on the police department and demanding Wheeler’s immediate dismissal.  Wheeler is a brute, and undeserving of any respect what-so-ever!

Via Billy Beck, who is correct in noting that Wheeler is “a sick and despicable piece of shit.”

Cop Kicks Pregnant Woman In Stomach, Dept. Says He Was Within Policy

Posted by John Venlet on 05/11 at 09:21 AM
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Thursday, May 10, 2012

“Drug Problem”

Hi, my name is John and I have a drug problem, and am pleased that I do.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/10 at 02:54 PM
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“Cool Tourist Story,” or Real Time Prepping for Civil War?

This morning, Drudge linked to two stories, out of Miami, which informed readers that a military “exercise” took place in Miami, in the wee hours of the morning, which were described, by the military, as “realistic urban training.”

One of the stories is headlined Media Characterizes Military Invasion of South Florida as “Cool Tourist Story”, and the other story is headlined Military training in the middle of Miami jolts residents out of bed.

I am not quite certain what to make of the military conducting a “realistic urban training” exercise at 1:45 a.m. EST, with choppers and explosions while many in Miami were in all likelihood asleep.

I am even more uncertain what to make of the military conducting a “realistic urban training” exercise at 1:45 a.m. EST after reading a story linked by Elizabeth Foley at InstaPundit, which is headlined The planned re-election of Obama, revolutionary style, written by Doug Hagmann for Canada Free Press wherein one can read this, amongest other information.

According to my source (“Rosebud” - ed), there is talk among the highest levels of the uppermost echelon of the Department of Homeland Security, which he describes as effectively under the control of Barack Hussein Obama. During this call, he said that the DHS is actively preparing for massive social unrest inside the United States. He then corrected himself, stating that “a civil war” is the more appropriate term. Certain elements of the government are not only expecting and preparing for it, they are actually facilitating it,” stated my source.

“The DHS takes their marching orders from the Obama administration, from Obama himself, but mostly from his un-appointed czars. And Jarrett, especially Valerie Jarrett. Don’t think for a minute that the administration is doing anything to stabilize events in the U.S. They are revolutionaries, and revolutionaries thrive on chaos,” he added.

My source stated that he has not seen things this bad since he began working within DHS. “It’s like they [DHS agency heads] don’t care about what the American people see or feel about what the DHS agencies are doing. They figure that if the average American will put up with being “sexually groped and nuked” just to fly, they’ll accept almost anything. “That’s why their actions are becoming more overt.  “It’s in your face and the brass actually chuckle about it” said my source.

Variations on a Civil War Theme, anyone?

Posted by John Venlet on 05/10 at 11:50 AM
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