Presstitutional Malpractice ~The Dam Of Denial

 Press Monkey See Do Littles
"There is, in world affairs, a steady course to be followed between an assertion of strength that is truculent and a confession of helplessness that is cowardly" ~Dwight David Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States

"Something is rotten in Denmark" stated by Marcellus
 from Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare

I started this blog originally in December.  And determined to finish it today.

Who?
What?
When?
Why?
How?

Could the Mainstream media be any worse?  Where is the coverage of the scandal of Benghazi?

The Mainstream media in any reasonable description either has not had a column or buried small columns deep in the A sections of not just small newspapers but former print giants. The New York Times and Washington Post.

Four and a half monts  later WE THE PEOPLE also have learned that the Obama Administration and Leon Panetta and Joe Biden were all in the White House in a meeting in the Oval Office as the news of the attack hit the White House Situation Room.

From the Daily Caller, "This is really a journalistic scandal,” Krauthammer said. “I mean, the fact there was not a word about any of this in the Times or the Post today.”

Krauthammer further stated out that the recently released emails sent to over 300-400  government employees proved the White House, contrary to its claims, knew the attack was or had connections to terrorist as the source of the attack almost in real time.

“And there is one thing that was very new and very interesting — you know, the White House has been trying to insulate itself on this the whole time,” Krauthammer said. “You get Joe Biden saying in his debate ‘we didn’t know.’ And of course, everybody knew. They say, ‘Well the White House didn’t know.’ These emails went to the situation room. What this story does is it punctures the myth that everybody might have known — the intelligence guys, the State Department, but the White House did not. It was in the situation room.”

The attack did not last the 4-5 hours as we were previously told but 7-8 hours.

"tis bitter cold  And I am sick at heart."
-from Hamlet , stated by Francisco to Barnardo
Written by William Shakespeare 

Why has the "fourth estate" gone quiet?

Nine and months and a week later after news of hidden Benghazi survivors have surfaced in various news articles in the past few months.  But no one not even the Senate or Congress has had an opportunity to meet, visit, console or ask any questions of the 'disappeared survivors.'  It is claimed that one survivor is hospitalized under an assumed name given to him by the Obama Administration.

I was right in October when I called Benghazi the biggest scandal and cover up in US History. (I had to say this!)

Just last week Jay Carney White House Press Secretary claimed, "Benghazi happened a long time ago," in a more than dismissive manner.  I have a headline for Jay Carney and the Deniers of Reality at the White House to the families of the four who were murdered in a hail of gunfire and a barrage of mortars and fire that was set with diesel fuel at the Benghazi Consulate the night of the attack the sting of a lost loved one is as fresh as if the loss were yesterday.

News broke last week of 3 whistle blowers who were to testify in front Daryl Issa's Committee. Here is his interview which aired yesterday, May 5, 2013 regarding the pending hearing scheduled for Wednesday May 8th and should air on CSPAN.

On Sunday Chairman of the House  Oversight and Reform Committee Daryl Issa was a guest and here is the tape from that show.

It was not long before the cracks began to show up on the Dam of Denial finally looks as if the pressure of an overfilled reservoir of facts is about to swamp the Obama Administration in a flood of information that makes Watergate look like child's play.

During the last several months, many top ranking military Generals and Admirals from at least 3 branches of the US Armed Forces.have been removed from assignment, or taken early retirement.

CBS released this article, claiming Greg Hicks is one of three 'whistleblowers' scheduled to appear in front of the House Oversight and Reform Committee.

Mark Thompson also according to Fox News says :  "...On the night of Sept. 11, as the Obama administration scrambled to respond to the Benghazi terror attacks, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and a key aide effectively tried to cut the department's own counter terrorism bureau out of the chain of reporting and decision-making, according to a "whistle-blower" witness from that bureau who will soon testify to the charge before Congress, Fox News has learned."

Stephen Hayes in this article "U.S. Military in Tripoli Ordered Not to Go to Benghazi"  has uncovered some very to say the least damning information.

The Department of State, the White House the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Defense and the the NSA all got the live feed.

America Demands answers.  It is time for the dam to be breached with the righteous flood of the truth.

Adventures of A Citizen Lobbyist Chapter III

North East Tarrant Tea Party Lobbies with TURF

"Promoting constitutional governance
in every precinct in our districts,
 one voter  at a time"
We believe in :

• Personal Responsibility
• Fiscal Responsibility
• Limited Government
• Rule o Law
• National Sovereignty
• Traditional two-party system

This was North East Tarrant Tea Party's fourth trip, and my third to the Capitol in Austin.  Each time our group makes a trip to the Capitol in Austin, I fall in love with the beauty of the Capitol even more.  

Our day started with a press conference given by Terry Hall,  of TURF, and Julie Turner, President of Texas Patriots PAC at  the south entrance to the Capitol.  Both speeches were filled with love of the State of Texas and serious commitment to limited fiscally responsible governance for the State of Texas.

Immediately after the Press Conference our two groups assembled in the gallery of the House of Representatives to listen to business being conducted on the House floor and to have our two groups recognized.  It is always a great people watching event from the House Gallery.  The floor is filled with a kinetic energy that is exciting.  

We departed from the house Gallery and went directly to the Senate Gallery.  Once again we watched the business of the State in motion, and our two groups were recognized by Governor Dewhurst.

Before we broke into groups to visit our elected House members to deliver TURF "White Papers" which had been prepared for this joint Lobbying Venture by North East Tarrant Tea Party, Texas Patriots PAC Tea Party and TURF, our groups joined on the stairs between the House and Senate Gallery for a photo opportunity.

After lunch we fanned out across the Capitol in teams to make certain that members of the Budget Committees in both the House and Senate got a copy of our 'White Papers' provided to us by TURF.

It is my impression that our efforts are making a positive difference.  With each visit more doors appear to be open.  Our group of six was able to visit briefly with the members we delivered the 'White Papers'.  Our team focused on delivering the message of not transferring funds from Vehicle sales taxes to the general fund.  We asked for support of TURF's positions and left copies of bills before the Budget Committee that we deemed as positive legislation or bad use of Texan's Tax Dollars.

The following is the Press release from TURF that was made on the south Steps of the Capitol on March 12, 2013.

"Grassroots coalition calls on Perry, Dewhurst, & Straus to lead the way on a new vision for roads"

Sensible bills should not be held hostage to promote special interests, more road debt, tax hikes, and budget-busting tolls that will only burden small businesses, families, seniors, and young adults on limited income!

Activist leaders Terri Hall (TURF) and JoAnn Fleming (TEA Party Caucus Advisory Committee Chair and Grassroots America director) sounded the alarm to Texans that soon every major road will be tolled, and foreign corporations can take over our  roadways, driving up the cost of daily travel with unfettered tolling.

"Texans don't take kindly to unelected boards and commissions raising taxes on them, and that is just what these toll agencies can and will do if we don't change course now," warned TURF's founder and director, Terri Hall.

Hall says the word around the capitol is that the bills that would solve the road-funding shortfall by dedicating the existing vehicle sales tax (SB 287/HB 782) to roads -- have been sent to the budget committees to die.

"They don't want to prioritize spending in order to get the money we already pay in taxes over to roads," fumed Hall.  "Instead, the Governor (in support of SB 1632) wants Texans to pay back their own tax money with interest through tolls or local tax hikes for all these toll projects that can't pay for themselves without taxpayer bail outs."

"If our leaders insist on dealing with the problem with more tax hikes, more tolls, and more debt, there will be a voter revolt. People are already saddled with higher payroll and income taxes from Washington, DC, and property taxes and local debt are rising around most of the state. Just as we cannot afford more tax and spend from government, we cannot afford more borrow and spend for roads," insists JoAnn Fleming, Executive Director of Grassroots America. 

"Some of the folks inside this building are the architects of this debt cliff with their fairy tale, smoke and mirrors budgeting and creative financing - they've maxed out the credit card. We can get out of it, but it will take leadership and somebody standing up for the taxpayers," Fleming said.

She added, "If our wallets are the first solution they will be the only solution that survives the session. We aren't going to give anybody a green light for raising the gas tax e gas tax or vehicle registration fees until our leaders clear the debris they put in the road, out of the road."

Proposals the Coalition Opposes

Governor Perry's endorsed solution is to redirect federal highway funds into the State Infrastructure Bank (SB 1632) to be used to guarantee toxic local toll road debt and even mass transit projects, (which these funds currently cannot be used to do). Perry's proposal also encourages local taxes and tax hikes to bailout toll projects that can't pay for themselves.

Terri Hall says this won't solve the funding problem in a fiscally-sound, transparent way. "If this is the solution, Texans will not be able to get to work or get their kids to school without paying $10 or more a day to get across town. It's insane, especially when gas prices are going through the roof! How is this not a tax hike?" asks Hall.

Senate Finance Committee Chair Tommy Williams proposes (SJR 38) a similar loan guarantee program for economic development toll road and mass transit projects using the Rainy Day Fund as well as a separate proposal (SJR 39) to increase vehicle registration fees to build new road capacity. Neither solve the long-term road funding shortfalls nor get the state back to pay-as-you-go.

Unsustainable Debt Spiral

Securing a reliable, long-term source of revenue, coupled with operational reforms, are necessary for cost-effective highway planning and the avoidance of more debt; however, the state has no sustainable policy for funding roads. The Grant Thornton audit of 2010 states that our debt path is unsustainable. According to an April 24, 2012, Associated Press account (citing federal data), Texas leads the nation in road debt ($31 billion, principle and interest). This is supported by documents provided by Senator Robert Nichols, which show debt (principle only) to be $23 billion.

Incurring more road debt, whether at the state or local level, is not fiscally responsible, conservative, nor sustainable. Several sources have also indicated that there are no more viable toll projects in the state -- where the tolls could ever hope to pay for the expense of the road without considerable taxpayer subsidies. We must return to pay-as-you-go.

Raising Taxes Not the Answer

"Any tax collected from road users should be going to fund roads first, especially before any politician asks us to dig deeper into our pockets to fund roads with tax hikes and more tolls," contends Hall. "Tolls are taxes the way they're being done in Texas today, since $10 billion in public funds are going to build toll roads, yet they're still charging us a toll to drive on them."

Conservatives feel the state leadership is behaving as politicians in Washington do - holding out for tax increases so they don't have to cut spending and reform TxDOT.

"Texans are fed-up with out-of-control government that never gets its priorities straight, and keeps asking us to pay more when the taxes already collected aren't going for their intended purpose," reiterated Fleming.

Gas tax a source of diminishing funding

The state gas tax, the primary source of revenue for TxDOT, has been unchanged for 20 years. This has caused a reliance on toll roads to bridge the funding gap, which costs Texans prohibitively more than a tax-funded road (1-2 cents a mile vs. 15 - 75 cents a mile for tolls).

We cannot expect to build today's roads with a 20-year-old revenue source. This structural shortfall must be addressed without more tolls, more debt, and more taxes.

Between 1990 - 2012, Texas state spending rose 310%, while population growth plus inflation totaled only 132%. [Source:  Texas Public Policy Foundation analysis of Legislative Budget Board documents]. Lawmakers should refocus on the core constitutional functions of state government.

Comprehensive transportation package needed

The proper pay-as-you-go funding of road construction can be done with a comprehensive transportation package, which should include:

- State government restructuring to eliminate overlapping, duplicated effort;- Phase-out of funding for budget items beyond the core constitutional responsibilities of state government;- TxDOT operational reforms;- Reigning in flagrant waste (documented) via "local control" RMAs, MPOs and COGs spending millions on "enhancements";- Refocus on building highways to relieve traffic congestion - not funding light rail, street cars, biking/hiking trails, parks and roads for economic development (the "build it and they will come" scenario);- Ending diversions; - Dedicating vehicle sales and use tax revenue to highway construction (the Nichols Plan - SB 287);- Early debt retirement, if approved by the people (the Eltife Plan - Constitutional Amendment via SJR 47)

State leaders should work together on this commonsense, taxpayer-friendly transportation package by first actively supporting Nichols' bill (SB 287) which phases in the dedication of vehicles sales/use tax to roads. A dedicated vehicle sales tax revenue stream will keep pace with inflation on its own and help meet the growing transportation needs of Texas.

The vehicle sales tax currently represents $3.3 billion a year (and growing), and coupled with ending gas tax diversions, which the Governor estimates is $650 million a year, it gets the State very close to the $4 billion it needs to build and maintain our state highway system. The Nichols' phase-in facilitates long-range TxDOT construction planning, and it does not provide a sudden shock to general revenues, since the vehicle sales tax is growing so rapidly.

Summary of solutions

The conservative activist leaders admit their recommendations are not easy, but insist they are workable, sustainable solutions a majority of voters will support to end the current "borrow and spend" cycle:

Reforms:

 - Return to pay-as-you-go; no more public road debt (state or local). - No more Public Private Partnerships (P3s), handing control of our Texas infrastructure to private, even foreign, corporations. This applies to roads and other public facilities such as the Capitol Complex. No more use of eminent domain for private gain. - No more public subsidies, credit enhancements, or loan guarantees for any type of toll project.- Comprehensive financial audit of TxDOT prior to the agency's next   sunset review in 2015 to gain efficiencies and end practices that drive-up costs, e. g., Design-Build CDAs, P3s, and multi-million dollar "enhancements" that have nothing to do with moving traffic.

New Revenues:

- End diversions of all road user fees (motor fuel tax, vehicle sales tax, tire sales, auto parts sales tax) to non-transportation uses.- Phase-in motor vehicle sales/use tax revenues to the Highway Fund, consistent with Nichols' SB 287.

Constitutional restrictions on the use of New Revenues

- No diversions: May only be used for planning, design, construction of new state highway system road capacity and the maintenance of this new capacity once built.- Not Used for Toll Roads:  May not be used on comprehensive development agreements or projects involving the construction of toll lanes.- No Debt:  Shall be used for pay-as-you go projects and may not be used as backing for new debt financing (whether at the state or local level).- No non-road expenditures:  None of these funds may be used for any expense related to bike trails, transit or pedestrian walkways.

Hall emphasized, "Implementing these reforms, securing all existing transportation-related taxes, and dedicating these taxes to a 'roads-only priority plan' will restore an affordable, pay-as-you-go, pro-taxpayer, pro-freedom transportation policy for all Texans."

"Since we believe the people are taxed enough already, and we know other solutions exist to fund needed road construction, we promise two things:  1) we will work with the leaders on the transportation package; and 2) we will make ending the 'innovative financing' gimmicks, waste, and debt spiral a campaign issue in the next election cycle, concludes Fleming."

TURF is a non-partisan, grassroots, all-volunteer group defending citizens' concerns with toll road policy, public private partnerships, and eminent domain abuse. TURF promotes pro-taxpayer, pro-freedom, &; non-toll transportation solutions. For more information or to support the work of TURF, please visit www.TexasTURF.org."

Here is the Official NE Tarrant Tea Party Website 

Here is the Official NE Tarrant Tea Party FaceBook Page 

Here is the link for NE Tarrant Tea Party on Twitter

Here is the link for NE Tarrant Tea Party on YouTube

Here is the link to the TURF Website

Here is the link for TURF on Twitter

Here is the link for TURF on FaceBook

Adventures of A Citizen Lobbyist Chapter II

North East Tarrant Tea Party Lobbies on Supplemental Budget

"Promoting constitutional governance in
every precinct in our districts, one voter at a time"
We believe in :

• Personal Responsibility
• Fiscal Responsibility
• Limited Government
• Rule o Law
• National Sovereignty
• Traditional two-party system

On Wednesday February 13, Northeast Tarrant Tea Party made their second trip to Austin to visit the State Capitol in Austin. We met in Grand Prairie this time at 5:00 a.m. and boarded a doubledecker bus. 


Our efforts on this trip were to address the Supplemental Budget under consideration in the Texas House of Representatives.  Team leaders had set appointments with  various State Representatives to press for fiscal restraint.
These are serious efforts, and each of us has long homework assignments before we head to Austin, to be familiar with the Representative we are meeting, and to be familiar with the legislation we support or oppose.  Our research teams work hard to provide information on both legislation and Representatives. 

View of the Floor of Texas House Representative
floor from the Gallery

This trip we were joined by students from the Forth Worth Christian Academy, who met us at the Capitol in the House of State Representative Gallery where we watched the days session open.
Soon we were headed off in teams to meet various Representatives to discuss the Texas Supplemental Budget.  Each team had a Representative that the team leader had made an appointment to meet.  We fanned out to their offices.  My team met along with 3 students from Fort Worth Christian Academy with State Representative Myra Crownover's Legislative Aide Ben Rowe.  We discussed the supplemental budget and C-Scope. (C-Scope is a new study plan for teachers to use in Texas Public schools.) The students in our group volunteered to write letters to Representative Myra Crownover against C-Scope and we asked if the letters could be read into the state record.
Shortly after 12:00 our group broke for lunch in the Texas Capitol Grille.  When lunch was over we once again divided into teams to keep appointments we had set with various Representatives, to drop by our local Representatives offices.  Two time slots of  tours of the Capitol Dome were assigned between 1:00 and 3 P:M.  I chose not to join on the Dome tour as it had more steps!  Those who did take the tour really enjoyed it!

50th Texas Legislature 1947

On the way to State Senator Kelly Hancock's office along the way in the corridor leading to his office there were pictures of previous Texas State Senate Members.  Just for giggles, I took a picture of the 50th Texas State Legislature for the year I was born!

We met in State Senator Kelly Hancock's office for a 15 minute meeting to learn about Senator Hancock's position on various items and Committees he serves on and we enjoyed a lively Question and Answer Session. 

Texas State Senator Kelly Hancock
District 9

Following our meeting with State Senator Kelly Hancock, we headed to a meeting with Michael Quinn Sullivan of Empower Texans/Texans for Fiscal Responsibility website can be found here, and the Empower Face Book link can be found here.  

When our meeting with Michael Quinn Sullivan ended shortly after 4 p.m. we started on the rather long walk (about 3/4 of a mile to meet our bus and head home to Tarrant County. At approximately 10:00 p.m. we arrived in Grand Prairie and headed home our separate ways.


When I embarked on this adventure I had never been engaged at this level with my elected State Representation.  Northeast Tarrant Tea Party is in my opinion the best organized and effective Tea Party in the state of Texas.  Our leadership and those who work behind the scenes as part of our lobbying effort provide us with pertinent information for each visit.  I am truly honored to be a member of Northeast Tarrant Tea Party and we are busy putting action behind our words, and being citizen activist.  The Trips to Austin make for a long productive and busy day.  It is said that Northeast Tarrant Tea Party is the most feared Tea Party in the State of Texas and  I know why!  If your local Tea Party is not engaged in this level of participation ask your leadership why not!

Here is the Official NE Tarrant Tea Party Website

Here is the Official NE Tarrant Facebook Page

Here is the link for NE Tarrant Tea Party on Twitter 

Here is the link for NE Tarrant Tea Party on YouTube 

Chris Kyle Memorial Service February 11, 2013

"Duty, honor, country: Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, 

what you can be, what you will be. 

They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, 

to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, 

to create hope when hope becomes forlorn."

~General of the Army Douglas McArthur May 12, 1962

Front of Chris Kyle
Memorial Service Program 

The image to the left is a picture of the Memorial Ceremony Program for those of you who because of geography were unable to attend the Chris Kyle Memorial that was held on Monday February the 11, 2013 at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington Texas. More than 7,000 individuals attended to honor Chris Kyle and his family.  From the Program:

"In Memory of Chris Kyle

Procession

National Anthem

Opening Remarks

Seal Creed/Wreath Laying

"Navy Hymn"

Letter from the family

Message from Taya Kyle

Love Song

'Amazing Grace'

TAPS

Recession

Psalm91:1-2

1. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the    Almighty.
2. "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress:my god, in him I trust."

"Chief Chris Kyle (USN) tragically died on Saturday, February 2, 2013.  Chris lived and died by his personal creed, "it is our duty to serve those who serve us."  Chris was one of a kind in so many ways. You could tell the difference between those who knew Chris, even if briefly, and those who knew of Chris.  The difference was simple, if the only talked about a fun-loving humble warrior who loved his family they heard of him. If they talked about his heart of gold, and his ability to give without end, there were touched by him.  If they talked about the twinkle in his eye, his hearty laugh, his ability to make your feel like you were important and that mischievous grin where you just knew he was "fixin' to do something", they REALLY knew him. 

Chris was a father who was able to bring an unparalleled playful spirit to his family's home while he taught respect and honor.  Every day he felt 'blessed and blown away" by the gift God gave him in his children.  He was a husband who loved deeply and never stopped trying.  He felt his family deserved the best of him and he fought tooth and nail to give them everything he had.  He succeeded.  He was a son and a brother who brought laughter and love from the beginning.  They always have been, and always will be, proud of the boy he was and the man he became.

A devout Christian, a teammate and friend, Chris had a profound effect on the lives of many.  He was publicly known for being the President of Craft International, LLC and author of the best-selling book "American Sniper".  He was a Navy Seal who served four combat tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom and elsewhere,  He was awarded several medals or combat bravery, including 2 Silver stars, and Five Bronze Stars with valor among others.  Chris was a true American Hero."

Heroes may not be braver than anyone else.
They're just braver 5 minutes longer"
~Ronald Reagan

Monday was a cool and overcast day in greater Dallas Fort Worth.  Cowboys Stadium in Arlington is about a 15 minute drive from our home. The Memorial Ceremony for Chris Kyle was scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. The doors of Cowboy's stadium were opened at 11:30 a.m.  We arrived and parked on the north west side of the Stadium in parking section 10.  As we (my hubby, the fabulous Mr. OK & I) were getting out of the car announcements were made that no purses, packages, umbrellas, or cameras would be allowed inside of the facility so my purse got stowed in our vehicle and we took one of our four umbrellas we keep in each of the door pockets as it had started to rain.

We walked to the end of the cue waiting our turn to be scanned with a hand-held metal detector.  The line moved tediously slowly.  It took about 20 minutes to reach the entry, where we discarded the umbrella in the nearest waste can.

We entered Cowboys Stadium at the "K" entrance, and it struck me as so fitting an entrance to say good bye to a true American hero.  As we approached the head of the line 3 on duty Arlington Police Department Swat members were to the left of the door, and they were armed with AR-15's.  Everyone in line noticed and everyone in line really (at least in earshot of my husband and I) was commenting and supportive of seeing AR-15s.  Neither my husband or myself had ever gone to the new facility and it is beautiful. We rode an escalator to what must be the main mezzanine of the stadium. The Stadium (courtesy of Jerry Jones) provided free soft drinks and bottled water.  We followed the foot traffic and got into another line that led to sections for seating.  

Our Seats were on the second level, and were at the 50 yard line.  Perfect for viewing the days events.

Cowboys stadium has a huge jumbotron that had a looped slide show running of Chris Kyle's life.  Chris Kyle is a native Texan.  In the slide show there were shots of him as a child with his brother playing, riding horseback, winning awards at county fairs, prom pictures, Christmases, birthdays, school dances, graduation and his wedding. then there were many many shots of Chris Kyle serving this nation in country in America's War on Terror. Pictures with his teammates, in camo, with his sniper rifle, his sloppy bunk area, and picture after picture of those with whom he served.  Pictures of him as a civilian, with his family and children.  It was lovely.  

My impression of all these pictures that fleeted across the jumbotron, was first this man had a broad smile.  He was genuine.  You could tell if you had the opportunity to meet him you would like him.  

Chris' helmet, flack jacket, boots and sniper rifle
on the stage at the Memorial

The stadium filled up.  There was a stage on the fifty yard line, with a dias, and microphones.  At the center of the stage was a cross composed of a helmet boots and a sniper rifle. To the left of the stage was a three tiered platform for the young men's choir that sang.  Soon all those vacant chairs on the field were filled with Chris's family and row after row of military men and women in dress uniforms and camos.

The Memorial Service started Promply at 1:00 p.m. the memorial service started. Motorcycle riders who would escort Chis Kyle ringed the sidelines of the field. The Procession was impressive.  When the bagpipes started playing 'Scotland The Brave' I teared up and I continued to weep through most of the service. ( I looked for a YouTube but could not find a single one as lovely as the group assembled for the service.  They were dressed in traditional Scottish Kilts and the drum section was subdued.  I was not alone in weeping.

Chris Kyle and his lovely wife Taya

The tributes to Chris from his friends, family and the men he served with were sincere, and they spoke of a hero,  a great friend, father, son, brother and comrade in arms.  When his wife spoke it was just gut wrenching, heart breaking.  

In my lifetime I have been to many memorial services.  I cannot remember a single one as moving. I have buried my mother, brother father and cried through their services. I cried as hard for this Memorial and I did not know Chris Kyle but I knew of his legend.

When I was 17 my father and I had our only awful argument. It was about the Vietnam War.  I was angry.  I was angry that the men who lead this great nation at the time did not have the courage to to the honorable thing and declare a war.  It seemed dishonorable to me, that the young men drafted to serve were dying unfairly.  My Father, who was a member of the President's Army Band at the time was livid.  I cannot remember a time when he was more angry with me.  He determined that I would attend every funeral service that he had the duty of playing TAPS that summer. I would dress up and stand to the side. He also said that there would be no excuses, no colds, no stomach flus, I would go to each and every funeral service.  He also said that I would after the service was ended I would respectfully and humbly thank the mother, father, wife, whoever received the flag from the honor guard for their loved ones bravery and for defending my freedom.  My father that summer Monday through Friday performed TAPS at no less than 5 funerals a day.  Some days there were more than 10.  

It was one of the greatest gifts my father ever gave me. My debt of honor, my duty to thank those who have given their last best measure.  On Monday, I gladly gave my time, my prayers and my heartfelt thanks to God that he gifted America with a truly brave man, who fought for my freedom.  And I cried, because of  Chris Kyle's life and service America was made greater.  Because of his dedication and bravery many men serving and fighting were made safer.   Chis Kyle is a true American hero, a legend who met his responsibility and more than deserved this beautiful tribute.  A family lost a son, brother, father husband.  Texas lost a son, America a warrior and hero.  Thank you God for your gift of Chris that he is a part of American History, a legend and a man who from all reports from all quarters was a man to be admired.

May God Bless Chris Kyle, and his family, comrades in arms, friends and America.

With a firm reliance on the protection to each other our Lives,
our fortunes and our sacred Honor.

"...It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.  

It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, 

that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, 

and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth."  

Excerpted from the Gettysburg Address ~Abraham Lincoln    

23 Fiats Too Far

Not So Subtle Infringement
Skeetdaddle 

Second amendment to the United States Constitution:  "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

"Shall not be infringed."  I am not sure about you but that reads sounds crystal clear to me.  Emphatic as a matter of Fact.  The Founders of this great Republic obviously understood freedom, and what would be necessary to defend ourselves in the face of tyranny.

It would appear that American's who uphold their 2nd Amendment Rights are in for yet another tedious 'is' discussion. Democrats are experiencing a serious cognitive dissonance eruption. Democrats are intent upon unraveling the 2nd Amendment. President Obama in the wake of the Sandy Hook shootings and Senator Diane Feinstein both are engaged in and busy limiting your second Amendment rights.

Homeland Security has chimed in too!  Homeland Security suggests you should defend yourself against a shooter who has intent to kill you with a pair of scissors.  (The video is at the end of the article.)

Last week Obama claimed he shoots skeet all the time at Camp David (no photos appear to be available of this activity). You can be sure that the internet has been scoured to find photographic proof of Obama with a shot gun in hand firing at skeet.

"Are we at last brought to such a humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our own defence?  Where is the difference between having our arms in our own possession and having them under the management of Congress?  

If our defence be the real object of those arms, is whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety, or equal safety, to us, as in our own hands?"

Patrick Henry June 9, 1788

Recently released video of Skeet shooting at Camp David 

Both the Senate led by Diane Feinstein and the White House are in a full court press to limit the types of guns sizes of magazines that law abiding Citizens can own.  International Business Times has a very thorough and informative article on Diane Feinstein's bill that Democrats hope to pass.

Here is the list of Obama's Gun Control Executive orders:  Which are slightly different from President George Washington's view of gun ownership. It is doubtful President Washington would have ever considered this list of Executive Orders.

1. Issue a Presidential Memorandum to require federal agencies to make relevant data available to the federal background-check system.
2. Address unnecessary legal barriers, particularly relating to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, that may prevent states from making information available to the background-check system.
3. Improve incentives for states to share information with the background- check system.
4. Direct the attorney general to review categories of individuals prohibited from having a gun to make sure dangerous people are not slipping through the cracks.
5. Propose rulemaking to give law enforcement the ability to run a full background check on an individual before returning a seized gun.
6. Publish a letter from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to federally licensed gun dealers providing guidance on how to run background checks for private sellers.
7. Launch a national safe and responsible gun ownership campaign.
8. Review safety standards for gun locks and gun safes (Consumer Product Safety Commission).
9. Issue a Presidential Memorandum to require federal law enforcement to trace guns recovered in criminal investigations.
10. Release a Department of Justice report analyzing information on lost and stolen guns and make it widely available to law enforcement.
11. Nominate an ATF director.
12. Provide law enforcement, first responders, and school officials with proper training for active shooter situations.
13. Maximize enforcement efforts to prevent gun violence and prosecute gun crime.
14. Issue a Presidential Memorandum directing the Centers for Disease Control to research the causes and prevention of gun violence.
15. Direct the attorney general to issue a report on the availability and most effective use of new gun-safety technologies and challenge the private sector to develop innovative technologies.
16. Clarify that the Affordable Care Act does not prohibit doctors asking their patients about guns in their homes.
17. Release a letter to healthcare providers clarifying that no federal law prohibits them from reporting threats of violence to law enforcement authorities.
18. Provide incentives for schools to hire school resource officers.
19. Develop model emergency-response plans for schools, houses of worship and institutions of higher education.
20. Release a letter to state health officials clarifying the scope of mental health services that Medicaid plans must cover.
21. Finalize regulations clarifying essential health benefits and parity requirements within Affordable Care Act exchanges.
22. Commit to finalizing mental-health parity regulations.
23. Launch a national dialogue led by Secretaries Sebelius and Duncan on mental health.

Obama announced and signed these 23 Fiats with a backdrop of four children.  Claiming this effort to limit your rights was 'for the children'. Where were his crocodile tears for all the dead children from his kind of town, Chicago, which has some of the toughest gun regulations in the nation?  the article from the 28th of December 2012 states: "As of Thursday night, homicides were up 17 percent over last year in Chicago and shootings had increased by 11 percent, according to police statistics. Earlier this fall, Chicago already exceeded the number of homicides that occurred last year, but this is the first time the city has had 500 or more murders since the 512 in 2008."

"Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. 

They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence … from the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable … 

the very atmosphere of firearms anywhere restrains evil interference — they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."

George Washington ~ First President of the United States 

Several States have moved or indicated they will defend the 2nd Amendment, Governor Perry stated in this press release:  "...the fact, the piling on by the political left, and their cohorts in the media, to use the massacre of little children to advance a pre-existing political agenda that would not have saved those children, disgusts me, personally.  The second amendment to the Constitution is a basic right of free people and cannot be nor will not be abridged by the executive power of this or any other president."

Both Wyoming and Arizona have passed laws against gun grabs by the federal Government.  This link is the news on the Arizona law.

Several sheriffs have vowed not to enforce gun laws.  The article lists Sheriffs across the nation who will not enforce infringement of law abiding citizen's 2nd Amendment Rights.

In full self disclosure I do not own a gun, for a while I had my brother's 22 Rifle and his shotgun and kept them until they could be passed to his sons after his death.  My husband's son is in possession of his hunting rifles.  I do, however know how to shoot, as this was one of the other life gifts my father shared with me.

I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."

George Mason

"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."

Richard Henry Lee ~ American Statesman, 1788

"The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that … it is their right and duty to be at all times armed; … "

Thomas Jefferson

letter to Justice John Cartwright, June 5, 1824. ME 16:45.

To suppose arms in the hands of citizens, to be used at individual discretion, except in private self-defense, or by partial orders of towns, countries or districts of a state, is to demolish every constitution, and lay the laws prostrate, so that liberty can be enjoyed by no man; it is a dissolution of the government. The fundamental law of the militia is, that it be created, directed and commanded by the laws, and ever for the support of the laws.

         ---John Adams, A Defence of the Constitutions of the United States 475 (1787-1788)