07 November 2012

Is there Hope after Change?

My (?)th cousin Norma sent me the following in the email last night. It was an email from her sister, who I suppose is also my cousin but with whom I have no special contact. We share a common great-grandfather and great-grandmother; our grandmothers were sisters

Hello everyone,

Did you know that Abraham Lincoln was a candidate in 2012? How about the 'thought' that a shirt with the name of this great President and the mention of the Constitution is considered campaigning?  I was told that I either had to turn my shirt inside out or keep it completely covered with my book at all times! I think Abe must be turning in his grave!!! Only in New Mexico!!!


I am sure that, unlike many of the Scopes denied anecdotal emails we find today, this is actually true. As Marty Luther said, "this is most certainly true"?

One of my favorite pastimes is to quote: "whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness". Most people, probably 75%, tell me that is too radical an idea for them to support.

Trying to convince someone that "No freeman is to be taken or imprisoned or disseised of his free tenement or of his liberties or free customs, or outlawed or exiled or in any way ruined, nor will we go against such a man or send against him save by lawful judgement of his peers or by the law of the land. To no-one will we sell or deny of delay right or justice" is downright impossible, let alone "In the first place we grant to God and confirm by this our present charter for ourselves and our heirs in perpetuity that the English Church is to be free and to have all its rights fully and its liberties entirely."

I am not mad about the election results; I'm not feeling like a spoiled kid who had his candy taken away; I'm sincerely afraid. Truly a government big enough to give you anything you want is strong enough to take away everything you have.

My brother Mike was a career Air Force officer and, while he was in, finished a bachelor's in history, a master's in public administration and, after retiring, his law degree.  He won the Elks "What Freedom Means to Me" essay contest when there was one, and in Wyoming where freedom is and was appreciably different.

In our lifetime the country we know has slowly disappeared, taken bit by bit until it has been completely stolen by the forces we sought to defend ourselves from for years. Nikita Khrushchev was right - they will bury us. Dire Straits had it right - Money for Nothing (and your chicks for free - I always thought that was a strange line from a gay Mark Knopfler until I realized they were laughing at someone else's conversation).

I went to bed early while there was still question. I haven't yet looked at all of the election results. It may be time for us to change our name and move down with our cousins in the southwest. More likely it is a good time for Constitutionists to move to New Mexico or Arizona and open carry their firearms.

{Footnote - I actually saw a man open carrying his automatic in the grocery store the other day. I coveted the piece - a really nice stainless over black Kimber. Strapped in the holster but locked and cocked, undoubtedly one in the chamber - I like to remember this: Warning shot? Slide racking? The last sound the perp should hear is you clicking off your safety!}

I pray that my fears are unjustified and wrong. But, if 1/10 of what I see happening actually happens, the world is changing forever.