"These are the times that try men's souls..."

   "...The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country, but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its good; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, our government, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that mannr, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God. 
"...This is our situation, and who will may know it. By perseverance and fortitude we have the prospect of a glorious issue; by cowardice and submission, the sad choice of a variety of evils - a ravaged country - a depopulated city - habitations without safety, and slavery, or illegal immigration without hope... Look at this picture and weep over it! and if there yet remains one thoughtless wretch who believes it not, let him suffer it unlamented."

      Is this an op ed from today's newspaper or an exerpt from Thomas Paine's "The Crisis" written December 23, 1776? The only words changed are in italics. Wow... over 200 years ago, and what has changed? A lot! How did this happen? We are slowly discovering how we've come full circle back to a similar "Crisis".
   Just a recap from this week. We had great discussions in both classes using the study guide. We talked about the giant of an "Indispensible Man" that was George Washington. Why can't modern-day politicians read history about the great leaders who have inspired men and women to literally follow them into the gates of hell for them and their country? Ronald Reagan, Winston Churchill, George Patten, etc? The culmination of this week's lesson was that we, the citizens of today, MUST become self-reliant in every aspect of our lives. We do NOT need the government in any way. Their job, as stated in the constitution, is to protect us and our rights which are given to us by God, not by government. How's that going for you? Did you listen to Amadinejad at the U.N? Or Calderon from Mexico? Or Chavez of Venezula? They're laughing at what dummies we are. One of the essential elements of preparedness is to learn our history. Are we repeating it?
    Someone mentioned last night that there was an article in Sunday's paper about Glenn Beck and his silly references to "The 5,000 Year Leap" by Cleon Skousen. His basic critique was that there is no way America was inspired by God and that it certainly does not take a virtuous and righteous people to have capitalism work. Capitalism works, my friend. People screw up. Well, this guy may be a Yale (or whatever) graduate, but he does not understand history, nor has he read any of the words spoken by the forefathers. You may not be a religious person, but history is history; fact is fact. You can't change it. Radical professors have certainly tried since about the '60's. But America is awake now, and seeing through the lies and distortions of our great heritage. Just stick with it guys. God is in charge. Not the Democrats, not the Republicans. The same Eternal Being that has been in charge since earth's creation. God created the earth - and gave us certain inalienable rights. And hear that Obama? Those rights are given to us BY OUR CREATOR. You conveniently slipped those little words out of your speech this week. But... with all the teleprompters, I'm sure it was an oversight.