Sand Hill Philosopher

Liberty Requires Sacrifice

After more than one year of watching these Conservative "Right-wing Extremists" take shape, learn to state their ideologies and educate themselves deeply in the United States Constitution, early American history, founding documents, and with consideration of the Founding Fathers' variety of  religious convictions, national origins, and wide differences in economic conditions and education much work has been put into Americans educating themselves on Freedom and Liberty. Not since the sweltering summer that kept everyone 'on their edge' while that diverse group of men at the Constitutional Convention have so many Americans devoted themselves to the learning the Foundations of Liberty, as they have over the past year. The Founders developed and penned a true Classic of Government, Literature and inspired Wisdom like the world had never known before. That document, The Constitution of the United States of America remains the hope of every person in the world suffering from  bondage and persecution.

History has shown that our nation's own founding documents, when given to a nation that "wants freedom and democracy" holds little chance of surviving in freedom. Do you know what the reason has been? A lack of commitment, in which each person, "pledges their lives, fortunes and public honor to achieving and maintaining these same desired freedom." Wanting it is just not enough. Our Forefathers had the 'want-to', and the commitment to see it through. One of the wealthiest of these men died in debtor's prison for monies lost, which he had given to the Revolutionary War effort. Others lost their homes; property was taken from them or destroyed. Some died, and some lost their wives and children because of their 'sacred pledge of honor'.

I have no doubts about the Ideology of Conservative Americans, of the Tea Party Groups, the 9/12 Groups, and most Republicans, and their sincerity.  The question remains, and will only be known when actually proven or abandoned, after the SACRIFICES begin. Our Founding Fathers knew that conviction without preparation for sacrifice, and, that sacrifice with conviction of principle, would each be insufficient to bring about the kind of revolution they needed in 1776, and that we need NOW.  It is also not enough that half the Conservatives bear the conviction portion, and the other half bears the sacrifice: we must all be prepared to serve both functions. One might reply that they have little to sacrifice, but the point is that we must all be ready to sacrifice everything that we have. You may complain that you already have so little, but what is that sacrifice to the man who has much, and he gives it all?

I pray that we will try and learn as much of one another's needs and wishes, before we are called to sacrifice our lives, fortunes and sacred honor for one another. It will increase our chances of winning and strengthen our commitments to one another, to Conservatism, to liberty, and, in short, TO FREEDOM. As we work towards these philosophical and political ends, remember the words of President John F. Kennedy,

Ask NOT what your country can do for you, but rather what you can do for your country.

May God Bless America!

Remember the Alamo!

Just Thinking, The Sand Hill Philosopher

 

 

How to Get a Republic, and Keep It If You Can

Those great men plodded on through to present the Political Opus known as The United State's Constitution, with its poetic, yet informative, introduction, and then the clearly stated, easily understood Rights, Privileges, and Responsibilities incumbent upon a free people who are to govern themselves; followed by the succinct, flawless responsibilities of the Federal Offices, the method in which they are chosen, manner of succession, and ways in which the various individuals and groups would work together, deal with differences, finally showing their method by which citizens and officials would conduct themselves and keep each other in 'checks and balances.'

The 'bow' of individual Rights and Liberties, ten short statements that we cherish as "The Bill of Rights," were then trimmed upon the document so that Progressives, Liberals and every other group that prefers tyranny, taxes and slavery to Freedom, regardless of moniker have insured our basic individual Freedoms. When one of the signers was asked why he would not sign the Constitution without these ten  new 'amendments' upon a new, freshly penned document, when the wording of the main body certainly spelled out that we were given legitimate liberty. It is said that he replied, that unless clearly spelled-out, the most basic freedom could be withheld by a zealous government, or excluded by a court because of the lack of detail pertaining to the subject. Those ten priceless guarantees regarding Individual Freedoms have rescued many hundreds of thousands of citizens from the needless abuses, because that one foresightful man required this Bill of Rights in order for him to grant his signature. While it seemed a slight thing to essentially everyone else at the Constitutional Convention, this small, obstinate request has served each and every American more times than we know, and has kept the government from running over us roughshod.

If we lose this opportunity of bringing Conservatives together at this historic time, with people from every ancestry in the world, differing educations, interests, abilities and religions, it will not be because the Left-Wing has beat us in a battle of ideas. Destruction will come from within, perhaps sewn among our fertile fields of dreams of Liberty; our depraved nature and our inborn proclivity to greed for power and money will lead to mistrust, disarray among the leaders, and selfish individuals who will destroy this reborn Conservative Revival, and put the condescending and vitriolic "Progressives" in duly-elected positions with liberal power, while it takes months, perhaps years (if, ever), for us to lick our wounds, and live to see a new generation rise-up and say, "This is not what America was intended to be," and once again starts the labor, and, perhaps, the blood-shed that oft accompanies such impassioned efforts.

Just Thinking, The Sand Hill Philosopher

 

Obama's Actions Will Force Call For Civil War

President Obama declared Wednesday that he would push Healthcare Reform through Congress. This is in spite of the fact that a minority of Americans favor Government-run Healthcare.  He is forcing Americans into actions that he can only enforce with violence, if we refuse to cooperate.

Barak Hussein Obama also mocked the Republicans, who brought out a copy of the 2,700 page healthcare bill, which no one has claimed to have fully read and understood, as a grand-standing move that was meant entirely to play upon the public's perception of the bill.  (The same BHO that put doctor's coats on children.)

What is "the public's perception of the bill?"  Most Americans believe that it is too large to read and understand, and that the instigation of such onerous terms upon healthcare providers and recipients alike, will result in an unwieldy, poorly understood bureaucracy that no one will be understood.

His proclamation that this will go through, and the consummation of the hostility by Harry Reid (by manipulating the use of parliamentary rules), and Pelosi's pressuring of House Democrats to push this through, will divide this country, and I believe will lead to the Civil War and destruction of this great Republic.

Since being President of the United States, BHO has done nothing, except win the Nobel Peace Prize, for which he did nothing, except push for government take-over of healthcare in this nation.

People will die. Obama, by failing to represent the people, and his reaching past constitutional limits, has lit a fire that will burn a nation.

After his declaration, the people of this nation face no option but Civil War to counter-act his treasonous acts.

Just Thinking, The Sand Hill Philosopher

Connecting Conservatives

As the grass-roots activists met with the Republican National Committee during February 2010, The New York Times decided The Tea Party are "bitter people clinging to their guns." No doubt the meeting between representatives of the Tea Party Movement and RNC Chairman Michael Steele will be seen as confirmation that the Tea Party Movement is merely a franchise of the "vast right-wing conspiracy."

In fact, Steele was merely doing what the Democrats still refuse to do: listen to Americans frustrated by a government that ignores their wishes and dismisses their concerns. The Tea Party and 9/12 groups are the "we the people" part of the Constitution that the Democrats continually try to ignore and work deceit upon.

The meeting between the Tea Partiers and the RNC was not an attempt to co-opt their movement. It was an attempt to provide a forum for Tea Party voices to be heard. And heard they were. Michael Steele, RNC National Chairman, spent nearly four hours two weeks ago at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington, D.C., listening to average Americans petition for a redress of their grievances. Judging from recent elections, Democrats are ignoring these same people at their own peril.

(To the reader, it may not be commonly known that this uncommonly keen, erudite, respectable gentleman, Michael Steele, is of African Ancestry, but, "politically" is not considered "Black" by the politically-confused, racial minorities, and the non-minorities that keep the mud stirred-up.)

BigGovernment.com reports that recently, a conference call of Clinton allies was held on how to "slime" the "new" Grass Roots Conservative Movement. While there is growing tension in some areas among local Tea Party Movement groups, the 9/12 Study Groups and the conservative Republicans, it is the traditional, conservative Republican that is a member of these several groups, and that is showing the statesmanship to bring the groups together, solidify purposes and goals, and will eventually meld Conservatives into the dangerous foe, that a desperate man, seeking freedom, is likely to become.

I would like to point out the following with clarity and distinction:

Conservatives have not always banded together and become as aware of the interest of other, smaller bands of Conservatives as we should have. This has been based on narrowly focused causes, and a lassaiz-faire view of minding one's own business, and staying out of the business of other people. We are now discovering that there is an element of commonality in these smaller groups (NRA, Pro-Life, etc), and in the larger Conservative groups (TEA Party, 9/12 Groups) that is strong enough to bring us together. We must, however, develop the skills to widen our vision of the Conservative Movement to include all of these groups, and we must all fight for each other, or continue to fall separately. We are a growing consolidation of persons that largely hold similar personal priorities, as well as views of the Constitution and the government's role in our lives.

We must make it a priority to listen, and even make sure that commonly used words have the same meanings. Ultimately, we must be prepared to bring our battle arrays together as one. One such example would be abortion. Most Conservatives are strongly against abortion, and a very few are "undecided or in support of "special circumstances"; to develop a strong coalition front, it is likely that these persons that are undecided, or might believe in 'special circumstances' should put their help behind Pro-Life Candidates and agendas, and Pro-Life Persons, for example, may have to surrender lesser concerns of their own, and put their work into the other persons 'Primary Concerns", for example, not requiring a gun safety course in order to just own a gun. God knows how discouraged the young, new Colonial Americans would have been had they watched the shouting, sometime discourtesies of the Founding Fathers during the hot summer that our Republic was forged.

Ultimately, Conservatives must join together and support one another's causes.  The above-mentioned options on negotiations and lending support to each other for the good of the Conservative Movement are starting points. Is there a point in which you can lend support to another Conservative group, in order to win their support of your core, Conservative values?

Just Thinking, The Sand Hill Philosopher

 

Liberty Must Be Supported: Have You Voted?

Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have

Thomas Jefferson Quote, & How to Kill a Wolf

Dear Readers,

  As we consider this age of "entitlements" in which we live, and watch legislators promise millions of dollars to states based upon their need for a Senator's vote, we are led to the gallows by those whom we elected to serve us. We have seen Nebraska and Louisiana

A Day in History, February 16

  On this day in 1519 was born Gaspard de Coligny, later Admiral of France and leader of the French Huguenot Protestants.  He was killed in the 1572 St. Bartholomew's Day massacre.

On this day in 1859

The Essence of Governing Begins with Voting

In Texas, and in other states around the country, early voting will start tomorrow, and will culminate in the primary election being decided in 2 weeks.

We will face choices in the polls that will

State of the Union, Contempt of Congress & Contempt of Supreme Court

Last night, I had the frustration of listening to the State of the Union Address, given by President Barak Hussein Obama.

A Filibuster-Proof Senate? Probably Not.

Essentially every Conservative in America is still rejoicing about Senator-elect Scott Brown winning the "Kennedy Seat" in the US Senate. The first "hurrah" was taking the Massachusetts' election, the second "hurrah" was the belief that the Republicans now have a Filibuster control of the Senate.

Christmas & the Three Granny Senators' Bad Choice

This is a frightening story of Three Granny Senators, and what happens when they didn't keep their word.

Once upon a time, there were three Grandmothers who wanted to be home on Christmas day. Their names were Granny Kay, Granny Olympia and Granny Susan. But they had a BIG problem!

Apologize for Freedom? What Is That All About?

While our president, Hussein Obama, trots the globe apologizing to and kowtowing to every nation's leader who will meet with him, he claims that we have been "arrogant in the past."  What do we have to be "arrogant" about?

This Week's Favorites, December 13, 2009

Well, Sand Hill Friends, thanks for the good readership and the comments by email and on the blog. I enjoyed reading your Family Christmas Traditions, and will

A Billion Dollars Per Household?

This is too true to be funny.

The next time you hear a politician use the Word ‘billion’ in a casual manner, think about whether you want the ‘politicians’ spending YOUR tax money. A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but try:

Knowing One Another Helps Cooperation

A court has just shut-down a Charter School using a "Classical Curriculum".  One of the major tools that is used in the "Classical Curriculum" is making sure that students have a very strong foundation in the Basics. Then they progress through Latin, Mathematics, Classical Literature and History, much of which is learned by the study of Original Documents.

While long a believer in this approach to education, for a better critique of this approach to education and curriculum please visit www.beehive5.blogspot.com .

Michael Medved mentioned today on his radio program that a judge has once again intervened to "save people from learning the Bible." Interestingly, this particular Classical Curriculum contains studies of the Bhagavad Gita (Hinduism), the Book of Mormon, the Code of Hammaraubi (the oldest known codex of written law, from Persia), Mohammad and Islam. Altogether, ten world religions are studied.

The Judge ruled that it was only the Bible that was a problem, and the school must either drop the Bible from the curriculum, change to another curriculum, or shut the school. This is just another example of Judicial Activism, and Judicial Bigotry.

Interestingly, the curriculum is not a "Sunday School Approach" to the Bible, but a study of its impact on culture, history and the fact that not only Christianity, but Judaism and Islam rely heavily upon the text for their religion, worldviews and customs. While the Bible is generally considered a marvelous book of literature in its own right, many classicists, including William Shakespeare, quoted it frequently. Abraham Lincoln once said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." That is a simple, profound statement, imbedded in our nation's history. Whether you are Christian or not, the import of the fact, and the clearness of expression can't be denied, even if you discover that Lincoln was quoting Jesus, speaking in Mark 3:25. These words had great impact, and directed minds to a worldview that brought an end to The Great War (US Civil War, 1861-1865).

Medved added that even though his own children attended an Orthodox Jewish High School, one of the best teachers in that school dedicated significant class time to the discussion of the Christian Doctrine referred to as "Calvinism". Was it to teach the Jews that they should become Calvinistic Christians, or Calvinistic Jews? No. It was so they could understand so much history that occurred during the Age of Reformation, and hundreds of years of politico-historical actions effecting the whole world, regardless of the student's own religion.

All religions have a worldview, which is largely drawn from their religious beliefs. By studying these religions, and worldviews, we will understand each other better. My sons all studied the Major World Religions: I'm glad they did.

Let me try to set aside my outrage over the Bible portion of the court ruling, and close by saying,

Regardless of your opinion of religion in general, your personal choice of religion, or even your denomination within one of the bodies, Don't you think that you will be better educated and understand where the other person is coming from, if you understand at least a little about where their worldview is coming from?

You can have knowledge without Faith.

Just Thinking, The Sand Hill Philosopher

 

This Blog Post: http://bit.ly/7lCUlo   

www.MichaelMedved.com

www.Beehive5.blogspot.com

Judge Needs Removed: Can Anyone be "Too Religious"?

I have been shocked at many rulings, and have been an activist in pushing for the impeachment of judges who are guilty of "highhandedness", otherwise known as judicial activism, and, sometimes called, "ruling from the bench."

GITMO Judge: Constitution or Risk Impeachment ?

A current case worth watching for constitutionality and opportunity for Impeachment is the Federal Judge hearing the case of the GITMO prisoners. He has been pressured into taking the case by the Obama administration, and it belongs in a Military Court, or Tribunal. It also belonged there several years ago, however.

Judicial "Highhandedness" Equals Judicial Activism

The early Father's of our Nation most frequently removed judges from office with a charge of "highhandedness."

By this term, they meant what we today call "Judicial Activism" or "Ruling from the Bench". In this abuse of power, the courts mistakenly usurp authority not granted to them in the United States Constitution, or when they misapply the Constitution, or any other law, thus rendering the law inapplicable to the type situation for which it was drafted.

US Federal Judge William Blount Impeached

Many people hold the mistaken belief that a United States Supreme Court Justice cannot be impeached. As an introduction to the idea of cleaning our courts of Judicial Activism, I would like to first rid you of that notion.  The Federal Judges, including the Supreme Court Justices, can, and have been impeached.

How YOU can Stop Judicial Activism

The Process for removing Federal Judges (including Supreme Court Judges) is EASY.  The steps, in reverse order, are:

3. Have a judge that you disapprove of his lifestyle, a single court ruling, or a string of what the public believes are poor decisions, or patterns of dangers pending.

2. Have Congressmen (House and Senate) who are willing to impeach the Judges.

1. Have voters who will only vote for Congressmen who are willing to impeach judges who have offended the sensibilities of their constituents.

Spring House Cleaning, and the Senate

The seeming resurrection of the sleeping Conservatives in this current course of politics is inspirational. But it leaves me with two major concerns.

In watching the Conservatives finally stand-up, to vote and to take enemy gun-fire, is exciting, but I should point out that it is the lack of many of these "Sleeper Cells" of people that caused our nation to face the current crisis. If there had been more of you/us in this Conservative battle years ago, we would not find the nation in the sad state of functioning that we now find as easily as locating a pig farm in Indiana.

Is Congress Constitutional Anymore?

Certainly the U.S. Congress, as described in the United States' Constitution, Article I, is "constitutional" in that sense, but do they regard each bill and amendment with a consideration as to its constitutionality?

Socialism & Communism Found to Be Unhealthy

Governmental regimes are unhealthy, even Fatal; and, they don't provide good healthcare to those who are left alive.  Who killed more people under their socialistic regimes: Hitler, Stalin or Mao Tsetung? Look at these numbers and Think with me.

Best of the Week

Here are a few of this past week's most read blog posts among Sand Hill Readers. A few were posted this past week, but some of the most commonly searched and read posts were from previous weeks. This is a chance for the new followers to see what people still value among the Sand Hill Philosopher's blogs.  This summary will become a regular weekend catch-up and re-cap on what people have been reading on the web site.

Just Thinking, The Sand Hill PhilosopherIs Congress Constitutional Anymore?
Posted: 11 Nov 2009 11:36 AM PST
Nancy Pelosi does not consider constitutionality of a bill "serious". Do you? Read here to find out when Congress lost that perspective. The Sand Hill Philosopher

Homeschooling American Patriots
Posted: 28 Oct 2009 05:15 AM PDT
Homeschooling Patriots: a frame work for a curriculum

AMA Awakens to Speak for Doctors, Finally
Posted: 12 Nov 2009 10:49 PM PST
Will the apparent awakening of the AMA to both physician and patient needs affect the healthcare reform movement in Congress? It could be explosive, or a dud.

Fibromyalgia: The Thirty Year Phenomenon, Part Fourteen
Posted: 12 Nov 2009 05:00 AM PST
The Fourteenth, and FINAL, post on this blog considering the Cause and Cure for Fibromyalgia, with the case proven by a study of physiology, pathology, anatomy and verified by patient reports,...Dedicated to Elder Sonny Pyles, who taught me to think, and believe in the incredible ability of God's Creation to care for itself.

What Everyone Needs to Know About Economics: Even YOU

With the current understanding of Economics being so shallow even among so-called Thinkers and Economists, I will propose to teach you more than most regular universities require for a degree in the Science of Economics.

Over the course of two posts, I propose to first establish the fact that every person MUST possess some degree of economic understanding. Even the person that has no money, has to use these same principles in barter. In the second post, I will give a review of Twelve Fundamental Books. With each of those books, The Sand Hill Philosopher will describe why he considers these books, and the Laws of Economics they set forth to be foundational to any wise understanding and use of Economics.

VOTE TODAY

Today, Tuesday, November 03, 2009, is Voting Day in Texas. Are there votes or elections in your states? If so, VOTE. Nothing will get the Governments attention like large voter turn-out.

Texans, see my post on our Texas Constitutional Amendments to see the consensus of Conservatives in Texas as to how best your vote!

Just Thinking, The Sand Hill Philosopher

 

"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty.

Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel.

Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force.  

Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined."

  --Patrick Henry

This Weeks Favorites

Thanks for all the responses to Last Weeks Favorites, posted on last Sunday. As I said then, I will try to post these each Sunday. Web-site traffic is growing quickly, and you don't want to miss any of the articles. It is hard to limit the "Best of" to just five (OK, six) posts, but here they are. 

All the articles can be read on www.SandHillPhilosopher.com or you can check a specific article below. These are a mixture of primarily this weeks top hits, but a few older ones that continue to draw a lot of attention.

The most frequently visited listings for this week (not listed in order of popularity) were:

Victory Garden: a Triumph Over Physical Disability - HTTP://bit.ly/7Mqbt7

Fracturing the Conservative Movement - HTTP://bit.ly/5v5aU6

Is Congress Constitutional Anymore? - HTTP://bit.ly/36uHXW

Socialism & Communism Fount to be Unhealthy - HTTP://bit.ly/467TsZ

What Everyone Needs to Know About Economics: Even You - HTTP://bit.ly/3iQkp7

Having a Family Who Is a "Little Bit Different" - HTTP://bit.ly/6vzXO

In the week ahead, we will be looking at some implications of the health reform bill now in the senate, and how it even got to the floor, as well as some implications on taxes, healthcare costs, availability of doctors, medical research and medical education.  Also, more reflections on Family, Thanksgiving and Holidays in general.

On Monday, 30 November 2009, we will begin looking at David Barton's book, "Reigning in Judiciary Activism", so get your copy soon, and prepare your mind, "To Think with Me."

Just Thinking, The Sand Hill Philosopher

Neighborhood Statesmanship

The following blog by Rick Green (www.RickGreen.com/blog) is so strikingly like my experience related to local activism on the up-coming Texas Constitutional Amendments that I felt this more erudite explanation would be of benefit. I received some stirring negative feedback from people unable to comprehend how a Texas Constitutional Amendment vote could be relevant to the rest of the country, such that when I saw Rick's article, I was compelled to pass it on to you. It is not just our amendments, for Texans; it is the example of involvement in government, with all of its direct impact, and the warning rockets it sends to politicians nation-wide. It gives a bold statement that The Giant Has Awakened, and He is Hungry.

Pelosi Rejects Leadership Role

   Some things come along that are worth passing on. Most of Congress won't read any significant portion of the bill mentioned below, but you can.

   Pelosi has demonstrated her disrespect for the position she holds as Congressman and Chairman of the House of Representatives, and her oath of office, by asking

Homeschooling American Patriots

My wife and I began planning to homeschool our children when the oldest was only two years old.

Quotes: Small Tastes of History

Quotes give us licks from the lollipop of history. They should inspire us with ideas,

Obama Goes for Nobel Grand Slam

After his unprecedented Ten Day achievement in winning what was previously the world’s most Prestigious Prize for out-standing progress toward World Peace President BHO has decided to go for the Grand Slam.

Is Revisionist History Disappearing?

Have you noticed any trends in history lectures, news perspectives and books lately?

AARP Contradicts Founder Samuel Adams

In the September 2009 issue of AARP Bulletin, there is an article entitled, “The Assault on Truth”.

Aristotle on "Term Limits"

Aristotle was known as “The Master of the Knowers”. History regards him

Political Sermons of the American Founding Era (1730-1805)

Most Conservatives and Christians are well aware of the fact that any twist on the “separation of church and state” was meant to keep the government out churches, and NOT the church (or church ideas) out of government.

Early Voting Started in Texas; What About Your State?

Early voting started yesterday in Texas. While no exciting races are to be decided in our county, you had better check the ballot and get informed before stepping into the booth.

Local Government Salaries

Many of these points I want to think about with you are specific to Texas Law, but that does not dismiss you.

What is Cripplegate Farm?

In many of my posts, I have written about Cripplegate Farm,

Subsidizing Junk Mail Raises Postal Costs

The cost of postage brings me to my main thought: why did the postal service lose millions of dollars last year?

What's Good About Old Medicine? (About 4,000 years old)

I have had the privilege to spend 30 years in the medical field, though severely limited over the past seven years.

Response to Gun Control: Colonists Make Gun Powder, Recipe, 1775

Link to article: http://bit.ly/U1joR

The following was returned to the Massachusetts House of Representatives,

America's Response to Gun Control, 1774, Part Two

The Link to America’s Response to Gun Control, 1774 (Part One) is http://bit.ly/1a1mN9

America's Response to Arms Control - Dec. 1774

PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF MASSACHUSETTS

CAMBRIDGE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8,1774

America's First Gun Control Legislation - 1774

   KING PROHIBITS EXPORTATION

OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION

TO AMERICA

American Majority Called "Mean Wing" by Texas Democrat PAC

In an article posted today in the Dallas Morning News,

Building a Conservative Empire

Americans are upset, angry, feel betrayed, and are yearning to strike back.

Forty Stupid Reasons for Gun Control

Thanks to Dick Richards

Book Review: Or Perish in the Attempt: Medical Aspects of the Lewis & Clark Expedition

Dr. Peck has rewarded us all with his thorough research and clear explanations.

Health Care Debate Exposes the Left's Anti-Democratic Agenda

The following is an excerpt from an article on Health care Reform by Hillsdale College Assistant Professor of Political Science, Dr. Kevin Portteus.