And yes, I believe our Republic and liberty is in danger. Not in a "doomsday tomorrow! run for your lives!" sort of way. The danger lies, rather, in giving up our birthright for a pot of stew and some bread.
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Conservative: Kept within sensible limits, not excessive, discreet, heedful of consequences, reasonable, and restrained.
American Exceptionalism: The United States is an exceptional nation. No other country in the history of the world has done more to secure liberty and honor God-given rights of individuals. Our government is uniquely of, by, and for the people, not the other way around.
We Are One People: All of America's citizens can enjoy the rights and freedoms of our country without diminishing the rights of others. There can be honest differences of opinion and such differences result in opponents, not enemies.
Limited Government and Personal Freedom: Thomas Jefferson was correct when he wrote: "That government is best which governs least." Public servants must be held accountable to the highest standards of ethical conduct. Government should be limited to the powers delegated it by the Constitution. Beyond these powers, as government grows, individual freedom shrinks and the economy suffers. High taxes, runaway government spending, and over-regulation of business and farming punish initiative and stifle economic growth. Your property is yours and you have the basic right to make use of it without unreasonable government restrictions.
Reassertion of 10th Amendment Sovereignty: The 10th amendment to the United States constitution guarantees to the states and their people all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States. The United States constitution defines the total scope of federal power as being that specifically granted by the United States constitution and no more. The Federal government was created by the states and their people specifically to be an agent of the states and their people. The federal government, as our agent, should be discouraged from imposing certain restrictive mandates or exercising powers that are beyond the scope of those constitutionally delegated.
Family is the Foundation of the Republic: Family and the values it fosters are the foundation of American society and their preservation is essential to our Nation's continued success.
The Supreme Court: The purpose of the Supreme Court is to determine whether laws are in keeping with the Constitutionally limited powers delegated the government. The Supreme Court is not to rule based on any other standard than that of a strict interpretation of the United States Constitution.
Individual Rights: The United States were founded on the fundamental principle that individuals have certain rights and freedoms which cannot be infringed upon and may be restricted only to the degree necessary to preserve the rights of others. The subjugation of individual rights in favor of groups rights is unconstitutional and has always lead to the trampling of individual freedom.
Individual Responsibility: Individuals are responsible for their actions and the consequences. It is not government's place to save individuals from their mistakes. This kind of government intervention only encourages irresponsible behavior and impinges on others' rights. With freedom comes responsibility and that individuals must take personal responsibility for their own actions and our criminal justice system must be based on this idea.
Religious Freedom: Americans should be free to practice religion how they please. Christianity has been a positive force in our society. Government should not overreach its powers to discriminate against any religious group. Government has no right to suppress prayers nor expressions of faith in public schools.
Respect for Life: Life is sacred and is to be defended. This includes the most vulnerable among us, the unborn. Ronald Reagan was correct when he wrote: "Make no mistake, abortion-on-demand is not a right granted by the Constitution. We cannot diminish the value of one category of human life -- the unborn -- without diminishing the value of all human life."
Right to Bear Arms: The right to own a gun is recognized specifically in the Constitution, yet it is constantly under attack legislatively and legally. The right to own firearms is important to the safety and security of individuals and a nation.
Strong Military and National Defense: A strong military is a necessary deterrent in dangerous world. The U.S. must maintain military superiority to ensure our security. The American military is made up of dedicated and patriotic individuals who deserve this nation's full support. The preservation of our rights and freedoms necessitates a strong national defense and the ability of the United States to negotiate with other nations from a position of strength.
Secure Borders: Legal immigrants have enriched this country. Illegal immigration undermines American sovereignty and weakens national security. The U.S. has a right and obligation to secure it's borders.
Energy Independence: For national security and economic reasons it is time that we as a nation become energy independent by exploiting all our natural resources responsibly while at the same time encouraging energy innovation.
Educational Choice: Parents have the right to determine the values with which their children will be raised and to have the widest possible choice among public, private and religious schools and that competition will improve public education.
Low Taxes, Free Markets, and Fiscal Constraint: The the money you earn is yours and government in a free society should be given only as much as is needed to perform those limited duties which are delegated to it. Government redistribution of income through taxation is not Constitutional. Individuals have a right to their income and are far better managers of their money than is the government. The free enterprise system is the most effective engine of economic progress and free market solutions improve the economy while upholding individual freedoms.
This is written partly by me and compiled partly from here and here.
This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy. ~ Winston Churchill
When my country, into which I had just set my foot, was set on fire about my ears, it was time to stir. It was time for every man to stir. ~ Thomas Paine
There are two sides to every issue: one side is right and the other is wrong, but the middle is always evil. ~ Ayn Rand
I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.
~ by William Tyler Page
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8 comments:
Good for you! I posted a picture of one of the Muhammad cartoons. Let FREEDOM RING!
Love your blog. Refreshingly honest
If we really want to celebrate freedom of expression and the press, putting down Mohammed seems easy. Why not run the images of the sculpture "Piss Christ?" Or a cartoon of Jesus taking it in the ass by John? Or the Virgin Mary getting screwed by a Dove? That's courageous!
Uh, Marc, you do realize that all the images of Christ and the Virgin etc. have already been done dozens of times right? And that Christians, just sort of shake their heads, tell the artists they're insane, maybe ask futilely for some respect, and then move on with their lives. While Muslims on the other hand are rioting, killing each other, threatening to kill your fellow westerners, burning down embassies... Is any of this getting through? Probably not...sigh.
Queer conservative,
Let me tell you what had "really happenned" when western art people wanted to express themselves creatively by producing movies, photos, etc. on holy mary & jesus? Does anyone remember the photo "Piss christ", the play "Corpus Christi" by McNally, and of course Martin Scorcese's beautiful movie "The Last
Temptation of Christ"?
Now let see what were the
"reactions" of the Christendom to those invaluable works of art:
1. In the case of Andres Serrano's Piss Christ: “The first incident occurred when 51 year old John Allen Haywood took the photograph from the wall and kicked it....when asked what he would say to the artist who’s work he damaged, he eloquently replied ‘...I’d just like to punch him on the nose....The next day however, two teenagers, aged 18 and 16, were to have considerably more success in their endevour. In an orchestrated attack it was reported one teenager acted as a decoy, kicking a print on the opposite wall which distracted the guards who rushed to subdue him while the other SMASHED PISS CHRIST ABOUT 8 TIMES WITH A HAMMER...THE EXHIBITION WAS THEREAFTER SHORTLY CLOSED. THE CLOSURE OF THE EXHIBITION...CAUSED DEBATE ABOUT CENSORSHIP AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION.” (source: http://renewal.va.com.au/artcrime/pages/serrano.html).
2. As for the play “Corpus Christi” by Terrence McNally, here I am quoting from an article by Michael Bronski: "After the Manhattan Theater Club announced last May that Terrence McNally’s Corpus Christi would lead their fall schedule, the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, a national lay organization dedicated to defending 'the rights of Catholics to participate in American public life without defamation or discrimination,' denounced the play and the production as 'offensive to Catholics and all Christians.' The Catholic League–never having read the script–screamed blasphemy in a crowded theater and it worked. THE MANHATTAN THEATER CLUB, AFTER RECEIVING ANONYMOUS THREATS TO FIRE BOMB THE THEATER, KILL THE STAFF, AND 'EXTERMINATE TERRENCE MCNALLY,' CANCELLED THE PRODUCTION. The lights dim as the specter of censorship and religious bigotry rises center stage. (source: http://www.zmag.org/ZMag/articles/nov98bronski.htm)
3. Oh, then there were those death threats against Martin Scorcese after the release of “The Last Temptation of Christ”. (Source: http://www.villagevoice.com/news/9823,goldstein,8963,1.html)
By the way, did I mention the firebombing of the Parisian theatre that Scorcese’s movie was shown in? Quoting from Wikipedia:
“On October 22, 1988, A FRENCH CATHOLIC FUNDAMENTALIST GROUP LAUNCHED MOLOTOV COCKTAILS INSIDE THE PARISIAN SAINT MICHEL MOVIE THEATER TO PROTEST AGAINST THE FILM PROJECTION. THIS TERRORIST ATTACK INJURED THIRTEEN PEOPLE; FOUR OUT OF THEM WERE SEVERELY BURNED.” (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Temptation_of_Christ)
So, here we go... Do I have to say more to prove you that how those civilized(!) Christians are good at(!) "tolerating" things that challenge the way they visualize/think about holy mary or jesus. Well, I don't think so ;-)
References:
“Art Crime - Piss Christ”. Oct 12, 1997. Available at http://renewal.va.com.au/artcrime/pages/serrano.html
Bronski, Michael. “Right Wing Nixes Gay Christ: When the First Amendment Fails”. Nov. 1998. Available at
http://www.zmag.org/ZMag/articles/nov98bronski.htm
Goldstein, Richard. “Body and Soul”. June 1998. Available at http://www.villagevoice.com/news/9823,goldstein,8963,1.html
“The Last Temptation of Christ”. Available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Temptation_of_Christ
Gosh Daphne,
Thanks for letting me know "really happened."
I'm sure, of course, that you see the difference between the acts of a few individuals acting with no coordination and tens of thousands of Muslims rioting through the streets threatening Westerners, burning embassies, and killing each other.
You do see that right? Nah, you probably don't.
Queer conservative,
Violence is violence. It does not matter whether it is done individually or collectively, by a christian or a muslim. There is nothing that can justify the "threats or acts of violence" (whether they come from a group of christians as in Martin Scorcese’s and Terrence McNally’s cases or a group of muslims as in the current mohammad cartoon case). My examples aimed at showing that Christians, too are not good at tolerating things that challenge the way they visualize/think about holy mary or jesus. The same holds for the muslims. They are not good at it, either. Because, at its root it is "all about an attack on one’s values and beliefs”.
By the way, considering the reactions of the Christendom to the specified works of art, it think it is a right to argue that "if a Christian deserves to be respected for demanding not to see a holy figure as a whore or gay, a muslim also deserves to be respected for demanding not to see their prophet as a terrorist". Your comment?
Oh Daphne my dear, there is a huge difference between random acts of individual violence and a rampaging mob. Also, the individuals you mentioned are shunned and rebuked by our society. The Islamists encourge their culture of violence as a virtue.
Asked The Daphster: By the way, considering the reactions of the Christendom to the specified works of art, it think it is a right to argue that "if a Christian deserves to be respected for demanding not to see a holy figure as a whore or gay, a muslim also deserves to be respected for demanding not to see their prophet as a terrorist".
My response: In a free society one must learn to live with being offended. Honestly, it seems Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, Shintoists, Sikhs, Jainists, Zoroastrians, Ba'hai, et. al. are able to do so. Muslims, not so much.
Would you change your way of life or censor your beliefs or actions in order to not offend a Muslim? What about a Christian?
queer-con,
first off, 'nuff said about freaking a little too far out regarding a few cartoons. doesn't make sense, its not justified.
back to quantifying the religious over-reaction discussion you had with daphne. angry mob... ever hear of the crusades? never mind, the church apologised for them. how about public lynchings? you're probably not old enough to know you would have been the victim. (i'm 28 and i remember news regarding violence against gays... from religious extremists)
had more to say. but, i'm losing interest. hmmmm....
one other thing for dreamy weaver: don't know what religion you are, but jews and christians to name a few have just a little history of blood, sword, and beheading according to queercon its probably just unco-ordinated random acts of violence compared to rioting, killing, threatening, and burning.
j.
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