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Life's Lessons

2009-12-14T10:18:00.000-08:00

Lessons Life Taught Me
By: Regina Brett, 90 years old

For the record, this was too good to pass up. It was Ms. Brett’s intent to share this before it is too late. I agree with her and reproduce this list of valuable lessons for the benefit of anyone willing to learn from our experiences. I guarantee you that there is something for everyone here:

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it. (Don’t forget to apologize when you regain your good sense.)
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile (more so with women).
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of any eye. But don’t worry, God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger. (Requires interpretation.)
19. It’ never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes o going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words “In five years will this matter?
26. Always choose life.
27. Forgive everyone everything. (Then decide whether to continue your association with them.)
28. What other people think of you is none of your business.
29. Time heals almost everything; give time time.
30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
32. Believe in miracles. (Especially when you have Faith and Hope in the unseen, higher Order.)
33. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do. (When God finished creating, He looked at everything and said it was good.)
34. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
35. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.
36. Careless and thoughtless abuse and destruction of the body while young ,becomes a personal shame in mature age.
37. Your children get only one childhood. (Parental responsibility is vital to see that your children’s base foundation is sound.)
38. Your children are not your friends; they’re your children to raise the best you can and for you to be a worthy example for them, not the other way around.
39. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
40. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
41. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we would grab ours back.
42. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
43. The best is yet to come.
44. Whoever said “a minute of anger is 60 seconds you lose of happiness” was correct. Avoid anger and tell yourself “This too will pass.”
45. It’s true that you can always count on death and taxes. You can add “change” to that list.
46. Yield.
47. God has not repealed the Ten Commandments, or made them suggestions. They remain God’s Law as our way to live with faith, hope and charity.
48. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
49. Live your life in such a manner that you can believe and lovingly say, “Come Lord, Jesus”(Rev.22:20), and, no matter how long you live you’ll be prepared to accept all that happens to you.
50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

God bless. Merry Christmas! Thanks for visiting. Bob

Engineers and Managers

2009-09-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

Levity for today.
A man in a hot air balloon realized that he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a man below. He descended a bit more and shouted, "Excuse me, can you help me I promised a friend I would meet him a half hour ago, but I don't know where I am."
The man below said, "You are in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You are between 40 and 42 degrees north latitude and between 58 and 60 degrees west longitude."
"You must be an engineer" said the balloonist.
"I am," replied the man, "but how did you know"
"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I am still lost."
The man below responded, "You must be a manager."
"I am," replied the balloonist, "how did you know?"
"Well," said the man, "you don't know where you are or where you are going. You made a promise which you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. The fact is you are exactly in the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fult."
Thanks for visiting. - Bob facta non verba

The Pride of Democracy Tarnished

2009-07-21T14:48:00.000-07:00

I often refer to circumstances in the world that apply to "End Times." One of which is a noticeable disregard for what is right. What we see going on in parts of the world, sadly, including the leadership of the United States, is being accepted as normal: "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. Woe to you that are wise in your own eyes, and prudent in your own conceits...That justify the wicked for gifts, and take away the justice of the just from him" (Isaias 5: 20,23).
Right now governments and blocks of states, e.g. the OAS and EU (Organization of American States) and (European Union's of countries) condemned a democratic government, namely Honduras, that refused to allow its sitting president to change or convert the course of it country to a dictatorial state by changing, for his own benefit, the country's constitution.
The supreme governing body, elected to protect their country had enough of their adament president who would imitate Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, by illegally usurping and designing powers to set himself up as president for life. Honduras did not agree. As a consequence the self-interested dictator was whisked out of the country in the middle of the night and an interim president named until new elections can take place.
I see nothing wrong with this self-preservation action by a governing body of citizens elected to protect the people and their country.
So, why are professed democracies and not-so-democratic countries punishing the country of Honduras for doing what should have been done? And, the United States, the once bastion of Democracy, leading the pack? Let me venture a guess.
Obama and his stooges (Hilliry Clinton, et al) are of that establishment that do not like freedom as America is (or has been) known for. That's why we freely use the term "Liberals." Ganging up on Honduras for protecting themselves from internal evil intentions is way off the mark of decency and a stand against Democracy, and cannot be condoned. After all Americans might get similar ideas (without the help of the present ruling democratic party, of course).
I never thought in over three-quarters of a century, that I'd ever find myself severly criticising my own Government for international affairs that sides with evil. Obama and his people, liberal democrat representatives,and RINO turncoats (all elected by the people) are actively dismantling liberty and freedom at home in this country, and must ensure that, whenever possible, condemn the exercise of Liberty and Freedom (of action) by other democratically established countries whenever and wherever they can. Proof? Notice the lack of condemnation toward Muslim IRAN; and the timidity that took place in Russia during the recent presidential visit (both countries have also condemned Honduras). These people and others around the world watch closely at Hilliry's threat of punishment through sanctions aimed at Democratic Honduras. Why do American act this way now?
You can say that America is sick and needs attention (an uprising) by its people. It is way off the mark of decency with its stand against Democracy. It is not at all pretty. America (all elected officials and the voting population) ought to be ashamed of itself for allowing an inexperienced nincompoop like Obama to seriously tarnish the magnificent history of young America by leading or siding with other evil leaders and dictators of the world. It's enough to make one cry.

Thanks for visiting. - Bob "carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero" (= enjoy the present day, trusting as little as possible to the morrow)

The Paradox of our Age

2009-07-17T20:53:00.000-07:00

Is it true that we can go to the moon and back, but can't walk across the street to meet our neighbor? Yep! Sure is. After having read this somewhere recently, it occurred to me that my own archives contain more truisms and thought I'd share some of them with you. Proceed at your own risk.

We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers
Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints
We spend more, but truly enjoy less
We have bigger houses, but smaller families
More conveniences, but less time
We have more degrees, but less common sense
More knowledge, but less judgment
More experts, but more problems
More medicine, but less wellness
We spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, watch too much TV, and pray too seldom
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life
We've added years to life, not life to years
We've conquered outer space, but not inner space
We've done larger things, but not better things
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul
We've split the atom, but not our prejudice
We write more, but learn less; plan more but accomplish less
We've learned to rush, but not to wait
We have higher incomes, but lower morals; more food, but less appeasement; more acquaintances, but fewer friends; more effort, but less success
We build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication
We've become long on quantity, but short on quality
These are the times of fast food and slow digestion; tall men and short character; steep profits and shallow relationships
These are the times of more leisure and less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition
These are the days of dual incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses to hold broken homes
These are the days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill
It's a time when there is much in the show window, and nothing in the stockroom

All of these contradictory, absurd statements exist. In more recent times others have been added. In case you haven't noticed we're in real trouble. A bunch of renegades, with stealth support, are running (and ruining) this beautiful country. And they're moving fast to remake America. It seems that right now nothing and no one can stop them.

All anyone, from radio talk show hosts (who claim millions of listeners) or any organization seems to be able to do is talk, talk, talk, and complain to no end, along with their mailings to add money to their coffers in the guise of using the money to "fight and convert" the dictators and evil-doers. That is virtually an impossible job, given that those they want to convert don't seem to care whether or not they do right. All those elected to an office care about is a continuous flow of donation dollars (lots of them in most cases) into their reelection campaigns so they can continue to spend a lifetime telling lies to their constiuents. With the power of responsible voting, it doesn't have to be that way.

Here are new contridictions:

Right now I see the time we're presently in where right is wrong and wrong is right. (E.G. What's right about legally killing unborn babies with feelings at any point during pregnancy? and a heart that begins to beat at 18 days? How can you not see something wrong here and do something about it where you can?)
We now have a president that plans to eleminate the elderly by denying them appropriate medical care because of the cost and that, according to him, are too old to spend the money on. What, pray you, would you call this if not legalizing murder. What is wrong with this scenario when one person can dictate to a following that readily support his wishes? (Democrats, Liberals, Republicans in name only that timidly and fearfully support errors.)

(The last person I knew that was of this caliber was Adolph Hitler. He too was but one man starting his designs for the world with a bunch of off-the-wall goons. They caused so much damage in the world that millions were murdered, never to rise from the ashes again. And, let us remember the hundreds of thousands of warriors that died or were bodily or mentally injured defending freedom.)

Our leaders were once leaders, with a moral code, now are immoral, unethetical, selfish. "Selling their soul to the Devil" without conscience has become commonplace
Americans were once more concerned about their country and partook of their responsibility, now have become apathetic, carelessly risking losing a unique way of life borne through unbeliveable sacrifice, admired by the world at large.
The admiration of America is now seriously waning because of our lessening the value of human life and promoting same with American taxpayer dollars throughout the world by financially supporting Planned Parenthood's Abortion dens.
There are more deficient acts taking place and have taken place too numerous to mention here. One example only is ACORN. Investigated for its illegal acts involving vote fraud, but never brought to justice. You can expect that kind of result with a dictorial president that will threaten you for doing your job. There's no other explanation for "incomplete justice."
Obama and his henchmen, and his critical, unnamed backers like Billionaire George Soros, have an agenda that is moving as fast as a bullet. Right now no one is standing up to the plate to reverse the damage being done.
By 2012, the next national election, a great deal of damage to this country and the fabric that made it the greatest country in the world for the past over 233 years will have been done. We need an unusually qualified, courageous, daring person to emerge and be supported to take strong hold of the reins of this Govenment. Returning it to what Abraham Lincoln called it: "Of the people, by the people, and for the people..." not to parish from the earth.

My message to you here and now: Live and love your God-given life. Don't fall in with the paradox of our age. You should know that there's another world beyond your wildest dreams that you ought not to ignore. You are only here for a little while, then ...

For now it's your turn to be bold for God and Country; pass on the contridictions that are increasing; do what you can right where you are to actually take a stand. Fear nothing and nobody. Have courage. If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything. In that instance you become part of the problem.

Thanks for visiting. - Bob Mk 11: 22

Belonging Or Not?

2009-07-06T17:42:00.000-07:00

The Member Who Never Came Back

It amuses me now to think that your Organization spends so much time looking for new members - when I was there all the time. Do you remember me?

I'm the fellow who came to every meeting, but nobody paid any attention to me. I tried several times to be friendly, but everyone seemed to have his own friends to talk to and sit with. I sat down among some unfamiliar faces several times, but they didn't pay much attention to me.

I hoped somebody would ask me to join one of the committees or somehow participate and contribute, but no one did.

Finally, because of illness in the family, I missed a meeting. At the next meeting no one asked me where I had been. I guess it didn't matter very much where I was the month before.

On the next meeting date, I decided to stay home to watch a good television program. When I attended the next meeting no one asked me where I had been. I guess it didn't matter very much whether I was there or not.

You might say that I'm a good guy, a good family man, and a responsible person. Do you know who else I am?

I'm the member who never came back!

Attention Membership Committee Chairperson. The above is more prevalant than you realize. Don't be guilty of such a situation if you value your organization's mission or purpose for being. This is not a fabricated story.

Thanks for visiting. - Bob facta non verba

Getting Things Out of the Way

2009-07-06T17:22:00.000-07:00

It’s Not Easy. . .
To apologize
To begin over
To be unselfish
To take advice
To admit error
To be charitable
To keep trying
To be considerate
To forgive and forget
To recognize the silver lining
BUT IT ALWAYS PAYS!
Mother Teresa would say: "Do it anyway."

A few more things I’d like to put forth while still wishing I’d thought of them first:

If God wanted me to touch my toes, He would have put them on my knees,
Lead us not into temptation – we can find the way ourselves.
A closed mouth gathers no feet.
It’s not hard to meet expenses – they’re everywhere.
The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
There are two kinds of pedestrians: The quick and the dead.
When you’re finally holding all the cards – why does everyone else
decide to play something else.
If you’re living on the edge, be sure you’re wearing your seat belt.
Kids in the back seat cause accidents; accidents in the back seat
cause kids.
Thanks for letting me get these things off my chest. - Bob

FYI FDIC & Congress Make a Good Move

2009-07-01T15:55:00.000-07:00

It ain't often nowadays that you see our Government doing anything worthwhile for "the People."
No kidding. I have a hard time recalling any good coming from the "People's House" in recent times. But here's a good move for the people that I've been thinking about as a possible catastrophe at years' end. You may remember how the federal deposit insurance coverage was for up to $100,000 before the present financial crisis took hold of our economy. And Congress made a move to change that insurance coverage (FDIC) to $250,000 per depositor through December 2009. Why they put such a timetable on that change was always a curiosity of mine. I suppose they knew it was an error on their part for a one year stint. It was recognized by someone because May 19th Congress extended the temporary $250,000 coverage through December 31, 2013.
That means that if you (or your family) have $250,000 or less in all of your deposit accounts at the same insured bank, you don't need to worry about your insurance coverage - your deposits are fully insured through
at least 2013. And as always, you may qualify for more than the basic insurance coverage at one insured bank because the FDIC provides separate insurance coverage for deposits held in different "ownership categories" such as single accounts and joint accounts.
For more information about your FDIC insurance coverage, start at http://www.myfdicinsurance.gov/ or phone toll-free 1-877-275-3342 (which translates to 1-877-ASK-FDIC.
What does all this mean to you? It means you are fully protected if the bank fails. Be sure to look on the bank entry door and service windows for the sign that reads: FDIC Insured. If they are there, rest easy.
Thanks for visiting. - Bob "toujours en vedette"

People Are Like That

2009-03-25T12:44:00.000-07:00

The saying: "There are all kinds of people" is proven by this believeable story. After listening to the tale I concluded that the person the man related to in his experience was gross - i.e. grossly unreasonable. Judge yourself:
The man said that he was sitting on a plane waiting for short commuter flight, armed with a lot of work he needed to finish before landing. As the other passengers boarded the plane he prayed that the seat next to him would remain empty - or if he had a seatmate he or she would not be a talker.
Normally he took every opportunity to talk to people - that was part of his job, but this one day he was pressed for time. If he could just have some quiet he could get his work done before reaching his destination. He began by burying his face in his reading material, hoping to ward off any comers.
Soon a young woman took the seat next to him. He said a quick hello then returned to his reading. But, as (bad) luck would have it, that didn't stop her. She seemed not to take notice that he was busy as she talked and talked and talked. Not about the weather or current events, no. She talked about her personal life, eventually getting into details that were far more intimate than most people would share with a stranger, cataloging in colorful language the various relationships she'd had. This went on for the entire flight, and much of what she revealed was downright embarrassing to the man.
As the plane began to descend, she took a breath and - for the first time since boarding - asked him a question about himself. "So what do you do for a living?" "I'm the pastor of a church," he answered.
He says that he said only those six words, but that was enough. Her entire posture and demeanor changed. Immediately she became stiff and unfriendly, crossing her arms and half-turning away from him. "I just hate it when people cram religion down my throat" she snapped! Then the plane landed and she walked away, still in a huff.
This female just spent the entire flight imposing herself on a stranger, showcasing her questionable lifestyle, never considering that she might say something offensive or embarrassing. But one short, six-word, non-confrontational sentence that included the words pastor and church, and she arrogantly concluded that he was "cramming religion" down her throat.
People are like that. It happens now and then. My prayer is for hope that more people don't become as this female (I won't call her a lady) revealed herself to be: Inconsiderate and unreasonable, even disgusting.
Thanks for visiting. - Bob Rom 13:12-14

History Lesson - Know Your Enemy

2009-03-15T14:41:00.000-07:00

"Forget the past and it's bound to be repeated." I know, you haven't heard that for a very long time. It's time it was resurrected. Here's why:

A man whose family was of the German aristocracy prior to WWII owned a number of large factories and estates. When asked how many German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave can guide our attitude toward fanaticism. "Very few people were true Nazis "he said," but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of our world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories." We are told again and again by 'experts' and 'talking heads' Islam is the religion of peace, and the vast majority of Muslims just wan t to live in peace. Although this unqualified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the specter of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam. The fact is the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history. It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who now wage any one of 50 shooting wars worldwide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics who bomb, behead, murder, or 'honor' kill. It is the fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the stoning and the 'silent majority,' is cowed and extraneous.
Communist Russia was comprised of Russians who just wanted to live in peace, yet the Russian Communists were responsible for the murder of about 20 million people. The peaceful majority was irrelevant.
China's huge population was peaceful as well, but Chinese Communists managed to kill a staggering 70 million people.
The average Japanese individual prior to WWII was not a warmongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across Southeast Asia in an orgy of killing that included the systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians; most killed by sword, shovel and bayonet.
And, who can forget Rwanda, which collapsed into butchery. Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were "peace loving"?
History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for all our powers of reason we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated of points:
Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence.
Peace-loving Muslims will become our enemy if they don't speak up, because like my friend from Germany, they will awaken one day and find the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have begun.
Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, Rwandans, Serbs Afghans, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians, and many others have died because the peaceful majority did not speak up until it was too late. As for us who watch it all unfold, we must pay attention to the only group that counts, the fanatics who threaten our way of life.
At the risk of offending: Anyone who doubts the issue is serious and fails to share this poignant summary of the history of fewer than 75 years, contributes to the passiveness that tolorates the present growing madness to expand.
Thank you for visiting. - Bob God bless America

Rights of Health Care Workers Threatened

2009-02-28T15:23:00.000-08:00

When I was being made aware of the strong possibility that Obama was planning to do away with what protects health care workers from doing what their conscience tells them they ought not to do, I asked myself: "Why do American people need to be protected from their own Government?" People that can need to stop this abuse of power by this new president, i.e. dictating the evil things he harbors within himself and arbitrarily puts in force. Surely there must be some law to protect us from such dictatorial acts.
The following was just received. Be interested. You may not want anyone in the medical profession working on you that do not want to do so. A guilt conscience is a powerful thing. No one should have to experience it. After all, this is still America. It is isn't it?

"RIGHTS OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS THREATENED

It was reported today that the Obama administration is planning to rescind the rule issued in December by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that protects the rights of health care workers at federally-funded facilities to refuse to perform or be involved in medical procedures that violate their consciences, such as abortion. The “conscience rule” went into effect last month.

Catholic League president Bill Donohue discussed the ramifications of this action:

“'This regulation gives health care workers the right to be free from discriminatory edicts invoked by those who have no respect for their conscience rights. No one in the health care field should ever be compelled by law to perform or assist in a procedure that violates his or her conscience. This should be an elementary right, yet there are those who want to trespass on it.

“This would be another step in the wrong direction for an administration which is promoting abortion by overturning the Mexico City Policy, promising to support the United Nations Population Fund and considering the nomination of radical abortion rights supporter Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to be the Secretary of HHS. This action would be the most offensive since it compromises the rights of Catholics to act according to their conscience.

“It is imperative that President Obama not rescind this morally critical regulation. Catholics will be watching very closely.'”

Thanks for visiting. - Bob Mark 11:22

Consequences of Obama's Take and Give

2009-02-26T16:31:00.000-08:00

We've all heard about the fairness of give and take, usually in business. But have you ever heard the old refrain - and it is old - "Robbing Peter to Pay Paul"? Well, lo and behold, the present Administration has decided to put all past sayings out to pasture and create their own. Sadly, they may even believe that it's something new. Socialism is certainly not new. We know from history, and much of it relatively recent history, that it does not work and leads to total misery. Anyhow, now comes this new group of seemingly inexperienced members of Obama's court to administer this country. How? By not "Give and Take" but "Take and Give." You're invited to read the proof by clicking here:
http://fourwinds.blogster.com/
Thanks for visiting. - Bob God bless America!

Honest Determination

2009-02-12T11:16:00.000-08:00

A quick look at your encyclopedia for the historical, fascinating story of Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is marked today, will teach people the meaning of determination.

The log cabin in which “Honest Abe” was born should make you say “Wow! and I am complaining!” Since schools rarely, if ever, provide American History for our young, parents and others ought to introduce their charges with history of who we are, who it was that gave so very much of themselves from the birth of our nation for its vision and progress.

From such activity, our citizens, et al, would learn the valuable meaning and result of honest determination that was so early American. I urge everyone who feel absent from details of our early founding to read about Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, and others of course, as I share with you information about Lincoln from other angles.

A Grown-up Lincoln

Upon entering the national scene, Abraham Lincoln was an expert in experiencing defeat and failure. Had it not been for his determination to serve his fellow countrymen and his God, history would not have recorded him as one of the greatest American presidents. His failures were his victories, no doubt about it.

“Abe” met his first political failure when he lost the seat in the Illinois Legislature. Friends persuaded him to venture into business. Failing at this he spent nearly twenty years paying off debts. His next failure was the loss of the young woman he was to marry. He later married a woman who proved to be a “thorn in his side” – another failure for happiness.

Congress was his second political goal. Not only did he miss it, but also opponents claimed both the United States Land Office and the United States Senate. Most men would lose their courage after so many defeats. But, not Lincoln, he pursued even higher attainments, he believed he could gain the Vice Presidency in 1856. Failing to take the office, he tried once more in 1858 and lost to Douglas.

One failure after another throughout his entire life before ascending to the Presidency, severe and disastrous failures, is a lesson for all who would give up too soon in this life. It’s as if Lincoln knew what Winston Churchill was to exclaim a hundred plus years in the future. That is “Never, never, never, never give up!”

Who has not heard of Abraham Lincoln? Yet he is a man not known for his failures!

A grateful nation, in tribute to this man of ages past, raised The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. where he could look out over the land he so dearly loved and protected it from its road of self-destruction through the Civil War. For this he was martyred. This massive shrine pays due respect to the greatness of a simple and heroic man whose very life was offered in the name of liberty.

His image sits in a great chair 12½ feet high, the gentleness, power and determination of Lincoln come to us clearly through the features chiseled in granite by the sculptor. we can almost hear him speak the words with which he closed his famous Gettysburg Address: “. . .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.”

He left us a legacy, for there is something you can do to preserve the God-given liberty with which America is blessed. Do more than complain about those who are striving in a hundred different ways to destroy it. They are on the job, not sitting on the sidelines. If your heart is in truth, you will be determined to work as hard for good as they do for evil, you will be acting as Lincoln did and carry on the torch of freedom handed to us.

Thanks for visiting. God bless America and Abraham Lincoln's Spirit!

Words to Live By

2009-01-24T16:20:00.000-08:00

Some Things Are Not Outgrown

A South Sea Islander taught an American soldier a lesson during WWII. The friendly host brought a copy of the Bible out of his hut and said: “This is my most prized possession.” With obvious disdain, the GI replied: “We’ve outgrown that sort of thing.”

The Islander, whose tribe had formerly practiced cannibalism, calmly observed: “It’s a good thing we haven’t outgrown it here. If we had, you would have been a meal as soon as we saw you.”

Uphold the teaching of the Bible and the Ten Commandments in your life and in your world. This is our challenge for the 21st century, as it has been for all who have gone before us.

The Bible, preceded by the Ten commandments, together are the words ordered by our Creator for the purpose of guiding how we ought to live. Ted Koppel of ABC’s Nightline fame, in a speech during a commencement address said: “Our society finds truth too strong…to digest undiluted…. In the place of truth, we have discovered facts. For morale absolutes, we have substituted moral ambiguity….

“We now communicate…and say absolutely nothing. We have reconstructed the Tower of Babel and it is a television antenna….

“What Moses brought down from Mount Sinai were not ten suggestions (but)…Commandments. The sheer brilliance of the Ten Commandments is that they codify…acceptable human behavior…for all time.”

Of course, Ted Koppel is “right on.” Yet, there is no doubt that countless people give but lip service to the truth. It interferes with their conscience. This next story gives us an excellent example of how easy it is to stray from Gods Law, even if your duty is to the truth of the matter before you:

Two lawyers in Chicago fell into a discussion one day about the trend away from law and order here and over the world (in fact, since this story is over 50 years old things have gone terribly worse). One lawyer said that our only hope is to get back to the Ten Commandments. “What have they got to do with it?” his companion countered. “They’re just a set of worn-out customs.”
The first lawyer challenged him to look over the Ten Commandments and see which one among them could be thrown out without endangering our homes, schools, business and normal freedom. The other man picked up the challenge and said he would have his answer ready the next time they were together.

A few days later, the two met again at their club. “You really got me this time,” said the skeptical one. “Do you know that I’ve been racking my brain for several days to find just one of those Commandments that we could do without and still keep things going? I must admit that I haven’t found it. For the first time in my life I see that they are the foundation of all law and order.”

Discover for yourself what the second lawyer learned or relearned. He found indispensible laws like this given to us through Moses, as our words for living:

1. “I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before me.” (Ex 20:3)
2. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” (Ex 20:7)
3. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Ex 20:8)
4. “Honor your father and your mother.” (Ex 20:12)
5. “You shall not kill.” (Ex 20:13)
6. “You shall not commit adultery.” (Ex 20:14)
7. “You shall not steal.” (Ex 20:15)
8. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Ex 20:16)
9. & 10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house…your neighbor’s wife…or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Ex 20:17)

A word about # 9 & 10: These two Commandments relate to intentions and desires. Jesus said: “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and…out of the heart come evil intentions; murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These…defile a person.” (Matthew 15: 18-20)

As you can easily see and understand, the Ten Commandments begin with honor due our Creator and continue with respect for one another and ourselves. Who in a right mind could honestly find fault with them?

For all time, each Commandment offers a clear and beautiful expression of God’s love and concern for each of His children. When Jesus walked the earth, He is quoted as answering a question put to Him as to which of the Ten Commandments is the greatest. Jesus’ reply:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,
and with all your mind, and with all your strength…
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

A final note: It is a known, reasonably understood fact that no man is without sin. Man is what he thinks in his heart. A close review of the Commandments will reveal that breaking just one knocks down all the others. God, being pure Love cannot accept sin. He is turned away by sin. God’s Beloved Son, Jesus, Who was without sin, obediently took all of the world’s sins to the cross with Him. For this reason, we must understand and take action to repent, seek the loving mercy of God, our Creator, for failing His Words to Live By and wholeheartedly strive not to repeatedly offend Him.

Thanks for visiting. -- Bob 2 Tim 4:2

January 22nd Anniversary of Shame

2009-01-23T14:55:00.000-08:00

Roe v. Wade ought to be called: Roe v. Wade, a Day of Tears

Tens of thousands of abortion opponents rallied Thursday, Jan 22, 2009, on the National Mall to mark the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade amid concerns they could face political setbacks under the new president.
Not all people could participate that would have liked to take a stand. With families to raise, jobs to pursue and lives to live, not all Christians can be engaged in the many important issues facing our country. But we can always at least serve the truth by not lying to ourselves and to each other about this anniversary of shame. On this day 36 years ago, the law was enacted that turned our nation into a cemetery, which turned the wombs of mothers into the tombs of babies.
By legalizing permissive abortion and drastically limiting voters’ ability to restrict it in any way, Roe set the foundations for an abortion industry that has actually wounded countless women and, thus far, has resulted in the killing of more than 40 million unborn children!
In the midst of an economic mess, funding abortions overseas with taxpayer money will return. Not named in the following news article provided by my Catholic League, I believe, is the abortion mill organization Planned Parenthood, an entity with the CEO as the Devil himself.
Thanks for visiting. – Bob 2 Tim. 4: 2
I quote the news article:

OBAMA TO FUND ABORTION
News reports are that President Barack Obama will overturn restrictions on funding abortions overseas today. The Mexico City Policy, which denied federal funding of private organizations that perform and promote abortions, will be rescinded by executive order.

Catholic League president Bill Donohue addressed this decision today:

“Here we have a black president taking money from the taxpayers in a time of economic crisis and giving it to organizations—many of which are anti-Catholic—so they can spend it on killing non-white babies in Third World nations. And Obama is known as a progressive.

“Obama has said repeatedly that he is not pro-abortion, and some Catholics salivating for a job in his administration believe him. Yet he’s in office for only a few days and one of the first things he decides to do is fund abortion. That would be on a par with someone who said he was in favor of gun control and then provided funds to the NRA. Indeed, no one spends money to support that which he really abhors. In short, it’s time for the pro-abortion crowd to simply say that whatever reservations they may have about abortion (and some have none at all), they are outweighed by their overall support for it.

“Just last Monday, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops made public a letter it sent to Obama asking him to retain the Mexico City Policy. Obama has made his decision, and we hope every Catholic who is truly pro-life gets it.” Unquote

P.S. As author of this Blog, let me add that I hope every Christian who is truly pro-life gets it. Bob

Ten Ways to Protect Yourself from Scams and Rip-Offs

2009-01-06T14:05:00.000-08:00

According to a survey conducted in 2008 by the Consumer Federation of America, the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators (NACAA), and the North American Consumer Protection Investigators, the top complaints that state and local consumer protection agencies receive concern everyday transactions: car sales and repairs, home improvement work, credit
and loans, debt collection, retail sales, utility service, Internet sales, door-to-door and telemarketing sales, and apartment rentals.
In these tough economic times, it’s more important than ever to protect yourself from scams and rip-offs and get the most for your money.

1. Check the track record. When you’re considering making a purchase from an
unfamiliar company, check its complaint records. Consult your state or local consumer agency, the Better Business Bureau, and online complaint forums.

2. Do more than kick the tires. Before you buy a used car, take it to a mechanic you trust to be thoroughly checked out. There are also services that can give you
information on the history of the vehicle. Spending a little money upfront to check the car out can save you lots of money later.

3. Hire licensed professionals. If you’re hiring professionals such as home improvement contractors, ask your state or local consumer protection agency whether they must be licensed or registered and how you can check to confirm that they are.

4. Pay the safest way. Pay with a credit card when you buy goods or services that will be delivered later so that you’ll be able to exercise your right to dispute the charges if you don’t get what you were promised.

5. Don’t pay in full upfront. Pay only a small deposit, if requested, for home
improvement or other services, never the full amount upfront.

6. Recognize the danger signs of fraud. Watch out for any request to wire money; scare tactics or pressure to act immediately; promises that you can borrow, win or make money easily as long as you pay a fee in advance; or any situation in which someone wants to give you a check or money order and asks you to send money somewhere in return.

7. Get all promises in writing. Verbal agreements are hard to prove. Carefully read contracts or finance agreements and make sure you understand them before you sign.

8. Beware of bogus debt collectors that try to trick consumers into paying debts
they don’t owe. Ask your state or local consumer protection agency how you can
confirm whether the collection agency meets licensing or registration requirements in your state and what to do if you don’t think the debit is valid.

9. Watch out for foreclosure rescue and loan modification scams. If your home is in danger of foreclosure and you can’t work out a solution with the lender, contact your state or local housing finance agency, or call the HOPE NOW hotline, 1-888-995-4673. There is no fee for their assistance.

10. Get financial advice from legitimate sources. If you’re having trouble paying your bills, consult your local nonprofit consumer credit counseling service. Check your local phone book or call the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, 1-800-388-2227.

If you have a complaint, your state or local consumer agency can provide advice and information about your legal rights and may be able to help you if your efforts to resolve the problem with the company don’t succeed.

Now you may know all of these things but I'll bet there are some people you know that are not as aware as you, so for a good start in this brand new year, why not share this and other needful,helpful information with them.

Thanks for visiting. - Bob In the world but not of it

FREE Information for Wannabe Writers

2008-12-26T14:42:00.000-08:00

As a last ditch effort to present a year end and New Year gift to my readers, I have placed the above Titled Subject on my other Blog at http:fourwinds.blogster.com All details are included and its F R E E!
Thanks for visiting. - Bob Happy New Year!

Christmas in the Workplace

2008-12-17T13:35:00.000-08:00

According to the article that follows (below), perhaps the title ought to read: Christmas or ?

Has our society gone mad? What ever happened to the Spirit of Christmas? There has been an element in our society working much harder to destroy Christmas than those who would work to keep it as
wonderful as it has always been.Does this article reveal a people that have gone "over the edge."? Christmas is a beautiful time that naturally invites everyone to recognize Goodness and leaves no one out - no matter who they are or where they are in the world, whether at home or away.

Good people have allowed the beauty that is for everyone to become tarnished, corrupted and confused. Please do not get me wrong, not all peoples have abandoned the holiness that is the true meaning of the season - the birthday celebration of our Creator - God Man, Who came to us as a Child, relying on a teenager for His care. No, we still account for millions upon millions who know the truth and look forward to the proper and appropriate celebrations due Him.

The following article, quoted by permission, will explain what is happening in the marketplace and in social circles by utterly misguided, gutless individuals responsible for turning Christmas into unbelievable indignities, and others going along indifferent to their cause.

Merry Christmas! Wherever you may be. Yes, it is right to wish others Merry Christmas instead of their conventional, concocted greetings. You do not have to go along with those pathetic individuals and groups who would have you join them in their active intent to denigrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Article Quoted

Catholic League president Bill Donohue discusses what’s going on:

“Cindy Wigglesworth, founder of Conscious Pursuits, says Christmas represents a ‘challenge’ to employers. The so-called challenge is how to have ‘an enthused workforce and be faith-friendly and faith-neutral and not violate any laws.’ She does not say what laws might be violated, but apparently she wants to guard against the prospect of someone calling 911. In any event, she has a mind of her own: ‘We’d much rather bring your child to work than bring your faith to work. We have not had a safe way to talk about faith.’ But what if your child comes to work and tells everyone ‘Merry Christmas’? Isn’t that dangerous?

“Dawn Frazier-Bohnert works at a global consulting firm, and she advises employers not to hold a Christmas party—call it a ‘year-end’ bash, instead. She recommends ‘vegetarian alternatives’ at the dinner, ‘and be conscious that serving alcohol at parties might make some employees uncomfortable.’ There’s the rub: those who want to booze it up will also feel uncomfortable if the purists prevail. Flasks might work.

“Simma Lieberman specializes in ‘Diversity and Inclusion,’ and it shows: she wants us to celebrate ‘Diwali,’ along with non-Hindu holidays. But, she cautions, ‘Make sure your holiday party isn’t a Christmas party in disguise.’ Good idea. However, she does not say what to do if some smart aleck asks what holiday is being celebrated at Christmastime.

“Sondra Thiederman is another ‘Diversity’ expert, and she warns against Christmas decorations, recommending instead ‘flowers, balloons, candles and snowflakes.’ She also counsels against Christmas songs, suggesting ‘historical music, the big bands and the sounds of the ‘40s.’ No rap or heavy metal?

“Viacom has the best house rule: ‘Live trees solely for the purpose of a holiday decoration are not permitted.’ Those fake ones are okay.
“So this is what our troops are defending in Iraq—the right of Anti-Christmas Czars to promote thought control in America.”

Susan A. Fani
Director of Communications
Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights
catalyst@catholicleague.org
New York, NY 10123
212-371-3191
212-371-3394 (fax)

Unquote

Thanks for visiting.- Bob The Christchild, the God of Peace be with you

Auto Bailout

2008-11-22T11:56:00.000-08:00

" We can't solve problems by using

the same kind of thinking we used

when we created them."

- Albert Einstein

http://www.newsmax.com/ Thurs Nov 20, 2008 gives us this article titled:
"Ten Reasons Why the Auto Bailout Is a Bad Idea"

The article provides sound reasoning, pretty much as the above quote from Albert Einstein. Visit Newsmax for more timely reading.

P.S. I also agree wholeheartedly with Mitt Romney when he says that the automakers ought to go bankrupt and start afresh. I add that Taxpayers should not be a pawn in this game that seems to be getting worse each day.

Thanks for visiting. - Bob "toujours en vedette"

Boycott Target Stores

2008-11-17T15:52:00.000-08:00

I have received surprising and damnable news about Target's (local and national) attitude toward American Veterans (the source that makes it possible for Target to even exist); I am asking you to boycott that store across America. Read the entire story just published at my other blog.
"We Don't Have to Take It Anymore!" Click here http://fourwinds.blogster.com/
God bless America, and all the warriors that have and are keeping her safe. Thanks for visiting. - Bob

Messed Up Facts

2008-11-12T11:21:00.000-08:00

The subject, referring to a Bible Knowledge Test (from my archives) is published on my blog at: http://fourwinds.blogster.com I have tied it to what is going on today, over ten years later, with reference to the gay and lesbian movement, and those who aid and assist in their progress. Go there by clicking on the link. You may not believe what you see there.
Thanks for visiting. - Bob Rom. 13: 12-14

Obama Revelations

2008-11-01T16:41:00.000-07:00

Dear visitor. Rather than retype a very important article just published on my other Blog, I invite you to go there now. The title is: Revelations About Obama Keep Coming. Just click here> http://fourwinds.blogster.com/

May you have and experience a happy month of November.

Thanks for visiting. - Bob Spend your Vote wisely for the future...

Obama Notes

2008-10-25T14:40:00.000-07:00

A Newsmax survey of key Obama aspects of Obama’s public and private life continued to be shielded from the public.
Among the examples:
Obama has released just one brief document detailing his personal health. McCain, on the other hands, released what he said was his complete medical file totaling more than 1500 pages. After criticism on the matter, last week the Obama campaign also released some routine lab-test results and electrocardiograms for Obama. All test results appeared normal, but many details about his health remain a mystery.
Obama has refused to offer his official papers as a state legislator in Illinois, and has been unable to produce correspondence, such as letters from lobbyists and other correspondence from his days in the Illinois state senate. There are also no appointment calendars available of his official activities. “It could have been thrown out,” Obama said while on the campaign trail during the Democratic primary. “I haven’t been in the state Senate now for quite some time.”
Obama has not released his client list as an attorney or his billing records. Obama has maintained that he only performed a few hours of legal work for a nonprofit organization with ties to Tony Rezko, the Chicago businessman convicted of fraud in June. But he has not released billing records that would prove this assertion.
Obama won’t release his college records from Occidental College where he studied for two years before transferring to Columbia.
Obama’s campaign refuses to give Columbia University, where he earned an undergraduate degree in political science, permission to release his transcripts. Such transcripts would list the courses Obama took, and his grades. President George W. Bush, and presidential contenders Al Gore and John Kerry, all released their college transcripts. (McCain has refused to release his Naval Academy transcript.)
Obama’s college dissertation has simply disappeared from Columbia Universities archives. In July, in response to a flurry of requests to review Obama’s senior thesis at the Ivy League school, reportedly titled “Soviet Nuclear Disarmament,” Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt told NBC News “We do not have a copy of the course paper you requested and neither does Columbia University.”
The senator has not agreed to the release of his application to the Illinois state bar, which would clear up intermittent allegations that his application to the bar may have been inaccurate.
Jim Geraghty of the National Review has written extensively about Obama’s unwillingness to release records related to clients he represented while he was an attorney with the Chicago law firm of Davis, Miner, Barnhill, and Gallard. Obama was required to list his clients during his years in the Illinois senate. “Obama listed every client of the firm,” Geraghty reported, making it impossible to discern which clients he represented.
Obama has never released records from his time at Harvard Law School.
Obama also has not disclosed the names of small donors giving $200 or less to his campaign. An exception to the finance-reporting laws exempts the campaign from reporting those who donate less than $200, but that law never envisioned the more than $300 million that has been raised by Obama in small amounts. The Republican National Committee has released its small donors, as well as McCain’s, on a public database.
This fresh information thanks to Newsmax.com.
Thanks for visiting. - Bob - toujours en vedette

Cautions and MoneySaving Tips

2008-10-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

The reason I make an article out of these subjects is that I know that they are for real - the cautions are being perpetrated; and the tips are valid and are being offered.

Cautions

1. Two scams in one: A phony job offer plus a check-cashing scam are being used to target job seekers. Scammers place an ad for the often heard of "Secret or Mystery Shopper" opportunity. These are supposedly people who are paid to go shopping in their free time to evaluate services or products. They are promised pay plus free clothing, hotel stays and restaurant meals.

People who answer the ad receive materials by mail, including a check that they are told to deposit as paid training money. They cash the check, keep the predetermined pay for themselves and wire the rest of the money back to the company address.

Reality: The checks are forgeries. Weeks after depositing them, victims learn that the checks are phony and that they must repay the bank the amount they sent to the scammers. Scammers can make $1,000 or more per victim. (BBB, Louisville, KY)

2. You have either heard of this next one, or unwittingly participated, or received their mailings. Beware of investment salespeople who label themselves "senior specialists" at seminars in hotels and restaurants. These people, who may call themselves "Retirement Counselors" or "Senior Counselors" may have little or no investment training. They may urge attendees to sell off their investments and put the proceeds into other products, including some that have high commissions and early withdrawal penalties.

Before consenting to or giving money to anyone claiming special expertise in investments for seniors, read the SEC article Check Out Brokers and Investment Advisors, available at www.sec.gov/investor/brokers.htm

(SEC, Washington, DC)

Money Saving Tips

1. I spied this one Oct 15, 2008 (to let you know it's current) in one of my incoming publications. You are invited to go to: www.MoneySavingGuide.com for advice on saving money and spending wisely on travel, entertainment, groceries, utilities, banking and more. The site features articles, blog posts and other tools and resources on the Web, as well as suggestions from readers and a FREE monthly

E-mail newsletter.

2. I have just concluded attending to my eye needs. This tip came to me after the fact, but perhaps you may find it can save you some precious dollars. The advice is: "Shop around for eyeglasses." This is sound advice because you would be surprised that the same pair of glasses priced recently at $178 to $390 depended on where it was bought. Really! There is price variation in lenses and in frames.

Doctors and independent optical shops tend to charge more but provide more personal service. Chain stores often make glasses in about an hour and may offer discounts for members of AARP, AAA and other groups. Warehouse clubs offer low prices and, in some cases, do not require membership for eyeglass purchases. But get this: Internet merchants may offer the lowest prices of all. "One, Zenni Optical, offers eyeglasses (frames and lenses) starting as low as $8."

Eyeglasses and frames, like jewelry, have a tremendous markup in price when, in fact, the materials' cost itself is not hefty. To save money it always pays to do your homework before stepping out to shop.

Thanks for visiting. - Bob "Always on the look-out"

Selective Reporting by the Media

2008-10-17T12:55:00.000-07:00

Isn't it amazing how swiftly the media can investigate and report on an unknown such as "Joe the Plumber" and withhold pertinent information about Barak H. Obama from the public because of their biased agenda?
From this simple happening a few days ago, you ought to learn that YOU will need to do your own research for the truth of anything nowadays. Just because it's in print, you can no longer assume that it is the truth; just because it isn't in print, you can no longer assume that you have had the entire truth reported - that's BIAS. No two ways about it. And, believe it or not, bias reporting has been going on for about 45 years, shaping the way people think - if they think at all any more.
With newspapers losing ground to computers, and computers available in most, if not all, libraries, there's no way you need to feel "ignorant" about issues and what is going on in this world.
Of course if truth is not important to you, none of this means anything. On the other hand, if truth IS important to you, you will need to accept the responsibility for searching truth out.
There are FIVE BIG MEN available to help you. They're invaluable questions leading to truth of a matter. I refer to: WHO? WHAT? WHERE? WHEN? HOW? Oftimes adding WHY? can be surprisingly helpful.
If the media wants to treat you like a simpleton or an ignorant fool by giving you only what they want you to know, you don't need to cooperate. When you find yourself reading something (even your local newspaper), invoke the FIVE BIG MEN to see if you're reading a full story. If you agree that you're receiving faulty reporting, which, unfortunately, is likely, do yourself a favor and abandon that source of reporting.
Belonging to an on-line activist organization may bring you full, current news of what's going on here, there, everywhere, and what's being done by WHO, WHEN, AND WHERE. There's no substitute to accurate reporting (once proudly called Journalism).
The next time you pick up something to read, you now know what to do to determine whether it deserves your time. Joe the Plumber was interesting but not worthy of our time; it just proved the unjust activity of a bias media biding time and ignoring what is truly important - the countdown to casting our privileged Vote for the next president of the United States.
If you want your vote to be taken seriously (and you definitely should), why are there not reports of what is being done about the highly questionable goings on, such as fraud at the Ballot Boxes involving 100's of thousands of ballots already cast - in at least 11 states - that, because of its association with Barak Obama, it's not being accurately reported?
We can know all about Joe the Plumber in swift time, why not report about what has been and is going on that seriously threatens our individual vote? After all, it's just a matter of days before the critical hour! Reporters have all the help they need with the FBI supposedly investigating, so they ought to be able to jump on it - if they weren't biased.
Thanks for visiting. - Bob carpe diem

Liberals Shifting the Blame

2008-10-17T12:18:00.001-07:00

Truth cannot be hidden and will always be known and revealed

For years, liberals in Congress pushed government-sponsored mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to achieve their policy ends even as they avoided fixing the organizations' abuses. Now that the financial markets are unsteady, they want to pin the blame not on these government-sponsored enterprises but on free enterprise.
The Left is looking to spin the economic crisis to their own advantage, Heritage Foundation expert Ernest Istook argues on Human Events Online. They know "that whoever shapes public understanding of what caused today's economic crisis can shape America's politics -- and its future -- for a great many years to come. Thus, they're pushing the notion that too little government regulation was at fault.'
In fact, lack of regulation is only part of the story. It wasn't too little regulation of private financial firms that's to blame—if anything, laws like the Community Reinvestment Act went too far, Istook says—but too little regulation of government-sponsored companies like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Despite early and prescient warnings from experts including Heritage's Ron Utt, liberals collaborated with Fannie and Freddie to avoid taking responsibility for their failure. Heritage president Ed Feulner explains how they achieved this:
Fannie and Freddie evaded attempts to regulate them. A big reason is that they cultivated powerful friends in Congress, such as Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn. As chair of the Senate banking committee, he pocketed more than $165,000 in campaign contributions from people associated with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Over in the House, the GSEs also enjoyed vocal support. "These two entities -- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- are not facing any kind of financial crisis," Rep. Barney Frank, now head of the House Banking Committee, said in 2003. "The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing."
Today, these same liberals who for so long resisted doing anything about Fannie and Freddie are now crying out for a Congressional investigation. "Clearly, these gentlemen cannot credibly lead an investigation into the collapse of the very companies they championed," Feulner argues.
To get at the real root of the financial crisis, Feulner proposes a "Financial Crisis Commission," independent of the Congress. And what might this commission find? Feulner says that "a fair and complete investigation seems likely to confirm that wisdom by revealing that many of today's problems were triggered by our elected officials -- not by a failure of the free market."
(The above is courtesy of The Heritage Foundation of which I am a proud member.) Thanks for visiting. - Bob II Tim 4:2