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| Phyllis Schlafly and CFP columnist Jim O'Neill. |
"A nation of well informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins." -- Benjamin Franklin
In this article I'll finish discussing the HTBA (How to Take Back America) conference that I wrote about in my
previous article.
On Saturday, the final day of the conference, speeches were given by Mike Huckabee, Phyllis Schlafly, Janet Porter, and House Representatives Michelle Bachman, Trent Franks, and Tom McClintock.
In any other venue, each of the talks that these individuals gave, would have been considered the keynote speech, and the highlight of the event. At the HTBA conference however, there was a plethora of oratorical excellence.
To put it in the vernacular, there was a lot of darn good talkin' going on.
The general mood of the audience is summed up by the statement, "I've never heard so much bad news, and felt so good at the same time." A worried but hopeful feeling.
The "bad news" imparted by the speakers, and in the work shops, was more than offset by the ambiance of enthusiasm, faith, and patriotism that pervaded the conference.
Permit me to say a few words regarding faith and patriotism.
You cannot support changing the Constitution, and call yourself a patriot. You cannot extol globalization at the expense of American sovereignty, and call yourself a patriot. You cannot demean entrepreneurial freedom, and call yourself a patriot. You cannot support the removal of God from our government and culture, and call yourself a patriot.
The liberals endorse all of those things, and many other concepts, doctrines, and actions that belittle and diminish the United States. They are ipso facto unpatriotic, if not traitorous -- blather about their "patriotic" use of the First Amendment notwithstanding.
At best, liberals are occasionally nationalists. Nationalism is a pugnacious mental stance -- a thing of the mind.
Nationalism according to Wikipedia, "is a type of collectivism emphasizing the collective of a specific nation." And as we know, collectivism -- Marxism, Fascism, Communism, et al. -- is a doctrine of the Left.
True patriotism is a love of America -- it is a thing of the heart and soul. A true patriot loves and supports America, and American values.
Although the right-wing has its share of unpatriotic individuals, it is primarily the left-wing that attacks and devalues America.
The liberals are in close proximity to the Far Left. And the Far Left, being atheists who believe that "the end justifies the means," are manipulative liars of the first order. Liberals are guilty by association, if nothing else.
If you are a liberal, and consider yourself patriotic, then you either need to give up your political stance, or give up your claim to truth and patriotism.
You cannot belong to a group that trumpets love for the planet, over love for America, and call yourself patriotic.
Which is not to say that the two feelings are mutually exclusive. One can love America, and still -- indeed should -- love the planet. It's a question of priorities -- which comes first in your heart?
Back to the HTBA conference. If you missed the conference, I would strongly suggest that you purchase CDs from the event at the
American Family Association website.
At the minimum, I would get the two Lunch and Dinner sessions from September 26. These CDs include speeches by Michelle Bachman, Trent Franks, Phyllis Schlafly, Janet Porter, Tom McClintock, and Governor Mike Huckabee.
I guarantee that the cumulative effect of these speeches will leave you "worried but hopeful," as well.
One of the perks of attending the conference was simply being in the company of so many dedicated, enthusiastic, God-loving patriots.
I didn't attend the conference in order to "network," but nonetheless I kept running into "movers and shakers."
One of my dinner companions Saturday night was the irrepressible Hon. Helen Marie Taylor, who at 85 is still a pistol. I couldn't help but wonder what she must have been like "back in the day." Her bio is
worth a look. A well lived, interesting, and patriotic life, in anybody's book.
Standing in line, waiting for the doors to open to one of the events, I got into a conversation with Elaine Donnelly, the President of the
Center for Military Readiness.
As I was checking out of the hotel early yesterday,
Joe "The Plumber" Wurzelbacher was checking out as well, and we chatted a bit about "his" NFL team (the Bengals), and "my" team (the Tampa Bay Bucs).
Not earth-shaking conversations, to be sure, but rubbing shoulders with such committed, patriotic Americans, coupled with the electrifying speeches I heard, left me with a renewed sense of purpose, enthusiasm, and direction.
Perhaps the most important message of the HTBA conference, was the plea for each of the attendees to spread the "word," upon returning home. By the "word" was meant both the danger America is in (which is extreme), and the need for Americans to embrace "God, flag, and country," and get active.
To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, we need to remember and prize the rights which God has given us. Which God has given us.
America is in mortal danger, make no mistake -- and if there ever was a time for conservatives to rise up, band together, and take action, this is it.
The place is here, the time is now, and we are chosen to be the ones who will defend "the world's last best hope."
Let's get to it.
Laus Deo.
Addendum: In case you may have forgotten, America is at war -- against Islamic terrorists -- and brave men and women are paying a dear price for our freedom.
The GWOT (Global War on Terror) is not mentioned in the press anymore.
I received the following email today. Please join me in a prayer for this hero, and his family -- and for all of our other military men and women, past, present, and future.
SO2 Ryan C. Job - Class 251 USN Retired
It is with great sadness that the UDT-SEAL Association informs the membership of the passing of SO2 Ryan C. Job - Class 251 USN (Ret.)
Ryan was recuperating from reconstructive surgery and in good spirits when he passed away unexpectedly September 24th 2009. The exact cause of his death is not known at this time. Doctors performed surgery last Monday to repair damage to his eye socket he sustained during a ST-3 combat mission in Iraq on August 2nd, 2006.
Although Ryan lost his eyesight to a sniper's bullet and his lifelong dream of becoming a commercial pilot, he returned from Iraq determined to press on. He embraced his recovery with the same passion and drive he embodied to earn his Trident. He was supported by many caring people in his recovery process these past three years, and none more dedicated than his loving wife Kelly who is pregnant with their first child and due in May. Ryan and his family drew strength and inspiration from his teammates and veterans organizations who rallied around him to help him reach his goals. Ryan just graduated from college this last semester and had recently started a new job with General Dynamics in Scottsdale, Ariz. Ryan has been an inspiration to us all. His passing is a tremendous loss for the Navy and this Nation.
Ryan is survived by his wife Kelly, mother Debbie, father Eric, brother Aaaron, sister Kelsie and grandmother Barbara McCormick.
The family respectfully requests donations to the charitable organization of your choice in lieu of flowers.
