Liberty

Liberty is an amazing, wonderful opportunity given to us by our founding fathers and by those fighting to keep it free. However, do those that have this liberty understand how valuable this is? How hard are they going to fight to keep it? Or are they going to give it away?
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little
temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Ben Franklin, ~1784

Years ago in Napoleon’s day they sacrificed freedom that was easily within their reach. Napoleon had demolished the rulers in their country but in a way placed himself as ruler. The people, tired of war, were willing to do anything to keep the peace. They followed him and did whatever he asked. If they had been willing to fight for their liberty and not just be happy with what they had they could have become a very strong country.
Only seven and a half years ago the United States of America was jerked awake by cruel attacks on our country. Many people wanted to (and still want to) negotiate with these countries that have put us through theses terrorist attacks. Thankfully our President had the presence of mind and the guts to send us to war to fight for our Liberty. If we negotiate we will be giving away our liberty, the liberty we have worked and fought so hard for.
A question asked is “what do you believe is worse – a domineering government or the attitudes of the people who will allow themselves to be dominated?”. A domineering government is annoying but we have lived through it before and can fight through it again. However, when we have people who are willing to be dominated, the liberty that has been fought for will fall quickly.
Those that give away their liberty by allowing themselves to be dominated by their government have no reason or right to have liberty. They have thrown the crown of liberty, which was won by the blood of our forefathers, on the ground and let it rust away. Liberty is a gift! Don’t let go of it! I side with Patrick Henry who says, “I know not what others may choose but, as for me, give me liberty or give me death.” I also appreciate what John Quincy Adams said, “Be not intimidated... nor suffer yourselves to be wheedled out of your liberties by any pretense of politeness, delicacy, or decency. These, as they are often used, are but three different names for hypocrisy, chicanery and cowardice.”.
I now present you with the question. What do you believe is worse – a domineering government or the attitudes of the people who will allow themselves to be dominated? Which do you want? Do you want your liberty or do you want to give it up for possible safety? Which do you choose?

How Do We Keep America Strong?

Much has been made of the recent "bailouts" and loan guarantees offered to private banks and corporations in the United States. It brings up the question of what the proper role of government should be and what would be best for all of us in the long run.

Individual (and Corporate) Responsibility vs. Government Assistance
Among the concepts that have made America a great and strong nation is one of personal responsibility. We are not a nation of wimps. We were founded on the principles of self-reliance and responsibility for our actions. If we were successful in our endeavors, we reaped the rewards; if we failed, we took our "lumps", retrenched and tried again.

Written by Jack Hoogendyk
(used with permission)

Dare to do right!

DARE TO DO RIGHT

Dare to do right! Dare to be true!
You have a work that no other can do;
Do it so bravely, so kindly, so well,
Angels will hasten the story to tell.

Dare to do right! Dare to be true!
Other men's failures can never save you.
Stand by your conscience, your honor, your faith;
Stand like a hero and battle till death.

Can we dare to right? Can we stand up against the wrong? Our wonderful Country is in need of people to stand up against all of the sin and wickedness, as well as against the bad politicians(or I suppose they are good politicians, but bad people). Let's stand up for the right, together!
~Bethany~

How I named this blog

Our homeschool group had a movie making class and one of the students made a movie that had a picture slide with the song Have You Forgotten playing. I know most of our country has not really forgotten that day, but yet they do not seem to remember that so many people were killed on that day, September 11, 2001. They do not seem to remember how many were killed in the World Wars, the Civil War or the Revolutionary War. They do not remember the American people who were killed fighting for other countries such as Vietnam and now Iraq. Has American forgotten? I thought I would post the words of the song here on my new blog so that you may see them and not forget what our country has gone through for our freedom.

Have You Forgotten
(Darryl Worley/Wynn Varble)

I hear people saying we don't need this war
I say there's some things worth fighting for
What about our freedom and this piece of ground
We didn't get to keep 'em by backing down
They say we don't realize the mess we're getting in
Before you start your preaching let me ask you this my friend

Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And you say we shouldn't worry 'bout bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

They took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it's too disturbing for you and me
It'll just breed anger that's what the experts say
If it was up to me I'd show it everyday
Some say this country's just out looking for a fight
After 9/11 man I'd have to say that's right

Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And you say we shouldn't worry 'bout bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
And you can bet that they remember
Just what they're fighting for

Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And you say we shouldn't worry 'bout bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

Have you forgotten all the people killed?
Some went down like heros in that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?
All the loved ones that we lost and those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry about bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?