Thanks, Jay!
Am I blatantly political? Nope! But I'm a conservative individual with six decades under my belt who believes that our universe is not happenstance. I believe, along with our founding fathers, that no one religion should be the "State Religion" to the exclusion of others. But that's what's happening today. My definition of religion includes such faiths as Atheism, Secularism, and Materialism. Many of their adherents are among the most intolerant people I know, working to strike God and references to God from the public sphere.
Ben Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other of the founding fathers held strong opinions about the necessity of strength. Individual strength. Military strength. They believed in the existence of a Creator.
EDIT: Let me be clear. Our founding fathers certainly believed that true religion had a vital place in our government. Look at their actions. Read their writings. They believed in an eternal Creator, they believed in public prayer to God on behalf of themselves and their constituents. For more on this, please check out this post by Elizabeth Nieves, and another by Missy Caulk.
Those beliefs attract ridicule from segments of modern society. That's foolishness. It's closeminded and arrogant to argue by ridicule, whether you're a graduate of Yale, Harvard, or the school of hard knocks.
Engagement trumps argument. I prefer to talk with, and listen to people (like the young lady on the armored vehicle) who have chosen a course of action in their lives, and can articulate why they chose that course.
Her name is Dani, and she's my niece. Dani's a blogger. I couldn't be more proud of this young lady. She's smart. She's tough. She's becoming an accomplished linguist. And at the moment, she's in Iraq, a volunteer soldier in the US Army.
"I joined the Army knowing we were involved in a war. I didn't join for the money or the recognition. I want to serve my country in any way I can no matter what country I may end up in. I love what I do and though at times it gets a bit rough being away from home I can't imagine doing anything else. I am surrounded by a great group of soldiers and I'm glad that I have them, my brothers and sisters, by my side as we take Iraq by storm to hopefully be able to restore some peace to the people there that have suffered so greatly at the hands of a merciless leader and heartless terrorists. We will do our job and do it well and we'll be home before you know it. Until then keep us in your prayers.
I appreciate Jay's invitation to join this group. Don't look for anything from me but considered opinion. If you comment here, don't let your tongue get in front of your eye teeth. (You can't see what you're saying.) LOL
I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, Arizona mortgage lender.
Think of me as your local expert.
Mike - your niece seems like a level headed woman with strong convictions. Please thank her for her service to our country and for her courage in willing to put her life on the line. She is a true hero. She and her comrads are in my prayers.
God Bless your neice and all the soldiers in the service of our country. They are the ones who make it possible for us to blog in freedom on such groups as this Blatant Politics. :)
Now, Mike, I have called myself, at turns, a Secularist, Humanist, a Universalist, and a Follower of the Old Ways, and I think I'm reasonably tolerant. :-)
And I send my deep graititude to your niece Dani!!!! What is the web address of her blog? I'd love to read it!
We need to keep all the troops in our prayers I am afraid the reason we started the war may have been suspect but now that we are there we need to finish the job. Dani and her friends are doing a great job.
I completely agree with your feelings about no religion in our political system. It doesn't mean that I am not Christian, but I don't think my religious beliefs, or anyone elses has the right to determine where our democracy is headed.
On that note, I also happen to think that our country has forgotten about constitutional rights. Not everything should be up for vote. Some rights are simply rights - having a vote on a minority issue rarely works to bring the minorities to legal right status..... makes me crazy right now.... ugh!
Mike, thanks for joining the group!
Being able to articulate why you do what you do in life is vastly important. Your niece is a brave, thoughtful woman and I wish you and her the best.
With Blatant Politics, I wanted to create an outlet for people to not only be honest and to articulate their political beliefs, but to also have a place to vent political frustrations.
Whether we agree on any given issue or not, I look forward to hearing thoughts.
Best regards,
Jay
God bless your niece... we'll certainly say a prayer that she returns home safe and sound. "don't let your tongue get in front of your eye teeth." I haven't heard that in a coons age :)
Jesse,
What's a "coons age"? LOL
Jay,
Thanks for the invitation.
Melissa,
You might want to read my post again. We don't agree at all. I think our political system is rife with the religions of secularism, atheism and materialism. These three have become the de facto state religion to the exclusion of all others, and it sucks scissors! Our founding fathers certainly believed that true religion had a place in our government. Look at their actions. Read their writings. They believed in an eternal Creator, they believed in public prayer to God on behalf of themselves and their constituents. Please check out this post by Elizabeth Nieves, and another by Missy Caulk.
Terry,
Thanks for commenting!
Cheryl,
I'm looking forward to having a cup of coffee with you! I'll email Dani's blog url.
Gail,
That's the truth!
Judy,
Thanks for praying for her! Also, for being the first to comment.
Mike in Tucson
Mike,
Well stated sentiments sir. Your niece and all of the other servicemen and women have been in our prayers for a long time now and will continue to be until they are all home safe. Let her know that we appreciate her service.
Mike: My prayers are with Dani and her fellow soldiers. Thank God for their courage and devoted efforts and what greater calling than the one our fine soldiers have answered. I hope they all are home very soon and may God Speed.
Mike, thank Dani for her service to our country. Where is she at in Iraq? Our son is at Forward Operating Base Falcon. In reading your post I expect we could talk both religion and politics and we would be in agreement.
Marchel,
I expect we would agree. I don't know where Dani is stationed. Thank you for commenting, and for your son's service to our Country.
Donna,
Thanks for your prayers and well wishes.
Don,
Thanks! We'll pass it on.
Mike in Tucson
Mike- Please thank Dani for her service to our country. She is fighting for our freedom which is on attack from all fronts. She is in my prayers.
Providence is a part of our constitution. The very words our forefathers uttered that God guided them here, that GOD walked by their side and in so doing this land is a blessed country. God has always said he blesses those countries that follow him and live with morals and principles.
The attack on morals and values in our country is destroying the family and all that is good. This is a serious time and we must turn our hearts back to our creator.
Mike,
Welcome. Thanks for your stance!
Mike,
I have resisted from joining that group. I am a conservative chrisitan (and ex military) who does not care to read some of the trash the liberals are putting out.
Mike F.
Sounds like a good stance as well. I just don't visit that much.
Mike F.
I try to invite a variety of people with a variety political beliefs. There's not much of a point in only preaching to the choir or only reading posts with which you agree.