It's a Prohibition Prohibited Thing

Dear America,

not sure why we have to re-litigate what the Constitution actually says, or means...

does a cross, atop a hill, translate into a national religion --  a belief system held by all -- without uttering a single word?  But while we're at it --  just how offensive can a cross possibly be really?

and tell me, someone, anyone, atheists and all, where does "the free exercise thereof" start and stop?

Amendment I, of the Constitution of these fine United States, states:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peacefully to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

oh, so, all of a sudden we can no longer display in memoriam of service to country, in honor of the selfless giving of life and limb, a universal symbol of faith that transcends our very humanity, monopolized and immortalized by Christianity  (a faith including an overwhelming majority of Americans in it's ranks and recognized the world over) -- BUT we are to have no problem with the state mandating every single one of us to pay for contraception, even if said mandate goes against our religious beliefs with every fiber of our being, as per a new LAW, Obamacare -- usurping company policy, church policy, Catholic hospital policy, far and wide.    Obamacare comingles church and state in ways we never thought possible...[And another hot topic not to be overlooked: the state becoming intimately involved with the definition of marriage and going against religious beliefs...]

If anything, the resolution following individual(s) grievances should come by way of adding something to the memorial --  say the Jewish star,  or some kind of Atheist bench supported with a balanced set of capital A's as it's legs --  but not in the taking of something down!   IF the final answer from 'judge and jury' is to actually REMOVE the cross from atop this fine hill of Mt. Soledad, then it would be in THAT moment that the church and state have tragically, and recklessly, and improperly, comingled relations.  In that moment, the state would be taking sides and prohibiting the free exercise of one religion at the behest of another.

A memorial is a place where people have peacefully assembled by name etched into marble; and in turn, other people assemble throughout the years to honor them.

And just think about it, at some point, people assembled and decided to erect a cross atop a hill in memory of the souls lost in the service to country, on behalf of freedom and liberty everywhere.

In the spirit of the times, way back nearly sixty years ago -- the decision was made to build a cross atop a hill -- an idea fully supported by the neighboring community and the consensus, at large.

And a cross was built. 

And it was good. 

And it was beautiful. 

IT IS BEAUTIFUL.  It takes in the surrounding 360 degree view of San Diego -- from the mountains, to the mesa, to the waves of ocean blue.

The thing is, there is ZERO Constitutional argument or support against the action of placing a cross atop a hill, whether mountain or mole hill, be it federal or state land; with certain, the only argument -- as insecure as it is -- is generated from a despicable place deep down inside, churning, fuming, as a civil co-existence seems to escapes us.  What rises up from the bottom of the earth and allowed to settle into the courts goes against the very intentions of our first amendment, let alone the exceptional nature of this fine nation.

And it's ironic, really.
Just last night our president attended "Christmas in Washington."

Words of wisdom from our dear president -- while citing the need for charity and compassion this holiday season and making the teachings of Jesus instrumental in his appeal -- give rise to a pause:

"Through his example, he taught us that we should love the Lord, love our neighbors, as we love ourselves. It's a teaching that has endured for generations. And today, it lies at the heart of my faith and that of millions of Americans, and billions around the globe," Obama said.

"No matter who we are, or where we come from, or how we worship, it's a message of hope and devotion that can unite all of us this holiday season,"

One would hope, anyway, as the courtroom rises to welcome the judge to the bench in the morning.  And way to go, Mr. President, exhibiting your free exercise thereof.  Amen.

But think about it...

Our faith, from our founders and beyond, IS our state.   It's our state of mind; it's divine providence leading the way; it's in God we trust; it's within us as we live our daily life, surrounding us with love; it's at the core of who we are as a people, as a nation.

The INDIVIDUAL was given free reign in the free exercise of one's religion -- meaning prohibition, prohibited.

No, we do not have a national religion; It has us.  And, like the president said, "no matter who we are, or where we come from, or how we worship, [or not], it's a message of hope and devotion that can unite all of us this holiday season."  

It lies in our heart and soul, and "has endured for generations," whether the cross stays or goes.

Make it a Good Day, G
 

It's Revolting, really...and it's a bad, bad Thing

Dear America,

it's revolting, really.

repulsive.

disgusting beyond words.

Let's just hop, skip, and flip burgers to the last couple of summations from the American president:

It’s not enough anymore to just say we should just get our government out of the way and let the unfettered market take care of it -- for our experience tells us that’s just not true.  (Applause.)

Look, I’ve never believed that government can solve every problem or should -- and neither do you.  We know that ultimately our strength is grounded in our people -- individuals out there, striving, working, making things happen.  It depends on community, a rich and generous sense of community -- that’s at the core of what happens at THEARC here every day.  You understand that turning back rising inequality and expanding opportunity requires parents taking responsibility for their kids, kids taking responsibility to work hard.  It requires religious leaders who mobilize their congregations to rebuild neighborhoods block by block, requires civic organizations that can help train the unemployed, link them with businesses for the jobs of the future.  It requires companies and CEOs to set an example by providing decent wages, and salaries, and benefits for their workers, and a shot for somebody who is down on his or her luck.  We know that’s our strength -- our people, our communities, our businesses.

But government can’t stand on the sidelines in our efforts.  Because government is us.  It can and should reflect our deepest values and commitments.  And if we refocus our energies on building an economy that grows for everybody, and gives every child in this country a fair chance at success, then I remain confident that the future still looks brighter than the past, and that the best days for this country we love are still ahead.  (Applause.)

"It's not enough,"  he says, "to just say we should just get our government  out of the way and let the unfettered market take care of it..."

"That's just not true," he says, after having the gall to mention the name Adam Smith within the same body politic discriminately prosed as polished free enterprise speak -- based upon self-reliance and hard work and virtue -- only to have it intermittently stained with an underlying progressive agenda determined to undermine that same free market all along the way.  This is the way, the voice, of the social engineering, fiercely ideological driven, American anarchist.

His entire speech leaves me speechless.

And yet no, not really; there is so much more to say.

Lucky for you, however, the old g thang is STILL not of this blogosphere to give my full retort.  Something called gainful employment is asking more of my time these days -- and it's a good thing, too.

So upon this cyber-Thursday, let me leave you with just two things to read for yourself.

First, the king's speech, here.

Second, a link to a piece written by John Podesta, the guy who leads the Center for American Progress -- the location where the oration was ceremoniously displayed.   It came with the heading, "Proponents of austerity are out of ideas..." and was featured not all that long ago on The Guardian, October 24, 2013.


Going out on a proverbial limb masquerading as a trunk, what's tripping America up these days is the rather broad-based walking contradictions of who we are and what America stands for that are now coming to a head.  For the progressive, it's as simple as this:  "growing the economy from the middle out, rather than from the top down, is the only way to build broad, long-term prosperity."

When, in fact, they have entirely misunderstood the American way [on purpose, of course].

It's never been the "top down" -- even if born and raised under that illusion.

For America designed and championed a certain exceptional, worldly, economic, and virtuous understanding of a certain way of life.  America expected a certain respect of the law from everyone, in equal portion; learning to grow and revolve and find happiness and wealth from not only the bottom up --  no matter what race, no matter what religion, no matter what socio-economic reality -- but with the expectation there was no such thing as INCOME EQUALITY!

America is not designed for all of us to make $10.10 per hour.  Just think of how absurd that idea is!

Sure, this is an oversimplification on the day; but I have no time to waste.

With any kind of luck, I will make my case stronger, brighter, upon light of day tomorrow.  Until then...

Make it a Good Day, G