The Oath of Office & Political Action

When I reported for basic training at the Air Force Academy I took the UNIFORMED MILITARY OATH OF OFFICE. I took that oath, again, when I was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force. All servicemen and women take a similar oath, as do members of Congress. The words are nearly identical:

I, [name], do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.

As a military man, with that oath in mind, I put my efforts into defending my country from the enemies that sought to do us harm or destroy us. I spent my career focusing those efforts on the Soviet threat, the War on Terror and other enemies of the time. Members of the military were not supposed to be political. Although I kept track of politics, I was primarily interested in how it related to our national security and defense. I guess my philosophy was that I would protect my country from outside threats, and the people (civilians) would keep their eyes on the domestic scene and the politicians. I have been retired from the military for some time, now. Though I still keep my eyes on critical issues related to our national security and defense, domestic issues and politics have increasingly captured my attention and concern.

Our founders were very wary of too much power in the hands of the Federal Government, and they carefully crafted our Constitution to minimize the Federal Government’s interference in the daily lives of its citizens. After all, this country was born out of overtaxing and excessive interference by Great Britain. In fact, the 10th Amendment, part of the Bill of Rights, states “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” It appears, however, the Obama Administration has not honored this. With the financial crisis as justification, the Obama administration began to eliminate Free Enterprise. This country thrived and became the envy of the world through Free Enterprise. This principle harnessed and accelerated the entrepreneurial spirit of individuals by allowing them to reap the benefits and prosper as a result of their ideas and initiative WITH MINIMAL INTERFERENCE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

Despite public outcry, the Obama Administration interfered in the marketplace when it “bailed out” the financial industry. It, then, went on to bail out the auto industry. In the process, the Obama Administration effectively nationalized both industries! We, now, have a government that controls, both, the financial and auto industries. And it hasn’t stopped. Now, despite public outcry, the Obama Administration is trying to nationalize the nation’s healthcare system! And let’s not forget the Administration’s plan to redistribute wealth from the wealthy to those who don’t even pay taxes. Ladies and Gentlemen, that is SOCIALISM! And along the way the Obama Administration is bankrupting this country by increasing our National Debt by trillions of dollars.

What concerns me most is the way the Obama Administration is going about accomplishing its agenda. IT HAS THROWN OUT OUR CONSTITUTION! In the process, the Obama Administration has ignored the will of the people and given itself powers not enumerated in the Constitution, violating the 10th Amendment. Additionally, the Obama Administration, along with the liberal left, is attacking our First Amendment Freedom of Speech by intimidating, vilifying and threatening anyone who disagrees with their agenda. They are encouraging citizens to report fellow citizens who make statements contrary to their agenda. These kinds of STRONG ARM tactics were the tools of the most repressive, ruthless, totalitarian dictators in history, like Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini! And, at the same time, the Obama Administration is trying to take away our Second Amendment right to bear arms. So, in six short months since the Obama administration has been in office, it has attacked three items of our Bill of Rights! You are probably asking, “What does this have to do with the Oath of Office?”

Today, as I was eating lunch, the words of the oath I took many years ago came back to me. “I…do solemnly swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign AND DOMESTIC…” I have an obligation to defend my country from any enemies that would harm the Constitution! Of course, I’m not advocating violence or revolution. But I believe I have a solemn duty to involve myself in any way I can to stop those that would harm the Constitution. That includes the Obama Administration and anyone or any group that would do harm to the Constitution.

I know many of my blog readers are military and ex-military. I submit to you we need to involve ourselves in any way we can to honor the solemn oath we took to “support and defend the Constitution”. MAKE NO MISTAKE: WE ARE UNDER ATTACK! This enemy is “within”. But it is as surely an enemy as is Al Qaeda. It is a “domestic” enemy. Whether it is an op ed in a blog or a newspaper, writing an elected official or attending a meeting, we all have a solemn duty to involve ourselves. If you are not military, you have the same obligation. The Oath of Citizenship states the same words, “…I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”

So, if you are an American, I challenge you. Involve yourself. This is your call to action.

How to Avoid the Swine Flu

Since hearing of the H1N1 or Swine Flu outbreak this summer I have been concerned that what we have seen, so far, has been just a preview and that the pandemic will return with a vengeance when the normal flu season returns this year. I believe the key to avoid being infected and to limit the spread of this pandemic is to know and take all possible precautions. Knowing what those precautions are is the first step.

Deborah Castelli, a dear friend and a 40 year RN, BSN, who has vast education and experience dealing with flu pandemics, sent me the perfect e-mail that lists the precautions we can take to prevent being infected with and spreading the Swine Flu this season. I have posted it, below, in its entirety, for your review. I urge you to follow the procedures it outlines and forward it to others. The more people that take these precautions, the less this pandemic will spread. You may well save your own life or the life of someone someone you love.

Hello Everyone -

As you know, I have spent over 40 years in the nursing profession. In the LAST SWINE FLU epidemic (in the mid '70's), I headed up an Swine Flu Immunization Team and personally immunized over 3,000 people at Maine East High School in Park Ridge, Illinois.

In the intervening years I have kept my "ear to the ground" listening, studying and trying to learn as much as I could about staying healthy in our ever increasingly crowded, polluted, unhealthy world. With a dangerous and potentially deadly flu season approaching I have decided to send everyone that I care about an email containing my best recommendations for staying healthy in an epidemic.

To begin:

A little background information.
FLU is a viral illness. While it is possible to have what experts call a bacterial overlay infection, this is not why you get the flu. You get the flu because a VIRUS has invaded your system and overpowered your immune system.

THIS MEANS THAT TAKING ANTIBIOTICS WILL NOT HELP YOU RECOVER FROM THE FLU and - pay attention here : Antibiotics may actually SLOW or PREVENT your recovery, especially in the early stages of your flu infection. This is because your body uses many "helpful" bacteria - many of which are involved in fighting foreign viruses and bacteria. Taking an antibiotic often (probably ALWAYS) kills as many helpful bacteria as bad bacteria.

On to prevention:

In a word: GET YOUR FLU SHOTS!
AND this year it is going to be at least 2 flu shots (one for the usual fall flu strains, and at least one - and possibly 2 - specifically for the Swine Flu).
No arguments. GET THE SHOTS. Even if you THINK that when you get the shot you always seem to get the flu - take the shot anyway. It is nearly impossible for you to get the flu FROM the shot - but even if you DO (please, not likely) it will be WAY WAY less severe than the potentially lethal flu that we could face this fall.

NEXT: WASH YOUR HANDS!! AND DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE, EYES, NOSE, LIPS EVER.

Viruses are hardy, tough to kill and survive for hours, days or even weeks on surfaces you may touch.
This includes but is not limited to:
sinks, toilets, doorknobs, steering wheels, pens, pencils, shopping carts, computers, bed linens, hands! ..... the list is endless and the lesson is clear:
Since you cannot go thru life with your hands in your pockets: YOU MUST KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN.

A little story here:
When Charlie - the friendly pilot who stands at the door of the United jet and shakes your hand - first got hired, he started - for the first time in his life - to get frequent colds and upper respiratory infections.
I told him: "Wash your hands 5 times a day - or every chance you get - and keep your hands off your face" - his colds and URI's stopped immediately.

WHEN YOU WASH YOUR HANDS USE SOAP AND WARM WATER AND SING "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME" IN YOUR HEAD
- or out loud.... your choice! It takes at least that long to get the job done right.

There will be plenty of times when you cannot wash your hands. Hospitals and clinics have been using "instant hand sanitizers" for years. There are several that come in large pump bottles plus a small pocket sized refillable container. Buy it at WalMart, KMart, Target etc.
Ladies: for your purse: "Wet Ones" hand wipes come in purse sized packages.
These hand sanitizers & wipes are good in a pinch - but are not even CLOSE to as good as a good old hand wash. The instant hand sanitizers are most effective on bacteria and will remove some but not all viruses. With the wipes, you have a better chance to "wipe" them off.

Beyond Hand Washing:

Get ADEQUATE REST:
This may sound sort of stupid - but it is absolutely TRUE. Lack of sleep DAMAGES your immune system. If you are well rested your chance of not getting the flu or surviving it if you DO get the flu - are much, much improved.

Get MODERATE EXERCISE:
Same thing. Couch potatoes have weaker immune response when challenged by a virus.

EAT YOUR VEGGIES:
This is almost too big to cover here. But everything Mom used to tell you is good for you ACTUALLY IS! Especially during FLU season - reach for all the brightly colored veggies: tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, green peppers, red peppers, kale, spinach....

EAT FRESH FRUIT: same thing - bright colors contain the most antioxidant and protective immune building nutrients.

Okay, you say: I do ALL of THAT ALREADY!
Right, ME TOO

COVER YOUR MOUTH WHEN YOU COUGH
IF YOU ARE SICK - STAY HOME!

HERE IS WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO:

WEAR A MASK WHEN OUT IN PUBLIC. This sounds odd right now, but if people don't stay home when they are sick and are sitting on buses, trains and in other public places COUGHING - a mask does offer a bit of protection, Not perfect, but better than nothing.
Here are 2 sites with mask info:
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/04/28/f-flumasks.html
http://www.flupharmacy.com/nanomask.html

TAKE A PROBIOTIC:
Start NOW. Do not wait until September 20th and expect it to help protect you!
There are plenty of choices out there. Look for one containing L. casei immunitas. DanActiv Immunity is one that we use and like. These are 3 ounce probiotic dairy drinks. Any good grocery or health food store will have it, but I buy it at Sam's Club by the case and save a bunch of $$. Drink one daily.

If you don't like the drink, are traveling, or just want something more convenient: try Probiotic Pearls. These are tiny "pearl" shaped packets of active cultures packaged in convenient blister packs that you can tuck in your purse or briefcase. They are available in formulas designed to improve "irregularity", and other problems, but get one that contains cultures to improve your IMMUNE SYSTEM. The package will tell you which one it contains right on the label. While a grocery like Whole Foods is more likely to carry Probiotic Pearls, your local grocery is not. Look for these in your health food store.

Eat ACTIVE CULTURE YOGURT,
Read the label. Get one with Active Cultures. To get any benefit you have to eat yogurt daily. During flu season it becomes either our breakfast or desert after dinner. Our favorite is StoneyField Farms yogurt. (http://www.stonyfield.com/Wellness/Faqs.cfm)
It is a tiny bit more expensive but does not contain preservatives, is packaged in safe containers and is generally available. See http://www.stonyfield.com/Wellness/Faqs.cfm for all kinds of information! Because it has no preservative this one is the one I like to use to make my own yogurt, and it also makes great yogurt cheese by staining it.

SOOOooooo ....
You have done ALL of the above, and on your way home from work on the train, in the car, on the jet .... what ever: YOU GET THAT ACHEY-FEVERISH-SORE THROAT-COMING ON-FEELING that says : "OMG I am getting the FLU!!!

Don't panic! Reach into your __________(purse, briefcase, carry-on bag) and pull out your __________(bottle or blister pack) of
ECHINACEA. (pronounced: eck - in- ay' - see - a). This totally safe herbal has been used for CENTURIES all over the world. Charlie and I both carry a blister pack of Echinacea with us EVERYWHERE. Keep this ON YOUR PERSON Because: You need to take this at the VERY FIRST SIGN of the virus grabbing you.

That's right: you feel the achy or feverish sore throaty thing and IMMEDIATELY take your echinacea. Various studies have been done (the best were done in Germany over 10 years ago) and they found that as a daily "tonic" echinacea did not seem to much improve your chances of staying well during flu season.

BUT.....if you take 2 to 4 capsules at the VERY FIRST SIGN of your flu - most people feel the symptoms go away within just a few minutes (like 10 to 20 minutes). The effect seems to last for several hours - sometimes up to 24 hours and then the symptoms return. At that time - take another 2 - 4 capsules. Continue doing this - taking another dose when your symptoms return.... until you find that your symptoms DO NOT RETURN. Be ready tho: sometimes, within a week or so of the symptoms disappearing if I am tired or stressed in some way - I go thru the whole process all over again. It is almost as if the virus goes into hiding and reappears when my defenses are down. So if you DO have a "near miss" with the Flu - try to get extra rest and keep your echinacea handy!

Just in general: If you take the capsules IMMEDIATELY and do not wait until: the meeting is finished, I get home from work, the kids settle down for their nap, the laundry is folded...... Echinacea will stop your flu, cold, URI in it's tracks. This has worked VERY VERY well for Charlie and I .... and working in the ER I used to get the flu and colds CONSTANTLY!

And now, in closing this little missive:

The experts, and so far our experience has shown them to be right, are predicting that this fall the flu will attack and kill young people. A young healthy 20 year old man died today here in Florida. This is just exactly the pattern of the great Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918 - 1920. That Pandemic was ALSO a H1N1 virus, attacked young healthy people, spread worldwide and killed between 80 & 100 MILLION PEOPLE.

I am sending this to you because I LOVE you and want you to stay safe. I know that some will say "Oh, it probably won't be as bad as all that" and do nothing.

This list is not complete, I have done the best that I can and I want you to know:

WHAT IF THEY ARE RIGHT
ARE THESE FEW RECOMMENDATIONS REALLY TOO MUCH TO DO TO SAVE YOUR LIFE?
WOULD YOU PLEASE DO IT JUST FOR ME??

Stay safe!
Deborah

F-22 Acquisition: Urgent Call to Action

The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation fighter aircraft that uses stealth technology. It was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, but has additional capabilities that include ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence roles. It is an essential element for defending our country and supporting our troops in future wars.

After being harassed and brow beaten by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Air Force leaders reluctantly agreed to cut their minimum request for F-22 production from 243 aircraft to 187. Both Secretary of the Air Force, Michael B. Donley, and Air Force Chief of Staff, General Norton A. Schwartz, have been silenced from speaking their minds on this issue by a gag agreement with Secretary Gates. This is just one of seven critical Air Force programs Secretary Gates has slashed in recent months (see my previous article, Secretary of Defense Emasculates the Air Force). And evidence suggests Secretary Gates fired former Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Wynne, and Air Force Chief of Staff, General Michael Moseley, for pressing Congress for funds to maintain the future viability of the Air Force (see my previous article, Firing the SECAF and CSAF: More Than Meets the Eye).

Recently, countless generals (current and retired) and members of Congress have gone on record to decry the F-22 acquisition reduction as dangerous for our future national defense and to overturn Secretary Gates' decision to halt F-22 production. President Obama has threatened to veto any bill that increases F-22 production above the 187 aircraft limit imposed by Secretary Gates.

Our leaders need to hear from us on this issue. Once the production line is closed it can NEVER be reopened. If we decide, later, we need more F-22s it will be too late! Our troops will pay the ultimate price on the battlefield if we fail to produce the required number of F-22s they will need to protect them. Click on the link, Buy More F-22s, to send a letter to your elected officials to demand they fund the full 243 F-22 aircraft production. This link will take you to the official US Congress website where you can write one letter to be sent to the President, your Congressman and your Senators. I have included a copy of the letter I sent for your review. Feel free to use it to help you compose yours.

I am a retired Air Force fighter pilot, having served my country for 26 years, including Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. 187 F-22s will leave our country dangerously ill equipped to fight future wars. We need a MINIMUM of 243 F-22s as originally recommended by Air Force leaders before being leaned on by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. The Secretary proved he does not understand the need to prepare for future wars when he previously publicly accused military leaders of "preparing for the next war" as if it were a crime.

243 is the MINIMUM number of aircraft the Air Force will need to ensure it can accomplish its mission. It takes into consideration attrition due to peacetime incidents as well as wartime attrition which will be significantly higher. Keep in mind, once the production line is closed it cannot be reopened. If we realize at a later time we need more F-22’s, it will be too late. The Russians and Chinese are building their versions of the F-22, and their numbers will dwarf our 243, let alone 187!

Further, halting F-22 production at 187 is an extremely inefficient way to save money. Since the enormous costs of aircraft development are fixed and already spent, decreasing the number of aircraft produced will simply increase the F-22 unit cost from $143 million per aircraft to $350 million per aircraft.

In a time when we are spending trillions of dollars on any program Congress suggests, it is unconscionable to be cutting our future war fighting capability to this degree. For example, the $800 million you are considering to control wild mustang population could be used to purchase SIX F-22s! Which program do you think is more important?

I implore you to return F-22 production authorization to the 243 we need to defend our country in future wars. If you don’t, our troops will pay the ultimate price. Then it will be too late.

Buy More F-22s

Open Letter to Our Nation's Leadership

Janet Contreras, a 53 year old private citizen, mother and grandmother, e-mailed a letter to Glenn Beck at Fox News. In her letter, Ms. Contreras quantified, better than I could ever have, all the current domestic issues that are causing me to lose sleep at night. Ms. Contreras is saying that the people (the silent majority) are fed up with the corruption in the Federal government. They are ignoring the will of the people and violating the Constitution to accomplish their own agenda. They are saddling our nation, our children and grandchildren with unsustainable, lethal debt. And they are killing Capitalism and Free Enterprise, the very principles our country was founded on.

In four short months, the Federal government has taken control of the banking industry and the auto industry, and they are maneuvering to take over the healthcare industry! They are transforming our country into a Fascist/Socialist state where the government controls everything (remember “Big Brother” and the book, 1984?). What’s insane is that our government is adopting the same form of government that failed miserably in Europe over the last century.

Our only hope to save our country is a grassroots movement by the people to take our country back. That’s what this letter is about. In my opinion, it is one of the most important letters of our time.

An Open Letter to Our Nation's Leadership
by Janet Contreras, 16 June 2009

I'm a home grown American citizen, 53, registered Democrat all my life. Before the last presidential election I registered as a Republican because I no longer felt the Democratic Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. Now I no longer feel the Republican Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. The fact is I no longer feel any political party or representative in Washington represents my views or works to pursue the issues important to me. There must be someone. Please tell me who you are. Please stand up and tell me that you are there and that you're willing to fight for our Constitution as it was written. Please stand up now. You might ask yourself what my views and issues are that I would horribly feel so disenfranchised by both major political parties. What kind of nut job am I? Will you please tell me?

Well, these are briefly my views and issues for which I seek representation:

1. Illegal immigration. I want you to stop coddling illegal immigrants and secure our borders. Close the underground tunnels. Stop the violence and the trafficking in drugs and people. No amnesty, not again. Been there, done that, no resolution. P.S., I'm not a racist. This isn't to be confused with legal immigration.

2. The TARP bill, I want it repealed and I want no further funding supplied to it. We told you no, but you did it anyway. I want the remaining unfunded 95% repealed. Freeze, repeal.

3. Czars, I want the circumvention of our checks and balances stopped immediately. Fire the czars. No more czars. Government officials answer to the process, not to the president. Stop trampling on our Constitution and honor it.

4. Cap and trade. The debate on global warming is not over. There is more to say.

5. Universal healthcare. I will not be rushed into another expensive decision. Don't you dare try to pass this in the middle of the night and then go on break. Slow down!

6. Growing government control. I want states rights and sovereignty fully restored. I want less government in my life, not more. Shrink it down. Mind your own business. You have enough to take care of with your real obligations. Why don't you start there.

7. ACORN. I do not want ACORN and its affiliates in charge of our 2010 census. I want them investigated. I also do not want mandatory escrow fees contributed to them every time on every real estate deal that closes. Stop the funding to ACORN and its affiliates pending impartial audits and investigations. I do not trust them with taking the census over with our taxpayer money. I don't trust them with our taxpayer money. Face up to the allegations against them and get it resolved before taxpayers get any more involved with them. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, hello. Stop protecting your political buddies. You work for us, the people. Investigate.

8. Redistribution of wealth. No, no, no. I work for my money. It is mine. I have always worked for people with more money than I have because they gave me jobs. That is the only redistribution of wealth that I will support. I never got a job from a poor person. Why do you want me to hate my employers? Why ‑‑ what do you have against shareholders making a profit?

9. Charitable contributions. Although I never got a job from a poor person, I have helped many in need. Charity belongs in our local communities, where we know our needs best and can use our local talent and our local resources. Butt out, please. We want to do it ourselves.

10. Corporate bailouts. Knock it off. Sink or swim like the rest of us. If there are hard times ahead, we'll be better off just getting into it and letting the strong survive. Quick and painful. Have you ever ripped off a Band‑Aid? We will pull together. Great things happen in America under great hardship. Give us the chance to innovate. We cannot disappoint you more than you have disappointed us.

11. Transparency and accountability. How about it? No, really, how about it? Let's have it. Let's say we give the buzzwords a rest and have some straight honest talk. Please try ‑‑ please stop manipulating and trying to appease me with clever wording. I am not the idiot you obviously take me for. Stop sneaking around and meeting in back rooms making deals with your friends. It will only be a prelude to your criminal investigation. Stop hiding things from me.

12. Unprecedented quick spending. Stop it now.

Take a breath. Listen to the people. Let's just slow down and get some input from some nonpoliticians on the subject. Stop making everything an emergency. Stop speed reading our bills into law. I am not an activist. I am not a community organizer. Nor am I a terrorist, a militant or a violent person. I am a parent and a grandparent. I work. I'm busy. I'm busy. I am busy, and I am tired. I thought we elected competent people to take care of the business of government so that we could work, raise our families, pay our bills, have a little recreation, complain about taxes, endure our hardships, pursue our personal goals, cut our lawn, wash our cars on the weekends and be responsible contributing members of society and teach our children to be the same all while living in the home of the free and land of the brave.

I entrusted you with upholding the Constitution. I believed in the checks and balances to keep from getting far off course. What happened? You are very far off course. Do you really think I find humor in the hiring of a speed reader to unintelligently ramble all through a bill that you signed into law without knowing what it contained? I do not. It is a mockery of the responsibility I have entrusted to you. It is a slap in the face. I am not laughing at your arrogance. Why is it that I feel as if you would not trust me to make a single decision about my own life and how I would live it but you should expect that I should trust you with the debt that you have laid on all of us and our children. We did not want the TARP bill. We said no. We would repeal it if we could. I am sure that we still cannot. There is such urgency and recklessness in all of the recent spending.

From my perspective, it seems that all of you have gone insane. I also know that I am far from alone in these feelings. Do you honestly feel that your current pursuits have merit to patriotic Americans? We want it to stop. We want to put the brakes on everything that is being rushed by us and forced upon us. We want our voice back. You have forced us to put our lives on hold to straighten out the mess that you are making. We will have to give up our vacations, our time spent with our children, any relaxation time we may have had and money we cannot afford to spend on you to bring our concerns to Washington. Our president often knows all the right buzzword is unsustainable. Well, no kidding. How many tens of thousands of dollars did the focus group cost to come up with that word? We don't want your overpriced words. Stop treating us like we're morons.

We want all of you to stop focusing on your reelection and do the job we want done, not the job you want done or the job your party wants done. You work for us and at this rate I guarantee you not for long because we are coming. We will be heard and we will be represented. You think we're so busy with our lives that we will never come for you? We are the formerly silent majority, all of us who quietly work pay taxes, obey the law, vote, save money, keep our noses to the grindstone and we are now looking up at you. You have awakened us, the patriotic spirit so strong and so powerful that it had been sleeping too long. You have pushed us too far. Our numbers are great. They may surprise you. For every one of us who will be there, there will be hundreds more that could not come. Unlike you, we have their trust. We will represent them honestly, rest assured. They will be at the polls on voting day to usher you out of office. We have cancelled vacations. We will use our last few dollars saved. We will find the representation among us and a grassroots campaign will flourish. We didn't ask for this fight. But the gloves are coming off. We do not come in violence, but we are angry. You will represent us or you will be replaced with someone who will. There are candidates among us when he will rise like a Phoenix from the ashes that you have made of our constitution.

Democrat, Republican, independent, libertarian. Understand this. We don't care. Political parties are meaningless to us. Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution and that is all that matters to us now. We are going to fire all of you who abuse power and seek more. It is not your power. It is ours and we want it back. We entrusted you with it and you abused it. You are dishonorable. You are dishonest. As Americans we are ashamed of you. You have brought shame to us. If you are not representing the wants and needs of your constituency loudly and consistently, in spite of the objections of your party, you will be fired. Did you hear? We no longer care about your political parties. You need to be loyal to us, not to them. Because we will get you fired and they will not save you. If you do or can represent me, my issues, my views, please stand up. Make your identity known. You need to make some noise about it. Speak up. I need to know who you are. If you do not speak up, you will be herded out with the rest of the sheep and we will replace the whole damn congress if need be one by one. We are coming. Are we coming for you? Who do you represent? What do you represent? Listen. Because we are coming. We the people are coming.

Humor: You May Be Taliban If...

Here's a short, politically incorrect piece that may give you a chuckle.

YOU MAY BE TALIBAN IF...

1. You refine heroin for a living, but you have a moral objection to beer.

2. You own a $3,000 machine gun and $5,000 rocket launcher, but you can't afford shoes.

3. You have more wives than teeth.

4. You wipe your butt with your bare hand, but consider bacon "unclean."

5. You think vests come in two styles: bullet-proof and suicide.

6. You can't think of anyone you haven't declared Jihad against.

7. You consider television dangerous, but routinely carry explosives in your clothing.

8. You were amazed to discover that cell phones have uses other than setting off roadside bombs.

9. You have nothing against women and think every man should own at least one.

10. You've always had a crush on your neighbor's goat.

[My thanks to Rick Douglas for forwarding this]