by Patrick J Z                                             Graphic: by Ron Stark                 

Til freedom's light shines in every land, bloody waters cover this darkened earth;
crimson tides amidst crashing waves; scarlet streams and countless drops,
with floods of tears through saddened eyes.

Be strong and of good courage loyal countrymen,
well done faithful daughters, well done fearless sons.
Welcome home!

For these are the ones upon whom heaven smiles,
these are the ones highly esteemed from above:

Your mother and father; for they have long-suffered you.
The young and old who have borne the reproach of Christ.
Whosoever has stretched out their hands to the poor and needy...
...in the causes of justice and righteousness.
And the soldier, the civil servant, who have sacrificed themselves for others.

Let my honor be as their honor...and my end as their end.

<sub>- by Patrick J.Z.

Wesley Lowe c. 2001-2007.</sub>

In 1621, Pilgrim Separatists in the new world joined together with local natives to feast and give thanks. First and foremost, the men and women of the fledgling colony were thankful that Almighty God safely brought a majority of them through the severity of their first year in America, and then crowned the second year with abundance.

Between 1781 and 1789 the American English colonies became free and independent States. Church bells rang with thanksgiving and praise throughout the land..

In 1865 prayers and thanksgiving were again offered up by the inhabitants of these United States. A bloody civil war finally came to an end.

Over and over, Americans, at different moments and periods of national reflection, chose to give thanks for salvation and blessings as "One Nation Under God." Abraham Lincoln and future presidents laid the ground work for a national holiday of giving thanks. What a wonderful way to express our freedom!

The following is a psalm which sums up our religious and national heritage. May such praises fill this land, and all lands, with His awesome presence.

" Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord He is God; It is He who made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations." ^{_{Psalm 100}}

^{_{by Patrick J.Z.}}

"Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."

Words like these have the power to inspire. We need leaders who utter such motivating poetry. It is the sign of genuine statesmanship. Yes, we all know that it takes more than a rhyme and eloquent tongue to provide effective leadership, especially over a country as diverse and powerful as the USA. But what exactly is the main prerogative of a president, or head of state? After keeping the country safe and defending the constitution of the United States, is it not to galvanize the talent and resources of the nation into a series of successful enterprises, so as to stimulate advancement in every field of endeavor? It can be properly argued that moral example is important as well. However, looking back through a presidential kaleidoscope it is difficult finding that perfect executive of supreme virtue, courage, and intellect. Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Andrew Jackson, and John Adams, are a few who may rank high on the morality scale. Yet, as one examines their lives a little closer, questionable conduct can be detected in the area of unpublished sexual behavior, violence, depression, and spiritual unorthodoxy.

So exactly what does it take for a president to go down in history as a successful administrator? Future generations will no doubt come up with the right answers, provided that future generations are generous with mercy, and in possession of all the facts rather than scattered pieces of politically infected disinformation.

No one rejects the fact that John Kennedy had moral failings, except for those persons who have placed him in the idolized temple of their imagination. But going further into the bio of this extraordinary historical figure, it would not be intellectually honest to dismiss his good and finer points as a human being - and as an American President.

John Kennedy throughout his political career fought for the common man in labor, industry, and civil justice. Regardless of spurious and exaggerated slants poured out over the internet, or published in cheap books, he stood up against organized crime and other domestic threats within this country. Communism was countered at every turn by action, and by his persuasive rhetoric (see “I’m a Berliner” speech). Also, Kennedy's definition of liberal was a lot different than it is today.

"....if by a liberal they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties.. If that is what they mean by a "liberal" then I am proud to be a liberal. " ^{_{~ John F. Kennedy}}

The following accomplishments are attributed to John F Kennedy, 35th President of the United States:

* The Peace Corps: A volunteer organization that helps underdeveloped nations with needed knowledge and equipment for their own advancement.

* Alliance for Progress: A Western Hemisphere effort, where membership nations worked together in cooperative ventures of trade and the exchange of ideas.

* Upgraded Space Program: Motivated the nation into a successful all out space program that led to many other residual benefits in space exploration, science, and technology; in addition to national prestige.

* Nuclear Test Ban treaty: A treaty worked out with the Soviet Union that eliminated above ground testing of nuclear weapons, providing for a healthier world atmosphere for all nations.

* Civil Rights: Even though John Kennedy could have done more legislatively to fight the causes of repression against Black Americans, he did stir up national passion through key television speeches on the issue of race:

"...We are confronted primarily with a moral issue. It is as old as the scriptures and is as clear as the American Constitution.

The heart of the question is whether all Americans are to be afforded equal rights and equal opportunities, whether we are going to treat our fellow Americans as we want to be treated. If an American, because his skin is dark, cannot eat lunch in a restaurant open to the public, if he cannot send his children to the best public school available, if he cannot vote for the public officials who will represent him, if, in short, he cannot enjoy the full and free life which all of us want, then who among us would be content to have the color of his skin changed and stand in his place? Who among us would then be content with the counsels of patience and delay?..." ^_~JFK

Of course political critics will bring up the uncertainties surrounding The Bay of Pigs, The Cuban Missile Crisis, and Vietnam. And yet the same Monday morning quarterbacking can be applied to Lincoln's decisions that triggered America into a bloody Civil War; Jackson's breaking of the United States bank, plunging the nation into a deep recession; or Roosevelt's social programs, moving the country extremely left. And by reason of all the complexities, historical and otherwise, inculcated into any given crisis or situation a president must face, there will always be pros and cons weighed, after the fact, by common debate and specialized scrutiny.
Gordon Goldstein of the LA Times had this commentary in the November 22nd issue:

“It's not possible to know for certain how Kennedy would have managed the crisis in Vietnam had he lived. But it's clear that he was determined to prevent Vietnam from becoming an American war and that he expected to withdraw fully during a second term.” -_Goldstein

There is much evidence that this is the direction President Kennedy was headed concerning Vietnam. He already proved in earlier crises his capability to withstand the influence of the military elite. In a meeting with some of his generals, who were pressuring him to release more troops into Vietnam, Kennedy remarked, “If you can convince the general (Douglas MacArthur ) on the matter then I will consider it.” MacArthur already warned President Kennedy to avoid putting “regulars” in Southeast Asia.

Cuba unfortunately was an inherited debacle. The Bay of Pigs came upon the new President like a sudden rogue wave. Yes, he approved the invasion, but with the clear stipulation that no American troops would be involved. The CIA and U.S. military assured him that they were not needed, only to leave him with the blame when things went literally south.

The missile crisis was a continuation of this saga. As a matter of record, numerous KGB and Russian military personnel, who were active on the U.S.S.R. side during this historical confrontation, gave JFK rethought praise for the way he handled the dangerous conflict. According to their testimonies, after the break up of Russian communism, Khrushchev and his high ranking military were poised and determined to use nuclear weapons had America invaded Cuba, which the U.S. generals incessantly argued for Kennedy to do. Had any other man been in the White House at the time it might be a different world we live in today, something out of sci-fi land. Yet, the sun came up this morning, and we are all still here.

In the end, President Kennedy did what he did, and could, before he died, thankful for the help of a Higher Power. John Kennedy, like his predecessors, was very human, and that is refreshing. He also holds the title of a Statesman, i.e., someone who does what he believes is best for his country, even at his own expense. A true Profile in Courage in my estimation, an inspirational leader, irrespective of never ending political and personal controversies.

"What kind of peace do I mean? What kind of peace do we seek? Not a Pax Americana enforced on the world by American weapons of war. Not the peace of the grave or the security of the slave. I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living, the kind that enables men and nations to grow and to hope and to build a better life for their children - not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women - not merely peace in our time but peace for all time....For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal.” <sup><sub>~ John F Kennedy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPdFNzNR45s



* Sources:

JFK Presidential Library; Archives of speeches and addresses of President John F.Kennedy; Douglas MacArthur: Warrior as Wordsmith By Bernard K. Duffy, Ronald H. Carpenter Published by Greenwood Publishing Group, 1997; Euro-Cuba News: missile crisis special 10-14-2002 http://www.ibike.org/cuba/library/Missile%20Crisis%20(2).htm</sub>


 Tribute to Robert F.Kennedy      Legislative record of  Edward M..Kennedy</sup>

Americans do need to be concerned about these bail out options that are coming at us like hurricanes in the Fall season. How much is $700,000,000,000 anyway? Understanding this simple fact will wake more people up! When an astronomer helps us to comprehend immense sizes in the universe, he will use metaphorical images of sorts. Well let’s consider the following purchasing power facts. This will give us a better perspective of the term - seven hundred billion dollars.

What Seven Hundred Billion Dollars will buy:

* Twenty (20) super class Nimitz nuclear aircraft carriers, each equipped with100 of the latest fighter jets and payloads. -$160,000,000,000

* A state of the art sports stadium for every MLB and NFL team in the U.S. - $120,000,000,000

* A brand new 3000 mile interstate highway stretching from New York to L.A., all bridges and tunnels included, with a rest stop every thirty miles both ways. - $25,000,000,000

* Seven (7) distinct World Trade Center Tower Complexes located in seven different cities, each with at least two skyscrapers over 110 stories high. - $35,000,000,000

* The establishment of an extensive U.S. lunar exploration facility on the surface of the moon. - $60,000,000,000

* And even after the massive purchases listed above, there will be enough left over to give one thousand U.S. dollars ($1000) to every man, woman, and child in the United States. - $300,000,000,000

Total for all the above - $700,000,000,000

Is it any wonder why many Americans (STILL) are not happy about this ever inflating deal.

“But we need to give this money to wealthy wall street executives for the good of the country...” So went the sales pitch from the proponents of this fleece job several months ago. And now they want more for manufacturing companies. Who's next, the girl scouts? What is the saying, "give an inch..." There has got to be better solutions than just handing out money to huge corporations. How is that ever going to fix the economy?

Here’s just one solution of many you (on the Hill) might have considered:

We’ll for go the aircraft carriers, the sports complexes, the interstate highway from N.Y. to LA., and the World Trade Center Towers. Use that $340,000,000,000 to stimulate the economy (with careful oversight). Take the $60,000,000,000 for the moon facility and use it to find, and extract, the one trillion barrels of oil and natural gas reserves hidden under U.S. soil. Bid the drilling rights out to major oil companies with the caveat that all bids must entail sustained reasonable gas prices at the pump. Use the extra revenues from these ratio bids for health care, infrastructure repair, etc.. Create business incentives by reducing taxes, regulate credit and Wall Street, and send us the $1000 dollars. We are quite capable of spending the money and stimulating the economy on main street.

No one up there ever listens to us though.

^{_{by Patrick J Z}}

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal..."

_{^{by Patrick J. Z}}

It is quite amazing, but not surprising, how claims of supremacy continue unabated by many of the world’s power religions today. Religious suppositions, or religious leaders and their suppositions, that claim peculiar dogmas of their faith are not to be disagreed with, or challenged, usually emanates from a blind ego rather than indisputable doctrine. Anyone who disagrees is anathematized of course (super suus caput capitis tantum); and if it is within their power, much worse. The old fear factor - nothing new here! Religious authorities of every flavor, including Christianity, have been illicitly intimidating people this way for ages. And it is why so many want nothing to do with organized religion. The Pharisees in Jesus' time made it very clear that they were the ones who decided doctrinal integrity. Woe unto anyone within the scope of their rule that defied them. Roman Catholic inquisitions followed in A.D. middle Ages. Anglicanism displaced Catholicism to become the tyrannical state church in England after Henry the VIII; while Anglican Puritanism (not Pilgrims) in the early part of New England America left its scars of repression. Islamic extremists throughout history, and in recent years, have been determined to serve the world notice of their superiority. How many other "ism's" that religious mankind can invent will make their demanding voice heard?

On the Roman Catholic doctrine of supremacy and infallibility in matters of faith, popes have condemned hapless souls only to have their decrees reversed by future popes. Joan of Arc was one of these excommunicated victims, only to be pardoned, and then elevated to sainthood by a later pontiff. Galileo’s theories were denounced by a papal inquisition as, “contrary to Holy Scripture.” Again, a censorship that had to be recanted by a humbled modern day Roman hierarchy, which proved to be not really all that infallible in matters of faith. Interestingly, what is not well known by most people is that a number of popes have rejected the idea of infallibility, Adrian VI being one of them. So there are some embarrassing contradictions and moments in Catholic history on this doctrine, which Roman Catholic apologists have tried to feebly, or even forcibly, explain away (One might add, without much success). Furthermore, these are not protestant, or merely Protestant investigations into the question of papal infallibility. These findings have the full support of a wide variety of secular, non/partisan, scholars, including free thinking Catholics.

“A few present-day Catholics, including priests and bishops, refuse to accept papal infallibility.... A recent (1989–1992) survey of Catholics from multiple countries (the USA, Austria, Canada, Ecuador, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Peru, Spain and Switzerland), aged 15 to 25 who may not yet fully understand the theology of infallibility, showed that 36.9% accepted the teaching on papal infallibility, 36.9% denied it, and 26.2% said they didn't know of it.” (Source: Report on surveys of the International Marian Research Institute, by Johann G. Roten, S.M.)   http://www.thenazareneway.com/papal_infallibility.htm

According to Scripture, the true Church, i.e., those persons truly redeemed in Christ, who will be gathered together in the resurrection out of all  _⁽¹⁾ creeds and nations (Rev. 7: 9-12 ), does have a promised future reign of supremacy with the Lord. Yet, that is future, and only with the Lord. In this age, for those who would be a part of that true church, it is not supremacy but rather service and the cross. If not in the same caliber as, very much like:  _⁽²⁾ Lilias I. Trotter, John Wycliffe, Washington Carver, numerous protestant charity and outreach ministries, the Franciscans, mother Theresa, and basically anyone (in Christ's name) dedicated to helping others, especially at the expense of self. Because of her natural weaknesses, the nominal institutional Church - Catholic, Protestant, et al. - is far from any kind of infallibility, as historical shame and new uncovering scandals continue to sadly prove.

There has always been, and ever will be, a need for the perpetual sanctifying, renewing, and reforming of the organized church by the Holy Spirit, which not only purifies her members, but also cleanses away the decrees and doctrines of past error. The ongoing Reformation has been a wonderful manifestation of this cleansing process, along with bible studies, repentance movements, intercessory prayer ministries, etc.. May these faith restoring activities within Christianity continue strong and blessed under The Most High's auspicious protection until He returns to receive His redeemed.

"...oh Lord of Hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee.” _{^{Psalm 84:12}}


              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


(1) The word 'creeds' is not used in the NIV , KJV, or other versions for Revelation 7:9-12. The actual wording in most MSS is 'tongues, tribes, nations.' I chose to use the word 'creeds' because most people who are redeemed by the light of the gospel are from a former false belief system, i.e., they are redeemed out of the error plagued creeds of man into the perfect grace of God's Son.


(2) Using personages of different dogmatic backgrounds as examples of  Christ centered faithfulness can at times cause consternation and division; simply because of the divided theologies that exist between the personalities, and how the denominations and persuasions they represent can be in steep conflict with one another. It is crucial  for believers to seek an accurate exegesis of scripture in order to establish solid foundational theology. However, it should be clear to the student of scriptures that even the best of Christ's disciples and servants of God have been theologically defective in one way or another, at one time or another. Furthermore, that did not necessarily cause them to lose their place with God or their salvation as far as we know (see the life of Solomon: book of Kings; the Life of Peter and Paul in the book of Acts and the Epistles.) Yes, the Lord corrected them, as He will do with every one of us; but that is precisely the point. Salvation has much more to do with God's grace than it has to do with anyone achieving a personal theology that is perfect. The Lord God may see fit to hand out test papers and pencils for those who are ready to enter heaven, just to make sure everyone has their theology right. And then again He may instead choose to look into the hearts of all present and see how much love was expressed to others in His name. Jesus has a lot to say about the boasting of one's theology vs. how one's life is actually lived among men - Matthew 23: 12-39.

In the final analysis believers would be wise to go ahead and fervently state what they believe the scriptures teach. They even must do this. But as far as condemning a Catholic or Protestant, or anyone else, either because they are in biblical error or believed to be in error, that is treading on thin ice; especially if the persons being so condemned have shown much more love and sacrifice toward fellow humans than the one doing the criticizing. It is always best to let the Holy Spirit do the justifying and condemning, which He does through faithful and wise servants of His own choosing.


<sub><sup>Notes and sources:

Catholic Encyclopedia; Microsoft Encarta; Wikipedia: Papal Infallibility; Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, by Mark Twain; The Crime of Galileo Indictment and Abjuration of 1633 www.cas.sc.edu/hist/faculty/edwardsk/hist310/reader/galileocrime.pdf ; The Vicars of Christ: Dark Side of the Papacy, by Peter De Rosa; The Roman Catholic Church and the Last Days, by David Hunt; King James Bible</sup></sub>

                                       ^{_{Patrick J Z}}

I leave behind the dreary lands,
for o'er the deadly horizon I set my sights,
there my banner flies.
To such a mountain now I've come,
to lift the veil off the ancient curse, this tale of woe.
Keep me in Thy Holy Hands,
hold me in Thy Sacred Palm, ne'r to let me go.

^{"Behold, I make all things new..."}

 

by Patrick J.Z.


Sarah Palin drew the hatred and bitterness of liberal groups - political, media, et.al. - who despised her basic traditional values. Apparently groups who have a larger market share in the information distribution network. Is it any wonder that Barack Obama got away without being excoriated for making statements like: "I have been to fifty seven states. I have one more to go, Alaska and Hawaii.." Or what about this relish: "Let me be absolutely clear, Israel is a strong friend of Israels." And one more out of dozens that could be listed. "...We should react appropriately and forcefully on any attack (by Israel), nuclear, or otherwise, upon Iran..." Barack's gaffe hits just kept coming. So why not the labeling of "ditzy" or "dummer kopf" upon him by the main stream media?

This blog is not going to focus on Obama blunders. The honeymoon is passing quickly, and everybody - left and right- is going to start compiling the old and the new into satiric volumes. Alas, he could very well become the unhappy owner of the, "Gaffer-in-Chief." title. However, I seriously doubt the main stream media will allow that to happen. This article will instead take a closer look at the heart of leadership.

Aside from Sarah Palin's poor performance with her MSM interviews - fumble events that were probably caused more by underlying nervousness and self consciousness than anything else - she in fact does have a keen mind. Adding to her IQ of 120 (above average), a bachelor degree in communications and journalism, and her superb handling of the debate with Joe Biden, she also has that something else very important to leadership qualities - A GOOD HEART.

"Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." - book of proverbs

Higher levels of scholarship are not always the most important gifts for a commander to possess, as the urbane elite tend to promote. There are other virtues to consider. When we remember that a President of the United States surrounds himself with the best of minds, he would do better to excel in the virtues of fearless courage, insight, and applied wisdom, much more so than ‘knowledge-ability.’ Of course a U.S. executive must have the basics in national and international facts, this goes without saying. And neither Sarah Palin or Barack Obama have shown any real deficiency in the aptitude of being able to assimilate basic governing intelligence. Nevertheless, his main function is to lead the nation through dangerous shoals and toward her desired haven of well being. The only way he will do this is with a strong and courageous heart. Two past presidents come to mind, when we look to other qualities of leadership apart from academic excellence:

Jackson, who didn't seem to fear anyone or anything. He stood up against powerful money brokers and defeated them with all their Ivy League degrees. And Abraham Lincoln, who weathered the civil war, not by great knowledge (which he did possess) but by his home spun wit and a persevering heart of faith.


                       The Gust: Willem van de Velde II 1680

America is, at this moment in time, like a ship on the high seas entering into a massive hurricane. We all better hope and pray that in certain respects, regardless of our convictions, the current president does succeed, or we are going under. Conservative caucuses should hold Barack Obama faithful to his centrist promises. They must counter his administration when it trails off into far left directions that are detrimental for this nation. And they must do their best to work with him for the health and well being of the commonwealth.

When all is said and done, good and strong hearts, much more than intellectual prowess and political savvy, are what it takes to prevail whenever the Sovereign Hand uses the crucible of crisis for national or personal correction. Sarah Palin, human as can be, has a good and strong heart. That is why she will ultimately triumph over the petty cheap shots against her. That is why we need people like her in government. She loves her country, her family, and traditional Founding Father values. These deeper values are not merely apropos, they are essential to the survival and prosperity of any nation.

May God Bless and oversee (*and now correct) our new president as he takes on the onerous tasks ahead of him (yes, I know, more than a few of us do not agree with his leftist philosophy, but being boldly constitutional is better than whining). God bless Sarah Palin with renewed strength and vigor. God Bless these United States of America.

*Addendum, March 2009: Just a little over fifty days in office and it is clear that President Obama is turning very quickly and sharply to the harmful left and toward eccentricities of left wing carelessness. There is nothing like hasting severe consequences upon this nation.
To wit: Government funding for overseas abortions, controversial and ethically questionable embryonic stem cell research, flooding the economic carburetor with excessive spending, closing down the Gitmo detention center with no real rhyme or reason for national security or international justice, only the keeping of a politically unwise campaign promise (but what of the other good promises?). No clarity, no transparency, no sound judgment, only nice sounding talk and a bunch of lopsided legislative activities (a lot due to Pelosi and an imbalanced congress) that are ushering in a wake of severe trials. Yet, this is what many Americans unwittingly voted for and did not want. But America always gets what it deserves.

God bless, protect, and strengthen, everyone who is diligently and effectively countering this far left democrat controlled government in Washington.

We the People call on you Mr. President, to halt this careless trailing off into non-centristic policies for many reasons, but more immediately because this national ship "is" entering into a major hurricane. And your administrations current headings are toward gales of strife and disunity. We don't expect you to advance the causes of the conservative agenda, but we do expect better judgment from our executive leadership. God Bless and guide you into a more balanced piloting of this ship.  May He give you the grace, courage, and wisdom, to "turn" and do what is best for the whole country.

And all who know the Word of God, "we call on you" to pray for this government and president as scripture commands. They do need to be confronted with dynamic political and media counter measures, but they also need grace like everybody else, so pray for them even if you don't feel like it, for 'it will work' to everyone's good when we obey this instruction.