Via Chuck
Friday, February 15, 2019
Believing the Cheerful Myth
“As for the Electoral College, it is indeed an anachronism that serves no real purpose. It certainly doesn’t do what is was supposed to do: elect presidents who are, in Alexander Hamilton’s words, “pre-eminent for ability and virtue.” So wrote Hamilton, as “Publius,” in Federalist No. 68.
For what it’s worth, the Framers of the Constitution didn’t want the president elected by direct popular vote. Simple majority rule was alien and abhorrent to them, as the present two-party duopoly and the popular election of senators would have been; as Hamilton put it, direct election of presidents would produce “tumult and disorder.”
They prescribed that the people of each State should elect a body of presumably incorrupt and disinterested electors, men who possessed the requisite “information and discernment” to choose among candidates for the presidency. Those electors, in Hamilton’s words, should be “men most capable of analyzing the qualities adapted to the station [of the presidency]. They should not be officeholders, who might have “too great [a] devotion” to the incumbent president; their number would be a safeguard against corruption.” But if no winner emerged, the election would fall to the House of Representatives, where each State delegation would cast a single vote.
Subsequent generations, missing its inner spirit, have ruined it, like a vain fool daubing new streaks on an old masterpiece in the conviction he is improving it when it’s no longer even recognizable. Modern democracy has destroyed the essence of the thing; yet it flatters itself that it has preserved the Constitution, only because it has preserved its words while ignoring, or willfully forgetting, their import.
[The] original Senate no longer exists. The Seventeenth Amendment virtually abolished it by requiring the popular election of senators; before that, senators were chosen by State legislatures, because the Senate was supposed to represent the interests of State governments and to prevent usurpation of their powers. The House was to speak for the people, the Senate for the States.
When the Senate was converted to a popular body too, it lost its rationale and became as superfluous as the Electoral College now is, imperfectly duplicating functions better performed by the House: instead of representing the States equally, it represents the people unequally. The States, meanwhile, have been reduced to mere administrative subdivisions of a monolithic nation-state. They have lost the defining mark of a true State, which is sovereignty, and such powers that they retain are held not by right, but by the sufferance of the federal government.
But not one American in a hundred (and perhaps not one senator in a hundred) understands all this. Nearly everyone believes the cheerful myth that nothing has changed since 1789.
But everything has changed. No American should read the Constitution without a sense of loss. We would all be much freer if the US government played by its own rules. But there is no way to force it to do so as long as Americans remain ignorant of their own political heritage.”
(A Weird Election, Joseph Sobran, Sobran’s Real News of the Month, March 2001, Volume 8, Number 3, excerpts pp. 3-4)
Lincoln’s Army of Emancipation
Northern Colonel [later brevet Major General] Charles E. Hovey was born in Vermont, graduated from Dartmouth and studied law in Massachusetts. He moved to Illinois where he became superintendent of schools in Peoria, and helped in the organization of Illinois State University where a building is named in his honor. Hovey was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Hovey’s early exposure to New England abolitionism did not dissuade him from trading the black men within his lines back to their owners for cotton bales for personal profit.
Bernhard Thuersam, www.Circa1865.org The Great American Political Divide
Lincoln’s Army of Emancipation
“For years the Abolitionist politicians have been rocking the cradle of liberty, and singing the lullaby of freedom, and the idea of buying and selling of “human flesh” as “chattels” was most terribly shocking to them. The following, from a publication during the summer of 1863, will speak for itself.
The matter was hushed up because Gen. [Samuel R.] Curtis was a political General, but “when this cruel war is over” many facts blacker than the following will appear in the great record book of recorded facts:
“A commission is now in session at the West with Maj. Gen. [Irvin] McDowell at its head, investigation the conduct of Maj. Gen. Curtis and other Republican officials, in conducting their military operations so as to secure the largest amount of cotton possible for their own private benefit.
One of the richest revelations is in reference to the trading off of Negroes for cotton. The specification alleges that Negro slaves had been taken from the plantations upon the pretense of giving them freedom under the President’s “emancipation edict,” and thus used as a substitute for coin. It has been fully proven before the investigation court.
The officer charged with this lucrative speculation was Col. Hovey of Illinois, formerly the principal of the State Normal School at Bloomington. The following is the testimony upon the subject, “Brice Suffield being called and sworn, testified as follows:
“In due time [was brought] twenty-six bales of cotton [with the plantation overseer, and] After the cotton was delivered, the boatmen, by order of the captain, put on shore fifteen Negroes that had been used as [our] boat hands. After getting them ashore, they tied them after considerable struggling on the part of the Negroes . . . this was about the 24th of September [1863].
Q: After these fifteen Negroes were put ashore, did any other Negroes come back with you as deck hands in the service of the [US] boat?
A: No sir. These Negroes were taken on an expedition to the same place some weeks before from the same place.
Q: Under whose charge was that expedition?
A: Col. Hovey.”
It would crowd the dimensions of our volume to unreasonable proportions to continue this chapter to the full . . .”
(Logic of History: Five Hundred Political Texts, Being Concentrated Extracts of Abolitionism; Also, Results of Slavery Agitation and Emancipation; Together with Sundry Chapters on Despotism, Usurpations and Frauds. Stephen D. Carpenter, S.D. Carpenter, Publisher, 1864, excerpts pg. 263)
Alabama Supreme Court stays Jefferson County ruling on Confederate monument law
Via Billy
The Alabama Supreme Court has granted the State of Alabama’s motion to stay last month’s Jefferson County Circuit Court judgment that declared the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017 unconstitutional, Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Friday.
Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Judge Michael Graffeo issued the order on Jan. 14 just before midnight. The order came over a year after the state sued the city for violating the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act-- a law to prohibit local governments from moving historical monuments on public property that have been in place for 40 years or more. The act also prohibits renaming buildings and streets with historical names that have been in place at least 40 years.
The Alabama Supreme Court has granted the State of Alabama’s motion to stay last month’s Jefferson County Circuit Court judgment that declared the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017 unconstitutional, Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Friday.
Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Judge Michael Graffeo issued the order on Jan. 14 just before midnight. The order came over a year after the state sued the city for violating the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act-- a law to prohibit local governments from moving historical monuments on public property that have been in place for 40 years or more. The act also prohibits renaming buildings and streets with historical names that have been in place at least 40 years.
More @ AL
6 dead, including shooter, and 5 officers wounded in attack at Illinois manufacturing firm
Your Northern Copperhead Friend
Greg
Six people, including a gunman, died in a shooting at a manufacturing firm in a Chicago suburb Friday afternoon, and five officers were struck by gunfire, officials said Friday.
Authorities confirmed the shooter, Gary Martin, 45, was killed in a shootout with police. Police believe he was an employee at Henry Pratt Co. in the industrial park in Aurora, about 30 miles west of Chicago. They said they did not know the motive.
Martin's mother told WGN: "My heart goes out to all the victims."
More @ MSN
The Communist Take On Public Education–It’s not all that different from the Socialist one
Years ago I had a friend and mentor, the Rev. Ennio Cugini, who as a pastor, felt it was important that Christians be aware of Communist inflitration and its methods in this country. Pastor Cugini has gone to be with the Lord now, but while he was here I learned much from him that helped to shape my worldview regarding the Marxists and their evil designs for this country. In much of what he did he was ahead of his time. More Christians should have listened to what he said. The country would have been better off if they had.
More @ Revised History
Trump targets already-approved $8 billion to build 234 miles of steel border wall
The White House plans to use $8 billion in previously-appropriated funding to build 234 more miles of barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border as part of the national emergency order President Trump issued Friday, according to senior administration officials.
President Trump announced the plan Friday in the White House Rose Garden. Trump issued it alongside with signing a congressionally approved spending bill to keep open a slew of federal agencies, including $1.375 billion to go toward additional wall between the U.S. and Mexico.
Trump's move faces near-certain legal action, including from immigrant groups and land conservation organizations. House Democrats say they'll try to block the move in Congress and will sue if that doesn't work.
More @ Washington Examiner
Two Suspects and Workout Partners of Jussie Smollett Are UNDER ARREST — BEING HELD BY POLICE
Via Billy
HATE HOAX UPDATE—-
Multiple sources told ABC 7 Chicago on Thursday that Jussie Smollett and two other suspects were being questioned by police for staging the racist sub-freezing attack in January.
Sources said Smollett’s character was being written out of the show Empire.
The two suspects are brothers and friends of Jussie Smollett.
Smollett follows their Instagram account.
Police sources said on Thursday night that they were pursuing the theory that Smollett orchestrated the hoax because he was being written out of the show and wanted to drum up publicity to save his role - a claim that has been strenuously denied by the show and uncorroborated by the police department.
HATE HOAX UPDATE—-
Multiple sources told ABC 7 Chicago on Thursday that Jussie Smollett and two other suspects were being questioned by police for staging the racist sub-freezing attack in January.
Sources said Smollett’s character was being written out of the show Empire.
The two suspects are brothers and friends of Jussie Smollett.
Smollett follows their Instagram account.
More @ The Gateway Pundit
Walther Unveils New Program: Try a PPQ for 30 Days – No Money Down & Free Shipping!
Walther is so confident that you’ll love their PPQ Series of handguns that they’re giving you an opportunity to get your hands on one for free!
Under a new program called “Shoot It. Love It. Buy It.,” you’ll have two options to procure a PPQ model for 30 days, during which time you can bring it to the range, shoot it, show it to your buddies, compete with it, you name it!
If you’re not in love after 30 days, well, you simply send it back to Walther. On their dime, no less. Details of the two options are below:
More @ Guns America
Focus on the Family to put live 4-D ultrasounds on Times Square
Via David
In response to New York's new abortion law, which effectively allows unlimited abortion until birth, Focus on the Family launched the largest pro-life effort in the organization's history.
The 12-week campaign, dubbed SEE LIFE CLEARLY, will culminate in a May 4 event in Times Square, "Alive from New York," where live 4-D ultrasounds will be broadcast on a jumbotron.
"We’re looking to fill Times Square with pro-life Americans, and it will feature live music, compelling and inspirational speakers, and best of all, live 4-D ultrasounds broadcast on a massive digital marquee in Times Square, powerfully showing the world that a baby inside the womb is fully human and should be given the chance to be born," Focus announced.
In response to New York's new abortion law, which effectively allows unlimited abortion until birth, Focus on the Family launched the largest pro-life effort in the organization's history.
The 12-week campaign, dubbed SEE LIFE CLEARLY, will culminate in a May 4 event in Times Square, "Alive from New York," where live 4-D ultrasounds will be broadcast on a jumbotron.
"We’re looking to fill Times Square with pro-life Americans, and it will feature live music, compelling and inspirational speakers, and best of all, live 4-D ultrasounds broadcast on a massive digital marquee in Times Square, powerfully showing the world that a baby inside the womb is fully human and should be given the chance to be born," Focus announced.
More @ The Christian Post
The Art of War – Counter-Insurgency Against the Red-Green Axis
Centuries ago the Chinese military scholar Sun Tzu wrote “The Art of War” in which he said:
In order to be victorious in battle, you must know your enemy.
Tzu taught his disciples and the thousands who have read his work that, to prosecute war successfully, an understanding of the enemy’s motivation, history, moral authority, goals, objectives, strengths, and weaknesses is essential to formulate a plan of action.
In America today, we are fighting against two separate insurgencies – Marxism (Collectivism, Democratic Socialism) and Islam (Jihad and Sharia Law). Each has its own and very different world view, but they share one common goal – to destroy our constitutional republic that protects and secures the Natural Law Rights and sovereignty of the individual. Working together, this Red-Green Axis has set in motion an agenda that will fundamentally change America from within.
What is Insurgency? As defined by the Encyclopedia Britannica:
More @ Dr. Dan/s Freedom Forum
Comment on The Stunning Statistical Fraud Behind The Global Warming Scare
As someone who makes a living in a STEM field... there are many factors that made me switch from being concerned about CO2 emissions to not, but the two main ones are:
1. A lack of transparency. In a SCIENCE people critique and work to replicate studies. To do this they need access to the original data and methodology. The BS "climate scientists" deny access to both. RED FLAG LIKE CRAZY.
2. "Climate change" as presented is not falsifiable. This violates one of the fundamental aspects of science - the ability to prove something wrong. If, as they claim, it's CLIMATE CHANGE no matter whether it's warmer, colder, wetter, drier, calmer, or stormier, then there's no test or standard against which it could be measured to prove it false.
There are other reasons too - like verifiable fraud, the fact that back when it was a new ice age coming the remedy was exactly the same - more power to government, lowered standards of living, and population control.
--NITZAKHON
“Second Amendment Sanctuary County” Declared by Quay County, New Mexico
If the left thought they were clever pronouncing “Sanctuary Cities” for illegal aliens, they may have to rethink things. Now that concept of “Sanctuary” has been used in a way they will likely hate.
In the state of New Mexico, pending legislation — including House Bill 8 — would negatively impact gun rights. A number of citizens have expressed their dissatisfaction, but the state legislature has moved forward anyway.
Quay County, New Mexico residents decided enough was enough. They took matters into their own hands and now have created a “Second Amendment Sanctuary County” for those who support the Constitutionally-protected right to bear arms, according to a report by KRQE.
More @ WJ
Trump declares national emergency to build border wall stopping 'virtual invasion': Will Have 8 Billion
Via Billy
"We're declaring it for virtual invasion purposes," Trump said in a Rose Garden speech."It's not like it's complicated, it's very simple. We want to stop drugs from coming into our country. We want to stop criminals and gangs from coming into our country.
White House Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney shared details on a media call before Trump's speech, saying the declaration would allow $8 billion for border barrier construction, including the $1.37 billion in fencing funds approved by Congress this week. Trump signed that spending bill into law at around 2 p.m. Friday, after his public remarks.
A senior administration official on the call with Mulvaney said an emergency declaration was needed only to redirect $3.6 billion in military construction funds, saying low-priority projects would be shelved. The official said Trump could redirect without an emergency about $600 million from the Treasury Department's forfeiture fund and about $2.5 billion from Defense Department anti-drug activities.
"We're declaring it for virtual invasion purposes," Trump said in a Rose Garden speech."It's not like it's complicated, it's very simple. We want to stop drugs from coming into our country. We want to stop criminals and gangs from coming into our country.
White House Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney shared details on a media call before Trump's speech, saying the declaration would allow $8 billion for border barrier construction, including the $1.37 billion in fencing funds approved by Congress this week. Trump signed that spending bill into law at around 2 p.m. Friday, after his public remarks.
More @ Washington Examiner