The Pledge In A Small Vermont Town

The Associated Press has reported, that in the small town of Woodbury, Vermont
(pop. 810) a bitter debate has erupted over restoring the Pledge of Allegiance in the local elementary school. The article states that no one's for sure when reciting the Pledge fell by the wayside at Woodbury Elementary School, only that in this small town it is in a bitter dispute.

The school officials have been blocking the "exercise" from classrooms due to concerns that it will place non-participating children in positions for scorn. Those that support the Pledge say the classroom is the place for it, and the disagreement continues to fuel the dispute. The article states that unlike other Pledge controversies, this one is focused on how and where the children should say it, not if they should be allowed to.

The debate in Woodbury began in September, when a parent, Ted Tedesco began a petition calling for the return of the Pledge as a daily practice in the 19th Century schoolhouse, which has 55 children in grades kindergarden through six. School officials agreed to resume the Pledge as a daily exercise, but not in the classroom. Principal Michaela Martin stated, "We don't want to isolate children every day in their own classroom, or make them feel different". Instead, beginning last week, a sixth grader was assigned to go around and gather up all the students wanting to Pledge Allegiance, walk them up steps to a second floor gymnasium, and lead them in the Pledge.

Tedesco, 55, a retired U.S. Marine major, and others who signed the petition didn't like that solution. "Saying the Pledge in the classroom is legal, convenient and traditional", stated Tedesco. And you know, he is absolutely right.

Where have we as a nation, and a people, come to? Instead of Pledging Allegiance to our country and our flag, we are in disputes over where and how. I for one agree with Mr. Tedesco, the classroom is the proper and right place to Pledge Allegiance. A question I have for Woodbury Elementary is where are the teachers, and why aren't they leading the Pledge.

I as Mr. Tedesco, am a veteran, and as I have always been honored to be one. I grew up Pledging Allegiance to my country and yes, saying a prayer each morning in school.
Today, as this article illustrates, we had rather argue over the wheres and hows, rather than focusing on the "Pledging" and why. We still live in the greatest nation on earth, and we are still free. It is my opinion that our children can not be hurt by Pledging Allegiance to the nation that protects and blesses them. It will, however, make them aware that we are one nation, under God and build a sense of patriotism within them.

When I Was A Kid - This Country Was Free

I have recently finished reading G. Gordan Liddy's book "When I Was A Kid, This Was A Free Country". Mr. Liddy in his own hard-hitting style reveals his thoughts on the military, the environment, education, gun control and a host of other issues. In a refreshing candor he tackles these issues, sometimes making you angry with his no-holds-barred approach. I was transported back to my days as a kid, as I read Mr. Liddy's book, and found myself agreeing with much of what he says.

In chapter 1, entitled "Liberties Lost", Mr. Liddy gave the following examples from his childhood:

1. He and his young buddies could walk down the street with a rifle, handgun or shotgun bought by their father at the local hardware store. They would be on their way to the woods to bang away at tin cans or go hunting.

2. In the fall, the air would be filled with the scent of leaves burning.

3. You could see a farmer filling in some swamp on his land to make it productive.

4. People were free to speak their minds, people who didn't like it were free to say so-anywhere.

5. Property owners felt secure knowing their possessions couldn't be taken from them, and the very least they would be afforded due process of law.

6. On the 4th of July, fireworks could still be displayed by the citizens.

We as Americans continue to lose more and more of our liberties. Why? Why do we just sit by and let it happen? In this country there are those elite who believe they are entitled to tell us what to do or what not to do. They see you and I as incapable of making those decisions which govern our lives. You will find them concentrated in the news media, entertainment, legislative, judical and administrative government bureaucratices. They believe in the elimination of the individual and his will, as they seek to take more of our freedom.

The liberals think in terms of groups, never as individuals. If they should recognize the concept of individuality, then they in turn would have to recognize the existence of individual rights. I would encourage you to stand up for your rights as an individual, and as an American. Refuse to allow our freedoms to continually be hewed away until we have none left. Our Government exists to protect our lives, not to order them. It is up to you and I, to defend the liberties that we are so blessed to possess.

The Easy Way Out

I had intended to talk about another controversial issue today, "Welfare", but I have decided to discuss another issue, maybe the core of the "Welfare" issue itself. I readily admit that I am not a great supporter of our current welfare system. I am employed in an Eastern Kentucky community where abuse of the system is rampant and uncontrolled. I know I am probally at odds with the administrators of the welfare program in the community, but when it is easier for an employee to obtain a welfare check than to continue working, something is wrong with the system.

I can't help but feel that welfare robs the individual. It robs them of their dignity and if they remain in the system, robs them of any desire to break free of the system. It is much easier to continue to make "excuses", look to the government and refuse to make efforts to fix the situation. Welfare becomes the easy way out. I continue to stand by the belief, that the government is for the truly "needy", those that genuinely need the help.

I have always heard, "You are never a failure until you begin to blame someone or something else". The blaming of something external to ourselves allows us to place the responsibility there also. If the majority would begin to accept personal responsibility, they would learn that when they make excuses...they accuse themselves. There may be many reasons for failure, but there isn't one single excuse.
If those caught up in the welfare system ever want to break free, they will have to crucify their excuses and commit themselves to breaking the chains that bind them. So, then the true issue of welfare, I believe is found in the word "desire".

Once an individual becomes dependant on the government, they receive a sense of security, but open themselves up to becoming comfortable and find their desire to change waning. Oh, they may know they will have a meal (food stamps), and may even live in government housing with no worry of shelter. They may even have a "medical card", eliminating any fear of not having health insurance. This life, however, quickly becomes an endless cycle of welfare and the individual loses their need to break free.

Where is the desire in welfare recipeints to develop a vision for their lives, and do what it takes to escape the chains of the system? Why do so many of our people choose to live on welfare, when they are more than capable of working for a living? These able-bodied people could be productive citizens if they would only choose to break the cycle. The key is of course found in "the want to". They, with all their excuses, choose "The Easy Way Out".

The View From Here On National Security

I am sure that you and I might be able to argue over wars in foreign lands, but domestic tranquility as Americans is our birthright. The preamble of our Constitution lays it out for us. I believe most Americans still find it hard to comprehend a war within our own borders, even after September 11, 2001. The American people have truly been blessed in regards to war in our own country, and we should never take that blessing for granted. It, however, is still an imminent threat and a threat we as a country must be proactive in identifying and combating. I return again to my previous post, stating first and foremost we must, without exception, secure our borders.

I believe we not only have come to the place where we tolerate illegal aliens in our country, but that we also encourage them. The State of Tennessee, in 2001, passed a law allowing illegal aliens to obtain a driver's license without a valid Social Security Number. The driver's license stations all across the state were swamped with illegal aliens from across the country. The state, under pressure from the Department of Homeland Security, set up "driving certificates" for illegal aliens. Later, in 2007, the state legislature of Tennessee voted to abandon the issuing of driving certificates altogether for illegals. Only one example of what began as an "encouragement" for illegal aliens.

John Lee Malvo, was the young accomplice in the D.C. Sniper murders. Mr. Malvo was a Jamaican who had stowed away on a cargo ship. Stowaways, in accordance with U.S. law, are to be immediately deported and without a hearing. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, go immediately back to your country. Mr. Malvo was arrested on Dec. 19, 2001, only 3 months after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers, and the Pentagon. Again, under U.S. law, Mr. Malvo should have been immediately deported. He was released, however, under his own recognizance. It was then, that he joined with Mr. John Allen Muhammed who was the D.C. sniper. One of the greatest benefits, of the screening process, for anyone seeking a visa into our country is to prevent the entry of known criminals.

We must secure our borders, and begin to do so immediately. If we are to maintain our National Security, this must be a task at the top of our priority list. My friends, if you and I are not safe within our own borders, then we simply are not free. I agree with others that the sensible thing to do is to place our military at our borders, and allow them to enforce our border laws. I know, I can already hear all of you who are saying that would be the military performing a domestic law enforcement activity, which is to be prevented. Somehow, I don't see the repelling of foreign invaders, as engagement in what is considered a domestic law enforcement activity. I believe our purpose would be the protection of our country from the "outside" forces, who illegally try to enter our country. The truth, our military was formed and designed to defend and protect the American people. I am a veteran and I remember the oath I was sworn to in regards to defending my country. I was sworn to defend my country against all enemies foreign and domestic. Illegal immigration is one of the greatest threats to the United States, and we need to stop making excuses and immediately begin protecting ourselves. If we are to maintain National Security, it will begin with securing our borders and controlling illegal immigrants.

The Cost of Illegal Immigration

In my recent readings, I spent quite some time on the subject of Illegal Immigration into the United States. A touchy issue with some I know. I, however, in reviewing the subject discovered facts that shocked me, and I am sure will shock you.

We have immigration laws for a reason. I believe that they were designed as a filter for all those seeking to enter the United States of America. In addition, it is one of our country's primary duties to control our borders. The reason we have the Immigration and Customs Enforcement to start with is to protect our citizens from criminals who flee their own country. It is also to protect us from disease that might be brought into our country by an immigrant.

Today, I want to discuss the "cost" of illegal immigration not only in monetary terms, but also in lives. Rice University conducted a study in 1997 that placed the net cost at $20 billion. The study stated that this included the cost of education, incarceration, food stamps, housing and a host of other type costs amounting to near $33 billion. In 1997 they concluded that the amount of taxes paid by illegals was around $12.6 billion. When we subtract the $12.6 billion from the $33 billion, the total cost to the US equals $20 billion. $20 billion in 1997, does that shock you?

This year, in 2008, ESR Research released a study that placed the number of immigrants in the US, legally and illegally, at 37 million. The estimated federal cost alone equaled $346 billion. A part of this equation was the loss of $100 billion in federal taxes lost "from the reduction of native incomes caused by immigrant workers". It is estimated that 12 million of the 37 million immigrants in this country are here illegally, and that is believed to be on the low side. That is one third of the total immigrants in this country. The study revealed that using this number of 12 million illegals, the total cost to the federal government would be near $115 billion.

The human cost of illegal immigration is frightening to say the least. The Violent Crimes Institute has estimated that there are 240,000 illegal immigrant sex offenders in our country. That comes out to 93 sex offenders and 12 serial sex offenders that will cross the borders into the United States, every day! Every day. The numbers tell us that each sex offender averages 4 victims. That's almost a million victims from this one study alone. Just so you will know, the cases reviewed in this study revealed that: 35 percent were child molestations, 24 percent were rapes, and 41 percent were sexual homicides and serial murders. How can we bear this?

Illegal aliens continue to stream across our borders from Mexico, of which the Federal Government can not keep tabs on. Congressman Steve King (R-IA) conducted a study using government records, cross-referencing them with arrest records and prison population estimates, and found the following results. Each day, on the average, 12 Americans are murdered by illegal aliens. 4,380 per year. Congressman King's study also revealed that estimates indicate 13 people are killed by illegal aliens in traffic accidents each day, mostly from driving drunk. That's a total of 25 Americans killed each day, 9,125 per year, because we won't secure and control our borders.

We must take action, and eliminate these deaths. Secure our borders, take away the free benefits offered so readily and hold employers accountible for hiring illegals.
The time is now, and we must get serious about protecting our borders. Let's put a stop to the free services beyond life-saving measures, and those that come here will be those desiring to go through due process and become a citizen of our country.

Mountain Sounds

I have always loved the sounds of bluegrass music, mountain music and gospel. I grew up in the mountains of North Carolina, and bluegrass was very much alive and well there. The sounds of bluegrass and gospel, still echo in my memories as a boy growing up there in the mountains. So, as the years have passed, I have only grown to love them more. I have placed several links here on my blog for bluegrass, mountain and gospel music...try a couple, you may be the next mountain music fan. Hey, even if you should find you don't like the sound, at least, you gave a listen.

I am listing below the winners of the "International Bluegrass Music Association" Awards for 2008. I am sure you will see it was a big night for Dailey and Vincent, a group that has just recently emerged on the scene. I encourage you to visit the websites of these winners, and sit a spell, as you listen to some "Mountain Sounds".

God Bless, until the next time.


ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Dailey & Vincent



VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Dailey & Vincent


INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper



MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Jamie Dailey


FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Dale Ann Bradley



SONG OF THE YEAR

"Through The Window Of A Train," Blue Highway (artists),
Tim Stafford & Steve Gulley (songwriters)



ALBUM OF THE YEAR


Dailey & Vincent, Dailey & Vincent (artists), Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent (producers), Rounder Records


RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR

Everett Lilly & Everybody and Their Brother, Featuring Everett Lilly, Bea Lilly, Charles Lilly, Daniel Lilly, Mark Lilly, Marty Stuart, Rhonda Vincent, Billy Walker, Ronnie McCoury, Rob McCoury, David Ball, Charlie Cushman, Larry Stephenson, Joe Spivey, Eddie Stubbs, Jason Carter, Dickey Lee, Freddy Weller, Mike Bub, Rad Lewis, Andy May, Darrin Vincent, Marcia Campbell, Clay Rigdon, Eric Blankenship & Bill Wolfenbarger (artists), Charles Lilly & Bill Wolfenbarger (producers), Swift River Music


INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Sound of the Slide Guitar, Andy Hall (artist & producer), Sugar Hill Records


GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

"By The Mark," Dailey & Vincent (artists), Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent (producers), Rounder Records



EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Dailey & Vincent

Personal Philosophy

"Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out." Jim Rohn

What is your "personal philosophy"? What propels you forward to toward success, and winning in life?

The storms of life will come to us all, and we will experience the winds of failure, hurt, heartache, pain, and disappointment. These are seas you and I each will surely have to sail on, but we all don't reach the same destinations. Why do we arrive at different places, some at harbors filled with success and others at the harbor of failure.

The major difference isn't the sea we have sailed on, for we know we each face the same circumstances; it's the way we think, our personal philosophy. It seems there are times, that no matter how hard we try, things just seem to fall apart. Our lives are filled with challenges we must face, and we find them in all areas of our life. It isn't what happens to us that determines the quality of our lives, but it is how we think about what happened. It is our personal philosophy. The way we think and respond has a greater ability to destroy our lives than any of the challenges we may face. How quickly we respond to adversity is far more important than the adversity itself. The great challenge of life is to control our own thinking.

A great way to build a new and powerful philosophy is to take a look at the conclusions you already have about life. "If it isn't working for you, it's probably working against you". If it isn't working, change things, you have that ability.

There are people from every walk of life, who have experienced incredible experiences, that have written about those experiences. The contributions of these people allow us to develop our thinking, and refine our philosophy. Books are a gift that are filled with treasures that can change our lives, economics, health and careers for the better. If we will only read them.

As we refine our philosophy, we should be committed to paying attention during our day, observing what's going on and becoming a good listener. The people we have around us, should be people we respect and admire. We should be able to learn and grow from them, being inspired and stimulated by them.

Every day that we live, will be filled with dozens of choices, moments that we will be called upon to make a decision. Each of these decisions will chart a path to where we are headed in our future. We need to make wise choices. If we have a sound philosophy, we will be better prepared to make these decisions.

Build and refine your philosophy. Commit yourself to it, and say "I'm going to change my life". Tomorrow, I will be better, for today I will have learned more, listened better and made better choices.


Jim Rohn's 10 Steps to Success

1. If you will change, everything will change for you.
2. Spend time and money on things that count.
3. Don't spend too much time or money on things that don't count.
4. Instead of getting through the day, get from the day.
5. Take charge of your own life.
6. Repetition is the labor of skill.
7. Put yourself through an activity plan.
8. Clean up your neglect.
9. Spend more money on the inside of your head, than on the outside.
10. Remember, that time is more valuable than money and if you find something of
value, try it.