Individual Liberty — Individual Responsibility

For those we lost, We will not forget 09/11/2001

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
— The Continental Congress, July 4, 1776

“The task of statesmanship has always been the re-definition of these rights in terms of a changing and growing social order.”
— Franklin D. Roosevelt (Commonwealth Club Address, 1932)

“Roosevelt was wrong! The principles laid down in the Declaration of Independence are the principles of individual liberty. Our unalienable rights, given to us by God are given to us as individuals. Our rights do not come from society or the government, and they cannot be redefined by politicians. The nature of these rights carries with it the implication of individual responsibility, without which we surrender them.”
— Perri Nelson, November 6, 2008

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Gratitude

Published Wed, Nov 21 2007 8:38 AM

With Thanksgiving literally hours away, I've decided to get started early. Here's a short and by no means complete list of just some of the things I'm thankful for, in no particular order:

My wife Betty. She's kept me sane over the years, although I've probably driven her a bit crazy.
My son Lucas. Bright and precocious, he's a boy to be proud of.
My stepson Zachary. He and I may not get along, but what an opportunity for me to learn.
My granddaughter Sidney. What an amazing little girl, and she's always got a smile for me.
The United States of America. We live in the greatest nation that exists or has ever existed on this planet. It's a nation that protects our rights and liberties, where a man can grow up to do anything that he has the inspiration, willpower and discipline to achieve.
The brave men and women of our military forces. They lay down their lives to protect our lives, our rights, and our liberties. They fight so that others won't have to. They are the instruments of freedom in the world today and deserve our thanks on a daily basis.
The thousands upon thousands (or is it millions upon millions) of men and women who have gone before, prodding and poking at nature, observing, cataloging and puzzling out the many secrets of how God's universe works. Without them, nearly all that we take for granted today would not exist and our lives would truly be "nasty, brutish, and short".
Cars, Computers, Cell Phones, Motion Pictures, Television, Books, Cassette Tapes, Vinyl recordings, CDs, DVDs, Air Conditioning, Dishwashers, Washing Machines, Lawn Mowers, Trucks, Airplanes, Trains, Ships, and the other myriad technologies that make life so much easier and pleasant.
The Internet.
My fellow bloggers. You guys and girls certainly help to keep this interesting.
The talents that God has given me which allow me to spend my days thinking and typing rather than tearing my muscles apart trying to earn a living.
The world which God has created for us all to live in.
My life.
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their Godly descendants. These men, chosen by God were the fathers of a great nation of His chosen people.
God Himself. Without Him, I would have nothing else to be thankful for.

What are you thankful for? You are thankful for something aren't you? Or do you, like the Seattle School District think that Thanksgiving should be a day of mourning?

This linkfest is for the 21st of November, 2007, and probably for the 22nd (Thanksgiving Day) as well.

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Right Voices trackbacked with "Happy Thanksgiving"

I would like to wish each and every one of you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. Be safe and savor the day. My house is all trimmed for Christmas. My husband and I spent the day getting our house all decorated, had a wonderful meal together, and ju...

Mark My Words trackbacked with "Trespass, and then you can own it"

That's the lesson to take from the actions of a former District Judge, who has managed to make a couple's land worthless, while he and his lawyer wife tie up a good portion of the property in court.

third world county trackbacked with "In Every Thing Give Thanks: T-13; 1.48"