I am back to the Republic

I haven't written in about 3 years on this blog. In light of not so recent events and recent events, like so many Americans I have recently been awakened. Awakened to a new calling. That is, how to best serve the Republic. Something is wrong. I know that we have a Republic and I know it needs restoration, but I needed to define what that meant.

What is a Republic? Its not much more that a government with Representitives of the people. That is the most basic definition. Our Republic however, has a bit more to it than that. Our founding fathers having been fresh from the monarchy of the Kings England, did something that had never been done before. they did not just draft a Declaration of Independence, where they wrote all their grievences for setting apart from their mother land. They set out to design a Republic that would address each of those grievences and give no man or sect of men the power to accomplish them. This may sound simple, but given how complex humans can be, it was indeed the greatest accomplishment ever. The Isrealites accomlished it, but they had something that the founders did not. True religious uniformity with a populace that feared their maker above all else. Not that they were not without evil or corruption, they did have an excellent system for justice (which our founders drew from). The Anglo-Saxons had something similar. But our founders were taking the next step in government. A free people that could live under the same system without sharing the same religious beliefs. Our founders understood the perils that would eventually coincide with religious uniformity. Not to mention, they had seen how a uniformed religious state was almost always the governing body itself (Kings were first in the eyes of God and thus derived their authority from him). They set out to create a government that operated completely seperate from religion while borrowing the morality that all religions shared. There were certain constants that were derived from all religions equally. These constants became the foundation rather than the religion itself. It was a nobel idea. One that had never been tried. One that made so much sense, that one could forward the idea as common sense.

In summary, if I had to summarize the American idea, it would be the idea to utilize the constant morality that all religions shared as a basis for law to protect the liberties of its people.

Many people say that if our founding fathers could see us now they would be appalled. I think the fact of the matter is that they would hail a victory that the Republic they created was indeed so robust that it has lasted beyond a hundred years. It is indeed a miracle that we still have Democracy, let alone anything left of a Republic. They all knew how fragile it is, and I think we would actually take them by surprise. the founders knew that a Republic was so delicate, that many expected to outlive it.

So what has happened to our dear Republic over the last 200 years? Well, many things, but one of the most influential that effects the result comes from good o'l Ben Franklin's quote -

"When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic"

But I think the most important thing that has happened to our Republic is unavoidable. TIME!

We are now many many generations removed from the revolution. Even a few generations removed from the last danger of Fascism. Our last great danger was in the 1940's and those men that saw the face of Fascism are now dying out. The generation now in power having no danger in sight (so they think) are now the greatest danger of all. They are the elitist and self serving we now elect on a regular basis and have no outside fears to contend with. They are now free to impose their ideas on the masses with no fear of interruption from a greater power than their own. And so they follow the footsteps of history to repeat the mistake that has been made over and over. Their intentions should not be doubted. As any of us with strong belief, they believe their doing the right thing. Social Justice sounds like something that should be implemented. They believe this mainly with cause to a great disease they have caught. It is the disease that plagues many politicians and scientists and professors. It is called Elitism. Elitism is the opposite of Democracy. They know you don't want it, but they also know that you are not as intelligent as they are, therefore they are acting on your behalf (whether you want it or not). They are not imposing their ideology on the people who know better. They are giving their ideology to people of less intellectual capability than they have. They view it as necessary to tell you what you really need, not what you think you need. After all, they know better, they are the educated.

The means???? No worry, the end justifies the means. They will use your children. they will defy your constitution. They will use your misfortune. They will use the tools they have, and they are indeed patient.

I have felt like I have been awakened. I have been learning about my founding fathers. I have been learning about true heroism and honor. The forfeiture of personal life for the liberty of a nation. The greatest thinkers of before our time. I used to be so impressed by the thinking of Einstein, that he could manage to imagine a world where time, space and mass were not constant, only now to be rivaled by our founders. Men that truly understood human nature and knew how to create a system to give liberty without self destruction. Einstein never had to fear his ideas, they brought him fame and fortune. The founders ideas were not only far more powerful than the atomic bomb, but personally put them in danger, their families in danger! They not only had to come up with the ideas, but they had to lead a nation through hell to incorporate them.

And so I owe my life and liberty to those men. The very least I can do is make a fleeting attempt at preservation of their (and our) constitution. Until the first amendment no longer applies I will speak out. There are men in power that think they are bringing us social justice. They are in fact bringing a storm of tyranny. They are unwittingly carrying Fascism concealed in the name of distributive equality. I do believe they started out with good intentions, but as the Fascism grows from their seed of socialism, they will not admit their mistake. No, they will finish the job. In that Process they will awaken true Americans. Patriots will soon be teaming. When faced with the loss of liberty, men will do the most heroic acts. Just as any good man would push their offspring from in front of the speeding car and replace the position with their own body, so will free men risk themselves for the future liberties of their children. I for one am awake. Asleep far too long.
I fully understand many are not yet awake. The loss of liberty has not been hard enough felt yet. It needs to get worse before it can get better. The free market is only stressed and not yet collapsed. The liberties only inconvenienced, and not yet removed. But it is coming. Don't believe me? Think its all going to be alright?
Lets follow it together. Tell me I am wrong. I will welcome the news!

Majic tricks

15 month old Joshua sits on the floor playing with his magnetic plastic cookie (one of his favorites). When the round cookie is placed in the round hole on the toy tray it plays a little song. Josh examines his plastic cookie in all ways. The taste must be thoroughly checked multiple times. What does it sound like when dropped? Why doesn't it fit where the triangular cookie goes? Josh really gets to know his toy. He rubs it on the top of his face to get a good feel. Then he moves himself to a standing position using the couch to keep his balance, but only with one hand because he must keep cookie with him to hold while standing.
Suddenly poof. . . . . the cookie is gone! It was just in his hand and it vanished right in thin air!. He looks down on the ground, carefully scanning back and forth. He understands that once cookie leaves his hand gravity will inevitably bring it to the floor. But its not there? He looks at his mother with confusion? Where could it have gone? He looks at his hand again, but the cookie is still not there. Eventually he learns to forget about it and let bye goners be bye goners.
See his twin sister has this uncanny ability to snatch things. Really! for a 15 month baby, her hands are quite amazing. I cannot count the times I have carried her from one room to the next and not noticing until I put her down that she has something that was on the counter as we walked by like a spoon or something from the wall like the small wooden sign that says "Moms kitchen". I have been in the middle of eating my cereal on the couch when she manages to snatch my spoon right out of my hand. That's not the half of it. Since she has a twin brother she has also developed the skill of keeping the item she snatched away from anyone trying to get it. This is a skill she learned out of necessity, otherwise Joshua would have everything she ever picked up (he tends to be a little bit bullish like that). So Lilly has learned to twist and turn and maneuver her way about, so as to keep her stolen item opposite whatever side you are on. She can switch hands in a blink of an eye. Always keeping it in whatever hand is furthest from you. Had Lilly not been the twin of a very aggressive boy, I doubt she would have this pretty impressive ability.
So we couldn't help but laugh when Lilly was sitting up on the couch and Josh was standing on the floor leaning against the couch with his toy and Lilly managed to snatch it right out of his hand without him seeing. It was as if stealth baby came in under radar with a move so quick none of us saw it completely.

I am not sure but lilly may be somekind of baby ninja, if only she could walk.

The idea that religion and politics don't mix, was an idea created by the devil to keep Christians from running their own country - The pastor (who eventually becomes evil) from the HBO series , CARNIVAL

Grades

"I love my life" - Danielle Fisher 1/30/2007

When your a parent, you have a dream for your children. Many of us want our children to be successful. Get good grades in high school, go to college, get a good job. Maybe a doctor, or a lawyer. How do you measure the quality of your parenting? Perhaps their current grades? Whether or not they stay out of trouble? When you have a 15 year old it can be very tough to know if your doing a good job. I try not to be too invasive. 15 year olds need their privacy. But I still insist on knowing whats going on in her life, although I usually get one word answers, or just an "I don't know". For the most part she is already an adult. Who she is now is really a function of the first 12 or 13 years of her life, although she occasionally needs to be turned in the right direction.
I worry. I mean I really worry. Did I read to her enough? Did I help her with her homework enough? Do I give her too much room to breathe? Not enough? Do I spend enough time with her? Do I tell her "I love you" enough? Does she know how important she is to me? With all the attention we give to our 15 month twins, does my 15 year old get enough of our attention? Does she know we still love her just the same?

On the way home from Walmart tonight, one of her favorite songs came on the radio.

"I love my life" she said

"Do you really mean that?" I asked

"yeah" she said honestly

"Do you really love yourself, do you really love who you've become?" I asked

"yeah" she said with the same honesty

"Then that's all that matters" I reassured her.

Fact is, I don't really care so much if Danielle becomes a doctor or a McDonald's manager. What I do worry about is that Danielle is happy. I mean really happy. Danielle does love herself, and for that I give my wife and I an A+

It's Time!!!!

Although I am a huge Patriots and Redsox fan, I try not to write too many post about sports since it cuts off many readers that are not sports fans. Unfortunately the excitement that is brewing here in New England is too much for me to ignore. I suffered through the 80's and 90's watching my beloved Patriots having nothing but loosing seasons. They managed to make it to two superbowls and lost both. Now that the Patriots are making history with 3 Superbowl wins in just 4 years and are now going for 4 wins in 6 years, I am living it up, because I realize how lucky we are. I know the day will return when Bill Belichek and Tom Brady are gone and it we will be just like every other NFL franchise.
There is just one obstacle that could keep us from going to Florida for the Superbowl on Feb 4th, that is the Indianapolis Colts. They have put away teams this year like it is nothing doing. They did not even loose a game until more than halfway through the season. And most of all they have the best quaterback in the NFL, Payton Manning! This man will beat every one of Dan Marinos records. Calling him a phenom is an understatement. Catching his miracle passes is another one of NFLs best, Marvin Harrison, who many consider one of the best to ever play the game. He is right up there with Rice. These two lead the league in Touchdowns. They have more touchdown with just each other than any other quaterback has period (including all their receivers put together). Payton Manning has it all - the records, the receivers, the ability to call his own plays. You name it, Payton has it. Except there is one thing Payton manning does not have that Tom Brady does have,.....Three Superbowl rings. Why is that? Well there are several reasons. One is the Patriots have a better coach, in fact they have the best coach in the NFL. Another is that Payton Makes a lot more money than Tom Brady, so the Patriots have more money to spend on other players. When Tom Brady signed his second contract, he just came off his second Superbowl win and could have easily been the top payed player in the NFL, but he decided he wanted to leave the Patriots more money so they could sign better players (under the NFL salary cap). Many said Tom was foolish for not demanding more money.
Those things aside, here is most important reason Tom Brady wins Superbowls and Payton Manning Does not,... . . . . Leadership. What the heck does that mean? Yeah you gotta lead by example and work hard and all that, but I am sure Payton does all that. Here is an example of real leadership. When Payton Mannings Colts lost their playoff game last year and Payton had his post game conference. He stood up at the microphone and complained that the reason they lost was that his offensive linemen did not play good enough, therefore he could not get his passes off correctly. When the Patriots lost to Denver in the playoffs last year, Tom Brady stood at the microphone and told the media that "I just did not play good enough.....I didn't make the plays that needed to be made". This is what a leader does. When you win, you give credit to your team. When you loose, you take the credit for the loss.
This is why when the Patriots play the Colts tomorrow to decide which team will represent the AFC in the Superbowl. You will see the Patriots walk away victors. They have a locker room stacked with leaders. Got a couple of extra bucks? Better not bet on the Colts! Anyone want me to put my money where my mouth is, just leave a comment and I will bet you.

He was my friend

He handed me a half pint of Jack Daniels. That was his drink, strait up, no need for mixers. I prefered beer. Not just piss beer like Budweiser, but a good lager like Samual Adams (before they got big and it was still brewed in Boston). Hard liquer was not my thing, but he handed it to me as if we were tough guys in some western movie, so I took it from him, tilted my head back and tried to be a movie star. The thin warm liquid made it about half way down my throat before my esophogus closed shut. I gagged most of it right back up and it landed on the sand in front of me. Whatever didn't seep into the sand the tide quickly washed away. It was a beautiful 3 a.m. on the beach in New England . The sound of the slightly cool breeze and the sound of the waves crashing mixed in between each other as if protecting each other from being completely identified. We laughed over my inability to swallow even one swig. "I just can't stomach it dude" I said handing back his bottle. He took his bottle back and guzzled a good shot, then laughed again while I sucked down a beer to get rid of the taste. We were the only two on the beach. It was if it was our piece of Gods earth, as if he built it just for us. Our fishing poles dug in would bounce from time to time fooling us into checking our bait, but when stripers hit there is no question, and we knew that. It was almost just to go through the motions. Fishing can't be just all waiting. But thats just what we did most of the time....wait. The wait was half the fun. We talked, drank, smoked, smoked joints, drank, talked and smoked some more and drank some more. This was a sport we were well in shape for. We found this place together. Saquish was the name. It was almost an island except for the 4 mile road the led to it. Thats what Saquish was, a big sandy island only connected to mainland by a 100 yard wide, 4 mile long strip of beach with a road in the middle. At high tide it was perhaps only 50 yards wide. There were a hundred or so houses on Saquish, most of them cotteges. It was a piece of New England treasure. In order to go there you had to either live there or be on a guest list. there was a guard at the end of the 4 mile road that would check your I.D.
Steve met someone that introduced us to another man that was one of the few people to live there year round. We all quickly hit it off and next thing Steve and I were on the guest list and could fish there all we pleased. We fished there as often as we could. Sometimes reeling in striped bass, sometimes not, but everytime we inhaled the Saquish air we savoured it. Breathing in that air was like breathing life itself. Having Saquish rights was something Steve and I cherished. We cherished fishing itself. We grew up together Steve and I. Many things changed over time. The only thing that never changed in our lives was our shared love for fishing.
This pericular night we caught only one small striper, too small to keep. It was very dark, no moon at all. Sight was limited, but the other senses were so occupied they were crowded. As it got light, it showed to be an overcast day. We made it. It was if the daybreak gave us our mission completed sign. We said we were going to pull an overnighter and now we did. We packed our gear and left.
This trip was not unlike many others. Not much excitement. Although occasionally we had beautiful fish to show or a crazy story to tell. For just now I will keep them to myself. Perhaps to share later. Steve was my freind, I guess my best friend for some time. We were like brothers growing up. I called his mother "Ma". I slept at his house more than mine in the summer. There isn't a lake or a beach on the south shore we haven't fished. We had days of reeling in huge bluefish one after another out at Rays Point from a 28 foot sportfisher, getting burned by the noon sun and not even knowing it. We had days of standing in the rain beside a small pond we never fished before with no more than a nibble, but we had to try it out.
One time he called me at 10:30 at night. He was 15, I was 16.

"I know where there is a Quad" he said with excitement.

"What do you mean, you know where there is a Quad?" I asked

"I'll get my mothers car, and pick you up" Steve rushed

"Umm.......alright, I'll get ready" I agreed,

Within minutes he was in the driveway with his mothers car and off we went. We drove about 25 minutes to some dirt road in the middle of nowhere in Plymouth. Sure enough, about 50 yards in the woods there was a four wheeler, but it had 4 flat tires. We stuffed the Quad in the trunk. We had no rope or ties and it barely fit half way in. the other half hung over the back bumper. Here we were driving a stolen Quad hanging by a thread out of the back of his mothers car that he was driving with no license. We made it back and really enjoyed that quad over the next few years.
The night before I left for the Air force, Steve and I had one last horrah on that quad. We got good and drunk and rather than drive it down the sand pits like usual, we drove the quad all over town right down the middle of every street all through the night. Steve drove and I hung on for life. We drove down to a fancy neighborhood in Duxbury, and did donuts on the front lawn of the nicest house we could find. One house he kept ripping up their lawn so long a man started to come out side and chase us. While he was screaming at us (and I am sure his wife was calling the police) Steve ran over a newly planted bush in the middle of the front yard. The bush pulled right out of the ground and got wedged under the quad. So now we're dragging this guys bush around his front yard and the bush is literally tearing up all the grass in the front yard. In the Mean time we were laughing so hard we could barely hold on while this guy chased us around his own front yard.

I have a hundered stories of trouble that Steve and I caused. We won't be making anymore. Steve died last week and I just found out this morning. I haven't seen him in a couple of years. It came time for me to straighten out. Steve still had some unfinished buisiness I guess. He left behind a baby that I never met. In fact I just found out about the baby today as well. Perhaps I will get to see the baby tomorrow at the wake. Funny how I haven't seen him in so long yet I am still hurting like it was yesterday. Steve was only 33 years old. He was my friend. At one time he was my very best friend. technically we are even blood brothers. I never took that oath with anyone else. Yeah we were just kids sticking a needle in our hands, but he was my brother. I will miss you Steve. May God bless you and keep you.

Freeze the Fluid?

Scientist have discovered yet another type of stem cell. This new type is found in amniotic fluid and perhaps holds the most promise of any stem cell to date. Current stem cells that do not come from embryos were once labled unipotent since it was thought they were only capable of becomming peticular types of cells. Embryonic stem cells were labeled pluripotent since they have the capability to become any type of cell in the human body. Now the label of unipotent for adult stem cells is blurring. Since they have been used in regenerative therapies, and have even helped repair spinal chord injuries among many other amazing accomplishments. I have made this point several times and won't bore you with more of the same. Except that I kind of have to, because this latest type of stem cell is even more pluripotent that other types of adult stem cells in that it has already been grown into different types of cells like heart tissue.

At a heart research conference in November, Swiss researcher Simon Hoerstrup said he managed to turn amniotic fluid stem cells into heart cells that could be grown into replacement valves. Hoerstrup has yet to publish his work in a scientific journal.

Making it very promising to quickly be used in tissue replacement therapies. Don't be surprized when you hear that not only should you be freezing your babies chord blood, but now the amniotic fluid as well.

Nonetheless, Daley said, the discovery shouldn't be used as a replacement for human embryonic stem cell research.

Of course not, why stop being controversal. I am not the type of person that makes claims that God is trying to send a message with this or that (like people usually do with natural disasters and such), but I have to wonder here. We keep getting discoveries that show us non-embrionic stem cells are or will perform miracles. Yet the embrionic stem cell doesn't accomplish squat! If you are an athiestic scientist, at least let statistics rule rather than the promise of a failed pursuit in embrionic research. Go with what works. I wonder where stem cell research would be today if every dollar and effort put into embrionic stem cell research was put into adult stem cell research?

"While they are fascinating subjects of study in their own right, they are not a substitute for human embryonic stem cells, which allow scientists to address a host of other interesting questions in early human development," said Daley, who began work last year to clone human embryos to produce stem cells.

Notice he doesn't say that ESC research will save lives or some breakthrough will be made. I watch this subject as close as I can. I have noticed this shift in what scientists say about ESC research now. The late ninties we had to kill embryos because it was going to give us spare livers and noone would die of heart failure anymore. Now, with years of research on ESCs and not one usable discovery to treat any disease, scientist have made a shift in why we need to conduct this research. And yes folks it has come down from saving lives to learning about early human development.
If you think a blastocyst is not even life so you don't care if we kill them. Keep this in mind, many of us do think they are life, since we all started out as one. With absolutly no advantage to this research, are you just doing it to piss off the rest of us. Thats good science?

Night Time Bliss

She likes to navigate from one end to the other of our huge rap around sectional leather couch. Josh and Lilly (14 month twins) play on the floor for most of the day with their loads of toys littered about the den, but night time is different. After their last bottle we let them up on the couch. Yeah from time to time one of em takes a dive. The 22 inch drop to the floor usually scares them more than it hurts them. They gotta learn about gravity somehow.
As I daze off into the soft glow of T.V., suddenly two elbows appear on my lap. She crawls over then props her elbows on me, then her head rests on her hands as if she were sitting at a kitchen table. She tells me soft little phrases with all the meaning of an Edgar Alan Poe short. Her voice is a voice of soft song, she has this way of almost singing her little syllabils in the form of a question. Her expression changes as to await my response to her question. Just as I am ready to respond she interupts with more. this time as if to instruct me. She pats me on the chest slow and steady as if to say "Its Ok, everything will be alright". Then scoots away to the corner section and sits against the back. She starts to bounce forward and back using the back cushion to propel her bounce. One time she bounced so hard she went flying right out of her seat, through the air and landed face first on the floor two whole feet from the couch without touching anything. I mean she gets bouncing. The look on her face as if she's on a roller coaster. Then she crawls back to me, elbows back on me. And tells me about her day through little chirps of female baby coo. This time the peacefull story is interupted by a baby boy with a purpose. He just crawls right on top of her to get over her onto my belly, doesn't even hear her crying and complaining. Just uses her face to get one last push with his foot. He crawls right over me with the utmost of ease. Then crawls right up the back of the couch using me as a step ladder (literally). I look back. He is standing on the back of the couch holding onto the top of the lower window frame (window is directly behind couch). He makes his declaration of self satisfaction "EEEEEEEEEEEEEE" in a high pitched baby voice. He sings it out for the whole world to hear "EEEEEEEEEEEEEE"., Like Tarzan after wrestling a gorilla. I hold my hand lightly on his back so he doesn't fall down, but he never needs my support. Its more for me than him. I keep my hand there while I face forward to watch Lilly. Suddenly I feel him go up so that my hand is over his bum rather than his back. How could he go up any more? he is already standing on the back of the couch, but he did. I look back and he has both feet now on the window sill. the sill is not wide enough to support his feet so he turns them a full 90 degrees like a pengin to fit his feet on the window sill and hangs there arms and legs spread. He lets out another yell of satisfactory accomplishment "EEEEEEEEEE". He cries and cries as I pull him down off his mountain of accomplishment.
I read them some Dr Seuss. The only thing that will keep Josh still. I can't help but think to myself how fortunate I am. Sometimes waiting for trajedy to strike in some form so my payment can be made. You must have to pay for this bliss in some form. I miss you Hope, Faith and Seth. I will see you again someday. We shall all be together on one big couch.