The Cost of Freedom
We’ve all seen pictures of dams bursting and volcanoes erupting. With dams and volcanoes there is almost never a way to go back and pin-point the exact moment when the structure of the dam first began to weaken, or when the magma beneath the earth first melted through some obstruction and began racing for the surface. In both cases the pressure had built up for some time, and yet it took some event (earthquake, downpour, ??) to begin the process of unleashing it.
For the past week or so we have witnessed the wholesale whoring of the Senate Democrats as they schemed to pass a Bill that virtually NO ONE has read, and yet is one of the most momentous in U.S. history. The pressure of millions of angry Americans may not yet be enough to crumble the “dam”, but this Bill (including the way it was jammed through) may provide the crack that ultimately sets a “flood” in motion.
I have never felt so betrayed by the political process in America, and millions of Americans feel the same way. We were promised more! In 1787 James Madison wrote:
The use of the Senate is to consist in its proceedings with more coolness, with more system and with more wisdom, than the popular branch.
No more.
And then there is this famous exchange: Upon his return from France, Thomas Jefferson went to see George Washington and asked why the Constitutional Convention delegates had created a Senate. “Why did you pour that coffee into your saucer?” asked Washington. “To cool it,” said Jefferson. “Even so,” responded Washington, “we pour legislation into the senatorial saucer to cool it.”
No more.
Sailors, having been at sea for several months, show considerably more restraint when they finally visit a port than the Democrats showed in this “process”. Coffee in a saucer? More like vodka in a 16 ounce tumbler. Outrage is being heaped on outrage, and the pace is ACCELERATING! The “dam” is already well above what it was intended to hold…and they are pouring more into it each day.
The Cost of Freedom? Well, you can purchase an Angry Mob Play Set for $15.95 from http://www.mcphee.com/shop/products/Angry-Mob-Play-Set.html. But when the dam bursts, and it is weakening, the Cost of Freedom is going to go up…way up.
I’ve spent my life defending this country, in word and deed. Now I find myself increasingly contemplating how to defend myself FROM this country. I am not alone.
[1]
Today, U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C. said:
“Rather than sitting here and carping about what Nelson got for Nebraska, I would say to my friends on the other side of the aisle: Let’s get together and see what we can get for South Carolina”
Translation: I’m so drunk with power I’ll go whoring with anybody!
And we’re expected to have faith in THIS government?
[2]
But if you say, you can still pass the violations over, then I ask, hath your house been burnt? Hath your property been destroyed before your face? Are your wife and children destitute of a bed to lie on, or bread to live on? Have you lost a parent or a child by their hands, and yourself the ruined and wretched survivor? If you have not, then you are not a judge of those who have. But if you have, and can still shake hands with the murderers, then you are unworthy of the name of husband, father, friend, or lover, and whatever may be your rank or title in life, you have the heart of a coward and the spirit of a sycophant.
~~~ Thomas Paine
[3]
To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.
~~~Theodore Roosevelt,
[4]
ip, that is an amazing quote…and so apt. Yet our Republican Senators will go right back in January and pretend they (and America!) didn’t just get raped by the Dems. They’ll “shake hands with the murderers” and smile for the cameras.
But I feel strongly that a tipping point HAS passed. I pray in 2010 we use the momentum of that to retake the country at the ballot box. I truly fear for America if we cannot. And mostly, I fear for my kids and grandkids.
[5]
ip, didn’t Teddy Roosevelt then add: “unless he’s BLACK, of course!” ??
[6]
Fortunately teddy wasn’t a fan of PC back in those days.
[7]
I’m re-thinking my opinion of Mitch McConnell if this is true [hattip HotAir and Washington Times]:
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Did-McConnell-really-surrender-in-health-care-debate-79979727.html
McConnell may have turned a busted-flush into a winning hand. Remains to be seen.
[8]
Justrand -
Had you posted this a couple of weeks ago, the angry mob playset would have been at the top of my Christmas list.
[9]
bc3b, I actually meant to! But it’s not too late to order one. I should get Justmary to see if they want to advertise on our site…
[10]
He surrendered, no matter if the other debt votes just prior to SOTU or just after what does it really matter, in fact it probably would be more helpful if it happened after, as people would see the president was lying in what he says in the SOTU. I see the argument for getting it before SOTU but really if your mitchie don’t you also have to wonder wtf the point is in trusting Harry to do as he says?
Phuq that, it’s time for him to step down and make room for fighters.
[11]
EXCELLENT article, hattip Instapundit and American Thinker:
http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/12/why_the_angry_mob_is_angry.html
Key paragraph:
Our anger comes not simply because we are poor sports. We are not racists who abhor the idea of “a black man in the White House,” because in truth, we have wanted to see that bridge crossed for years. We are not “just angry people” — quite the contrary, which underscores the point. Conservatives are not usually angry, nor are we protesters. That we show up to a protest at all is a huge statement itself and expressive enough of our anger. When we do protest, we don’t vandalize local merchants, topple cars and set them on fire, or require the police to control us or cart us off to jail. We’re not violent people — but we are human, and we do get angry. We’re just regular folks who prefer to not protest or make a stink about anything. We just want to live our lives in peace. What lights our fire is any threat to that peace and the freedom that provides it.
[12]
They say that depression is anger turned inward. As such I understand why these days I bounce from anger so severe that I can barely keep from screaming into despair so deep that my hope or faith in the American people is thread bare. For over a year now we have witnessed this wholesale destruction of the American ideal. We have watched 281 alleged believers in democracy (I assume they believed in the power of the voting public long enough to get elected) shred the Constitution and throw away basic freedom of the American people. As a child I was taught that those who behaved badly during the year received coal and switches in their CHRISTmas stockings. This year mountains of coal to rival the entire Rocky Mountain range and enough switches to lay bare Washington and Oregon are necessary to heap upon these enemies within.
[13]
{ot}
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/12/army_afghanistan_mixed_signals_122109w/
—
Buried in that article:
The 1/17’s soldiers said their train-up was also marked by an absence of good intelligence on what they would be facing in the Arghandab. In their zeal to give their men some insight into their future area of operations, noncommissioned officers such as Staff Sgt. Matthew T. Sanders, 1st Squad leader in Charlie Company’s 1st Platoon, resorted to printing out information on the Arghandab region from the Long War Journal, a respected non-Defense Department Web site, and posting it on bulletin boards.
“We made our own little S-2 because we weren’t getting anything from the S-2 [intelligence directorate],” Sanders said.
—
Matches well with what my bro said while preparing for and in Iraq… If the intel boys aren’t feeding you, or the information isn’t getting down to you, try TLWJ.
[14]
As a precaution, you may also want to get a tub o Ninjas.
That is a great website! I would have bought a ton from them had I seen their site before. I love the “handerpants”.
A vaguely inappropriate fashion statement, indeed.
[15]
Matches well with what my bro said while preparing for and in Iraq… If the intel boys aren’t feeding you, or the information isn’t getting down to you, try TLWJ. — KH
Sounds like a contract opportunity to me.
[16]
I dunno. I find myself angry, but lately all I can do is beat the crap out of punching bags, or throw elbows at my trainer (that does help though, I tell ya) because I fear the things I would say if I got on this board and just started typing. It sucks that my husband and I are having to discuss contingency plans for our family to ensure survival. Not even getting ahead, or achieving success……just helping our kids to survive. I get depressed some days, so I pray harder on those days.
[17]
Personally, I think would rather send sixty of McPhee the Giant Mutant Cockroach to every Dim Senators office in DC.
[18]
Yeah, and their reaction when they opened it would be “Mom? Is that you?”. heh
[19]
One other thing. Before I put a fist thru the monitor or bust the keyboard over my knee watching what the Dims are doing; I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Don’t know how much longer I can last before I go postal.
[20]
JM, thanks I needed that!
[21]
Personally, I think would rather send sixty of McPhee the Giant Mutant Cockroach to every Dim Senators office in DC.
—-
I can think of devices much more attention getting, or should I say ‘explosive’, lord knows they are easy enough to build.
[22]
KH,
Didn’t want to tip you off, plenty of space in the body cavity for a couple of pounds of C4, timer optional.
[23]
Great post.
I love the quotes ip had & that American Thinker column is excellent:
We’re just regular folks who prefer to not protest or make a stink about anything. We just want to live our lives in peace. What lights our fire is any threat to that peace and the freedom that provides it.
We have been under assault this year. I think often of Katie Abrams’s words from this summer when she confronted Arlen Specter and told him, This is about the systematic dismantling of this country….You have awakened a sleeping giant.
[24]
http://www.redstate.com/realquiet/2009/12/23/mitch-mcconnell-likes-dan-perrins-strategy/
—
Will he actually do it?
[25]
Hey JR,
Once the HC bill passes, you going to change the ‘The Cost of Freedom’ title?
Here’s your alternate –
The Price of Peonage
[26]
Asian tsunami was 5 years ago today. Time flys
The Price of Peonage – or TPoP for short.
[27]
reminds me of the little peons in Warcraft (first couple versions)… “yes sire”, “how may serve you”, “yes me lord”…
Or “by your command.”
http://hybrid.ualr.edu/~hudson/sounds/by_your.wav
http://hybrid.ualr.edu/~hudson/sounds/humans_e.wav
http://hybrid.ualr.edu/~hudson/sounds/itisdone.wav
http://hybrid.ualr.edu/~hudson/sounds/deceptio.wav
http://datacore.sciflicks.com/battlestar_galactica/sounds/battlestar_galactica_annihilation.wav
[28]
The Perrin Strategy has a lot to commend it. It does require that everything fall in line just so. But it maybe the only shot we have left.
If its going to happen then Boehner is going to have to act and reach across to somebody like Kussinch. (sic) That alone would be a Outer Limits type episode in itself. And can a couple of blue dogs be peeled off for cushion when the final vote comes up?
[29]
drdog…I just might have to!
I also might have to get H-O-L-D F-A-S-T tattoed across my knuckles.
2010, folks…we’re up against it. I intend to donate to many specific candidates, and to ReverseTheVote etc. I also plan to make a D.C. trip to whatever looks to be the biggest rally of the year. They ignored 700,000+ people. We need to get it in the millions I guess.
[30]
Gee those wavs sound erringly like Dingy Harry.
[31]
The Perrin Strategy doese look promising…as does McConnell’s “deal” with Dingy Harry. Of course, trusting Dingy Harry is not much of a strategy.
[32]
Seriously if we’re going to get millions to show up in DC we might as well just overrun the capital and government at large, and no I’m not really joking. The real problem there is having some kind of command&control \ order of a millions plus armed patriots during the coup. I know… they can all monitor my twitter page!
Funny thing it’d probably be effective. lol
[33]
HUGE DEVELOPMENT — Hot Air is reporting that Obama plans to shelve Healthcare until February to focus on Jobs and the Economy. Evidently, the House doesn’t have the votes to pass the Senate bill.
[34]
#29 You should! When you go though, make sure your tattoo artist is good with tattoos on fingers because they can blur. Just sayin.
[35]
Other than the obvious moral issue, why doesn’t McConnell just walk up to a Nelson or Landrieu and offer a deal to double whatever they are getting from Reid when the Senate goes Republican again if they will switch parties now and vote no on the HC bill.
We have long since abandoned rules of order, ethics and comity in the Senate. This is now a poker match. So McConnell might as well double down. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain my making the deal.
[36]
#33 I saw that. I think it is less about not having the votes and more about poll #’s for the one.
[37]
Hi Guys and Gals!
Thanks for the “Most Words Posted on BJG – Like Ever Dude!” Award!
I will put it up on the Cave wall right next to my Acme Reeducation Camp Certificate lol
But seriously, after spending the morning listing to the talk shows, its quite evident what the the lefts DNC cramdown strategy is from this point forward: soft pedal the HC takeover and get people calmed down.
Several “random” liberal callers on the shows were all saying the same thing:
“this is watered down”
“Its only insurnance reform”
“Its a good starting point for future reform”
etc
They also hammered at Palin’s facebook comments too:
“The IPB cant ration care – its in the bill”
“The insurance companies already ration and deny care – this bill fixes this”
Blah blah blah
Defintiely Dean, KOS etc ranting was disinformation to reinforce in the publics mind that this bill is “no big deal” and therefore not a threat….
Also a prelude to a future overt takeover….
We need get our crap organized and recognize what the left is doing here – their was no coherent or intellegent responses from the conservatives hosts – I wanted to throw a shoe at the radio….
Of course I am not sure if the RNC, McConnell, etc are not complicit in this scam to cover up for them getting rolled or cause the insurance lobby is telling them to go along…..
The messaging from the Rinos on HHR and this “calm down, forget about HC” thing from earlier in the week have me very suspious….
[38]
If indeed Obama shelves ObamaCare until February then makes Dingy Harry look even stooopider (if that’s possible).
Hurry…just vote…don’t read…we can’t wait! Oops.
[39]
Lets see –
Facebook page.
Task Manager for assault assignments.
GPS as provided in every cell phone.
Mapquest for tracking.
Track software to monitor Predator drones.
Yep, easy peasy.
Map out the 3 buildings used by Congress. Assign each team to a room. Bust in and just sit down. Take a page right out of the leftists from the 60’s.
[40]
There are a number of cracks in Health Care I’ve read about this morning. I’m trying to collect them in one post, but it’s going to take me a bit longer.
There is reason to hope.
[41]
The cost of stupidity:
Pakistani officials: take action to stop US airstrikes
I’d say unreal, but at this point I expect nothing but stupidity from the idiots currently ‘running’ Pakistan.
“The US intrusion into Pakistan is a step against our sovereignty,”
–
I really love that line, sovereignty implies at least some level of control over said area of which they have NONE.
[42]
If indeed Obama shelves ObamaCare until February then makes Dingy Harry look even stooopider (if that’s possible).
Then obviously Reid has not looked in the mirror lately.
[43]
39 – I was thinking something a little more drastic Dr. Dog. I don’t think sit-ins are going to get it done this time around.
[44]
This is funny though because Obama said bad bad things would happen if we didn’t pass this bill right this very second! I guess he has the power to stave off those bad things with just a wave of his wand. What a cool guy.
[45]
33 – Saw that earlier I don’t by it, I think it’s a fake out designed to get some folks to calm down.
[46]
#45 To get us to look the other way this week then drop the bomb in Monday night’s news? Oh…did we forget to tell you we passed hellcare? Sorry bout that.
[47]
KH, not if everybody on the team has been eating cans of Bush’s Baked Beans for 24hrs straight.
But I get your point. So what might you suggest? Hostages? Nobody will trade us a dime for anybody on the Hill.
[48]
Lynch mob time.
[49]
Guys…..may wanna take the tone down a small notch……too many pansy liberals out there who don’t understand venting as it relates to anger…..they also tend to project with their imaginations of what their side has done/continues to do. Just sayin.
[50]
47 – LOL
Nah I’m not a hostage taking sort of type, more a don’t leave a living witness type.
In reality I’d prefer a Vince Flynn “term limits” type of operation only on a slightly larger scale, and all in one evening.
[51]
Peaceful secession
Get behind it now
Texas first
LA OK etc next
[52]
JM – The pansy left should be scared.
[53]
Georgia and Alabama 4th and 5th.
[54]
#42 I wouldnt get too excited about this “delay” until after the SOTU or FEB either….
Bottomline, Reid had to stop the bleeding NOW and get this passed…they need to change the subject and hope the mob puts down the pitchforks and goes back to tillin’ the fields….
Thats why you have the weekend votes etc….
Thats why you have the plants pushing the talking point of “its watered down”….
Change the subject, get everyone distracted again, finish the dirty work behind the scenes, pop out the bill and wala!
Its all part of the plan as the more this CrappyCare sees the light of day, the more people hate it!
Conservatives had better not get ADD on this!
Mark Steyn has been exactly correct on this from the very begining:
Its all about racheting politics leftward by getting tens of millions depedent on the government!
The Democrats will stop at nothing to get this passed as its about wiping out conservatives and limited government!
[55]
WWLCD on secession?
[56]
#51 The guest host on Mark Levin said told a caller who talked about “nullification and sessicion” (BTW this was a small businessman in NJ who was being crushed by taxes and regs) to “stop talking crazy, this only helps the liberals!”
I think the GOPers and establishment types have no real idea how far the productive people in this country have been pushed….
And how desperate many have become….
No clue, as evidenced by this “we will repeal” it crap – they have NO CLUE what this CrappyCare bill is about and the Democrats real intent….
They still think we are talking about HC lol!
[57]
Linc is definitely secesh…
[58]
Oh ok.
[59]
#45 Yep, that the Democrats new jive…
Relax, why this is no HC takeover!
Its only iiiiinnnnnnssssssuuuurraaannnnnccccceeee reform – trust us….
Yep, they want the subject changed and they dont really want people to focus on how the bill works and amounts to a defacto takeover….
It may be easier to educate people if we didnt have to fight our “friends” in the GOP establishment/RNC as they have been essentially echoing this same line….
Maybe its to excuse their failure to stop it, an ignorant game of chicken to win a couple of short elections in 10, or a failure to understand the stakes here….
But I have spent more time debunking RNC crap this week then attack the D CrappyCare plan…..
[60]
KH: “JM – The pansy left should be scared.”
yes, they should.
I’ve toned down my rhetoric enough…as have millions of Americans. The people angry enough to speak out as we are are multiplying every day.
Pelosi may be too ignorant to know what’s happening, but plenty of others DO know…and yup, they SHOULD be scare!
My credentials:
- Served in the military
- NEVER broken the law (except a few speeding tickets)
- paid ALL my taxes
- given generously to charities
- always treated EVERYONE in a Christian manner…regardless of Race/Creed/Color/Ethnic background, etc
- generally kept quiet in situations where doing so would help calm things down and/or spoke for calm and quiet and “getting along”
Millions of folks just like me are now at least contemplating the downfall of this nation…and focusing more and more energy on surviving that downfall. WE are the ones who kept it propped up!!! If we SHRUG, as we are openly discussing, then the effects on the sucker-fish class (and their elitist Masters) will be devasting!
Damn skippy they should be scared!
[61]
This is the kind of message the public needs to hear constantly from the GOP and Conservative media:
http://townhall.com/columnists/BenShapiro/2009/12/23/the_three-step_plan_to_stop_nationalized_health_care
“Congressional Democrats, after all their faux wrangling, open bribery and bully tactics, are poised to reach agreement on a massive makeover of the American health system. This makeover will bankrupt the insurance companies, raise premiums, and eventually lead to the full nationalization of health care.
That’s what it is intended to do. By forcing insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions, the Democrats destroy all profit margin for the insurers, expecting that the healthy insured will pay for the unhealthy insured. To prevent the healthy insured from opting out of the system, the Democrats levy the threat of fines and jail time. And when the insurers go under, as they surely will, the Democrats will be waiting.”
We dont need any dismissal of this as “watered down” or some “calm down, we will repeal it later” fantasy BS….
We MUST have real leaders who call people to ACTION NOW!
[62]
#60 We need leaders and organization to resist….politically and otherwise if needed….
Personal survial, yes – absolutlely….
Restoring the Consitutional goverment – imperative….
This is where the left has ran circles around us – they have plotted this HC and other takeovers for years and all move in lockstep to pounce ruthlessly into any opening to seize power….
Conservatives by nature are an individualistic group…..this has gotta change and quick…
[63]
I read posts like those from Mary and I am selfishly thankful that I don’t have children.
The American Thinker article is excellent. I read the comments as well. I find it funny strange, not funny ha ha, to discover that others are having the same experience. Have we all been given this same Close Encounters vision? I often remember my dreams which are usually extremely detailed, vibrant, pleasant, happy or joyful emotionally filled visions. Only rarely do I experience dreams of frustration or lack and usually such dreams fall into the rather benign going to school barefoot genre. However for the first time in my life, and several times over the past two years I have experienced terrible nightmares that evil is after me. These dreams are dark voids of heavy, empty blackness during which I feel claws of evil clutching and grasping for me and scratching my skin. I know I am sleeping and in my dream I am screaming at myself to wake up. I have been told I am screaming out loud while sleeping. I have no cause for PTSD. No harmful personal incident that could be haunting my sleep. Yet over the past year this vision of grasping evil regularly haunts my sleep. When I have awoken from this these nightmares, I often find myself shaking in terror with my heart beating so fast that I can see my chest bouncing. My response has always been the same. I pray. In the middle of the night I am kneeling at the side of my bed and praying GOD save us from this evil. I pray for strength that I will not have to compromise my principles or my faith. I pray for the strength of others. Sometimes in the dream I hear the snarling voices tell me to stop fighting, to give up and fall to this evil. But I cannot. I may not have flesh of my flesh to protect from these evil claws — but my prayers are the same… GOD save us, GOD save US.
I am not making sculptures from the mashed potatoes nor do I have a replica of Devil’s Tower in my living room, but all the same I am left wondering. As more and more people express these nightmares of anger, how many more have the same sense of frustration and nightmare encounters with evil, but have not been able to make the connection? How many do not realize this anger and battle with evil is over the loss of their GOD given freedom at the hands of these socialists in Washington?
[64]
DbD seems to be on topic here.
[65]
Great article on how the CrappyCare plan will trash HC and insurance and lead to a single payer system:
http://andrews.blogtownhall.com/2009/12/23/some_questions_about_health_care.thtml
“what will happen when insurers begin to close their doors? Actually, this is what I expected all along, and no doubt what Obama wants. The right is claiming this is an insurance sweetheart deal, and some insurers were sold on that, as they get a captive market forced to buy insurance, but in the long run, it will bankrupt them. After all, they can no longer refuse to cover anyone, and the state has the ability to tell them how much to cover, what to cover, what to charge and so on. Does anyone think government edicts will favor insurers? Or will they play political games to buy votes and eventually drive insurers out of business? Of course, as that leaves us with their cherished “single payer system”, I doubt they would shed many tears over it.”
Dont beleive the DNCs soft pedaling lies – this is a complete takeover in all but name!
[66]
Somebody was not counting the chickens right.
[67]
63 – Vivid.
[68]
Another good Article about how the Democrats plan is simply a de facto takeover off HC and simply a transition step to single payer!
http://townhall.com/columnists/TerryJeffrey/2009/12/23/obamacare_slaps_$15,000_annual_fee_on_middle_class_families?page=2
“If this legislation is not stopped now, there will surely be a popular rebellion when the insurance mandate hits in five years.
When that happens, the liberals will not say: We made a mistake. We never should have forced families out of their employer-based health insurance and required them to purchase a $15,000 policy. They will say: We told you so. We cannot trust these greedy insurance companies. We need a single-payer system so the government can provide everyone with health care.
Just like they did in the Soviet Union.”
Thats why the lefitst are on the TV, Radio, etc essentially selling the public on how this is “watered down” and “a compromise – no big deal” to lessen resistance now.
Its also why Howard Dean et al are playing up the “insurance giveaway” angle too. This way when the scheme impoldes, the left will be poised to blame the free market when nothing of the sort was allowed to exsist!
Conservatives had better counter this disinformation and fast!