Who would have guessed.

Take the Quiz here!

Documents from American History

Chester A. Arthur's 1881 State of the Union speech in which he addresses the Indian problem.
There is language in this speech that some of today's Americans would gasp at in horror.

"For the success of the efforts now making to introduce among the Indians the customs and pursuits of civilized life and gradually to absorb them into the mass of our citizens, sharing their rights and holden to their responsibilities, there is imperative need for legislative action."

They knew that the Indian tribes could not continue to live as they had. There are still Indian problems today, I believe, such as WinnaVegas and welfare.

Quotes:

"Being Scotch, there's almost nothing I don't know."
-From J.M. Barrie's "The old lady shows her medals"- a story about WW1.

Q: What is the chief end of man?
A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

An Art project

It's some sort of a gun.
The boys enjoy warfare, as all boys do.
Last year we made them rifles(supposedly M-4s)
out of cut out planks of wood. Those have broken
by now and the boys have been bugging me to make
another, cooler gun- preferably a sniper rifle.
They'll have to make do with this, whatever it is.
My job is just to make a traceable pattern for Dad
to use to cut the wood. So that's what I worked
on this morning.

The weather here is great and now that it's warm we cut the boys hair short enough so that it doesn't need to be combed. One of the freeing joys of spring! Other than that, my toe is turning a brilliant shade of purple and we have to make fifty origami animals by tomorrow, so goodbye for now.

Some of my favorite historical documents from American history

The Stamp Act of 1765
"For every pack of such cards, one shilling. And for every pair of such dice, ten shillings; and for and every paper called a pamphlet, and upon every newspaper...For every skin or piece of vellum or parchment, or sheet or piece of paper....."

The intolerable acts of 1774
And it is hereby further enacted, That the said assistants or counsellors, so to be appointed as aforesaid, shall hold their offices respectively, for and during the pleasure of his Majesty....

WHEREAS dangerous commotions and insurrections have been fomented and raised in the town of Boston, in the province of Massachuset's Bay, in New England, by divers ill affected persons, to the subversion of his Majesty's government, and to the utter destruction of the publick peace, and good order of the said town; in which commotions and insurrections certain valuable cargoes of teas, being the property of the East India Company, and on board certain' vessels lying within the bay or harbour of Boston, were seized and destroyed: And whereas, in the present condition of the said town and harbour, the commerce of his Majesty's subjects cannot be safely carried on there, nor the customs payable to his Majesty duly collected; and it is therefore expedient that the officers of his Majesty's customs should be forthwith removed from the said town: ...

Declaration and resolves of the first Cont. Congress Oct. 14, 1774
"In the course of our inquiry, we find many infringements and violations of the foregoing rights, which, from an ardent desire that harmony and mutual intercourse of affection and interest may be restored, we pass over for the present, and proceed to state such acts and measures as have been adopted since the last war, which demonstrate a system formed to enslave America..........To these grievous acts and measures Americans cannot submit, but in hopes that their fellow subjects in Great Britain will, on a revision of them, restore us to that state in which both countries found happiness and prosperity, we have for the present only resolved to pursue the following peaceable measures: 1st. To enter into a non-importation, non-consumption, and non-exportation agreement or association. 2. To prepare an address to the people of Great Britain, and a memorial to the inhabitants of British America, & 3. To prepare a loyal address to his Majesty, agreeable to resolutions already entered into."

Declaration of the causes and necessity of taking up arms, July 6, 1775
"If it was possible for men, who exercise their reason to believe, that the divine Author of our existence intended a part of the human race to hold an absolute property in, and an unbounded power over others, marked out by his infinite goodness and wisdom, as the objects of a legal domination never rightfully resistible, however severe and oppressive, the inhabitants of these colonies might at least require from the parliament of Great-Britain some evidence, that this dreadful authority over them, has been granted to that body. But a reverence for our Creator, principles of humanity, and the dictates of common sense, must convince all those who reflect upon the subject, that government was instituted to promote the welfare of mankind, and ought to be administered for the attainment of that end. The legislature of Great-Britain, however, stimulated by an inordinate passion for a power not only unjustifiable, but which they know to be peculiarly reprobated by the very constitution of that kingdom, and desperate of success in any mode of contest, where regard should be had to truth, law, or right, have at length, deserting those, attempted to effect their cruel and impolitic purpose of enslaving these colonies by violence, and have thereby rendered it necessary for us to close with their last appeal from reason to arms. Yet, however blinded that assembly may be, by their intemperate rage for unlimited domination, so to sight justice and the opinion of mankind, we esteem ourselves bound by obligations of respect to the rest of the world, to make known the justice of our cause..........We saw the misery to which such despotism would reduce us. We for ten years incessantly and ineffectually besieged the throne as supplicants; we reasoned, we remonstrated with parliament, in the most mild and decent language..............We are reduced to the alternative of choosing an unconditional submission to the tyranny of irritated ministers, or resistance by force. -- The latter is our choice. -- We have counted the cost of this contest, and find nothing so dreadful as voluntary slavery. -- Honor, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us. We cannot endure the infamy and guilt of resigning succeeding generations to that wretchedness which inevitably awaits them, if we basely entail hereditary bondage upon them."

The movement for independence May 27 1776
"A sense of unprovoked injuries will arouse the resentment of the most peaceful. Such injuries these colonies have received from Britain."

Doesn't it make you glad that our founding fathers fought after you hear what Britain was doing to us?

Today's reading

Whoops, clumsy me.

Life is an adventure!

We had a very busy weekend. Friday was full of errands, cooking, and home school co-op. Sat. us older members of the family went to Christian conferences in various places. Dad was worn out and got sick; it stormed from 2am until 6am so we lost a lot of sleep, and we spent Sunday afternoon catching up with each other on everything that had happened.

Anyway- while the boys watched "Davy Crockett" during Sunday dinner I went upstairs to finish a new book, and on my way back downstairs after finishing the book I tripped over our portable heater. Ow! I guess it was a sign that it's time to put away the heater. Then I went downstairs to be with my family. An hour later, my toe still hurt; two hours later it hurt even worse. This morning it is swollen, very sore, and I believe, broken. Mom agrees with me but we aren't going pay a doctor's bill to find out for sure. It's a nuisance. Oh well! I think I'll live.

March 23rd, 1775

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope that it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen, if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.

This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty towards the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?

For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth -- to know the worst and to provide for it. I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House?

Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation -- the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motives for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies?

No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer on the subject? Nothing.

We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer.

Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.

Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope.

If we wish to be free -- if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending -- if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak -- unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?

Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of the means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.

The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable -- and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, "Peace! Peace!" -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

Patrick Henry - March 23, 1775

What I did this afternoon

A Dirge

I can't remember if I've posted this in the past, but it's just such a fun poem. Enjoy!

A Dirge
(concerning the late lamented king of the Cannibal Islands)

And so our royal relative is dead!
And so he rests from gustatory labors!
The white man was his choice, but when he fed
He'd sometimes entertain his tawny neighbors.
He worshipped, as he said, his "Fe-fo-fum,"
The goddess of the epigastrium.

And missionaries graced his festive board,
Solemn and succulent, in twos and dozens,
And smoked before their hospitable lord,
Welcome as if they'd been his second cousins.
When cold, he warmed them as he would his kin---
They came as strangers, and he took them in.

And generous?---oh wasn't he? I have known him
Exhibit a celestial amiability:---
He'd eat an enemy, and then would own him
Of flavor excellent, depite hostility,
The cruelest captain of the Turkish Navy
He buried in an honorable grave-y.

He had a hundred wives. To make things pleasant
They found it quite judicious to adore him;---
And when he dined, the nymphs were always present---
Sometimes beside him and sometimes---before him.
When he was tired of one, he called her "sweet,"
And told her she was "good enough to eat."

He was a man of taste---and justice too;
He opened his mouth for e'en the humblest sinner,
And three weeks stall-fed an emanciate Jew
Before they brought him to the royal dinner.
With preacher-men he shared his board and wallet
And let them slightly occupy his palate!

We grow like what we eat. Bad food depresses;
Good food exalts us like an inspiration,
And missionary on the menu blesses
And elevates the Feejee population.
A people who for years, saints, bairns, and women ate
Must see their vilest qualities eliminate.

But the deceased could never hold a candle
To those prim, pale-faced people of propriety
Who gloat o'er gossip and get fat on scandal---
The cannibals of civilized society;
They drink the blood of brothers with their rations,
And crunch the bones of living reputations.

They kill the soul; he only claimed the dwelling.
They take the sharpened scalpel of surmises
And cleave the sinews when the heart is swelling,
And slaughter Fame and Honor for their prizes.
They make the spirit in the body quiver;
They quench the Light! He only took the---Liver!

I've known some hardened customers, I wot,
A few tough fellows---pagans beyond question---
I wish had got into his dinner-pot;
Although I'm certain they'd defy digestion,
And break his jaw, and ruin his esophagus,
Were he the chief of beings anthropophagous!

How fond he was of children! To his breast
The tenderest nurslings gained a free admission.
Rank he despised, nor, if they came well-dressed,
Cared if they were plebeian or patrician.
Shade of Leigh Hunt! Oh, guide this laggard pen
To write of one who loved his fellow men!

- William Augustus Croffut

Sobering

"Jihadist car bombers are now putting kids in their cars to cause decent U.S. soldiers to lower their guard. One such vehicle got through a checkpoint in Baghdad this past weekend. The bombers then abandoned the car in a marketplace with two children in it and detonated the bomb, killing the kids and bystanders. These murderers will run the Middle East if the U.S. loses our resolve."

Some people say Saddam didn't have WMDs; some people say he did.
I am inclined to believe he did.

Why do people go to college?

I think the majority of high school students go only to get a degree and thus supposedly ensure a good job. Also to have fun, socialize, get away from home, and because of peer pressure.

Let’s think about those reasons.

• I don’t believe a college degree will necessarily guarantee you a good job, though I am sure it does improve your chances greatly. My Dad has a degree and he also has a terribly stressful job that he would have separated from years ago if not for his responsibility to support his family.
• Having fun, socializing, escaping home life and peer pressure are obviously not good reasons to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars and four years of your life.
  

College does not prepare you for the workplace effectively; it is extremely expensive; it is very drawn-out(Four whole years!). Education is not focused on any one subject(Major in art and you have to take math class). Many kids just take it for granted that they will go to college after high school without even thinking about it. They don’t consider other options; they aren’t even aware that there are other options.

I know that sounds rather harsh, and I know that there are excellent Christian colleges in the world; that college is a good experience for many people, and people often get better jobs because they went to college. But I think there are many ways which colleges can be greatly improved, and that college degrees are, in many cases, unnecessary.

This issue has often been on my mind in the past year because of my graduation from high school almost a year ago. I have been asked so many times if/when/where I am going to college. I have had to explain so many times that I am living at home and only interested in distance courses, not college. I know some people look down on me for my choices because they don’t understand different kinds of education. I say I am living at home with my family and they see me living off my parents, sitting around at home and doing, gasp, of all things, housework, childcare, and helping with the family business.

It annoys me to be so prejudiced against, but I hope people will eventually change their minds about the absolute necessity of college when they see me. I hope God will use me to witness in this way.

Gary L. Bauer, Monday, March 19, 2007

"The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine General Peter Pace, touched off a firestorm of media criticism last week with his comments that homosexual conduct was “immoral.” Despite the fact that his statements were perfectly in line with the teachings of virtually every major religion, the reactions of leading politicians ran the gamut and gave us an indication of just how conflicted they are in today’s confused, politically correct culture.

The presidential candidates were caught off guard by the media’s intense interest in the general’s comments, and every candidate was scrambling to craft a position on this theological issue. Torn between offending powerful primary constituencies and more important general election voters, it took several days for Senators Obama (D-IL) and C-----n (D-NY) to articulate a clear position. Ultimately, both condemned General Pace’s remarks.

Mitt Romney said last week that General Pace’s comments were “inappropriate” and that “the right way to go is to show more of an outpouring of tolerance.”

Rudy Giuliani and Senator John McCain both avoided commenting on General Pace’s remarks, while suggesting they support the current “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

However, Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) strongly defended General Pace. In a letter of support sent to President Bush, Senator Brownback wrote, “we should not expect someone as qualified, accomplished and articulate as General Pace to lack personal views on important moral issues. In fact, we should expect that anyone entrusted with such great responsibility will have strong moral views. We should be concerned if they do not have strong convictions on key issues.”

Life is never boring when you have brothers

Broken swords are apparently more fun than unbroken swords.

Don't you dare kiss me, I'm Irish

So today is St. Patrick's day.
I think green beer is gross; actually, I think all beer is gross. But dying the river green, however much it pollutes the earth, sure looks neat on TV. But that's not why we celebrate. I enjoy celebrating St. Patrick's day because it honors a great Christian missionary.

Our family is almost entirely Scottish in our ancestry. On Mom's side, though, our family was Scots-Irish(Not Scotch-Irish, Scotch is a drink) meaning that many hundreds of years ago they immigrated from Scotland to Ireland before coming to America in the early 1700's. This is unrelated to St. Patrick, I guess, I'm just into genealogy and Celtic history, so I thought I'd share it with you.

Wear green and remember St. Patrick!

Here is a video that you all must watch.
I thought C-SPAN was only ugly old guys with boring voices talking all day. I guess not!

Gary L. Bauer' Special Report from Tuesday, March 13, 2007:

General Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is taking hostile fire today for expressing his support for the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. General Pace made his comments in an interview with the Chicago Tribune yesterday. "I believe homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts," Pace said in a wide-ranging discussion with Tribune editors and reporters in Chicago. "I do not believe the United States is well served by a policy that says it is OK to be immoral in any way."

Gen. Pace has guts, but I would expect no less from a Marine.

Most people don't cair to know facts like this, but we need to know what's really going on here:

• CAIR fundraiser Rabih Haddad was deported in 2003 after being arrested in a raid on an Islamic charity, which federal officials said had “provided assistance to Osama bin Laden, the al Qaeda network, and other known terrorist groups.”
• Last year, founding board member Ghassan Elashi was convicted of funneling money to Hamas. And Randall Royer, the groups “civil rights coordinator,” was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty in 2004 to conspiring to train terrorists in Virginia.
• CAIR has been named as a defendant in a class-action lawsuit relating to the September 11th attacks.

Utter nonsense

"There's a tune," said the sly Bengalese,
"Which will charm any snake that you please:
Take a long, heavy stick;
Hit the snake with it- quick!
Then proceed with the tune at your ease."


A tapir who lived in Malay
Was reading th fall fashions one day,
When he cried out with delight,
"My figure's alright:
Tapir waists are the fashion they say."

Mom and the boys at the zoo

Andrew and Jonny in the desert dome














Jonny climbing on the fence














Jeremy and Andrew with the gorillas














Inspecting the map














Taking a water break














So much walking!














The boys














On the lions at the zoo exit

Domestic pursuits

This morning I wrote letters and did school with the boys; both worthy and time consuming projects that occupied most of the morning.

This afternoon I cooked and baked. I started off with fruit salad, because we had a squishy cantaloupe and some grapes in the fridge that needed to be eaten. Then, at Jen's suggestion, we three older kids made two lime meringue pies for the first time ever. That took awhile, but they turned out nicely. I made the filling, Caleb beat and stirred, and Jenni just checked the meringue. After that, because I knew that since we are all going to be gone tomorrow, I made a cake mix for the bag lunches(Dad to work, us girls to the business, and Mom and the boys to the zoo) along with broccoli soup for tomorrow's dinner. I had to boil and puree the broccoli, then put it in the fridge to keep. Then I moved on to tonight's dinner, layered bean dip, making sure that there was enough for Mom to take tomorrow to the zoo. Us girls are having chicken sandwiches for lunch, and Dad will probably take dip too.

Whew! Sometimes my life seems to revolve around food, endlessly eating and preparing and cleaning up, but I really do enjoy cooking. Good thing, I guess, since I'm the cook. Behind every good man is a good cook, you know, and I have five good men in my life.

Other than that, the garbage has been emptied, the dishes are being done, an easter tree picked, our play practiced, and as soon as I get Caleb to set the table I'm going to go catch the news. Hopefully, I will be able to get back into the debate about the Constitution tomorrow. Jen has ballet tonight or I would get started on the good old "Pride and Prejudice" series we checked out from the library.

Thursday Links

Mr. Oversight believes our American Congress is ignoring the U.S. Constitution (Article 1 section 8) because they authorized military force in Iraq without formally declaring war. Is there anyone else out there with good thought or two about this sticky issue? Here are some links to help you out:

Presidential letter, March 21 2003

Public law 107-243, or the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002

War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148)

Be clear in your comments(If anyone comments at all) so as to avoid misunderstandings and confusion. Now I am going to go read my books without thinking about the problems of this world!

People talk about how President Bush supposedly started this war in Iraq without permission, as if he just said, I’m in charge and we’re going to war. Fact is, he didn’t do that. Congress voted on October 10^th, 2002 on authorizing the use of United States Armed Forces against Iraq. 296 for; 133 against, 3 did not vote. Congress voted, people. And who voted in our Congressmen? You, the people. The American people are responsible for who is in leadership now. In some ways that is very frightening to me as I see the soft ways and stupidity of many Americans who know so little of the current political situation. I pray that the upcoming 2008 election will put some very godly, conservative servants into office.

But enough about politics. We’re all going to be sick of our politicians by 2008 because they’ve already started campaigning. I got started on this subject by reading our noble Constitution and Declaration. Reading those documents just get me all fired up!

A rant

Let me get this off my chest:

I am sick of snow.
I hate snowdrifts.

I am a sinner who, when snowed in, openly displays my sinful nature.

I have a new respect for the pioneers who stayed all winter long in a one room sod house. Four days stuck at home and I get all crabby. Hopefully, we will be able to go to Church tomorrow. There was a very large snowdrift covering our country road- Dad said it was ten feet; I thought it looked more like five. Our lane was also very drifted in. I promise, I would even swear if I could, that I will not complain a bit(Not one bit) when all this snow melts and creates mud because I will just be glad
when
it
is
all
GONE!

It is a principle incorporated into the settled policy of America, that as peace is better than war, war is better than tribute." -James Madison

We are stuck at home because of another snowstorm. It seemed like a bummer this morning, because I had to stay home again, after being alone with the boys all day yesterday and missing Church and various other social activities in the past few weeks, but I'm over it now. I spent the day being very lazy- I read the books "Fourth Dawn" and "Fifth Seal" by Brock and Bodie Thoene, the fourth and fifth installments of their A.D. Chronicles series. It is a extremely well written and inspirational series and I encourage you all to read it. I also ate chocolate, cut material for a skirt, and made dinner. It was also nice to see Dad again- he's been so busy he hasn't been home much- and Mom told us all about her trip to the dinner theater yesterday. It took about two hours for her to tell us about the trip, her companions on the bus, describe the theater decor and the meal, tell the entire story of the play, and the trip back home. Mom is a good story teller and we girls like to hear every little detail. It's a family tradition to sit and talk in the morning after Bible study, even if we can only talk for fifteen minutes, about what we did the day before and what our plans are for the day ahead.

We probably didn't get more than a few inches here, but the wind is so strong and there are big snowdrifts all over. Schools are all closed tomorrow and the roads will still be perilous so we will probably stay home tomorrow too unless we go in to shovel snow at the business. I know we have nothing to complain about compared to New York- Jen says that they are being punished for having Hillary as a Senator.