Sunday, January 21, 2007

Will Your Anchor Hold?

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life -
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Stedfast and sure while the billows roll -
Fastened to the rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love.

It is safely moored, 'twill the storm withstand,
For 'tis well secured by the Saviour's hand.
Though the tempest rage and the wild winds blow,
Not an angry wave shall our bark o'erflow.

When our eyes behold, through the gathering night,
The City of gold, our harbor bright,
We shall anchor fast by the heavenly shore,
With the storms all past for ever-more.

Priscilla J. Owens

This song has always been linked in my mind with political action, because my earliest memory of both is that of a bored little boy standing on the steps of the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. listening to a small group of American Christians crying out to God for mercy and deliverance from an un-Godly, un-American regime. I believe the specific concern was Everett Sullivan's padlocked church, because I recall a man named Greg Dixon being there. I was so young, however, that I don't remember things very clearly, except for singing "We Have An Anchor" and being asked to leave by a security guard.

It's been a long time, but God has not forgotten His people. Some day our leaders will have their day of reckoning. May God show them the mercy they have not shown to others.

Sunday, January 07, 2007

Bigger Brother

Well, Saddam is dead, along with three thousand plus American soldiers and untold numbers of Iraqis. Twenty thousand more brave boys and girls may soon get their chance to die for a few months of Shiite security, or whatever passes for security in the Middle East these days. A gentleman recently suggested that George III lead them into battle like his more honorable predecessor. I like the idea.

On the other hand, many folks seem disturbed that the CinC rejected the advice of the Iraq Study Group. Since when were academics qualified to tell the President how to fight a war? OK, so it's obvious he doesn't know how to. Neither do they. The unfortunate fact is that we have individuals in very powerful, very critical positions who are incapable of learning from past mistakes. Solution? See above.

Since infringments on the right to keep and bear arms, national databases of personal information, uniform ID requirements, innumerable invasions of privacy, requiring SSNs for everything we do, Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism, expanded application of martial law, replacement of trial by jury with trial by military commision at the discretion of the President, blank check power grants to the executive by the legislature, warrantless wiretapping, invasions in force of belligerent (or other) nations, worshipping the same god as the Muslims do, fencing bits of the Mexican Border, and deploying National Guard troops everywhere at once, apparently isn't sufficient to guarantee our security, be assured that our leaders haven't dropped the ball. They have now put the terrorists on notice that even their (your) mail isn't secure. Render unto Caesar your privacy, because as every child knows, be sure your Big Brother will find you out.

Speaking of the National Guard, seems they aren't allowed to defend themselves. Apparently the object of sending troops to the southwest was to scare the illegals away. As is typical of this administration, plan B wasn't. So when the druggies decided to test the mettle of the formidable U.S. military, they couldn't find any. Never mind that Mexican troops have been firing on Border Patrol officers on our own soil, we dare not fire on their drug-running pards for fear El Presidente might call us names again.

By the way, American soldiers have plenty of mettle, they just work for cowards.

Here's the NIV pledge of allegiance for all the "new" patriots out there.

I pledge allegiance to the President of the United States of America, and to the vision of the future for which he stands; One world, under surveillance, with safety and jobs for all.

But you do need an SSN.

Echoooooooooooes