MODERN DAY THOMAS PAINE

Two Sisters From The Right are privileged to bring an original essay from contributing author Barnard Sackett we hope this is the beginning of a long and successful collaboration.  Mr.  Sackett is a wonderful writer and we echo his views and political philosophy.  We are all in search of a modern day Thomas Paine.
Two Sisters 

by BARNARD L. SACKETT

Time now to ask the question: what can freedom loving loyal American citizens do?

I'm sure most American will agree….…yes, our government is now willfully and intentionally blinding us all from the truth, and attempting in as many devious way as possible to take away our liberties. . As George Orwell succinctly stated: “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell the people what they do not want to hear.”

You're right. When those who seek truth are branded criminals by the government, it is only a matter of time before that government expands its criminalization labeling to include anyone who disagrees with it.

These are the seeds of tyranny, and our government is planting them at our doorstep right now.

Thomas Paine wrote in “Common Sense”, “in order to account for inevitable defects in moral virtue, (there is the need) to form a government”. However, “success of a government is to be judged by the extent to which it fulfills its role. The will of representatives (must be) aligned with that of the people” Such is definitely not the case in today’s America.

I’ll tell you what I believe should happen. What we need now is our own modern day Thomas Paine. Someone who is not running for any kind of office. Not running for political gain. Not running for personal glory. Not running to increase his bottom line. That particular someone who must stand above all the political rhetoric and gobbledygook.

We need that special someone who will travel the width and breadth of this country and preach democracy. Freedom of speech and of the press. . Complete transparency in government. That very someone should be imbued with the confidence and clarity of vision to point out to the masses, they as individuals, must restore their own common sense and good judgment in vetting political hacks running for power in the government.

This special Thomas Paine must unerringly possess the courage to maintain the mental and moral strength to venture, persevere and withstand danger, and to have no fear to face the harranging and insulting opposition while unconditionally expressing his views without any fear or restrictions.

He must possess that inner strangth and courage and the empowerment of steely determination to deliver the beliefs of all Americans with the true values for what America has always stood for and must for stand again. A Thomas Paine who can, once again, bring about a government of the people, by the people and for the people. And not for the personal egos and deep pockets of political hacks creeping into the under belly of our great nation, ignoring our nation of laws, checks and balances, as well as truth, honesty and transparency in fulfilling their duties on behalf of all citizens.

This very special Thomas Paine must be able to encourage any American who has a complaint, to let him gather with like minds into their town halls. Let them gather before the docile press, before television cameras and the internet and vocalize with heart and deep conviction of their concerns in remaining free in a free country under God. Ruling oligarchs have utter contempt for the average American but they fear the masses. Such demonstrations of blatant truth will eventually reach the pages in the press and in the commentaries of journalists.

Yes, we must choose our new Thomas Paine. A man who is believable in what he says, and will back up what he intones. Our country cries out for that Thomas Paine. A true red blooded American citizen who believes in God, country, freedom of speech and from censorship and in our democratic values of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". At the expense of no one.. A Thomas Paine who can urge, persuade and guide the way for the public to stand up and be counted. Each moment should be considered an election day - to constantly imbue the spirit of our freedom by acting whenever the time is appropriate. No American should be bulldozed into accepting any new laws contrary to their beliefs. Our American citizens are not to be overridden by personal political ambitions of the very few we elected to do what is right for all people.

If there can be a million man march by Hispanics and Afro-Americans…..our Thomas Paine could organize monthly multi- million man marches of all Americans holding demonstrations throughout the land and especially in Washington. Let the Liberty Bell of our Independence ring loud and clear.

Here now is a chance for today’s Thomas Paine, to rescue America for the benefit of all mankind from a developing regime that is fraught with danger of slipping into an abyss of no return.

Tyranny is not a seven letter lucky word.

Justice4All


BARNARD L. SACKETT


GOD Bless Us All, America and Tiny Tim


P.S. As a starter, we, the citizens of this great nation should organize ourselves (like the unions) and pick a day (probably a holiday) when the entire outraged nation can turn out and encircle every State's capitol building in the nation, as well as the White House, with a showing of such discontent it can't be ignored. A citizen's itemized referendum should be nailed to the door (just like an eviction notice), with a demand for accountability by resignations, replacement elections, and a contract of commitment for every new replacement representative from the White House down, to either achieve the people's referendum in their first term, or resign. That referendum should include: "flat tax" rates, closed borders, repeal of oppressive and ineffective legislation, a review of the constitutionality of the current Judicial Branch of the government, and an economic plan to get out of debt, grow businesses in the US, revamp the social security system immediately, replenishing funds so it can recover in some privatized format that makes sense for aging Americans without means.

The following thought that cannot be repeated enough:

Ruling oligarchs have utter contempt for the average American, but they fear the masses. Our modern day Thomas Paine must arouse the masses to storm the American Bastille. Washington!


Copyright -2011   Barnard L. Sackett

ASK WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY

We're proud to once again feature an essay by Brigadier General Jim Cash.  It is indeed an honor and a privilege to have a man of his experience, and expertise offer to share his views and analyses with Two Sister From The right.  In the letter accompanying his essay, Jim wrote:  "The 2012 election campaign will soon get into full swing, and I predict this one will be the most expensive, the most venomous, and the most important in the nations history. The far-left will go to any length maintaining the ground they have gained in the past two years. Please get involved, and let's turn this thing around." We are in complete agreement and his reasoning makes this essay a doubly important read.
Two Sisters 



by Jim Cash
B/G, USAF, Ret.

Remember the words, "Ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what can you do for your country?" Remember those words uttered by a young President in the early 60s. Remember how you felt when you heard them, or first read them. I do, and they made me proud. Back in those days I think we were all proud of our country, what it stood for, and for most part had trust in the people who were running it. President Kennedy made his share of mistakes, but I always felt his heart was right, and his interest was in preserving the values of the greatest country on earth. Well, as another famous American said in song, "How do you like me now"?

Let's daydream a bit by applying a little Fighter Pilot thinking to address some of the problems our nation faces. Visualize how you might feel if a candidate for President said to heck with Political Correctness. I will lead this great nation as the World Super Power that it is, as opposed to bowing and apologizing to every third world dictator who invites me to tea. Would it not be refreshing if it went something like this: If elected,


"I will insist that our Constitution will be followed as written. The US military will be used only when our National Interest is threatened or at issue, and then only as a last resort. Unless a verified emergency exists, Congress will be notified and their concurrence required prior to committing the nation's armed forces.

I will pull every American troop out of the Middle-East NLT six months from the day of my election, and provide little justification for the move. Our military will totally change their strategy and embrace the "Lilly Pad Philosophy" as developed by Paul Vallely, M/G, USAR, Ret. After all, what is our only National Interest in that region---OIL, and we possess more of that than they do. This nation will no longer be held captive. We will drill baby, drill!!!

I will begin a world class effort to begin drilling off-shore, in Alaska, the northwest reserves, and anywhere else that would produce a quart of oil. With that tip of the hat to our oil producers, I will advise US oil companies that they have twelve months to implement plans to provide the nation with a fixed flat rate gas price of two dollars per gallon, and if they fail, the entire industry will be nationalized for the next decade. Along with reducing the stifling effect that an over sized government has on small business, this would basically solve the domestic problems created by the current administration over the past two years. Ladies and gentlemen, this is not rocket science; it is common sense which seems to be in short supply these days.

Then, instead of worthless give-away social programs for those who will never work, I will put big bucks toward developing viable alternative fuels which would include hydrogen fuel cells, nuclear power, wind, solar, and anything else that could eventually become cost effective. Fossil fuels will be the bridge between the two until technology can totally replace the need. There is no reason for the country to suffer the economic swings brought on by ineffective leadership in Washington.

I will restrict immigration to what is currently allowed legally, deport Muslims who even hint at imposing Sharia Law in this country, close all Mosques who support radicalism, and make singing of a religious nature over amplified PA systems illegal.

I will send a strong signal to Iran that if they pop a test nuke anywhere in world, I would regard that as an attack on the US, and begin planning retribution in alliance with my best friend, Israel. I will provide equipment for Israel to kick butt on multiple fronts, and pledge boots on the ground in their defense. Once and for all, I will put to rest the torture this small country has endured and its prosecution by the United Nations. Should the leaders of Iran continue to strive for a major war to cause an early return of the 12th Imam, I will offer abundant air support in that effort.


In addition to this brazen change in strategic thinking, I will rebuild our military to the point that no nation in their right mind would even consider challenging the US militarily in the future. A strong offense is the best defense, and it creates great friendships. The stimulus to our economy from the military spending would have the same effect it did during WWII, and add another aid to turning around a stagnant economy.


The United Nations will quietly be asked to shape up or get out, and funding will be immediately reduced to zero at the first negative head nod. A second negative would result in their being asked to leave New York. Should China and Russia disagree and desire a trade war, I would simply say, "Bring it on". Over and over we have proven that the American People are capable of out-thinking and out-producing any country on earth. It is time we stand up and take pride in what we are and what we do. No leader of the free world has the right to apologize for the United States of America."


Well, now back to reality. Is it possible that a leader (and a Congress that will support him) could be found with the fortitude to stand before the far-left, socialist-progressives and take such a stand? Even though it is refreshing to think such things possible, the truth is we have made it so lucrative to be elected to public office that these officials will lie, cheat and steal to maintain their position. Look at the level of corruption seen among senior officials in Washington in recent years. Is it any wonder that honorable service is no longer a motivation to be elected? Full and elaborate pensions, elitist medical care for life, celebrity status, thrust for power, and plain old fashion greed have become the reason for going to Washington, and in many cases we just keep on electing them. This must change. The answer may lie simply in strict and short term limits.

Is it no wonder that the average American realizes that the nation is in trouble, but has great difficulty in determining what they, as individuals, can do to help? I have thought long and hard on this issue, and I can offer two suggestions.

First, the solution is in electing a President and Congress who love this country, will serve in a manner respectful to our Constitution, and are strong enough to take the slings and arrows that will be thrown by the far-left who are hell-bent on changing our form of government. It will require a bit of research on each individual's part in determining who those individuals are, and then get out the vote in their support. The answer is at the voting booth in 2012. Every Conservative in this country must vote and bring friends.

Second, the single most effective way to influence the direction our nation is taking will require money. The far-left already boasts of over a billion dollars in funding to re-elect President Obama, and elections can be bought. Although the majority of thinking Americas understand that four more years of the downward spiral we have witnessed in the President's first term will take our nation to the point of no return, there are segments of the population that will support him regardless of his past record.

Therefore, I believe the single most important thing that all of us can do is provide financial support in the election process. We all need to dig deep this election, as the consequences are the most severe the nation has ever faced, and the results will have a lasting impact on our children and their children.

If you are not already a member of a common sensed and patriotic informational website, might I suggest STANDUP AMERICA? Early on in this article I mentioned M/G Paul Vallely, USAR, Ret. Paul is a true patriot, and is devoting his life to the preservation of our country, Constitution, and our way of life. General Vallely founded Standup America; a multimedia research organization focusing on national defense. It is growing by leaps and bounds and provides information not available from any other single source. He is THE Middle-East expert in this country. I spoke to General Vallely recently, and he and his staff are gearing up for a major campaign to help unseat Barrack Obama as President of the United States in 2012. To a large extent his effectiveness will be determined by the size of his membership which brings with it funding for effective communication.

I would like to invite all to go to http://standupamericaus.com , check out the website, become a member, and pledge as much as possible in support of his efforts to persuade the undecided voters of this great nation. We have reached that square corner so often talked about in the recent past. To stop this unchecked crushing of American liberty, all Americans are going to be required to sacrifice a little bit. This one is a very good cause, and it will work.


Copyright 2011- Jim Cash

Parts II and III - Islam: A system of Living Masquerading as a Religion

We've taken editorial license and bring you the last two parts of this fascinating document in one posting.  Mr. Olsen has ably condensed the major tenets of Islam.  Only those who are very indifferent about the fate of our nation can pass up a read such as this one.  We've said often in this blog:  "forewarned is forearmed."  The warning could not be any more clear than Robert Olsen's essay.  Take heed!
Two Sisters

Islam:  A system of Living Masquerading as a Religion

by Robert H. Olsen

Parts II and III



 Regarding this holy book of Islam (The Qur'an), it is one of the three most holy books of Islam and of the three the Qur'an is the most holy. The other two books are known as the Hadith and the Sunnah. Basically, the Hadith covers the words and deeds of Mohammad while the Sunnah covers the sayings and living habits of Mohammad. Although not in the top three books of Islam the Figh, the Kalam and the Sufism are also among those sought for information regarding Islam.

All followers of Islam state clearly that every word in the Qur'an is from Allah, and since Allah is god and all he does is perfect, nothing can be changed. This is supported within the Qur'an. Every word is supposed to be perfect because it came from Allah who dictated every word of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel. Further to this, the original Qur’an was written in Arabic; the language at that time and place. One translator has found that there are approximately two hundred and seventy non-Arabic words used in the Qur’an. This opens up for questioning many areas of the Qur’an. Beyond this, Dr. Gerd Rudiger Puin, a German scholar and the world’s foremost authority on Qur’anic paleography said, “….the fact is that a fifth of the Qur’anic text is just incomprehensible. …… That is why Muslims are afraid. Since the Qur’an claims repeatedly to be clear but is not—there is an obvious and serious contradiction.”

Many followers of Islam state that they are peaceful and loving and that the Qur'an supports that statement. To put it bluntly, that is true but only IF YOU DON'T FOLLOW THE TEACHINGS OF THE QURAN. Yes, that is correct, IF YOU DON'T FOLLOW THE TEACHINGS OF THE QURAN. Like much of Islam, it can get very confusing. So let’s talk about “Abrogation”. It states clearly within the Qur'an that many early statements made by Allah through Mohammad are to be abrogated. This means that these early verses are to be replaced by later verses. If you study the Qur'an closely, you can read that Allah dictated the Qur’an to Mohammad. Also, depending on the Qur’an you are reading, the Archangel Gabriel dictated the Qur’an to Mohammad.

Further study will show that while in Mecca where Mohammad started Islam (the early years) in or around 610 AD, the Qur'an shows that his teachings were not militant. This was between 610AD and 613AD. During this time period his followers numbered about 50 and were made up mostly of his family members. The people of Mecca grew more and more unhappy with Mohammad and eventually he moved his followers to Medina where his ministry grew by leaps and bounds as Mohammad turned militant. His army grew as he granted them (the soldiers) the spoils of all those that were conquered. For those that did not join his army, the army gave the people the opportunity to save themselves from death by declaring or becoming a Muslim. Obviously the movement (Islam) grew without stopping up to and including today.

There are many translations of the Qur'an (that among Islamists are mostly inaccurate translations). I suggest you read a Qur'an that has been translated from the original Arabic language into English. Many Qur’ans have been whitewashed by turning words or sentences from one meaning into another. The direct translation from the original Arabic into English starts out by saying that the Holy Qur'an (as we have heard it referred to) is not a correct translation; rather it should be the Generous Qur'an. “They began by naming it holy (even though the word holy does not exist in its title in the original Arabic), then they present it as peaceful and loving (even though there is not any peace or love in it) and finally they present their leader, the fabricator of their cult, as a prophet (even though he did not prophesy anything).” This verse is being quoted directly from Usama Dakdok’s translation of The Generous Qur'an, copyright 2009 by Usama Dakdok.

Usama Dakdok says it best on the back flyleaf of his book The Generous Qur’an. “With Arabic as my first language, yet traveling and speaking in the English world, I sought for years to find an accurate English translation of the Qur’an. Many translations have been created in order to “sugar-coat” the Qur’an and to soften its real message. Even though Muslim clerics have issued a fatwa (a death decree for any person who tries to translate the Qur’an), four years ago I felt compelled to translate the Qur’an accurately into English. With the great help of many friends and scholars who have given of their time and effort, this translation has been completed. As we examine every word and every sentence with the magnifying lens of truth, the reader will discover that the Qur’an contains little more than repetitive legends, contradictions and corrupted selections that have been borrowed from the Bible.

Many ask the question: “Why do Muslims terrorize and hate Jews, Christians and others?” The true answer has been suppressed by Muslim leaders and by some in the media. Many believe that terrorists are just extremists or Islamic fascists, but a simple reading will reveal that the Qur’an itself is the source of terror. Islam is continually touted as “a religion of peace,” yet the Qur’an itself does not call for “peace”. Indeed, “Islam” does not mean “peace” because they do not know what the Qur’an truly says, or they do not presently have the “upper hand”. Listen to what the Qur’an itself commands and consider it well:

So do not be weak and do not call for peace when you have the upper hand. And Allah is with you, and he will not leave from you [for] your work. (The generous Qur’an 47:35)”

In his book Prophecy 20/20 Dr. Chuck Missler (founder of Koinonia House) states: “When Islam was broke, it could be dismissed as simply an attempt to impose the culture of seventh-century Arabia upon the ignorant and disenfranchised. However, now enriched by oil revenues, in control of the heroin trade, and armed with nuclear weapons, Islam can no longer be ignored. We each must understand the origin, agenda, and methods of this movement aggressively committed to our destruction.” He goes on to say “the Qur’an is a warrior code committed to global conquest—by the sword, if necessary.”

In his book Unleashing the Beast Perry Stone is discussing how Islam will control all things in their kingdom when they take over the world: “Before 9/11, no one could see such a kingdom coming in America except a few high-level officials in federal intelligence agencies. Since 9/11, seldom a day passes without an Islamic nation (such as Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan) making headline news. Fanatical Islamic regimes such as Hamas and Hezbollah are spewing fiery rhetoric like flaming swords from their mouths in hopes of spreading their message of, [Death to the little Satan, Israel, and death to the great Satan, America].”

So I say again, we are up against something that our founding fathers and our existing Constitution never envisioned and certainly never saw coming to the United States, the land of the free and the home of the brave. Therefore it is time for each of us to remove our veil of ignorance and learn of this BEAST we have in America called ISLAM. It is time to stand up, speak up and insist that this “system of living” (NOT A RELIGION) must be stopped.

I will leave you with this thought: Mr. John Hagee in his book Jerusalem Countdown issues a warning to the world that you would do well to heed.

“What are Muslims taught to do to the people who resist Islam? The Qur’an teaches: “Fight and slay the Pagans wherever you find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war).” Surah 9:5  “The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter." Surah 5:33

The ultimate goal of Muslim people who follow the Qur’an and Sharia is to introduce full Sharia as widely as possible in the world, and thus create an Islamic state similar to that in Medina in Muhammad’s time. This will occur in one or more of these ways:

A. Physical War
B. Immigration
C. Birth Rate Increase

At this point, B. and C. have already started here in the United States: B. and C. have already happened in Europe were there is no need for a physical war. This happens simply because most countries have determined that a smaller birth rate is desirable so its population growth rate starts to slow or even shrink. When Muslims come into a country, they enlarge the birth rate because the number of children born to a Muslim woman is many times more than to other women. Follow that increase in birth rate with the concept of having more than one wife and soon, very soon it takes a population switch and then involvement in local government and eventually into federal government to make the changes necessary to hasten and succeed with their Ultimate Goal.

So, as an American what do we do? Do we sit by and watch as our United States gets pulled from under us? Do we ignore a “system of living” that has stated clearly what its intentions are? Do we protect our way of living and our Great Country?

Yes! We stand up for what is right. We remove political correctness from our language. We must learn about our enemy by finding out all information possible. Finally, believing in The Constitution of the United States and our laws, we must denounce Islam as a religion and system of living by passing laws to remove it from our country.


Robert H. Olsen

You may email Robert Olsen at   twosisters_ftr@yahoo.com  All correspondence will be forwarded to him.

White House Gases

by  Peter Jay O'Heyne

I just watched my home heating oil delivery truck leave my driveway and along with it about $600 for 160 gallons of fuel; this, after topping off my car at $3.55 a gallon with my bag of price-inflated groceries in the back seat. Now the media won't do it, electronic, printed or otherwise, so I will: thank you President Obama for the destructive, anti-growth policies that have caused my heating, food and gas prices to soar even as my home’s value plummets.

I am sure that there are those Obama apologists who will point to the chaos in the Middle East as the cause for the skyrocketing oil prices. While the recent unrest has had some minimal effect, the most significant factor has been increased oil demand worldwide. Proof of this is the fact that industry analysts were predicting $4 a gallon by summer and as high as $5 next year, months before the current Middle East upheaval.

The fact is that the Obama administration is repeating the mistakes of Jimmy Carter’s failed energy policies, which defined his term and were a significant part of the “misery index” of the late seventies. Some of us are old enough to remember the gas lines during the Carter administration and family members taking turns getting up before dawn to be the first in line. Well get your alarm clocks out, Obama’s policies are leading us straight into another national energy disaster.

Mr. Obama’s energy policy is a hodgepodge of green Utopian ideals; not really bad but not really practical either: more biofuel production, electric vehicle production and renewable power production. These are simply disastrous policies. The primary source of biomass production is corn-based ethanol which produces less energy per unit than gasoline while contributing to food price increases. Taxpayers subsidize ethanol production to the tune of $4 billion a year while producing only 2 percent of the total gasoline supply. The electric car is prohibitively expensive and like so many things this administration does, is unwanted by the vast majority of Americans. The other sources, wind and solar, contribute less than 1% to power generation and have no effect on the supply of gasoline. The environmental efficacy of ethanol is dubious as is the electric car; after all, that car must plug in and recharge using electricity likely supplied by a coal-powered generator.

In the face of all this, most prudent leaders would ramp up our own energy resources mining. In fact, the Obama administration has done the opposite and forcefully moved to cut our domestic energy supplies. The Interior Department has canceled scores of oil and gas drilling leases in the Green River Formation alone, where there is estimated to be more than three times the reserve of recoverable oil than Saudi Arabia. In the aftermath of the BP spill in the Gulf of New Mexico, the administration issued two bans on drilling, logic akin to grounding all air travel due to a single crash. Obama also refuses to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and has stopped off shore drilling in California, Florida, Texas and Louisiana. Not only has he shut off oil supplies, he has also cost these states thousands of jobs. I could go on, but you get the picture.

The greatest threat to America’s environment is not green house gas but rather the noxious White House gas that spews propeller beanie energy policies. The Obama administration’s anti-oil and ant-natural gas posture is destroying our economy and heading us inexorably towards a full blown energy crisis that will make the Carter years look like a walk in the park. It is also a national security issue since it renders us vulnerable to the whims of America-hating regimes sitting on foreign oil reserves. Surely the president can see this as clearly as anyone, so it begs the question, why isn't he taking action; isn't national security and a strong economy and energy independence priority one for the President? He says that it is. It’s time Mr. Obama’s actions speak as loudly as his words.

  © Copyright Peter Jay O'Heyne 2011

An American Tragedy - Tucson, AZ

A few days ago we wondered if we Americans were a nation that had forgotten how to mourn.  Today we ask another question, have we become so casual, callow, and aloof that we have forgotten the words, "protocol" and "etiquette?"  Those thoughts came to mind this evening as I watched the nationally televised service at Mckale Center Arena, at the University of Arizona in Tucson. 

It was difficult to categorize the service, it was a multi purpose event to bring healing to the Tucson Community that had been so traumatized by the multiple murders and shooting that took place on Saturday, January 9, 2010.  U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was critically wounded when a madman appeared out of nowhere and began shooting into the crowd.  By the end of the day it was obvious that Representative Giffords had been his intended target. 

All week long, the news from Tucson have dominated the television coverage.  Journalists and the public alike eagerly awaited updates from the hospital, each time hoping for good news on Rep. Gifford's progress, as well as the progress of others who had been shot and were in the hospital receiving treatment for their wounds.  Those who were mortally wounded were soon identified, as well as those whose heroism had saved lives and prevented the shooter from emptying another cartridge of bullets on the unsuspecting crowd.

The shooter was apprehended, incarcerated, indicted and all who read or watched the news were often astonished to learn that someone with such a sick mind had lived in their midst.  As time progressed it was fairly conclusive that the 22 year old gunman was very clinically, mentally disturbed, perhaps, some speculated maybe a homicidal schizophrenic. 

Once the doctors had ascertained that Gabby Giffords was still critical, but stabilized and her chances of survival assured, the service which took place on Wednesday evening was planned.  After holding a moment of silence on the steps of the capitol with all the Congress and staffers assembled, President and Mrs. Obama prepared to fly to Arizona on Wednesday.  As we watched them leave the White House their mood appeared to be grave, unsmiling as befitted their destination. They were going to honor the dead, and pray for healing for the wounded.

After visiting at the hospital, the Obamas entered the Arena and took their places on the front row.  The crowd of some 14,000 inside and nearly 12,000 outdoors greeted them as one would a rock star.  The cheers, applause, whoops and whistles, sounded bizarre in a setting of grief. For those who'd lost loved ones it must have been hurtful, and the Obamas appeared startled.  Sitting alone in my den, I said to myself, "This can't be happening."

There is a certain protocol that is observed at times like this.  The solemnity of the occasion dictates it.  Because there were no clergy men who appeared to have roles in the service, I wondered just exactly what direction the program would take.  After the Obama's sat the orchestra played "Fanfare for the Common Man", a haunting melody, punctuated by drum beats. 

UA President Robert Shelton led the ceremony, announcing each guest and performer.  After the National Anthem was sung, Pres. Shelton introduced, UA Professor Carlos Gonzalez who gave a long and somewhat peculiar Native American Blessing.   UA  student body president Emily Fritze and Daniel Hernandez, Jr. were introduced next.  

 Hernandez a student at UA was working as an intern for Congresswoman Giffords, and is being hailed as a hero for his quick actions which probably saved Giffords' life as well as some others.  When he was introduced the crowd of mostly students went wild with cheers and what seemed like endless applause and whistles.  To his credit, Mr. Hernandez appeared almost embarrassed by the adulation, and speaking eloquently and extemporaneously, he declined the title of "hero" giving credit instead to the first responders and medical staff who'd tended to the wounded.

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer followed and introduced the visiting dignitaries.  After speaking a few encouraging words, Gov. Brewer introduced HSA Secretary Janet Napolitano, who is also the former governor of Arizona, who read from the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament.  Attorney General Eric Holder followed with  a reading from the New Testament.

President Shelton then introduced President Obama and once again the students screams and cheers were overwhelming.  After a standing ovation, President Obama began his speech. "I have come here tonight as an American who, like all Americans, kneels to pray with you today, and will stand by you tomorrow," he said,  "There is nothing I can say that will fill the sudden hole torn in your hearts." 

Following the Scripture readings, his opening words appeared to set the tone for the somber and sorrowful occasion.  But it was not to be.  The crowd of students interrupted all through the speech with applause, whistles, shouts, and cheers.  He wound up speaking some 34 minutes.  The service ended with the choir singing a Shaker Hymn, and President Shelton reading a poem.

I sat in my den stunned.  I read somewhere that the students cheers had lightened the somber mood.  As the mother of a former cheerleader, I felt I'd just witnessed a pep rally before a big game.  Some one else commented that the McKeal Center is a sports arena that is used to hearing "cheers not tears."  Fine, if you'd gone to a sporting event!  But this was not a football game, or The Final Four.  This was a solemn occasion.  In the audience sat the families of those who had died, their grief still raw, and the families of those who are still hospitalized, including Gabby Giffords' whose recovery is still questionable. 

What was to be a defining moment in Obama's presidency, will not be remembered as that.  Granted, I'm not an Obama fan, but all week I've heard comparisons to the speech that Ronald Reagan gave after the space shuttle disaster, and the speech Bill Clinton gave after the Oklahoma City bombing, or George Bush's address at the National Cathedral in Washington after the tragedy of September 11, 2001.  All tragic moments in American history, and all received by grieving Americans with the seriousness and respect which the occasion demanded. Their speeches, all delivered and received in manner befitting the somberness of the event.

To his credit, Mr. Obama gave a very eloquent speech, and seemed to adapt well to the crowd's mood which he obviously had not expected. His intent was to recognize those who had so tragically died,  to offer comfort to the wounded, and to offer words that would heal the wounds that the Tucson community has felt since being thrown in the limelight.  It was in fact, one of his better speeches, and I'm sure the text of it can be found on the Internet for anyone to read.  I'm not going to quote it or reprint it here.  But the shouts, the cheers, the applause, interrupted it's fluidity, and in part robbed it of the impact it could have had.

There were a few times when the cheers were welcome.  When Obama announced that Gabby Giffords had opened her eyes for the first time, and when Daniel Hernandez was hailed as a hero.  But the rest of the time it was completely out of place, regardless of the venue where it was held.  They made me feel uncomfortable, and I wonder how many of those there who were still grieving could tolerate the cheer.

What it did demonstrate is that many of America's young adults  can't seem to be serious for one solemn event.  Do they even know the protocol one follows when attending a memorial such as this? Do they know the proper etiquette one uses to express condolence and sympathy to the grieving families? Do they know how to be serious and do they know how to mourn?

These young college students are the future leaders of this country.  They will soon be going out into the workforce to assume responsible jobs.  The "have fun, party mentality" needs to be tempered with moments of seriousness and decorum.  I was shocked and extremely disappointed by their behavior. Regardless of their reasons for being there, this was not a campaign function.  They were there to honor their fellow citizens and they didn't do it properly.

Another unusual practice in today's ceremony was the giving away of
T-shirts emblazoned with "Together We Thrive, Tucson and America," the theme of the evening.  Who has ever heard of giving away souvenirs at an event to memorialize the victims of a sordid tragedy?

In our church, when someone dies we don't call it a funeral.  We refer to it as "A Celebration of Life." With God's will, the people of Tucson will have times when they can have a celebration of life for the living, for those who survived the madness of last Saturday. Then it will be the proper time to cheer.  Hopefully in spite of these odd irregularities, we will, as the president challenged, "strive to be better, be better in our private lives, to be better friends and neighbors, co-workers and parents."

Who knows?  Maybe because of this American tragedy, we might even learn to be better political adversaries!

Leaders convince – Tyrants outlaw brownies

By Steve Bussey

Constitutional Philosophy Please tell me this isn’t true, that our federal government has a new Child Nutrition Bill soon to be law. This violates the letter and spirit of our Constitution on so many levels as to render it despotic and actually insane.

Please tell me that the federal tentacles are not once again reaching down into local schools and deciding what our children can and cannot eat. Please tell me that with near 10% unemployment, an exploding federal deficit, a possible nuclear Iran, a nuclear North Korea firing artillery at South Korea, war in Afghanistan and the myriad other real-world problems that our federal government is not concerning itself with fat kids and brownies. Welcome to Wonderland, Alice.

Save all of your stories and concerns about childhood obesity because I don’t want to hear them. I want an intellectual debate based on fact, logic and reason among adults and not emotional debates that tug at heartstrings. Please do not speak down to me from your throne on high. Look me in the eye and debate facts!

Here’s the story from the Kansas City Star newspaper:

Pending law puts brownies of school fundraisers in peril

By MARY CLARE JALONICK
The Associated Press
Sarah Benson
WASHINGTON
Don’t touch my brownies!


A child nutrition bill on its way to President Barack Obama — and championed by the first lady — gives the government power to limit school bake sales and other fundraisers that health advocates say sometimes replace wholesome meals in the lunchroom.
“This could be a real train wreck for school districts,” Lucy Gettman of the National School Boards Association said Friday, a day after the House cleared the bill. “The federal government should not be in the business of regulating this kind of activity at the local level.”
The legislation, part of first lady Michelle Obama’s campaign to stem childhood obesity, provides more meals at school for needy kids. The legislation would apply to all foods sold in schools during regular class hours, including in the cafeteria line and at fundraisers.

Really? That’s what the most powerful government in the history of the world is concerned about? Leaders, my friends, lead – they explain and convince. Tyrants, on the other hand, legislate and compel with the force of the government sword.

Okay, let’s get serious and talk about the Constitution for a moment. Under what constitutional authority does this fall? The general welfare clause? Nope – here’s what the Father of the Constitution said with respect to the general welfare clause, and he was in the debate and knew what they wrote and why;

“If Congress can employ money indefinitely to the general welfare, and are the sole and supreme judges of the general welfare, they may take the care of religion into their own hands;  they may appoint teachers in every State, county and parish and pay them out of their public treasury;  they may take into their own hands the education of children, establishing in like manner schools throughout the Union;  they may assume the provision of the poor;  they may undertake the regulation of all roads other than post-roads; in short, every thing, from the highest object of state legislation down to the most minute object of police,  would be thrown under the power of Congress…. Were the power  of Congress to be established in the latitude contended for,  it would subvert the very foundations, and transmute the very nature  of the limited Government established by the people of America.”

Nope, the general welfare clause doesn’t cover it. How about the interstate commerce clause? Here are some quotes from Hamilton and Madison, both of whom were at the Constitutional Convention and debated the new Constitution:

In Federalist No. 22 (4th Para), Hamilton said: 
"The interfering…regulations of some States…have… given just cause of…complaint to others, and…if not restrained by a national control, would be multiplied… till they became…serious sources of animosity and… impediments to the intercourse between the different parts of the Confederacy. “The commerce of the German empire…is in continual trammels from the multiplicity of…duties which the several princes and states exact upon the merchandises passing through their territories, by means of which the…navigable rivers [of]…Germany…are rendered almost useless.” Though the…people of this country might never permit this…to be…applicable to us, yet we may…expect, from the…conflicts of State regulations, that the citizens of each would…come to be…treated by the others in no better light…"


In Federalist No. 42 (9th Para), Madison said
"…A very material object of this power [to regulate commerce] was the relief of the States which import and export through other States, from the improper contributions levied on them by the latter. Were these at liberty to regulate the trade between State and State…ways would be found out to load the articles of import and export, during the passage through their jurisdiction, with duties which would fall on the makers of the latter and the consumers of the former…"

See also Federalist No. 44 (8th Para) and 56 (6th Para).

Madison’s Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 show:
"Thursday, August 16th:
…Mr. Madison. 1. the power of taxing exports is proper in itself, and as the States cannot with propriety exercise it separately, it ought to be vested in them collectively…3. it would be unjust to the States whose produce was exported by their neighbours, to leave it subject to be taxed by the latter. This was a grievance which had already filled [New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, and N. Carolina] with loud complaints, as it related to imports, and they would be equally authorized by taxes by the States on exports…."

Many people claim, wrongfully, that the Constitution changes with time. What did James Madison have to say about that?

“Let there be no change [in the Constitution] by usurpation. For though this, in one instance may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.”

The Constitution has not a single word or phrase that would imply or otherwise state that the Constitution changes with time. In fact, the Constitution changes only through the amendment process and not with time, elections, polls, legislation or judicial re-interpretation – just through amendments. So any other form of change, other than a formal amendment, in my opinion would constitute the usurpation James Madison warned about.

But hey – damn the torpedoes (Constitution) and full speed ahead attacking school bake sales, vending machines and fat kids – our nation depends on it!

The Bogus and Bigoted Wall of Separation Between Church and State

Two Sisters from the right is proud to feature an essay by Steve Bussey.  Mr. Bussey is a good friend and contributor to our original Two Sisters From The Right. He is a political commentator, blogger and radio show host.  His thoughts and opinions can be read on his own site, www.stevebussey.com .  We look forward to collaborating with Steve as he brings us informative and thought provoking articles.  Welcome!

The Bogus and Bigoted Wall of Separation Between Church and State

By Steve Bussey

Well, Thanksgiving is over and Black Friday is upon us marking the official start of the 2010 Christmas Season in America. And with the advent of a new Christmas Season comes the inevitable politically correct “holiday office party” and the attendant arguments and struggles between Church and State. I have an idea; how about we try to interject some truth into the debate this year, some real historical facts?

Many people, like me, erroneously ascribe the Separation of Church and State movement to communism attempting to overthrow America by destroying traditional, religious-based morality and ethics, or the secular humanists. But that’s wrong, or at least, not how it all started. Communists and humanists may have co-opted the movement in modern times, but they really had nothing to do with the origins.


The separation of Church and State advocacy has absolutely nothing to do with the Constitution of the United States – nothing. The separation of Church and State advocacy groups simply found judges and justices willing to bastardize and defile our Constitution toward their own racist, anti-immigration and bigoted ends, as liberal/progressive groups usually do.


The movement really started in the early 20th Century as an anti-Catholic movement, and involved, to a great degree, the Ku Klux Klan. That’s right; the separation of Church and State movement in America is an outgrowth of the KKK’s anti-Catholic stance of religious bigotry, hate and fear and is much the same today. But what it is not about is the Constitution.


Barry Lynn is the current Executive Director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State . However, that organization was started in 1947 by Glenn L. Archer as Protestants and Other Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. Why would Protestants start such an organization? Can you say W.A.S.P. – White, Anglo-Saxon Protestant American – KKK?


I find that original name extremely significant. Here’s part of the Wikipedia entry for Glenn Archer:


Glenn L. Archer (1906–2002) was the founder of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, formerly known as Protestants and Other Americans United for Separation of Church and State.[1]
In its first years, a main focus of AU’s activity was opposition to the political agenda of the Roman Catholic Church and it was seen by critics as an anti-Catholic organization.[2] It was under Archer’s tutelage that the Roman Catholic hierarchy was dubbed in 1949 as being more dangerous and clever than communism.
He petitioned the FCC to deny TV licenses to Jesuits because they were an alien organization. He also demanded that Cardinals in the Catholic Church have their citizenship revoked.[3] Furthermore, he asked the House Un-American Activities Committee to investigate the intentions, scope and achievements of Vatican espionage in the United States, charging that the Catholic clergy had learned American secrets hardly anyone except the president knows.[4]


Notice that Mr. Archer petitioned the FCC to deny TV licenses to Jesuit priests because they were an alien organization and not due to any separation of Church and State.


According to Princeton University:


POAU was founded largely because of the climate in the United States permitting government support of religious schools, notably the 1947 Supreme Court decision of Everson v. Board of Education that affirmed the principle of the separation of church and state but approved busing children to parochial schools at public expense on the grounds that it provided welfare to the child, not the school. Fearing that this would provide justification for other federal funding to parochial schools, POAU instituted a multifaceted, proactive program to educate the American public on the issues at stake and raise support for church-state separation.


Who was predominating in parochial education in America? The Catholic Church. But this wasn’t even the beginning of the Church and State movement. The movement really began in the 1920’s. Check out this information from Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project:


""During the Ku Klux Klan’s revival during the 1920s, the organization formed a strong presence in the Pacific Northwest. In Washington, the majority of the Klan’s work was devoted to passing an anti-Catholic school initiative and attempting to spread their particular brand of white, Protestant supremacy. Yet while Oregon passed an anti-Catholic school bill in 1922, heavily backed by the Oregon Klan, Washington voters rejected a similar measure–and the influence of the Washington Klan–two years later. The Ku Klux Klan that surfaced in the 1920s formed the second wave of Klan activity in the United States. Unlike the first emergence of the Ku Klux Klan, formed in the South in 1868 and mainly concerned with keeping black people from exercising their new freedoms, the second wave of the Ku Klux Klan focused their efforts on a wider range of issues. This new wave portrayed themselves as a race-protecting group that “espoused a virulent form of racism, anti-Semitism, anti-Catholicism, and anti-immigrant sentiment. . . ."
. . . The Oregon School Bill aimed to close private Catholic schools in Oregon and have the children sent to the public school system. Since public schools taught state-mandated curricula, the Klan saw this measure as a way to “Americanize” Catholic children and limit the amount of “non-Protestant” instruction they received. Oregonians who supported the Compulsory Education Bill, including the Oregon Klan, made the argument that private and parochial schools were often controlled by non-American organizations that emphasized foreign ideologies over traditional American values."[6]


It’s more than just a little ironic how the KKK’s concern was the same as Mr. Archer’s – Catholic schools. I contend that Barry Lynn’s group is an outgrowth of the KKK’s anti-Catholic bigotry, and a manner by which to mask that bigotry. Their anti-Catholic initiatives in the 1920’s were too narrow in scope and too identifiable with an anti-Catholic bigotry so they had to expand it to all religion in order to mask their narrow WASP bias, especially since the KKK fell from grace. Bigoted groups rarely fold up their tents and go home when they lose. They simply morph into something more palatable.

But why, why were Catholics such a threat in the 1920’s and why would an anti-Catholic organization spring up in America in the first place? According to Julie Byrne, Department of Religion, Duke University:


The story of Roman Catholicism in the nineteenth century IS the story of immigration. Until about 1845, the Roman Catholic population of the United States was a small minority of mostly English Catholics, who were often quite socially accomplished. But when several years of devastating potato famine led millions of Irish Catholics to flee to the United States in the mid 1840s, the face of American Catholicism began to change drastically and permanently. In the space of fifty years, the Catholic population in the United States suddenly transformed from a tight-knit group of landowning, educated aristocrats into an incredibly diverse mass of urban and rural immigrants who came from many different countries, spoke different languages, held different social statuses, and emphasized different parts of their Catholic heritage.

So, the Catholic population in America was growing – and growing through immigration. Here’s a post from Answers.com . Now admittedly, I do not know the origins of this post, who posted it or what their background is.

The KKK has never liked the Catholic Church, but became even more vocal about its opposition upon its resurgence in the early 20th century. Reasons for the Klan’s anti-Catholicism stems from both social and religious reasons. Historically, the Klan has Protestant roots, from which it takes the more radical views on Catholicism. The KKK considers the pope a Roman dictator, placing itself before God. As well, Catholicism is notorious for its multi-culturalism, another mark against it. Socially, many of the immigrants coming to America were Catholics, whom the Klan felt were taking jobs away from Americans and hence were undesirables. In 1974, faced with dwindling popularity and numbers, David Duke made a milestone, shifting Klan policy by opening Klan membership to Roman Catholics provided they were white.


There is more than enough information to show the current Separation of Church and State crowd as the bigots and liars that they are. Don’t buy into their crap this Christmas, and insist we return to the America bequeathed us by our Founders.


The author can be contacted at:  Frawddawg@aol.com