Make A Difference! Get M.A.D! ;-)

HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) has been working tirelessly to defeat the ratification of the United Nations CRPD Treaty (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities). This treaty is frightening; the proponents are well organized and relentless. Also joining forces in this fight with HSLDA, is Senator Rick Santorum and his organization Patriot Voices , as well as Parental Rights .

These groups are helping inform citizens so we can easily join in this important battle. Calls to our Senators are imperative at this time. A vote is scheduled for Tuesday, December 4th.

There are so many troubling issues taking place in our nation at this time. Those of us that home school here in Idaho, have seen without a doubt that our phone calls DO work. We have lived and understood the need to protect that freedom.

The truth of the matter is, we have many other freedoms that are at stake now, too. If we could encourage others to come on board and make these strategic phone calls when needed on some of these important issues, I am convinced we would see a change.

During my discussions with friends and acquaintances I have had people ask me, "But what can I do?"

Below are my suggestions:

• Pray!
• Dispose of any defeatist attitude!
• Write letters to the editor of your local paper.
• Blog
• Create an email mailing list to help keep friends and family informed! Tell them to spread the word.
• Join groups such as HSLDA, Patriot Voices , NRA , Parental Rights , American Center for Law and Justice  ~ these groups will add you to their mailing lists and inform you when it is time to make a phone call (or email) to our Representatives, or Senators. These groups basically are doing the work for us and will keep us informed of bills and actions that may need our attention. They make it SO easy for us, providing phone numbers, email addresses, and informing us of time constraints!
• Join a social media group such as Facebook. There is absolutely no quicker way to get information on all of the issues that are taking place within our nation. If you don't like the idea of the "friends", simply "like" the groups from whom you wish to receive information.
• Memorize this number! 202-224-2131 ~ This is the phone number to the Capitol, and you can reach your Senators at this number. It will also allow those at the top to understand the degree of outcry or concern on any particular issue.With the way the past election went our conservative members of Congress NEED to know they have our support. Those on the fence of certain issues NEED to be persuaded!

If we want America, to continue to be the greatest nation on this earth, we need to act!

But back to the issue of the UN CRPD; a simple phone call to the phone number above should be made before Tuesday. Simply ask to leave a message for your Senators (In Idaho, Crapo and Risch). Tell them that you oppose the ratification of the UN CRPD. You don't have to give a reason; but if you choose to, Number 1 in the list below, is sufficient. The list below comes from the HSLDA Facebook page - five VERY GOOD reasons why we should oppose CRPD.

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From the desk of Michael Farris ~ HSLDA

HSLDA

I have been asked to give five quick reasons to oppose the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

 

1. As a matter of American self-government, we should never make treaties that put American domestic issues under UN supervision.

 

2. This treaty will give the government wide discretion to override parental decisions concerning children with special needs or handicapping conditions. Today the government can decide what is best for a child only after proving abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Under this treaty the government need not prove anything—it just has the raw power to override parental decisions concerning special needs kids.

...

3. This treaty is the first treaty that puts Economic, Social, and Cultural rights—which are binding government entitlements—into the highest law of the land. This is socialism by treaty—period.

 

4. The US will spend millions of dollars on our required periodic reports to the UN. They check on us to monitor our compliance. We should spend that money here in the US on meeting the needs of our own citizens.

 

5. US ratification of this treaty will have no legal impact in any other country. It will not affect Americans who travel abroad. It will not help the disabled in other nations. The Administration’s claims on these points cannot be proven. Ask anyone who claims otherwise to read you the sections on travel and “extra-territorial” application. They can’t do it.

 

Call your Senators. Ask them to VOTE NO on the UN CRPD. 202.224.3121

Ahhh Childhood - Spending Treasure

I walked out to get the morning paper after feeding the horses. It had been raining relentlessly the last few days, and the mud had not only built up around the barn, but puddles of water also lay intermittently throughout the drive way. I had my muck boots on, and a walk through the water in the driveway to clean off my boots was just a little too tempting.

As I splashed through the water, I was reminded of my friend from work who had just the day before been lamenting the fact that her five year old grandson, simply couldn’t stay out of the mud puddles when he was outside playing. I smiled at the thought; and for a moment I had a five year old heart myself as I moved my boots up and down the puddle attempting to clean off the mud. It felt good to be here, because I was also remembering moments of my childhood when I also couldn’t seem to stay out of the mud puddles.

I remember a time in my life when I was probably about eight or nine; I wanted a raincoat in the worst way. I had been watching Secret Agent Man or some equivalent on the television and probably reading too many mystery books. I connected a raincoat with being a private eye, or detective.  I wanted the raincoat, not so much to play in the rain, as I did to play detective.

Anyway, it wasn’t long and a package came in the mail from my grandma. It wasn’t Christmas or anyone’s birthday; it was just a thoughtful gift from my maternal grandpa and grandma.  When the package was opened, I was delighted! What was inside? Raincoats!  There was one for each of my siblings and me, if I remember correctly.  Mine was a sky blue color, it was beautiful and it fit perfectly.  

I still remember the first rainy day that I was able to go out and play in my new raincoat. I don’t remember a thing about my imaginative play as detective, but I don’t think I will ever forget the delightful, wonderful feel of my brand new slicker! With the warm spring rain pouring down on me,  I splashed in the puddles while the wind blew creating just the right atmosphere I had been awaiting.

Ahhh! Childhood!

So splashing in puddles is not the only thing I have been doing of late. Picking up on that mystery theme, I also recently decided I would reread some of my old childhood mystery novels - Trixie Belden to be exact. I guess my previous posts put me in that mood; as well as a desire to remove myself briefly from reality. I found myself wanting to get lost in that series, or at least something that wouldn't require much thought. What’s going on with this second childhood phase, I seem to be experiencing!

To top things off, a few days ago, I spent an afternoon mindlessly coloring in an old coloring book that I came across while cleaning or something.  Ok, whatever!  I didn’t just randomly come across it, I sought it out. I knew just where it was as well as a bag of fairly new crayons I had been keeping for just such an occasion.  I had the urge to color…I wanted to vegetate, I wanted to relax. Sometimes life just requires it, doesn’t it?

I can’t think of anything much more mindless, than coloring, can you?

Hmmm, Ok well maybe splashing in puddles would fit that category best.

 

Maybe tomorrow, I will write about grown up things...well, or maybe not just yet.

A Heart of Thanksgiving

Below is a note from Michael Farris that he had posted this morning on Facebook. Mr. Farris’s beginning comments are thought-provoking and appreciated. President George Washington’s Proclamation (I almost prefer to call him General George Washington, here.) is absolutely beautiful.

Today, (Thanksgiving, specifically; but generally, I also mean these difficult days we are living.) Washington's words are especially poignant. After a Presidential election that seemed to reveal an electorate that no longer understands freedom and the American Dream, we can garner much wisdom from our first President as we contemplate deeper his words.

This is an extremely important proclamation still relevant, if not even more so, for today. The knowledge of to Whom we should offer our thanks; the understanding of the need for repentance; the conviction to preserve freedom; and the desire to be a light and friend to all nations is succinctly covered in Washington’s words. So much is expressed if one will only stop to contemplate the heart behind the messenger. General Washington’s message overwhelms me as I read it again and again. This is not only America’s beginnings, this is America’s heart.

Especially important for me – and not necessarily the most important part of his message – is a quote I wish to emphasize:

“…to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord.”*

That is what America was conceived and born to do. America has always been a nation to understand the need to help others, to lead in freedom without concern for power, and to represent Righteousness, our Savior Jesus Christ to a watching world. That is the true American Dream. This is what I am thankful for today, and my prayer is for generations that will continue, and even more, once again fully understand. This dream simply can’t continue without the desire “to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.”

Happy Thanksgiving!  ~ Jan

 

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A Thanksgiving Note from Michael Farris, HSLDA Chairman.

I am thankful today for George Washington. He did more to make this nation free than any other single individual. Yes, he was a great general. Yes, he was our first president. Yes, he presided over the Constitutional Convention. But, Washington's greatest contribution to American freedom was walking away from power--twice.

First, he walked away from power after winning the War for Independence. George III said that if Washington went back to farming as he planned to do after winning the war, he would be the greatest man that ever lived. No general ever walked away from power in such a situation.

Second, he walked away from power after two terms as President.

Finally, George Washington knew that God was the author of freedom--and he said so publicly--not just once but many times. Here is our nation's first Thanksgiving Proclamation, from George Washington.

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Proclamation of National Thanksgiving
George Washington

City of New York, October 3, 1789

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

* Emphasis in bold lettering is mine.

 

Today And Every Day

Honoring our Veterans today...and everyday.




And some of my own favorite veterans:

 

Army 1st Cav ~ Viet Nam

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The Moving Wall ~ Viet Nam

A Treasured Name Is Found



World War II Memroial

World War II Memorial



Army Air Corp ~ World War II

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POP

World War I

 

Today is the first time our nation has celebrated Veteran's Day without a World War I veteran.

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