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Gunner
 
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Default OT - Gunner Quote - for Gunner and all the Gunnettes

On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 10:21:25 GMT, "dalecue"
wrote:

Dan wrote in message ...


--

Let's adopt the following two amendments to the U.S. Constitution:

"The Congress shall have the power to declare war, and this time we
really do mean it."

"No person shall be denied life, liberty, or
property without due process of law, and this time we really do mean
it."


Blatantly copied from someone more clever than I

25 Rules For Being A Good Republican



George Washington

The man who is known to all Americans as "first in war, first in
peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen," gave us much sound
advice on how to keep our independence and freedom. George
Washington's advice is part of our American heritage that should be
known to all our citizens.

#1 RELY ON GOD

When George Washington took the oath as first President of the United
States on April 30, 1789, he added this four-word prayer of his own:
"So help me God."

These words are still used in official oaths by Americans talking
public office, in courts of justice, and in other legal proceedings.
Washington's words show that he was a man who believed in asking God's
help in every part of our private and public lives.

During the terrible times of the Revolutionary War, Washington
repeatedly counseled his troops to put their faith and trust in God.

Here is one of his messages:

"The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether
Americans are to be, freeman or slaves; whether they are to have any
property they can call their own .... The fate of unborn millions will
now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army ....
Let us therefore rely on the goodness of the cause and the aid of the
Supreme Being, in whose hands victory is, to animate and encourage us
to great and noble actions."

In his first Inaugural Address as President of the United States,
Washington reverently acknowledged our country's dependence on
Almighty God:

"It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act,
my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the
universe who presides in the council of nations - and whose
providential aids can supply every human defect, that his benediction
may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the
United States, a government instituted by themselves for these
essential purposes."

After serving as our President during probably the most important two
terms in our history, Washington advised us again that religion and
morality are necessary for good government. In his Farewell Address on
September 19, 1796, he clearly said: "Of all the dispositions and
habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are
indispensable supports."

#2 HONESTY

George Washington was a man of great personal honesty. The famous
story about Washington chopping down the cherry tree, and admitting it
to his father with the words, "I cannot tell a lie," perfectly
illustrates the character of the Father of Our Country. In his
Farewell Address, Washington, having served our country in war and
peace, gave his advice that we as a nation should be bound by the same
rules of honor and honesty that should bind individuals. He said: "I
hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs
that honesty is always the best policy."

As part of his belief that our nation should practice honesty,
Washington urged that our Government always be honorable in money
matters. He urged our country to borrow as little money as necessary
and to avoid piling up a big debt. He realized that emergencies, such
as unavoidable wars, would require us to borrow from time to time; but
he urged that these debts be paid off as rapidly as possible.
Washington said that failure to do this means we will be making our
children pay the debts we ourselves should pay. Here are his words
from his Farewell Address:

"Avoid likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning
occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in time of peace to
discharge the debts which unavoidable wars have occasioned, not
ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves
ought to bear."

#3 RESIST POLITICAL PRESSURES

Washington was well aware of how politicians are subjected to
political and economic pressures which may persuade them to give up
their principles, or to favor one group over another. In the midst of
such pressures from all sides, Washington stood like a rock of
strength and advised us how to keep to a standard of truth and
justice. As President of the Constitutional Convention of 1787,
Washington gave this advice to his fellow Delegates: "If to please
the people, we offer what we ourselves disapprove, how can we
afterwards defend our work? Let us raise a standard to which the wise
and honest can repair; the event is in the hand of God." The men who
followed Washington's Advice produced the United States Constitution,
which has properly been called "the most wonderful work ever struck
off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man."

#4 FORMULA FOR PEACE

George Washington was not only "first in war," but also "first in
peace." He developed the best formula for keeping the peace that has
ever been devised by man: the formula of discouraging the enemy from
attack by making sure that he knows beforehand that America is ready
for war. In his Fifth Annual Address to Congress, given in
Philadelphia on December 3, 1793, Washington said:

"There is a rank due to the United States among nations, which will be
withheld, if not absolutely lost, by the reputation of weakness. If we
desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to
secure the peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising
prosperity, it must be known that we are at all times ready for war."
Washington's advice on how best to keep the peace is thus in two
parts: (1) we must be ready for war, and (2) just as important, the
enemy must know we are ready.

#5 PRESERVE THE CONSTITUTION Washington realized that as our country
grew, there would be "bad guys" who would try to seize powers they
shouldn't have and change the wonderful plan for American freedom and
independence set up by the Founding Fathers. On the other hand, he
knew that some changes in the Constitution would be necessary from
time to time. Washington advised us that these changes should be made
only in the way the Constitution provides - and not in any other way.
He said in his Farewell Address:

"If in the opinion of the people the distribution or modification of
the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be
corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution
designates. But let there be no change 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."

Washington thus advised that we should be alert to protect the freedom
of the people against men who try to take too much power in an
unconstitutional way. Washington believed that "Government is like
fire a good servant, but a dangerous master."

#6 LIBERTY MUST INCLUDE RESPONSIBILITY As a schoolboy, Washington
wrote in his copybook: "Labor to keep alive in your breast that little
spark of celestial fire - conscience."

Washington had risked everything he had in the Revolutionary struggle
for liberty. But he knew that "liberty" does not mean license to do
anything without restrictions. True liberty must include
responsibility to conscience - to God and to country. In his Farewell
Address, he advised us to give full support to our new Government:
"Respect for its authority, compliance with its laws, acquiescence in
its measures, are duties enjoined by the fundamental maxims of true
liberty." #7 AVOID FOREIGN INFLUENCE Washington knew that European
nations had been constantly involved in one war after another. He knew
that their political and economic interests were not the same as ours.
He knew also that various foreign nations would try constantly to
extend their influence over the American Government and people.
Washington believed that the only way for the United States to grow
strong and keep her hard-won independence was to remain free from
European wars, problems, and influence. In his Farewell Address, he
said:

"History and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the
most baneful foes of republican government. " Washington predicted
that foreign propaganda would operate inside and outside our
Government. He warned that 'foreign influence' in our Government would
even trick Americans about whom we can trust. He said in his Farewell
Address:

"Real patriots who may resist the intrigues of the favorite are liable
to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the
applause and confidence of the people to surrender their interests."
#8 DON'T EXPECT FAVORS FROM NATIONS In advising us against becoming
entangled with foreign problems, Washington warned us against giving
favors to other nations in the hope of receiving favors in return. He
warned that we will be "reproached with ingratitude for not giving
them more," and we will have to "pay with a portion of our
independence" for placing ourselves in such a position. He said in his
Farewell Address:

"There can be no greater error than to expect or calculate upon real
favors from nation to nation. It is an illusion which experience must
cure, which a just pride ought to discard." #9 PATRIOTISM
Washington was one of our greatest American patriots, and he demanded
patriotism in the men who served with him in war and peace. Legend
tells us that the night he crossed the Delaware, he gave the famous
command: "Put none but Americans on guard tonight." Even though we
cannot find this quotation in his published writings, it accurately
represents his thinking. In his Farewell Address he advised all our
citizens:

"The name of AMERICAN, which belongs to you in your national
capacity,must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any
appellation."

#10 THANKSGIVING TO GOD Washington advised Americans to set aside a
day of public Thanksgiving to God for the great favors He has bestowed
on our nation. On October 3, 1789 Washington proclaimed the first
Thanksgiving Day - the first of a long series of presidential orders
that have remained part of American life down to the present:
"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
commend to the people of 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 to the service of that
great and glorious Being, Who is the beneficent Author of all the good
that was, that is, or will be." Home

Compiled by Phyllis Schlafly Eagle ForumTh

" ..The world has gone crazy. Guess I'm showing my age...
I think it dates from when we started looking at virtues
as funny. It's embarrassing to speak of honor, integrity,
bravery, patriotism, 'doing the right thing', charity,
fairness. You have Seinfeld making cowardice an acceptable
choice; our politicians changing positions of honor with
every poll; we laugh at servicemen and patriotic fervor; we
accept corruption in our police and bias in our judges; we
kill our children, and wonder why they have no respect for
Life. We deny children their childhood and innocence- and
then we denigrate being a Man, as opposed to a 'person'. We
*assume* that anyone with a weapon will use it against his
fellowman- if only he has the chance. Nah; in our agitation
to keep the State out of the church business, we've
destroyed our value system and replaced it with *nothing*.
Turns my stomach- " Chas , rec.knives