Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

Texas A&M Law Professor: Time 'to Repeal and Replace Second Amendment'

"Speaking in a gun violence symposium at University of Connecticut's School of Law, Texas A&M law professor Mary Margaret Penrose said it's time "to repeal and replace [the] Second Amendment.""

I never thought I'd see the day that Texas A&M University, home of the Fighting Texas Aggies and the birthplace of the military careers of thousands of American patriots, would wave a banner of liberalism!

"Penrose said her problems with the Constitution are not limited to the Second Amendment. She "advocates redrafting the entire U.S. Constitution" in her law courses at Texas A&M."

The Holy Spirit removes our blinders ...

Sometimes I get to just look at myself and laugh! I grabbed a new pair of reading glasses off my counter and put them on to do a little reading and was confused that the vision before me was more blurry than without the spectacles.  I pulled them off and put them back on a couple of times with no improvement.

Thinking that the glasses  must have been mislabeled in the store, I put on another pair to check the label on the frame, only then noting that there was a plastic cover on both lenses!  It took one pair of glasses to see the need to remove the cover off the next pair of glasses.

The Holy Spirit works like this in those who have come into a redeemed relationship with our Lord, Jesus.  The Bible shows us that it is only by the Spirit of the Lord, that we are able to discern the deep secrets in His Word.

"So he said, "You have been given knowledge about the secrets of the kingdom of God. But to others they are given in parables, so that 'they might look but not see, and they might listen but not understand.'"    Luke 8:10

"But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"—  these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.   For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.   Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.   And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.   The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."  1 Corinthians 2:9-14 (ESV)


The Holy Spirit has removed my blinders, and maybe yours as well.  The rest of life is picking up the glasses, putting them on and searching for deeper things.

Simple choices

There is morality according to God and there is morality according to man.
In the first,  we recognize God as the source and man and world as resources.
In the second, man recognizes himself as the source and resources are created by man.

This Is Why Obama Gets Away With What He Does

Gleaned from Doc's Talk "An attempt is made to share the truth regarding issues concerning Israel and her right to exist as a Jewish nation. This blog has expanded to present information about radical Islam and its potential impact upon Israel and the West. Yes, I do mix in a bit of opinion from time to time."


 

"As a conservative black American who ignores the concept of “self-muzzling” (translated “political correctness”), I have been asked several times why it is that Barack Obama and Eric Holder can do the unlawful, unjust things that they are doing. People who ask me this are Caucasian Americans. I reply in all instances that these men are lawless because white people allow them to be lawless "






This Is Why Obama Gets Away With What He Does

the cycle of sin

The Sin Cycle

Sin: born into sin, sin awaits us every time we take our focus from God

Slavery:  as our sin nature separates us from him, we slip into a life of slavery to that sin, to our sin nature

Supplication:  eventually, grieving over the trouble of our own making, we cry out to Him for salvation

Salvation: and God is faithful, as we turn from sin and repent, He restores us to fellowship with Him

Silence:  it takes effort, moment to moment, to maintain our focus - prayer, study, meditation - if we lose that focus, we return to our sinful nature

and so it goes

adapted from a lesson by Jeff Harris

Bible bookmarks

I'm cleaning out the various pieces of paper that fluff the pages of my Bible and reviewing some of the passages I noted for reflection.  Scribbles of verse references, sermon notes, thoughts to chew on;  I should have studied them immediately and intently, followed them up, for daily, passing peace.

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"But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,  so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need."  ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:10b-12 (NAS)

"Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.   Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."  ~ Colossians 3:22-24 (NAS)

These two, kept at the front of thinking, would go a great way toward leading me to a stronger and more peaceful relationship with my employer and my fellow workers.

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"For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."  ~ 1 Timothy 6:10 (NAS)

I don't lust after money or riches, but there are certainly far too many occasions when I could have been a stronger steward of God's bounty, and more certain, could have put His money to use helping someone other than myself.

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I have the following notes titled "chapter six focus"; I don't recall what study, which book, they are referencing, but the thoughts alone bear review.

1. prayer, surrendering, confessing - I can feel God's presences and sometimes His comfort but His "pleasure" eludes me
2. work was God's plan from the beginning - working "hard" was the result of sin - I think work is needed to keep us sharp, mentally and physically
3. surrendering what we "have" to God puts us in the position of seeking his desires with our stewardship as well as (?) us constantly seeking Him, His plans, His purposes for our lives
4. I have no ambition
5. work as its own reward provides for our needs (not at the mercy of others 1 Thessalonians 4:12) and allows us to show God's hand in our lives - Honor God - God displayed - God honored
6. at this point, virtually none of my life is surrendered to God - I am hanging on to control and God is not honored & seldom acknowledged

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Here are some note from a study titled "Relationships":

1. Not sure about everyone else, but I am
2. Somewhat - drilling down deeper - think you could call it "personal dissatisfaction"
3. Fear of failure
4. I would lobe to step aside but time is money and money is ability - "If can't give love, I must give stuff"
5. Amen
6. inward focus - "self trapping"
7. I am more outward outside the home. but part of it is that I get "nitpicked" if i express myself to my three girls - it gets wearisome
8. yes - more frustration at home because I expect them to comply willingly, but they are just as difficult

It's interesting that this most important chapter is the shortest and says the least.

Hmm ...

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This one comes from a sermon, I think at Grace Point, titled "EPIC"

 

Your Ending

The Journey

•  2 Peter 1 3-11 -The journey begins when we exchange our lives; the goal is to have lived a life of moral excellence (vs 5)

 Glimpses of Glory

• 2 Corinthians 2:18
• 1 Corinthians 13:12
• 1 John 3:2

Our New Home

• Geneses 2:19
• Revelation 2:17
• Revelation 19:11-16

 I'll just have to look these up and flesh them out to reveal the cohesion.

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11/28/10 FWFBT (?)

James 4:10-12

1 Peter 2:1-2

Ephesians 4:29-32

Galations 6:1-2

Matthew 7:1-6

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"Life is hard, and then you die."

Why is life hard?  What happens when I die?

The mind and the heart are shaped by our senses, by the influences we see, hear, feel, touch, taste; by the things we live.  As our minds and hearts are shaped, the path before us unfolds and time moves us forward.

What is shaping my path?  Is it smooth or rough?  Do I see the end clearly, or is it murky and undefined?  Can I reshape my path or am I bound to it?

The answers are in The Book.

the people must be armed

"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed - as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword because the whole body of the people are armed."   ~  Noah Webster

the tree of liberty must be refreshed

What country ever existed a century and a half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve it's liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it's natural manure."  ~  Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, Paris, 13 Nov. 1787

The Tree of Liberty

Dianne Feistein validates armed citizens

Sen. Feinstein Makes Wild Claim to Push Gun Control at Senate Committee Hearing 

I've long considered this Democratic Party representative to be on the lunatic fringe of Congress, and her comments here serve to solidify my position.  I think its interesting to note that she at least recognizes on a sub-concious level that it would be a Police Officer or citizen ARMED WITH A GUN that would likely resolve the issue.

"when a criminal, a drug dealer, a deranged individual has to pause to change magazines and reload that the police or brave bystanders have the opportunity to take that individual down.”

Obama the puppet

I received a good word last night from a recent friend.  We need to minimize villainizing President Obama; he is merely a puppet on a stage that is bigger than we can imagine, and we can imagine big.  The real enemy of the Constitution, at least the American face of it, is the Democratic Party.  They, the voters, the people behind the party, are responsible for propping him up, for following his "lead" and for continuing to empower him and his anti-American antics, through their continued voting support.

From now on, we need to remind the folks who might be listening that it is the Democratic Party that must be battled, today, tomorrow and until the few good men and women who are involved with this immoral, murderous, anti-Constitutional party have come to their senses, and the Democratic Party is at least reduced to a dull roar.  The alternative continues to be hideous.

Liberalism: A Basic Primer

"“Classical liberalism” is the term used to designate the ideology advocating private property, an unhampered market economy, the rule of law, constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and of the press, and international peace based on free trade…including freedom of contract and exchange and the free disposition of one’s own labor, is given a high priority. Historically, liberalism has manifested a hostility to state action, which, it insists, should be reduced to a minimum."  ~  Ralph Raico

Hmm, sounds a lot like conservatism.  I wonder where the shift occurred.


Kelly OConnell pens the missive, "Liberalism: A Basic Primer—Or, Why Leftism is Failure Incarnate".


Mark J. Perry enlightens us Why Socialism Failed.

Triablogue: "Do Christians still receive spiritual gifts?"

Triablogue: "Do Christians still receive spiritual gifts?": By Dominic Bnonn Tennant:

can you see the baby?

The National Pro-Life Alliance has prepared a short video on the power of sonograms in saving babies.

Please take a moment to watch it by clicking here.


“See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity; in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the Lord your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it.   But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them,  I declare to you today that you shall surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess it.  I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,  by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”  ~ Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (NASB)

BibleGateway.com

facted points

Our life is like a precious stone, containing many aspects, many facets.  These facets combine to produce the whole, and, like a precious stone, each facet produces a distinct point of light, a sparkle, when exposed to the light, radiance produced when the whole is moved and turned in its entirety, some producing brighter sparkles than others.

Upon reflection, I have seen my life, my gem, become dull, non-radient.  I have have allowed myself to de-evolve, working and sleeping and enjoying few of life's enjoyable moments.  Time for a change!

fac·et

   [fas-it]  Show IPA noun, verb, -et·ed, -et·ingor ( especially British ) -et·ted, -et·ting.

noun

1.

one of the small, polished plane surfaces of a cut gem.

2.

a similar surface cut on a fragment of rock by the action ofwater, windblown sand, etc.

3.

aspect; phase: They carefully examined every facet of theargument.

4.

Architecture . any of the faces of a column cut in a polygonalform.

5.

Zoology . one of the corneal lenses of a compound arthropodeye.

wear the correct shoes for the job

"The Bible compares our walk of faith to  race (2 Timothy 4.7). It also tells us that we should put on the shoes of the Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6.15). So I’ve decided that if I’m going to be running this race for Christ, I want the right shoes on! The Shoes of Peace are not to benefit the onlookers; they are to benefit us, the runners! When people see us flying by them with big, goofy smiles on our faces, they are going to take notice and wonder what makes us so different. The answer in JESUS and His Good News, the Gospel!"  ~ Alisa Hope Wagner

Your Gospel Shoes

Is Obama setting us up?

Obama to Top Brass:  Will you fire on American citizens?

You can't legislate morality, but you sure as heck can elect moral people!

"How children perceive their Grandparents"

How children perceive their Grandparents (authors unknown)

1. She was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter, as she'd done many times before. After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, "But Grandma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!" I will probably never put lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good-bye....

2. My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, 80. My grandson was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, "Did you start at 1?"

3. After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair. As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. Finally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice,
"Who was THAT?"

4. A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like. "We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods."
The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in. At last she said, "I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!"

5. My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, "Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?" I mentally polished my halo and I said, "No, how are we alike?'' "You're both old," he replied.

6. A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather's word processor. She told him she was writing a story.
"What's it about?" he asked.
"I don't know," she replied. "I can't read."

7. I didn't know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what color it was. She would tell me and was always correct. It was fun for me, so I continued. At last, she headed for the door, saying, "Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these colors yourself!"

8. When my grandson Billy and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects. Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, "It's no use Grandpa. Now the mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights."

9. When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, "I'm not sure." "Look in your underwear, Grandpa," he advised "Mine says I'm 4 to 6."

10.. A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, "Grandma, guess what? We learned how to make babies today." The grandmother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool. "That's interesting." she said... "How do you make babies?"
"It's simple," replied the girl. "You just change 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'."

11. Children's Logic: "Give me a sentence about a public servant," said a teacher. The small boy wrote: "The fireman came down the ladder pregnant." The teacher took the lad aside to correct him. "Don't you know what pregnant means?" she asked.
"Sure," said the young boy confidently. 'It means carrying a child."

12. A grandfather was delivering his grandchildren to their home one day when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing the dog's duties.
"They use him to keep crowds back," said one child.
"No," said another. "He's just for good luck.."
A third child brought the argument to a close."They use the dogs," she said firmly, "to find the fire hydrants."

13. A 6-year-old was asked where his grandma lived. "Oh," he said, "she lives at the airport, and when we want her, we just go get her. Then, when we're done having her visit, we take her back to the airport."

14. Grandpa is the smartest man on earth! He teaches me good things, but I don't get to see him enough to get as smart as him!

15. My Grandparents are funny, when they bend over, you hear gas leaks and they blame their dog.

reality check on abortion

If every eligible voter in America who opposed abortion would vote and vote only for political candidates who opposed abortion, especially in the U.S. House and Senate, legal abortion would likely be overturned in the United States.

Those opposed to abortion would not vote for a Democratic candidate as the Democratic Party promotes abortion and the Democratic members of the House and Senate continue to stand united for the continuing resolution of abortion.

The Roe vs Wade decision could, and likely would be, overturned if enough Americans with a sincere concsience would vote, vote in every election, and vote against the Democratic Party on every election.

Your representative vote enables the vote of the person you vote to elect.   A vote for a representative who votes for abortion is a vote by you for abortion.

So, America, do you vote for or against the continued legalization of abortion in America?

It really is just that simple.

the answer

The answer lies in Jesus, Christ The Lord, not in "Christianity".  Christianity, the religion, is made up of men and women, and we screw up.  We follow Jesus, but we are not Him.  We cling to Him, but we are far from perfect.

I will tell you what I know to be true and I will tell you why I believe, but, please, don't look to me for the absolute answers to anything.

That comes from knowing Him, and coming to know Him.

Look to Jesus for the truth.

"and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."  ~  John 8:32 (NASB)

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."  ~  Matthew 6:33 (NASB)

Bible Hub

I'm the NRA and I'm your neighbor.

It cracks me up when politicians like Bloomberg pontificate on "how to defeat the NRA".  What are we, another country?

The NRA is an O-R-G-A-N-I-Z-A-T-I-O-N of Americans who enjoy guns.  We are an armed organization; but its not like we have monthly drills, uniforms, common weapons, jets or anything; I don't even usually read the member magazine.

Here's a surprise; the NRA is made up of Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Constitutionalists, Green Partiers (they don't use red cups), persons of all races, creeds and countries of origin!

Seriously though, America has much more fierce foes at hand, like the AARP, the IRS and the NEA.  Let's get real, America.

I'm the NRA and I'm your neighbor.

school violence

The Real Root of School Violence

Sandy Hook Shooting: Active Shooter Drill Confirmed By Law Enforcement Raises Suspicion of False Flag Operation

put away the past

Facebook is a wonderful place, bringing family and friends together for a moment to share our pictures and  videos, our joys and sorrows, our triumphs and tragedies, our like and dislikes.  Along with friends and family, we can view a variety of pages put together by others who share common bonds.  There are a couple of Facebook pages that I like for their pictures and puns, their humor and their punditry, but I have to admit to a tad bit of distress over the prolific use of the Confederate battle flag, the Stars and Bars.

I'm about as "Good 'Ole Boy" as is allowed by law these days, but in reality, the battle flag of our youth, once a symbol of courageous rebellion, is generally now used as prod of bigotry and hate.  In my humble opinion, it is time to put this archaic symbol of a bygone era to rest where it belongs, in the museums and history books.

There are many better ways to show our "Southern Pride" than this symbol that has long served its purpose as a fierce symbol of independence and aristocracy.  We can share our manners, our gentleness and our pride in a work ethic now quickly being washed away in a tide of slothfulness.  We can demonstrate our unique flavor through our wonderful southern dishes and our strength through courage in the face of cowardice and steadfastness where weaker souls waver in the slightest breeze.

We are Americans, from California to North Carolina, from Florida to South Dakota, from Arkansas to New York, from Texas to Pennsylvania, we are one nation, under God.

We may cry for secession in distress and dismay over the lunacy from the folks in the federal offices in Washington, D.c., but we must honestly admit that it is a civic fault, that of our selves, our neighbors, our families, our co-workers, our brothers and sisters, that put these government workers in places of power and that it will take a mass effort of sanity to remove the chaos and return America to her former glory days.  It is probably not going to happen in my lifetime but I pray that our children and grandchildren will see the light of truth and pave the road for a better tomorrow.

"The South" will not rise again and that's a good thing. Its past time to put the Stars and Bars away and together, wave Old Glory.

May God bless America, one more time.

When an open  minded person hears something contrary to their personal belief system, they seek out the truth.  When a closed minded person hears something contrary to their personal belief system, they insult the messenger and proclaim their superiority.  Which are you?  Which am I?

5 myths concerning "gun control"

Four facts, a bit of personal opinion, a smattering of soap boxing, but an essay worth reading by all, especially if you are, or are preparing to step into the current anti-gun hysteria.



Gun myths busted: Automatic weapons, buying guns online, background checks, assault rifles and other fictions of the liberal media

Especially of note is "Myth #5".  The Second Amendment was designed to protect the citizens of the United States from the possible tyranny of the newly created federal government.  This has never been more important than now, as we prepare to embark upon a fusillade of freedom repressing legislation and executive action.

Our founders, fresh from a scrape with the King of England, and personally having experienced the hands of oppression, were naturally distrustful of the potential abuse of power from our experimental new government.  The experiment continues and we are seeing the signs of repression coming at us with increasing velocity.


I urge you to invest the time to read (or re-read) The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States of America, and, if you can get your hands on one, any historical textbook (printed before 1960) or any collection of texts by any of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.  Invest the time to get a fresh, renewed perspective of how this country came to be and the fundamental reasons for its success (to date).  Those fundamental causes of success are under increasing fire from our President and from the existing federal establishment.

In this season of sound bite news, alarming acceptance of "internet truth" and a decreasing attention spans, it is critical that we seek the truth and avoid the looming "freedom cliff".  Put down your (ironically termed) Smart Phone and look up!  There is a world of truth outside of your 4" screen.

If you have not discerned it by now, with a trifle of digging, you will discover that the President, the members of Congress, and the government as an entity do not have your personal best interest at heart.  Their concerns are money and power, generated by votes coddled from "warm fuzzy" and "Where's mine?" recipients of government largesse.

It will only take one or two Supreme Court appointments of liberal Justices to throw out the Second Amendment and to reduce or freedoms to pre-Revolutionary War status.   At least one of those appointments will occur during Barack Obama's second term.