The Constitution: Too Hard to Understand?

Today I have been tweeting and reading tweets from other individuals that I follow.  I get a lot of material and thoughts going by reading my Twitter feed and the people I follow.  I get a lot of great news sources and things to write about.  I was looking for something to write about today because I already have topics ready to roll basically from Friday (Dec 31st) to the second week in January.  So I was reading the incoming tweets and read this tweet from @EdMorrissey:

"RT @trscoop: Ezra Klein: Constitution too hard to understand http://bit.ly/erh2wR"

So I was said to myself, "Okay, why does this guy think the Constitution is too hard to understand."  Here is the video clip that I watched:

 

I couldn't DISAGREE more with this individual!  (WARNING: Personal opinion incoming!)  I believe the Left continuely think Americans are just too stupid to understand the Constitution.  Well, lets look at a few of my favorite parts of the Constitution:

Article I, Section 8 (Powers of Congress), Paragraph 4:

"To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;"

 Here the United States Congress has the power to establish a way for non-Americans to become Citizens of the United States (to be naturalized).  This is all it says about immigration in the Constitution.  So does that mean the States can regulate the flow of immigrates into their states?  According to the Tenth Amendment it does!  Okay, I'm twenty-five and I understand this part of the Constitution just fine.

Article I, Section 8, Paragraph 3:

"To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian tribes."

This is the power of Congress that was used the most to pass ObamaCare.  "To regulate Commerce" to the Mighty Left is to make you buy a product or get penalized.  I know this power of Congress is designed for corporations, not individual citizens, but it does effect citizens because of the way Congress regulates the corporations of America.  If Congress has a "regulation tax" of 50% of a company's goods their prices will go up and who gets the bill: the citizens.  Again, I'm twenty-five and understand this part of the Constitution just fine.  One more, my favorite.

The Second Amendment:

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free States, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Alright, so the Second Amendment is saying the people, average Joe Smith citizen, has the RIGHT to KEEP (have) and BEAR (take with them) Arms (firearms) and that this RIGHT "SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED" (emphasis added).  According to Webster, infringe means: "to encroach upon..."  Now what does encroach mean?  "To enter by gradual steps or by stealth into the possessions or rights of another" and "to advance beyond the usual or proper limits."  So, what is so hard to understand about the Second Amendment?  The People have the right to have and keep with them firearms at all times and government has no power to infringe on this right.  Again, twenty-five years old, a little definition understand research, and I understand this part of the Constitution just fine.

I believe the Left and the powers that be just think average Americans are too stupid to understand the Constitution.  Personally I'm getting sick of this mentally that Americans - ME! - are too stupid to understand Its words.  I have a copy of the Constitution on my desk and refer to it often (click here to get a copy for #1.50).  On my iPod Touch I have a copy of the Constitution.  I have a whole college textbook on the United States Government and I refer to it often.  How is it at twenty-five years old with some college education can I understand the Constitution better than those in Washington, D.C. who have sworn to "protect and defend" it?  That I don't understand, but the Constitution I do understand.

New Year's Special Releases

On New Year's Day I will be releasing two specials on Lone Eagle Observer that I think are very appropiate to release and read the first of a new year.  Here are the topics:

#1 Secret to Keeping New Year's Resolutions
This special isn't a secret at all, but it is something often overlooked when people make New Year's Resolutions to themselves, their family, community, and country.  Following this "secret" will help you succeed in both keeping and achieving your New Year's Resolutions.  I will offer a few "no brainier" recommendations on how to keep those New Year's Resolutions that aren't "secrets" at all!

The Left Have Lost Their Own Message
Looking into the past of the Democrat Party we will explore how over the course of nearly fifty years how the Democrat Party have not only forgotten their own message but have completely lost it.

These two "specials" will be released on New Year's Day!  I hope you will enjoy them!

Two Versions of Christmas from Two Parties

Profile picture of Pam Toby Silleman.

I just saw this on Facebook from one of my friends, Pam Toby Silleman.  This is a perfect example of the differences between the Democrats-Liberals and the Republican-Conservatives.  I hope you enjoy and get a little laugh out of it this Christmas Season.

To All My Democrat Friends:
Please accept, with no obligation, implied or explicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2011, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere . Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishes.

To My Republican Friends: 
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year[!].

(For original post click here.)

I hope that brings a smile to your face as we finish up this Christmas Season and move into the Year 2011!  May it be better than 2009 and 2010!

The Unreported: Where "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Actually Came From!

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The Democrat Party have often said they are the party "For the People."  They want everything to be equal.  They want everyone to be on the same, level playing field.  They want there to be no upper, middle, or lower class.

One of their most recently "victories" was with the Repeal of the 1993 policy "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT).  Now let us look at where DADT actually came from and what many Democrat supporters may not know.

DADT was a part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994.  If my understanding is correct this was the bill that would fund the United States Armed Forces for the next year (1994).  During this time the Democrat Party control the White House and both Chambers of Congress (the Senate and House of Representatives). Section 574 of this bill is what established DADT.

The defense bill was introduced in the House on June 1993.  It was voted by the entire House on 29 September, passing with a vote of 268 - 162.  Here was the break down of that vote:

• YEAS: Democrat-230, Republican-38
• NAYS: Democrat-38, Republican-136, Independent-1
• NV*: Democrat-2, Republican-1

Total YEAS: 268
Total NAYS:175
Total NV: 3

So, the first victory for DADT was primarily moved forward by the Democrats.  Now the Senate voted on their version of the defense bill and did so by unanimous consent (meaning, no formal vote was held, everyone just approved the version of the bill).  This happened on 6th of October.  Then the two chambers meet in what is called the "Conference", where the two bills are merged to the final product.  After the Conference the final bill is sent back to both chambers, first the vote by the House.

This vote was held on 15 November.  Here was the break down of that vote:

• YEAS: Democrat-223, Republican-50
• NAYS: Democrat-15, Republican-120
• NV: Democrat-19, Republican-5, Independent-1

Total YEAS: 273
Total NAYS:135
Total NV: 25

So once again it was the Democrats that passed DADT through the House.  Now the Senate voted on the final bill on 17 November.  Here was the break down of that vote:

• YEAS: Democrat-51, Republican-26
• NAYS: Democrat-4, Republican-18
• NV: Democrat-1

Total YEAS: 77
Total NAYS:22
Total NV:1

Once again, the Democrats were the majority party to push through DADT.  Then on the 30th of November President Bill Clinton, the Democrat President, signed the bill into law and ushered in the policy that became "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."  An interesting side note, as well, is that it was Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA)pushing for maintaining an absolute ban on gays serving openly in the military.  It was Senator Barry Goldwater (R-AZ) that was actually pushing for full repeal on banning gays from serving openly!  A Democrat wanting to ban gays and a Republican wanting to allow gays to serve openly?  What was going on in the '90s?

Why don't people know about these facts?  Why don't they know the origins of DADT?  It is the opinion of this author that the Democrats don't want the people, especially gays, from knowing they were the ones that implemented this policy.  As long as they scream that it was the Republicans fault they will never be found at fault.  How many times will the Democrats push a "bait and switch" by and then point the figure at the individuals across the aisle?  How long will the American people fall for the same tricks?  In ten years when ObamaCare is failing and the United States is completely bankrupt, I believe that the Democrats will be pointing at the Republicans, saying "They did it" and the American people will once again believe them.


*NV = Not Voting

Why Lone Eagle Review?

As with anyone that starts a business, a Twitter, a Facebook, or anything that just has to deal with getting an idea out there is always a single question that most will ask: "Why?"

I worked at a company called Ziplocal (formerly PDCpages).  I was in their Inside Sales Department as a Media Advertising Consultant (fancy name for Salesman!).  I would have page after page of businesses to call from Kansas to Oregon, Idaho to California.  When I talked to business owners, managers, or just the individual that answered the phone I knew there was a single thought of their mind, second only to "How much this going to cost me?"  That thought was what Paul Schween, a speaker in Arizona, calls the "W.I.I.F.M." frequency.  That stands for "What's In It For Me?"  (By the way, I recommend Paul Schween to anyone business owner needs help with their sales.  Great speaker.  Heard him in both 2005 and 2006 in Arizona.)

Now you maybe asking yourself "What's In It For Me to follow another blog?"  Here is what I can tell you what's in it for you to follow the Lone Eagle Review (LER).

1. LER is a website dedicated to promoting the principles of the Founding Fathers and the Constitution of the United States.  I have studied the Constitution quite regularly.  Just left of this computer screen is a little holder for my checkbook, pens, and there is a copy of the Constitution.  Maybe you'll learn a thing or two that you didn't know about the Constitution and the Founding Fathers.  And I would love to learn from your comments to my posts.
2. Never stop learning.  People often accuse others that they don't know what they are talking about.  I had this happen most recently with my own grandfather who I'm named after.  He accused me of just being a follower of Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and FOX News.  Not only have I not listened to either man since mid-Summer of this year I haven't watched FOX News since we turned off our DISH Network around the same time period.  Getting thoughts and ideas from new sources are a way to expand your knowledge, connect with new individuals and share your own opinions and values.  The more information you tap into the more you learn and the more you learn the better you are at handling yourself when either promoting or defending your values and views.
3. Conservative and Constitutional opinion without the conspiracy.  This maybe the part that gets me into trouble, but I will be straight forward with you.  There are a lot of "conservative" websites out there that are nothing but lies and full of conspiracy theories.  At LER you won't find that.  I may comment every now and then on a theory I just find completely out in left field but nothing like that will be published here.  Here you can expect real conservative and real constitutional opinion.
4. Fun!  How often do you get bored with reading the same old political blogs and websites day in and day out?  I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.  Oh, not really.  I read three websites every day on a regular basis: MSNBC, The Associated Press, FOX News.  But I'm not going to load this blog with tons and tons and tons and tons and tons (do I have enough tons in there?) politics?  I'll be mixing it up with a movie review here, a game review there, a report on an evening out on the town here in Utah Valley.  I'm not boring and neither will LER.

Well, I don't want to bore you to death about LER because this is already quite a long blog post.  But those four points should answer the "W.I.I.F.M.?" Grand Question.

The Rise, Fall & Future of Conservatism

There is a Fox News Reporting six-part series going on by Fox News host Brit Hume entitled "The Right, Fall & Future of Conservatism."  It is dealing with conservatism in the 20th Century, I believe, here in the United States.  I haven't been able to watch a single episode yet, but I plan to here very shortly.  Each episode seems to be between ten (10) and fifteen (15) minutes long.  You can get the first five episodes at HyperBlogCafe @ http://bit.ly/cW80AJ.

Goals of the Lone Eagle Review

The Goals of the Lone Eagle Review are not simply to create another blog with political ramblings, but to have a place to interact, share ideas, and promote the Constitution of the United States.  But it isn't limited to politics either.  No, it will include more: movie and game reviews, information about my family and our adventures, and other topics.

It is my hope to also launch a YouTube channel so you can heard my opinions and views, just not read them.  Lone Eagle Review has a bright future in store!  Hope you become a part of it!

Self-Proclaimed Lone Eagle

Hello everyone, my name is Charles Hall. I am the self-proclaimed Lone Eagle. Why do I say I am a Lone Eagle? Eagles fly alone for the most part, though they do occasionally flock together. As Peter Nye from the New York State Dept. Environmental Conservation has pointed out, quote: "They usually fly alone, although some may follow others to feeding grounds, like from the morning roost, or when going back to the roost in the late afternoon" (http://bit.ly/eEFvaH). Well, I follow a few other Eagles to feeding grounds, but for the most part I always seem to be by myself. My opinions are sometimes out of line with even the most die hard conservative because I believe the Constitution of the United States to be an inspired document from God, the Almighty. It is the base in which nations have modeled their own governments after.

If you Google "The Lone Eagle" the first hit you get is a website about Charles Lindbergh, the first man to fly across the vast Atlantic Ocean solo. After self-proclaiming myself a "Lone Eagle" I did this Google search and let me state now: In no way, shape, or form am I saying I'm even remotely close to comparison with Brigadier General Lindbergh. Mr. Lindbergh was THE Lone Eagle and I am merely a Lone Eagle.

It is my passion to help average citizens, such as myself, to understand the world around them. I'm no teacher, I'm a student, but I love to teach and to learn. The understandings of the United States Constitution and the real impacts on our daily life, how those they call themselves "leaders" are actually "representatives", how the average American can and will make a difference.

You maybe asking yourself a very simple question: "Is this another crack-pot conspiracy, 'down with the government' blog/website?" The answer is simple: no. I don't do conspiracy theories, I don't do "down with the government." We have an almost perfect government already in place, it is those that run the government that are not perfect. I love the Preamble of the Constitution that states, quote: "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union..." I love that part! The People of this country hundreds of years ago wanted to form a union among themselves that inspired to be perfect! I just love that part! Our Founding Fathers gave us the tools that we need to establish this "perfect union" and now we have to just use the tools given to us.

I hope that you will follow me, share your thoughts and ideas with me, and together we can start to change this country back to what the Founding Fathers gave us: a true and free Republic. "...and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth" (Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863).

Not a Christian Nation?

Not a Christian Nation?

I had someone recommend a book to me entitled “American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation” by Jon Meacham and so far it is an interesting book. Not too long ago I was in a discussion on the Our Country Deserves Better PAC Facebook group discussion board about a statement given by President Barack Hussein Obama in Turkey:

“President Barack Obama stated at a press conference in Turkey last week that we Americans “do not consider ourselves a Christian nation, or a Muslim nation, but rather, a nation of citizens who are, uh, bound by a set of values.”” (http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/election/1003)

The discussion I had with several individuals was using the base of America’s founding documents: the Declaration of Independent and the Constitution of the United States of America.

Paragraph one of the Declaration of Independence: “…Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them...”

Paragraph two of the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Paragraph thirty-two of the Declaration of Independence: “…appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions…”

Final paragraph of the United States Constitution: “Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth. In Witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names.”

“Nature’s God”, “Creator”, “Supreme Judge”, and “Year of our Lord” … They all reflect God, but which God? Do Christians, Jews, and Muslims worship different gods? I do not believe so. Were the Founding Fathers talking about just the Christianity? America was called the “great melting pot” or maybe not. But do I believe that America was established as a Christian nation in the “new world”? I believe so!

Again, the argument is that the Founding Fathers were not talking about the Christian God, just a god. I disagree. I had this thought: there are three major religions in the world today (Christianity in all its varieties, Judaism, and Islam). Now let’s go back to 1776, the year of American Independence was declared.

According to page twenty-eight of “The Churching of America, 1776-2005: winners and losers in our religious economy” by Roger Finke and Rodney Stark they list the number of congregations in America in 1776. After checking out several of the different congregations listed I found that many are off-shoots of Christianity but they only list that there were five congregations that were Jewish and no Islam congregations in America at that time.

So it is a viable defense to say that America was never a Christian nation at the time of its founding? I would say no, because there really wasn’t any other religion in America at the time of the founding other then Christianity. Yes, I would agree that we are a “melting pot” of people in the United States of America in this day and age, but I do not agree that we should abandon the principles in which the Founding Fathers established the United States of America on: a belief in God and a basis of Christianity.

Why I Will No Longer Remain Silent!

Since Tuesday, 20 January 2009 when President Barack Obama took the Oath of Office of the President of the United States the entire country has seen several events happen already in the first five (5) months of his Presidency:

-The Federal Bailouts
-Uncontrolled Federal Spending
-Bankruptcy of Major Auto Companies
-Tea Party Campaigns

That is just some of the things that have been happening. What gets me more then anything is the ratings of the President and the United States Congress.

Here is a picture of the latest Rasmussen.com President Approval Index:

(http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll)

Look how they are coming so close to each other! According to a Gallop.com poll posted 23 June 2009 “Americans' approval of the job Congress is doing has slipped to 33% this month, down from the recent high of 39% in March, but still significantly higher than job approval ratings of Congress over the last several years” (http://www.gallup.com/poll/121208/Congress-Approval-Rating-Drops-33.aspx).

It is shocking me how the country is shaping up right now. What I’m really shocked about is the activity the Citizens of the United States of America are showing! The big one has been the Tea Parties happening across the nation! The People of the United States are finally speaking up! They are fighting for Their rights and putting in check Their representatives in Washington, D.C.

I created a Facebook Group called “Second Amendment Defenders of America” (http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/group.php?gid=39739559476) on Saturday, 21 December 2008 because I knew that after the Obama Administration was in place they would be coming after and destroy the Second Amendment – The Right of the People to Keep and Bear Arms – of the United States Constitution. Though the membership numbers a few join every day. Why? Because average Citizens are tired of the uncontrolled nature in Washington, D.C. and They are finally speaking up! It is at the grassroots, in Our local community, where REAL CHANGE is made!

I have written letters to My representatives in the United States Congress, left messages for the Utah State Governor, and others because I will no longer remain silent! Because the People of the United States are no longer remaining silent!

One of my favorite television shows was the remake of SciFi channels Battlestar Galactica. In the Series Finale “Daybreak, Part II” Lee Adama (played by Jamie Bamber) says, “If you don’t participate in the political conversation then you’re giving up your voice, you’re giving up your right to have a say in the way that our society is run.” I could not agree more! You have to engage in the political conversation! You have to have Your voice heard by those You cast Your vote for!

I will not give up My Voice! My Voice is more powerful then My representatives voice at the local, state, and federal level. If We, the People of the United States, do not speak up then our voice will be lost and only Theirs’, our elected Representatives, will be heard.

This is why I will no longer remain silent! I will not give up My Voice! I will have a say in how My country is run!