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Thursday December 26th – Open Thread

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

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President Trump Reports Border Wall Auction Has Been Stopped

In a post on his Truth Social page, President Trump shared some information from Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick who is reporting that the border wall panels have been pulled from auction.

[Source]

Last Thursday, President-elect Trump submitted an amicus brief supporting an injunction to prevent the Biden administration from proceeding with the sale of the materials, as well as calling for an investigation into the legality of the auction. Earlier that week, President Trump remarked that the sale was “almost a criminal act” given that it was happening shortly before he was set to return to the White House.

It appears the 8,000 panels will be available for use immediately after President Trump takes office on January 20, 2025.

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Unfortunately, The Trump Cabinet Will Likely Expand the Surveillance State

The surveillance state is an outcropping of the Fourth Branch of Government, which is, essentially, the unelected intelligence community in control of our government.

The surveillance state comes from the creation of the Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) which is an entirely inward-looking agency. Prior to the Patriot Act, the surveillance sweep searching for terror threats focused outward, looking outside the U.S borders. The Patriot Act took the surveillance sweep a full 360 degrees and looked inside the Homeland for terror threats. Hence, DHS was created.

The office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) was also created by the Patriot Act, and was specifically created as the pivot point to combine the surveillance sweeps. The Pentagon and CIA intel agencies sweeping outside the U.S. and the DHS sweeping inside the U.S.

It was the creation of The Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) that destroyed what remained of privacy protections within the constitution (4th amendment). Americans are no longer secure in their ‘papers and effects’, nor protected by the ‘probable cause’ need for warrants. The erosion of the 4th amendment was absolutely connected to the creation of DHS; there is zero doubt about this cause and effect.

With the ODNI and DHS created, the sub-silos of the surveillance state then began. The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) is one agency within the Dept of Homeland Security that was an outcome. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also gained massive tools within this new system.

The key point behind all of this context is what I refer to as the ‘Surveillance State.’ American citizens have lost all privacy protections within this new system of surveillance, that has extended far beyond even what most people fathom.

When you understand the root origin of the Surveillance State, then the discussion turns to what we have accepted within its creation, and what is the current status of American Liberty as an outcome of it.

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The People Who Walked In Darkness Have Seen a Great Light

IS 9:1-6

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
For every boot that tramped in battle,
every cloak rolled in blood,
will be burned as fuel for flames.

For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast
and forever peaceful,
from David’s throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
by judgment and justice,
both now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

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December 25th – 2024 Presidential Politics – Resistance Day 1437

 

“This was no small thing, to restore a republic after it had fallen into corruption. I have studied history for years and I cannot recall it ever happening. It may have been that our task was impossible. Yet, if we did not try then how would we know it could not be done? And if we did not try, it most certainly would not be done. The Founders’ Republic, and the larger war for western civilization, would have been lost.”

“But I tell you this: We did not go gently into that bloody collectivist good night. Indeed, we made with our defiance such a sound as ALL history from this day forward will be forced to note, even if they despise us in the writing of it.”

~ Mike Vanderboegh (adapted)

This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread.

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Wednesday December 25th – Open Thread

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

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Anticipation

This is a repeat post from years past. I like to post it on Christmas Eve, a place to share our own best memories of Christmases past.

The Secret Sam was my favorite Christmas present as a child. I still have it, and I will keep it, or perhaps pass it on to a grandchild. Oh, how excited and hopeful I was the year I asked for my own Secret Sam. My mother told me it was a boy’s toy, but I was never a Barbie doll girl.

That was my spy year, my year of intrepid adventures around the neighborhood. It was one of my last Christmases as a child, I think, wanting toys and dreaming of adventures. Not too many years later, perhaps even the next one, my Christmas gifts would be stereos and albums, bell bottom jeans and paisley print turtlenecks.

Perhaps that is why the memory of it is such a treasure to me.

This year my grandchildren will be blessed with the breathless anticipation of what might be under the tree Christmas morning. They will be late to bed, too excited to sleep easily, and early to rise, rushing to the living room in all the excitement and wonder a child can have.  (more…)

A Merry Christmas Message of Thankfulness, for You!

Setting aside the assembly of research notes for topics and issues I am following; I turn to send a simple message on this holiest of holy nights. I am thankful for you in ways I will never be able to convey.

When we say “Merry Christmas” do we think about it?

This is the day of great joy, the greatest joy of all.  Tonight, we celebrate a loving and purposeful blessing provided to us by our Creator.  The universal truth. The pure perfection of a loving Child born in the most ordinary fashion for us, to us, to guide and share the most blessed and purposeful message that could ever be delivered to mankind: We are Loved.

The message in the story of Christ’s birth is pure love.  Sit in the peace created by our acceptance and join together in joy.

Years from now, it is unlikely anyone will remember that thing they unwrapped.  What they will remember, what will have much greater impact, is a message from YOU to THEM that they matter, that they too are loved.  Think about what “Merry Christmas” means, when you say it.

The Merry Christmas moment provided by you, will NEVER be forgotten.  That look in your eye or sound of your voice that reaches them and emphasizes their value, their worth, their importance; that is the gift they will remember in great detail, forever.

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Mark Steyn Outlines the Problem of the DC Corrupt Courts

In a just and righteous world, otherwise known as the sunny side of my best-life dream state, political satirist, author and eloquent assembler of word thoughts, Mark Steyn, would be filling the radio airwaves in the timeslot of Rush Limbaugh, while taking a break from broadcasting only to be the sarcastic Press Secretary for President Trump’s second term. Alas, such dreams are just that, dreams.

In this segment from a speech delivered on September 18, 2024, during a Hillsdale College Constitution Day Celebration, Mark Steyn outlines the state of the anti-Trump DC court system while contrast against his own lawsuit in the venue.

This is the Lawfare system that President Trump is scheduled to face, yet again, beginning in approximately 28 days.  Steyn’s description of the DC superior court deserves a special place in the annals of political history.  WATCH: 

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The full speech is also available below.

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December 24th – 2024 Presidential Politics – Resistance Day 1436

“This was no small thing, to restore a republic after it had fallen into corruption. I have studied history for years and I cannot recall it ever happening. It may have been that our task was impossible. Yet, if we did not try then how would we know it could not be done? And if we did not try, it most certainly would not be done. The Founders’ Republic, and the larger war for western civilization, would have been lost.”

“But I tell you this: We did not go gently into that bloody collectivist good night. Indeed, we made with our defiance such a sound as ALL history from this day forward will be forced to note, even if they despise us in the writing of it.”

~ Mike Vanderboegh (adapted)

This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread.

(more…)