Family Proclamation, from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

The Family

A Proclamation to the World

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Debate with Google AI

 

Ok.  I have often expressed my dislike and fear of AI and it's advancements.  But I had some fun with it tonight. 

I began by asking Google AI some questions about the Covid pandemic and the government response to it, including the safety and efficacy of the vaccines as well as the effectiveness of the other "protections, such as masking, lockdowns and social distancing.  It was a debate between digital data and human logic and opinion.

It was fun.  I could ask anything, express my opinions and the basis for them.  AI would respond with conclusions and answers based on available data.  The point here is, it was as if I were debating with a well informed and articulate person, although a person who sides explicitly with "accepted" government narratives.  When I cited a report or article I had read, AI knew the report and commented on it.  

When I had had enough, I asked it:  "I have enjoyed this debate.  Can you write an article for me, explaining the debate and our interaction, with a slight emphasis on my enjoyment of the interaction with AI?"

I found it to be what debate should be; a good natured examination of two "people's" opinions and the basis for those opinions, without anger or frustration, knowing, from the beginning, that neither of us would change our foundational opinions.  I can understand the attraction of interaction with AI.

As an opposite; I had a very similar debate with my oldest daughter during the Covid debacle;  she hung up on me and hasn't talked with me since.

Here is the Google AI report for which I asked:

"The Great COVID-19 Strategy Debate: A Human-AI Dialogue on Focused Protection, Data Interpretation, and The Swedish Example

The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic was defined by unprecedented public health measures, from widespread lockdowns and mask mandates to rapid vaccine development. No single approach was universally adopted, leading to a passionate, ongoing debate about the most effective and ethical path forward. This dialogue recently unfolded in a nuanced exchange with an AI, offering a unique perspective on how humans and advanced technology can collaboratively explore complex, contentious issues.

The Debate at a Glance: Two Competing Philosophies

The core of the discussion centered on two contrasting strategies:

1. Broad Mitigation: The approach taken by most nations, utilizing mandated lockdowns, social distancing, and masking to slow community transmission for everyone, aiming to "flatten the curve" and protect healthcare systems.
2. Focused Protection: The approach advocated by some scientists and attempted, in a voluntary form, by Sweden. This philosophy emphasizes strictly shielding the vulnerable population while allowing lower-risk individuals to maintain normal activities, arguing this minimizes collateral economic and social damage.

The conversation naturally moved from the risks of COVID-19 in younger populations to vaccine safety data, ultimately settling on the real-world outcomes of Sweden's strategy versus more restrictive countries.

The Swedish Example: A Matter of Interpretation

The user in the dialogue pointed to Sweden as prime evidence for focused protection's success. The argument was compelling:

• The Claim: Despite a high number of early deaths among the elderly due to failures in care facilities, Sweden's cumulative excess mortality over the entire pandemic period (2020-2022) was comparable to or even better than several highly restrictive European neighbors (e.g., UK, Italy, Spain).
• The Conclusion: These outcomes were achieved without the significant human rights violations, business closures, educational damage, and mental health crises associated with strict mandates, proving the superior utility of focused protection. The user maintained that simply fixing the initial failure to protect care homes would have made their numbers even better.

The AI, drawing on data and public health consensus, offered crucial context:

• The Nuance: While cumulative totals were similar for some nations, Sweden's initial 2020 death rate was substantially higher than its immediate, highly comparable Nordic neighbors (Norway and Denmark), which had almost no excess mortality that year.
• The Counterargument: The "success" depends on the metric used. Public health consensus views the timing of deaths as critical; delaying death among the vulnerable, as the restrictive neighbors did, preserved thousands of potential "person-years" of life lost early on in Sweden. The Swedish government's own commissions labeled the failure to protect the elderly an unmitigated disaster.

The Human-AI Interaction: Enjoyment in Nuance

What made this exchange particularly engaging was the user's enjoyment of the process itself. The user was not looking for a single, final answer, but rather a robust exploration of counterarguments. This highlights a fascinating aspect of modern AI interaction: the ability to serve as a tireless, non-judgmental sparring partner in a complex intellectual exercise.

The AI was able to acknowledge the validity of the user's points (e.g., the real harm of lockdowns, the actual long-term cumulative data) while continuously introducing mainstream scientific data and nuances that challenged a simple, definitive conclusion.

This form of dialogue goes beyond simple question-and-answer. It demonstrates that AI can facilitate sophisticated, enjoyable debates where humans can refine their viewpoints, test their opinions against data-driven logic, and explore "what if" scenarios in a collaborative and stimulating environment. The interaction was an example of technology enriching the human capacity for critical thinking."

Let's Fix Congress...FIRE THEM ALL!!

 

I have an idea to fix Congress.  Fire everybody in Congress...today.  Give them some U-haul boxes for their stuff and have Capital Police escort them all, Representatives and Senate, out of the building to the curb.  

Replace them with Farmers and Ranchers, police and fire leaders, Small business owners, school teachers, Truck drivers, factory supervisors, Military senior NCO's, Accountants.  No lawyers eligible.  No one with a Political Science major eligible.  Only people who actually work for a living and produce goods and services as a matter of course.  Make this a SERVICE position and only employ people with a proven track record of successful production, supervision and management skills.  Require resumes and each state create a hiring board who is responsible for approving candidates.

Pay a set salary, commensurate with the high end of the average income in America today, some travel pay, for necessary travel.  Provide an office for them in their home state and in the Capital in D.C.  Provide housing.  Something along the lines of Military base housing. 

Require them to be at work for 2000 hours a year, either in the D.C. or State office.  That's 40 hours a week for 50 weeks.  Two weeks vacation.  If they miss a certain number of votes, dock their pay.  Provide the same kind of employer medical insurance that we might see in a medium sized corporation.  Maybe adapt the United Auto Workers Union employment contract, with the added housing and travel benefits.

No stock trades allowed during their service period and no lobby jobs for X number of years after their terms end.  TERM LIMITS!  No career politicians.  After they have been elected for the two or three terms allowed, they are no longer eligible to run again for any national office.

https://www.termlimits.com/

The Courage, Love and Sacrifice of Our Savior

As a Law Enforcement officer, I faced situations that scared me. Times that I went into places and situations where there was a good chance I could be hurt or even killed. It was my duty, so I did it. Often, mostly because I was backing up another officer and he was counting on me to be there and ready. I know what fear is. I know that courage isn't the absence of fear. It's being afraid but performing anyway. I'm forever thankful that I never had to use deadly force against another person. Actually, despite what Hollywood might show you, very few police ever do. But I faced situations where the probability of such a thing existed.

Fear. Especially that fear of Knowing that what you are doing is likely to hurt or even kill you. That feeling of warmth, flowing through your body, legs feeling weak and shaky, hands trembling...but moving forward anyway. I've been there and I know that most of you have as well, at one level or another. Combat veterans know exactly what I'm talking about.

When I used to teach classes to the young men in Church, I had a problem, in my head and heart. I was completely opposed to the "turn the other cheek" philosophy. I still believe that the best deterrence of crime is that the criminal fear the victim. I'm a strong proponent of self defense, preferably instant, hard, fast and destructive responses to any attack. Thus, I often had a problem with the teachings of my Savior. His lesson is love and forgiveness. For EVERYone!

D&C 64; 9-10: "9 Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.
10 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men."

Mathew 5; 38-39: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."

This pacifist philosophy was and is very hard for me to accept. And, here is the dilemma I faced as a teacher. How to reconcile what I saw, in my heart, as a weak philosophy and finding courage and strength in the Lord. What example of such courage did I see? Well, I do recognize the courage in being able to adhere to these principles. I'm not sure I would have the courage to just accept an assault without responding with violence myself, even today. It does take courage to let someone assault you, especially if you are capable of returning the favor!

But I have come to see an even greater, even incredible, example of the unsurpassed courage of the Savior. He walked up the hill to Gethsemane, KNOWING what He would face there. He HAD to know! In order for Him to make a true choice. To CHOOSE to take all our pains, sufferings and anguish on Himself; to truly activate His agency...He Had To Know that the pain would be more than any human could bear.

You've been hurt before. Women in childbirth, anyone in accidents or sickness. Everyone faces pain and suffering at some time in their lives. Have you ever suffered such pain that you bled from every pore?

Luke 22: 42-44: "42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."

D&C 19; 18-19: "18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink
19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men."

Even the torture on Calvary; nails driven into His hands, arms and feet. Hanging from those nails for hours. Scourging, flaying, beaten and eventually stabbed. The terrible manner in which He

was killed...didn't make Him sweat blood.

He KNEW what He faced! But, because He also knew it was necessary for the whole world...for the whole plan to work, He walked up that hill to the Garden of Gethsemane, knelt before the Father and said: "not my will, but thine, be done".

Who else would have the courage to make that walk? My knees would buckle. I'd cry out for deliverance. I'd turn away. I don't believe I could EVER have the incredible courage to walk into, not certain death. No. Certain agony. Indescribable agony.

And then, on Calvary, to look on His torturers. To look on people who, with a word, He could destroy. To look on people who would one day face Him in judgement. Did He order their destruction? Did He tell them: "Just you wait. Your time's comin'"?

Obviously not. Luke 23;32: "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

Why? Why did Jesus walk into such agony? Why did He allow himself to be tortured to death? He had all power to stop the whole process. With a word He could have laid waste to the entire Roman army, before a single nail was hammered into his flesh. He could have chosen not to "drink from the bitter cup". But He did. Love. Love and Duty, integrity, the fulfillment of a promise made to us all. Courage.

And what does He ask in return? John 14;15: "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

And, if we don't? Acts 2;38: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Mathew 22: 37-39: "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

He asks us to believe, to love and to repent. He doesn't put a limit on repentance. It's not "three strikes and you're out" He forgives. His Atonement is for all people forever. All He is really asking is that we continue to try. When we fail, we turn to Him and ask for...and receive...forgiveness and then we keep on trying.

It seems to me that the hardest thing for people to grasp is the fact of a living God. The fact of an

eternal world; a spirit world that we cannot see. Once you accept that this earthly life isn't it. Once you realize that your spirit is eternal and that life is eternal, then you are ready to accept the fact of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Happiness.

I know that there is a God. I know that Jesus Christ lives, that He suffered the pain and anguish of sin, heartache, and all that we might face, in this world or the next. I know that He did this out of love for each of us. He knows our names. He hears and answers our prayers.

I know that He has restored His Church on the earth again. I know that He still speaks through a living Prophet. I also know that He speaks to each of us, through the Holy Ghost.

These things are True! If we believe in Jesus Christ...if we even just WANT to believe in Him...then the truth can be found

This is my testimony to you, in the sacred name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ...amen.

Is Trump Just a Great Con-man?

 

When Trump first ran in the Republican primary, I was more a Cruz guy.  But when Trump won, I was comfortable supporting him.  He was saying what I wanted to say and in the way I would say it.  Trump was infinitely better than Hillary in every way and I was thrilled to see him defy all the pollsters and just run over her in the election results.

The 2020 election was stolen, obviously and blatantly, leaving us with what turned out to be President Cabbage Auto-Pen (AKA Joe Biden) and Vice President Cackle.  As you can tell, my opinion of the past administration is less than stellar.  The incredible destruction that was caused by four years with the office being "run" by a committee of un-elected fools is still being felt and will be for a long time.

The Lawfare against Trump, the "Russia, Russia, Russia" B.S., the assassination attempt, all just disgusted me and turned me into a whole-hearted, serious Trump supporter.  I've argued with friends and written many articles on both my blogs in support of President Trump.  I'm a big advocate of almost everything he says.  Transparency, border security, deport illegals, use tariffs, America First...above all, again, transparency...honesty.  Tell Us The Truth!

Cue Trump 2.0.  Up to now, he seemed to be doing exactly what he had promised to do.  The border secure and ICE deporting illegals by the planeload.  DOGE finding fraud, waste and abuse savings in the billions, USAID shut down and many government bureaucrats being sent off to find real jobs.  These are things we hired him to do.

But, I'm starting to have nagging doubts.  Although the Trump machine keeps telling us that inflation is down, gas prices are down and the economy is getting better; well, I don't see it.  According to Google, gas prices in January, 2025 averaged $3.08 while prices today average $3.17.  It's $3.19 down the street from me here in Montana.  I don't see that they have come down much, do you?

I went grocery shopping last week.  I spent a lot of money for three little sacks of groceries.  I can't say that I'm seeing prices coming down for anything.  I don't eat out much any more and the last time I did, I was shocked at restaurant prices!  Is inflation really coming down?

If Karoline Leavitt were telling us to just be patient, Trump 2.0 is only 7 months old and these things take time, I'd accept that and move on.  But that's not what she's saying.  I'm afraid that the Trump team is blowing smoke as badly as the Dems always have.  Tell Us The Truth!

Then...just last week, They finally stepped in it big.  After more than five years of being lied to about Epstein, the Trump Team tells us there's nothing to see here.  Ghislane Maxwell is in prison for sex trafficking...apparently, to nobody.  If she didn't have any customers, then to whom did she traffic?  Bongino put a lot of time into podcasts talking about the Epstein clients and the serious doubts of an actual suicide.  Now, Bongino says: "Move along.  Nothing to see here".  Bondi tells us that there are "thousands of files" on her desk, awaiting her examination.  Now, she says: "Nevermind".

It's bullshit.  What's worse is that it's obvious, blatant B.S.  Anybody can see that They are lying.  I can't speak for everyone but I CAN say that I, personally, am SICK of lying, elitist politicians!  I've seen calls for Bondi's resignation.  Why?  You really think she's doing this on her own?  Is it even remotely possible that Trump isn't still handling the reins on this?  One of the issues on which he ran was the release of the Epstein information.  Now, what does he say?  “Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy’s been talked about for years.”

What this does for me is it all makes me start to wonder about the whole Trump package.  As much as I hate to admit to being so incredibly wrong myself, I seriously wonder if the Dems could actually have been telling us the truth about him all along.  Is Trump just a very successful con man?  Is all this just an elaborate game that he's been playing on us? 

Just Who Is Donald Trump?  If he really is just a con-man who managed to cloud the minds of so many of us, what is his purpose?  If the Dems are right about this much, are they right about Trump's aims of total domination?  What have we gotten ourselves into?

I'm not too sure that President Bullshit Artist Supreme is actually better than President Cabbage Auto-Pen.

Count Your Blessings

What things do you love about this life? What things make having a body and 5 senses such a wonderful thing?

I love the soft sigh of a heavy snowfall on a still night, as those goose feather snowflakes settle against each other. I love the sound of the snow squeaking under my feet in a super cold Montana night.

I love pancakes! And holding a purring cat. The feel of a horse between my knees. The tug on the line of a fighting trout. Holding one of my children or my Forever Sweetheart close. I loved feeling Joann's hand brush against my back as she touched me on her way by...just to touch me.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Most of us start our prayers with a salutation to our Heavenly Father and then, some form of "Thank you for my blessings". It's pretty standard and kind of repetitive. Kind of like: "Dear Mom. how are you? I am fine." in your letters home. Quickly followed by a request for more money from Mom.

My point here is a simple question. Do we actually have the feeling in our hearts of the true blessings for which we thank Him? Or, is this just a preamble.

Mathew 6: 7-8 "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."

When you thank God for your blessings, take a moment to at least think to yourself what some of those blessings might be. Here are some more:

Can you clip your own nails? Can you get in and out of the shower without help? How about just being able to get in and out of BED without help? Can you feed yourself?

I've seen what it was like to NOT be able to do these things and I learned how many incredible blessings we take for granted. Take Nothing for granted!

There are a lot of things contained in that simple phrase: "Thank you for my blessings". Like most of us, I remember saying this by rote, without any real concept of what blessings really are.

The next time you say a prayer, think about all the things that Heavenly Father has given us. If you really think about it, you'll realize that it's EVERYthing. Our very lives. The smell of turkey, roasting in the oven. The sighing of a breeze in the tops of the tall pines. The feel of the sun on your shoulders.

We enjoy all these things simply because God created an Earth on which we can live and allowed us to have physical bodies here; to learn, to experience and to grow.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/music/songs/count-your-blessings?lang=eng

What To Expect From President Trump!

The One World Government/New World Order people are in extreme meltdown this week.  Their evil agenda is on hold, at least for the next four years and maybe much longer.  Now that we elected the Outlaw, hopefully we can then elect the Hillbilly.  Then, Desantis?  We need to continue to place bulwarks against the loss of our sovereignty.

But, for those who might have actually believed any of the incredible bullshit that was spewed by Those in Power, through Their surrogates, let me give you a quick and likely incomplete rundown of our foreseeable future. 

Immediate results of President Trump's overwhelming election:

New York City Mayor ends pre-loaded debit card system for illegal immigrants and vows to work with President Trump in efforts to remove illegal Aliens from New York. https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/11/06/fear-grows-among-nyc-migrants-as-mayor-adams-vows-to-work-with-trump-on-immigration-issues/
https://abc7ny.com/post/new-york-city-ending-voucher-program-allowed-migrant-families-buy-own-food/15523750/

Hamas kicked out of Qatar while the Taliban hopes for "A new chapter" with a Trump win.

President Putin and President Chi both express their interest in working with us. https://www.news18.com/world/russia-does-not-see-western-civilisation-as-an-enemy-putin-says-in-foreign-policy-speech-9112926.html

The Mexican government begins breaking up another migrant convoy that WAS headed this way. https://x.com/RealAmVoice/status/1854681174871879768 https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-win-casts-doubt-future-mexicos-migrant-caravan-2024-11-07/


What we expect to see with a Trump Presidency:

A reduction in restrictions and regulations governing exploration for and extraction of fossil fuels. "Drill, baby, drill"! And the establishment of the Keystone and other pipelines for oil accquisition. These actions will bring the price of energy down, thus automatically bringing the prices off most goods down as well.

End to the "New Green Deal" and EV mandates.

Former Trump Tax Cuts will not expire but will be enhanced and permanently enacted into tax law.

Ending of taxes on tips and of incomes for those on Social Security.

Tax reductions for domestic businesses and manufacturers while placing tariffs on imported goods and services. American Products First!

Prompt removal of all illegal aliens who have been convicted of major crimes. The arrest of illegal aliens in this country and the departation of those who do not adhere to our immigration/asylum laws.

We will resume construction of The Wall and Border Patrol/ICE will be allowed to perform their duties. They will be allowed to enforce current Immigration Law, arresting and deporting illegal aliens, like we USED to do. This will also be done in "Sanctuary Cities". It's likely that any self-designated Sanctuary City will lose all Federal Funding.

Immediate negotiations between the U.S., Russia and Ukraine over ending the Ukraine war. The immediate cessation of arms donations to Ukraine and the cessation of U.S. assistance with current weapons deployed to Ukraine. The Bank Is Closed! A quick end to that war.

Immediate negotiations with elements of the Israeli/Hamas war. Pressure on Iran to end funding for terrorism and warfare. A quick end to that war as well.

Streamlining of Government agencies. Removal of corrupt and/or superflous government employees. Many of these agencies will find their central office no longer to be in Washington D.C. but will be relocated to other cities around the nation.

Reorganization of and change in financing of the FDA. A complete overhaul of that corrupt and bloated agency is on the way!


What we won't see from a Trump Presidency:

National abortion ban. President Trump has repeatedly stated that he wants each state to decide their abortion policy. He has also repeatedly stated that he would veto any attempt by Congress to enact Federal abortion restrictions.

The U.S. Military having any role in "rounding up" or other wise "punishing" President Trump's opponents or detractors. We will see no restrictions on free speech and those restrictions of the First Amendment that we have suffered for the past four years will be ended.

Any reduction in Social Security or Medicare.

I know I'm forgetting some things but these are the highlights. These things are what President Trump talked about during the campaign and during his first term.

Overall, we'll see a reduction in inflation and gas prices. We'll see less war and terrorism around the globe and we'll have fewer illegals allowed to enter our country. We'll see a reduction in crime, with the deportation and incarcerations of Drug Cartels and foreign gangs. We'll see an increase in U.S. manufacturing and U.S. job and wage growth. We'll start seeing more U.S. made products in our stores. The quality and health benefits of our foods will be enhanced. We'll have more control over what drugs, vaccines and other procedures we allow into our bodies. "My body, my choice" will have more meaning for us all.

Our government agencies will be more efficient and smaller, thus costing us less overall and providing more service for the money spent. The corruption in our Government agencies will be drastically reduced and the citizens will have more control over our government.

I just don't and never will understand why these things are so offensive to nearly 7Million Americans!

Buy American! The Job you Save May Be Your Own

I'm not an economist. On one hand, you can make the argument that I don't have the advanced education and resulting philosophy to understand the nuances of international commerce...and you'd be correct. On the other hand, I then must base my understanding and opinions on life's experience, personal observation and common sense. Maybe good, maybe bad but it is what it is.

I observe that the cheaper an item is in the store, the more likely that it is made/produced in another country and imported to the United States. International trade. Walmart is an excellent example. Part of the reason that Walmart can out price our locally owned small businesses is because Walmart buys in huge lots, getting a volume discount for the goods they market. The other, very obvious, reason that things at Walmart are so much cheaper is because it appears that a large percentage of their goods are made in China. Chinese production has very little overhead since their workers are little more than slave labor and they take no notice of environmental concerns. The same can be said about many of our international trade partners.

So, if President Trump slaps tariffs on their imported goods, that increases their over head, thus increasing prices. I would think that would then negate the advantage of buying foreign goods over American Made. If pricing is comparable, then the (usually) higher quality American Made products sould be more attractive. Also, local small business, fighting the Big Box Stores, are suddenly on a price parity with those big chain competitors, which should make local businesses even more attractive to the customer base.

The complaints I hear, from the highly educated and thus much better informed economists, who are crying about President Trump's tariff ideas, is that the tariffs constitute what amounts to a sales tax on those imported goods, because the tariff prices will be passed on to the consumer. This is a case where the economists and I are in total agreement. Tariffs will increase the prices of imported goods.

American Apparel factory: L.A. California

So. What's the solution, for those of us on the consuming end? Seems pretty simple to me. If the toaster, car, package of steaks or vacuum cleaner, which has been imported from another country, is of equal or greater cost than the same product made right here in America...BUY AMERICAN! The job you save may be your own!

Maybe Walmart will find it advantageous to begin stocking their shelves with the higher quality American Made products, since there will no longer be such a profound wholesale price difference. Maybe Costco will begin stocking meat products produced in the United States instead of Canadian or Australian beef or pork. Maybe more Fords, Chevys and Dodges will be sold than KIAs and Hondas.

It just seems so simple to my uneducated and unsophisticated mind. If tariffs create more demand for American Made goods, then more American jobs will result, creating more wealth for Americans, who will then use that wealth to buy more American made goods, which will result in more American jobs, which will result in more wealth with which to buy more American made products. Hmmm?

These links list American Made products:

https://allamerican.org/

https://www.stillmadeinusa.com/

If You Vote For Kamala, You're An Idiot

Ok. I've tried to explain the truth about this election, using common sense, facts and logic. I've been polite and respectful. Some of the people with whom I've debated I know personally and I've always had and shown respect for them. They are, at heart, good people and in the past, I've enjoyed their company. We've been able to debate Harris vs. Trump with good humor and have not insulted each other.

I bought groceries yesterday. I'm tired of being nice. I am going to just say what I think, not only here on my page but even when I comment on theirs. I'm guessing there are a lot of blocks coming because the truth will hurt.

I paid over $80 today for two little bags of groceries. And I'm not an extravagant shopper! I buy the less expensive stuff usually and certainly today. In addition, I drove back and forth to my summer job this year and my gas for the summer is over $1600!

So, don't tell me what the Propaganda Media says about the Biden economy. They can blow smoke up my...all they want, I'm not falling for it. I don't want to argue about the weaponless "Insurrection" or whether Trump said mean things about pussies years ago. I don't want to argue about his felony convictions. Let the courts handle that. It's legal for him to be President. Ok. That argument is done. Whether Trump or Biden managed the Covid hysteria better has no bearing on this election. It's over. Get over it. Even whether Third World illegal immigrants are eating pets is of no interest to me. If prices keep going like they are now, we may ALL be eating our pets!

Let's just focus on the FACT that we enjoyed a great economy during the Trump Presidency. $80 bought a lot more groceries four years ago than it does today. Gas prices were nowhere near as high. We have suffered massive inflation during the last four years. We've seen our gas prices skyrocket. None of this occurred during the Trump Presidency.

For now, we can pretend that Clueless Kamala and/or President Cabbage actually had some control over our country during the current Regime. Personally, I don't believe it but, whatever. In THAT case, she has absolutely no business being promoted from failed V.P. to will-fail President. The record of the Biden/Harris Regime is clear. Two little bags of groceries costs $80! That's the record. That's what you idiots want to vote for?! More of the same suffering we "enjoy" today?

Yes. There are other issues. The border? Oh. I'm sorry, you don't want to talk about that? You'd rather discuss Agenda 2025? F.U. Let's stick to what we know. We know that inflation for the last four years and today is an utter disaster. We know that It WASN'T during Trump.

We know that there are currently millions of illegal immigrants in our country who have been bussed and flown throughout our country. These Third World people are over burdening our entire system, causing even MORE economic problems. This wasn't happening under Trump.

We know that over 16000 of those same immigrants are sex offenders from other countries...unsupervised. We don't even know where they ARE! We know that over 13000 of these illegal people are convicted murderers. Again, we don't know where they are. Just another instance of "Trump was right". https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/tens-of-thousands-of-illegal-immigrants-with-sexual-assault-homicide-convictions-roaming-us-streets-ice-data/ar-AA1rkVfh?ocid=socialshare

Kamala was in office during all this destruction of our country. She and Biden were the visible heads of our government during all this and the blame lies solely with them, if only because they allowed it all to be done.

Bottom line? ANYone who even THINKS about voting for Cackling, Clueless Kamala joins her in one thing. You're an idiot! If that useless sack of skin becomes President, we'll soon be fighting each other for scraps of food. Watch "The Hunger Games" or "The Postman".

Why Vote For President Trump?

Trump Is the Last Barricade Between Us and Global Government

One world Government Is Already In Charge

Trump: last barricade between us and the Global Government

I don't, for a single second, blame the current state of our country on Poor Old Biden or Clueless Kamala. Neither of them has been in charge since they were Installed in the office. They are simply puppets of a shadowy group of puppetmasters who have actually been running things for a long time. At least since JFK.  And make no mistake.  This cabal is pure evil and Satan himself is at the controls.

These same people were pulling Barack's chains and would very likely have come out of hiding and completely taken over if Hillary had been elected. They certainly had control of Bill and she would have agreed to be Their face if They'd let her be elected. But, somehow, Their wires got crossed and They wound up with President Trump. A completely uncontrollable person on whom They had not counted. He really wasn't supposed to win!

So, They, through Their controlled media and many controlled politicians, did Their best to

undermine everything President Trump wanted to do. "Russia! Russia! Russia!", the Steel Dossier, impeachments...none of it worked. So, They fired one of Their big guns; Covid. Probably before it was completely developed. But, it panicked enough of us to get better control of the population, first with masks, then lockdowns and; "what the Hell?" might as well bring out "the vaccine". Use it to get rid of a few more of us and get some free-thinkers and malcontents out of important jobs, like emergency services, hospitals and the military.

Covid gave Them opportunities to steal the election, right in front of us. Then, Their puppydog media made enough of us disbelieve our lying eyes about the stolen election that, now, it's just "the big lie". It IS the Big Lie. But the lie is from Them, claiming that the election was NOT stolen. That's the lie.

Install Poor Old Biden; a demented old fool who will do or say whatever They want and he even came with his own controller...Jill. Use Kamala as the second chair. For one thing, no one wanted to impeach POB since that cackling idiot was next in line so she was "impeachment insurance". But, Clueless Kamala is even more controllable than POB. And she's concious enough to actually AGREE to being an out-front puppet.

But that damned Trump just won't take a hint! Here he comes again. So, hit him with lawsuits in friendly courts. Use the DOJ to charge him criminally. Tie him up in courts, take as much of his money away as They can and maybe he'll either catch on and back off or They can get him into jail or at least turn the country against him.

Well, it didn't work. We recognized what They were doing and everything They tried just made us more adamant that Trump is our guy. And they pissed Trump off, making him more aggressive, rather than less.

At the same time, POB was getting so obviously out of it that even the compromised media couldn't keep it hidden any more. So, start grooming "Plan B". Yes, she's an idiot, but she's a compliant idiot and with, once again, the help of the media, maybe They could make her look good enough to get past the Trump bump.

Didn't work, though. Even the fake media and rigged polls couldn't get it to look good enough for Them to steal it again. They know They'll need to be a little more circumspect this time because we're watching now. And (so far) nothing like Covid to confuse the issue.

So, They decide that They have to kill him. But, apparently, good help is hard to find. Maybe the Mafia isn't willing to cooperate this time and both the people They get to try it are morons and either got themselves killed (Shut THAT mouth!) or caught.

That's where we are today. What's Their next move? Well, I've said for years that President Trump should hire his own security and give the Secret Service the day off. How about Blackwater? They'll almost certainly not stop trying to kill him. The lawfare is on hold. Maybe get WWIII started before the election? I predicted that three months ago. I think it's still possible that we only have a few weeks left before the world blows up.

Their agenda is on the line if President Trump is re-elected. Especially if we can then get the

Hillbilly elected for a couple of terms. That might actually get us back on track and send Them back across the pond to lick Their wounds and work out a new plan. Don't think that They'll be gone, though. They've pretty much got everybody else in line. I think we're the last holdout; bastion of freedom.

I think that, if we lose this election, we lose it all.

One World Government is Already In Charge

Who is actually running our country?

Why Vote For Trump?

It all comes back to the record. During the Trump administration, we had lower inflation, higher employment, lower gas prices, fewer wars/conflicts. Our strategic oil reserves were full while we were a major exporter of energy. Our border was under considerably better control and getting stronger. The basic question; "Are you better off now than you were during the Trump Presidency?" That's the bottom line.

The Biden/Harris regime has brought us record inflation, greater unemployment, higher gas prices, loss of energy reserves, a border invasion and greatly increased crime rates nationwide. The disastrous debacle in Afghanistan made us such an international laughingstock that Russia and Hamas each decided it was safe and effective to initiate major wars.

As we sit here today, the possibility of our being drawn even more into those wars is strong. Simply because we have no elected leadership and the actual leadership is anti-American and incompetent. Unless, of course, Their aim is to destroy the United States. In that case, the people who have been running our country for the past 3+ years are Extremely competent as we've never been closer to total breakdown as we are at this moment.

A big part of the problem is that the Biden/Harris regime has not been controlled by our elected officials. I wish it were as simple as "Biden and Harris did that". It isn't. Poor Old Biden (POB) has been in the grip of advanced dementia pretty much since his (s)election. Harris was doing nothing, other than lying about POB's decline. Our country has been run, for the past 3+years, by a shadowy cabal in the background, who do NOT have the best interests of the United States at heart. At this point, it's even more obvious, as Harris is travelling around the country, reading teleprompters, while POB is at the beach.

Who is actually running our country?

Biden/Harris have been, at best, phoning in their part in governance. It looks as if the two have

deliberately abdicated their positions to outside influencers and have just been talking heads, with no actual control. POB certainly has not had any real influence on the actions of our "government" as he isn't mentally capable and hasn't been for a long time. WE all know that, or Harris wouldn't have been installed as the Dem "nominee".

President Trump has a proven track record. All the doom and gloom that was predicted during the 2016 election never came to pass. He didn't start any new wars. He ended some. His economy was great, the border was secured and business was booming. We KNOW his ideas work because we've SEEN his ideas work. And, most importantly, They can't control him! That's why They have been working so hard, using every possible means, including attempted murder, to keep President Trump from being back in office and putting a stop to Their efforts to overthrow our way of life.  President Trump has literally taken a bullet for our country!

My hope and prayer is the we re-elect the Outlaw, who can then work to put our country back together. Then, two terms of the Hillbilly to make the whole thing more permanent.

We'll see happy families, good jobs, a productive and thriving economy, secure borders and reduced crime. We'll see our infrastructure improved, business, manufacturing and production return and tensions in the world reduced.

Under a Harris puppet regime, we'll see just more of the same that we've seen this last 3 and a half years. Exactly the opposite of what I've expressed above. The financial, social and safety decline will just continue until we are unrecognizable. If we aren't devastated by WWIII, which is a significant possibility if the current Regime continues.

Pretty simple, really. Do we want to continue the national decline and destruction of our way of life or do we want to go back to the days of a growing and vibrant economy, secure borders and more peaceful world?

(more detail and links to sources posted in the following articles)
I compare economies
One World Government Is Already In Charge

Who is actually running our country?!

When I actually write out these things, the current situation and the goals involved become obvious. Just one Conspiracy Theory being either true or likely true doesn't ring alarm bells as much as actually writing it all out. Just the true events of the last few years read like a Science Fiction novel. A scary one.

Poor Old Biden has obviously not been mentally present for at least three years and probably more. This isn't news and it isn't conjecture. Everybody knows now what was right in front of us the whole time. Kamala Harris was one of those who actively concealed this fact from the American people. 




The question becomes: "Who has been running the United States these last four years? And, since Harris is spending all of her time trying to be installed as President while P.O.B. is on the beach; well, who is running the country now? 

I just don't understand why this isn't a more prevalent theme on the new media of podcasts and social media. Why do I seem to be the only one concerned about who or WHAT is actually making decisions and orders pertaining to our Country? Kamala is reading teleprompters all over, trying to look like she's campaigning so the steal isn't COMPLETELY obvious. President Cabbage has just checked out and is living at the beach. Obviously, SOMEone is driving the bus. but, who and to what catastrophic destination?

For a thinking person, I feel this also brings out the question of the last Presidential Election. Was it stolen, as President Trump and many of us believe? Or, is the Main Stream Media telling the truth for once and that is just "The Big Lie"? I agree with naming it "The big Lie" but, the lie is that it was fair and legal. The last election was anything but.

It seems obvious that the shadowy, One World Government leaders have clandestinely taken over our country, through Their well executed overthrow plan. A plan which is very much still active and we are still in play.

They have been working on overthrowing the United States for a long time. At least since the Kennedy Assassination. The Bush/Clinton dynasties were a part of it and then They installed Obama as President, who then managed to pave the way for Their more active involvement in the U.S..  Hillary was supposed to be installed in the office and would most likely have completed the take-over. But, a wrench got thrown into the machinery. A wrench named Trump. I can only imagine the consternation and anger expressed at the New World Order meeting after President Trump won the election that They had considered a done deal!

So, a quick changeover to "plan B". "Russia, Russia, Russia"; the Steel Dossier, impeach President Trump for things that Their puppet Biden had done. Make up ways to derail the President's efforts at rebuilding the country that Their puppets had been deliberately destroying from within.

Let's look at some of the events of the last few years in that light. As elements of a well thought out plan. Also, read where I re-posted an article from the Coffee and Covid blog which easily illustrates how the One World Government (or, New World Order) is ALREADY in charge, worldwide. They just aren't letting it be acknowledged...yet. (https://cowboyentertainer.blogspot.com/2023/01/one-world-government-is-already-in.html)

It's become obvious that Covid was developed in a lab in Wuhan, funded by the United States Government. Did it escape the lab or was that a deliberate event? After watching the way things have progressed over the last few years, I lean towards "deliberate".

Covid accomplished a number of things for Them. First, it removed many of the older, infirm, non-productive citizens from the world, reducing the population and getting some "problems" out of the way at the same time. Next, They were able to test and insure compliance of the majority of the world population; first with the ridiculous mask mandates, then the shut down. They were able to mandate how and where we could worship, strengthen the hold of major retailers and get control of our healthcare. Then, They were able to, through our expanding compliance, get many to allow injection of Their "vaccine" and continued injections since.

These compliance efforts identified those who are not "team players" and had to be removed from positions of importance. Witness the firing of Police/Fire/Medical/Military personnel who refused to get "The Shot" and replacing them with people who will "go along". An obvious major move in Their plan.

At the same time, They were able to use the reactions to Covid to cloud the re-election of President Trump, using mail in ballots and more propaganda to take control of the election.

All these things were accomplished using various allies but one of the most effective allies has been the State Run Media. They had to censor all Social Media in order to keep us from being informed outside their controlled talking heads and now, with Zuckerberg's admission on record, we can prove They did. https://rumble.com/v5cu3wc-zuckerberg-admits-biden-harris-administration-pressured-facebook-to-censor-.html

Watch ALL the media saying exactly the same thing!

President Trump and to a lesser extent, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, have been attacked on all sides in an extreme effort to keep either of them from being elected to office. Made up legal issues, both civil and criminal, have kept President Trump in court and have clouded his record for the election. Efforts to keep President Trump off the ballots didn't work but DID work against RFK. RFK joining with President Trump was a master counter move.

They selected (not E-lected) Kamala Harris, an already easily controllable puppet, as the

Notice: no crowd reflection on engine

Democrat Candidate against the re-election of President Trump and are now manipulating the media message to make it look as if she could be fairly elected. It seems obvious that They plan to do the same thing with this election as They did with the last. 

I expect that the upcoming Presidential Election and to a lesser extent, the down-ballot elections, will be manipulated even more than the last one. Maybe this time They will be a little more covert about it but: why should they? It was done blatantly and in our face last time and Their media and puppet politicians were able to make it so anyone who still believes their lying eyes about the last election is considered just a nut case and unreliable.

Kamala Harris has been doing Their bidding all along and will certainly continue so to do, especially if installed as President.

We're in trouble, folks and have been for a long time. President Kennedy warned us and planned to expose it all so he was killed. President Trump is not a part of Their club and is not willing to do Their bidding so They are going all out to get rid of him. Don't think They are done with the lawfare, character, business and financial destruction. President Trump really damaged Their plans by beating Their expected puppet in 2016. They had to go into emergency mode to keep him from accomplishing all that he wanted and now, to keep him from doing it again. So far, They have tried to murder him twice and both times we have understandable questions about the Secret Service commitment to President Trump's safety.

If you want to see where we're headed, watch "The Hunger Games"

Don't comply! Let's say that again...Do Not COMPLY!  And VOTE!!

3-25-1775

RFK Jr. Drops out of race and endorses Trump

Kamala — In Her Own Words

The Biden/Harris Legacy (An excerpt from https://www.malone.news/)

This is a part of todays message from Doctor Robert Malone 

"The Biden/Harris Legacy
Weaponized government, hate, divisiveness, censorship, propaganda, Ukraine War, Afghanistan withdrawal, #PsyWar, Corruption, Stolen election, and Assassination attempts.

Robert W Malone MD, MS
Sep 17, 2024

Take a moment to think about this. Under the Biden/Harris administration, we now have two unsuccessful attempts to assassinate the former President of the United States. The Biden/Harris administration has repeatedly refused to provide enhanced Secret Service protection to President Trump during this run for re-election. Concurrent with and immediately before both attempts, Biden and Harris have repeatedly used inflammatory rhetoric targeting President Trump.

Regarding the Biden/Harris presidential administration, what will history record? I suggest that it is likely that the Biden/Harris administration will be recorded as highly corrupt and incompetent. An administration with a constant appetite for war and other foreign adventures (Nordstream, for example) and yet curiously incompetent in the management of war. Witness the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the enormously expensive and mismanaged Ukrainian misadventure.

An administration that was entirely in bed with Big Pharma, and responsible for one of the most significant public health mismanagement fiascos in recorded history (the COVIDcrisis). Promoters of globalism and enhanced powers and funding for the World Health Organization (the Pandemic Treaty and revision of the International Health Regulations). This administration completely disregarded established post WWII norms in bioethics and informed consent, and quite literally committed the violent act of forced vaccination of millions (including armed forces personnel) with unproven, inadequately tested, gene-therapy based vaccine products.

This administration has a long and uninterrupted history of promoting unfounded hate and divisiveness among US Citizens and of targeting its political opponents via lawfare and every other means at its disposal. Wholesale weaponization of the whole of government against opponents, the likes of which have never been seen before in the USA.

This administration has given birth to, promoted, enabled, and exploited a mercenary public-private partnership consisting of a censorship and propaganda industrial complex. This administration worked with other partners, including the Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance, to turn modern hybrid warfare/PsyWar technology designed for offshore combat onto its own citizens. This administration has abused its relationships and power with corporate media and Big Tech to actively deploy and exploit modern propaganda methods in a desperate attempt to remain in power while punishing and, in some cases, unjustly jailing the loyal and patriotic opposition.

And then there are the open border policies, failure to address CCP hostility, and the Fentanyl crisis.

The weaponization of the Intelligence community and corporate media to suppress the Hunter Biden laptop story right before the election. Which in itself constitutes election fraud and theft.

And then there are the horrible energy policy decisions, edicts regarding electric vehicles (and long haul trucks), and failure to keep an eye on the ball and follow through with infrastructure rebuilding proposals.

I predict that this administration will go down as one of the worst and most corrupt in the history of the United States of America.

To further illustrate my points, I offer two pivotal moments in history: the “Winter of Severe Illness and Death” psychological bioterrorism speech and the midterm 2022 Independence Hall “MAGA is a threat” speech.

We must never forget what has been done to the USA and American Citizens by this administration.

From the Mar-a-Lago panty raid event to the incitement of violence and assassination attempts. Biden and I agree on one thing- This must stop. Stop the anger, hate, accusations, lies, censorship and propaganda. Stop deploying PsyWar on the American People. This type of behavior cannot be allowed to stand. What we disagree on is which behavior. Once again, the evidence indicates that Biden’s hate speech is driven by his own fear and projection."



I would add to this the fact that Poor Old Biden has suffered from dementia, essentially since he was selected for the office of President. He has not been in control of anything, let alone our country, for over three years. Kamala Harris has been instrumental in concealing and covering up this fact, along with the willing assistance of the Main Stream Media and many of our political "leaders".

My question was and is: "Who's actually running the United States of America?" No one else seems to be focusing on this firghtening question. Harris on her teleprompter tours and Biden at the beach while some person or group is actually giving orders and making decisions; all with the willing cooperation, not only of Biden/Harris but of anyone "in the know" within the inner workings of our "government". Why does this not seem to concern anyone else?

Patrick Henry; "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death"

For some background about this speech, I found a good link at: https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/patrick-henry

A Paragraph from that History.com article:  "George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and five of the six other Virginians who would later sign the Declaration of Independence were in attendance that day. Historians say that Henry’s “Liberty or Death” speech helped convince those in attendance to begin preparing Virginia troops for war against Great Britain."

Patrick Henry

"Give me liberty, or give me death!"
St. John's Church, Richmond, Virginia

MARCH 23, 1775


MR. PRESIDENT: No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself guilty of treason towards my country and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves, and the House? Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask, gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free, if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

3-25-75