Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Remembering Jeane Kirkpatrick

On Friday, December 8, 2006, America lost one of its most brilliant minds to ever have lived, and one of my personal heroes. I was especially saddened because I worked closely with Ms. Kirkpatrick in the office right next to hers at the American Enterprise Institute, where I interned for Newt Gingrich in 2004. She was gracious, visionary, humorous, confident, and an undisputed genious in the realm of foreign policy and international relations (not to mention she helped the US win the Cold War against the Soviet Union). With her passing, we have lost a truly great American.

Remembering Jeane Kirkpatrick
Heritage.org

Jeane Kirkpatrick, who served as America's ambassador to the United Nations from 1981 to 1985, passed away last Friday. She was a champion of international freedom, a firm defender of America's foreign policy and a true patriot. Her influence was incalculable.

"The world is completely different now than it was in the 1980s, thanks in large part to Jeane, her ideas and her skill in making them work," Heritage President Ed Feulner said in a statement. "In Great Britain, they call Lady Margaret Thatcher 'the Iron Lady.' In America, they should call Jeane Kirkpatrick 'the Steel Lady'—U.S. steel to be exact—for rebuilding an American foreign policy that's so strong, we still stand on it today."

Feulner continues: "With complete support from her friend, President Ronald Reagan, she developed foreign policies that pushed back against Soviet bullying in the U.N. and across the globe. She made the United Nations more effective, less anti-American and a better instrument to deliver people their God-given right to freedom."

In his 2004 book The March of Freedom, Feulner dedicated a full chapter to discussing Ambassador Fitzpatrick's impact on the conservative movement. You can read that chapter online in PDF format.

Friday, December 8, 2006

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays... Get Over It!

I received this from a friend, it makes you think.

(A letter from God to His children.)

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My Name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday during what was actually a time of pagan festival.

Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime, how I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you really want to celebrate My birth then do what I taught you to and LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a Holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. The word "holiday" is derived from "Holy Day," the term used to refer to religious celebrations for centuries. Besides, it was I who made all trees. You can and may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our roles are.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, here is My wish list:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to the soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing Pres. Bush complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile. It could make a difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My Name.

9. There are individuals & whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity that is doing My work and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself.

Have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember I LOVE YOU.

God