CatHouse Chat

The grace of the Old Testament, and the condemnation of the New

Yes, it's been another long while, but I actually have been keeping up with my daily Bible reading from the MacArthur Daily Bible! Today's readings included some of my favorite passages from the Old and New Testaments, and the selection from Galatians really caught my attention.

So, the readings for today are Isaiah 34 and 44, Psalm 110, Proverbs 25:5-9, and Galatians 4.

Let's take a look at the selection from Isaiah first.

A very serious threat...

Pay attention!

(Purrs to my blog-sis, Fausta!)

OK, I finally took the tests...

Lasagna blogging!

I made a lasagna the other day, and oddly enough felt the urge to capture it on video. Now, *I'm* the one holding my little digi-cam, so please don't expect Emeril Lagasse, OK? But, this wild impulse seized my imagination, and so I decided to just go with it.

All right - the first thing you need to realize is that the amounts I give below will probably make TWO lasagnas - or at least leave you with lots of ingredients to use with other recipes. So, if you're making this for a small family, either freeze a lot of it, or share it out with family and friends.

Me, I like to share it out - and one of these days, I'm going to get a commercial refrigerator and freezer in our storage room downstairs, so I can have all sorts of casseroles etc. prepared, assembled, and frozen - ready to go for family, friends and neighbors in need. I love to cook, but even more, I love to share my cooking!

Columbia University President Lee Bollinger showed moral courage

I am so glad that my blog-brother, Jerry Fuhrman, posted this video:

Mr. Bollinger, I was immensely skeptical of and disgusted with Columbia University's decision to permit Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to speak at your facility. With this speech, however, you have done much to redeem your institution's reputation.

Bravo, sir! Bravo!

UPDATE: Here's a transcript, and a lovely quote which the video, above, does not include:

... Let's then be clear at the beginning. Mr. President, you exhibit all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator. And so I ask you -- (applause) -- and so I ask you, why have women, members of the Baha'i faith, homosexuals and so many of our academic colleagues become targets of persecution in your country? Why, in a letter last week to the secretary-general of the U.N., did Akbar Ganji, Iran's leading political dissident, and over 300 public intellectuals, writers and Noble Laureates express such grave concern that your inflamed dispute with the West is distracting the world's attention from the intolerable conditions in your regime within Iran, in particular the use of the press law to ban writers for criticizing the ruling system? Why are you so afraid of Iranian citizens expressing their opinions for change?

In our country, you are interviewed by our press and asked to speak here today. And while my colleagues at the law school -- Michael Dorf, one of my colleagues, spoke to Radio Free Europe, viewers in Iran a short while ago on the tenants of freedom of speech in this country -- I propose further that you let me lead a delegation of students and faculty from Columbia to address your universities about free speech with the same freedom we afford you today. (Applause.)

Secondly, the denial of the Holocaust. In a December 2005 state television broadcast, you described the Holocaust as "a fabricated legend." One year later, you held a two-day conference of Holocaust deniers. For the illiterate and ignorant, this is dangerous propaganda.

When you have come to a place like this, this makes you, quite simply, ridiculous. ...

Technorati Tags: Columbia University, Lee Bollinger, Mahmoud Amadinejad

The "Bowl of Embrace" doesn't measure up

When AMERICA commemorates heroes who have sacrificed themselves to serve their countrymen, who have shown extraordinary courage, who have dedicated themselves to liberty, or who have shown incredible courage in the face of adversity, THESE are the memorials we build to honor them:

 

 

Just as a small sampling...

America builds triumphant MONOLITHS! We build soaring statues, we erect meaningful and wrenching reminders of the blood, sacrifice, and INTEGRITY of our heroes.

We don't construct namby-pamby, enemy-appeasing "Bowl of Embrace" drivel!

The concept of the "Bowl of Embrace" is just too disgusting, cowardly, and appeasing for me to outline, so I will direct you to Cao, GMan, and Justin, who offer far better descriptions and denunciations.

But never forget that when proper Americans fashion and forge a memorial to courage, honor, and bravery, we produce something that says

IN YOUR DAMN FACE!!!!

to our enemies!

This "Bowl of Embrace" is an abomination, and ought to be replaced (as should the Twin Towers) with something that BEGS the Islamofascist terrorist murderers to try and destroy them. We need to raise up memorials which scream

• We will never surrender!
• We will never back down!
• We will never forget!
• We will hunt you to the ends of the earth and destroy every last evidence and memory of your intolerant, barbaric and insane ideology!

Technorati Tags: Bowl of Embrace, Crescent of embrace, cowardly, appeasing, islamofascist, terrorists, murder, barbarian

Hope Rides Alone: An American Hero answers the CodePink/Int'l Answer/MoveOn crowds...

The CatHouse bows in prayer and thanksgiving for a fallen hero, and the honorable example he lived.

But even thousands of miles away, in Ramadi, Iraq, the cries and screams and complaints of the ungrateful reach me. In a year, I will be thrust back into society from a life and mentality that doesn't fit your average man. And then, I will be alone. And then, I will walk down the streets of America, and see the yellow ribbon stickers on the cars of the same people who compare our President to Hitler.

I will watch the television and watch the Cindy Sheehans, and the Al Frankens, and the rest of the ignorant sheep of America spout off their mouths about a subject they know nothing about. It is their right, however, and it is a right that is defended by hundreds of thousands of boys and girls scattered across the world, far from home. I use the word boys and girls, because that's what they are. In the Army, the average age of the infantryman is nineteen years old. The average rank of soldiers killed in action is Private First Class.

People like Cindy Sheehan are ignorant. Not just to this war, but to the results of their idiotic ramblings, or at least I hope they are. They don't realize its effects on this war. In this war, there are no Geneva Conventions, no cease fires. Medics and Chaplains are not spared from the enemy's brutality because it's against the rules. I can only imagine the horrors a military Chaplain would experience at the hands of the enemy. The enemy slinks in the shadows and fights a coward's war against us. It is effective though, as many men and women have died since the start of this war. And the memory of their service to America is tainted by the inconsiderate remarks on our nation's news outlets. And every day, the enemy changes...only now, the enemy is becoming something new. The enemy is transitioning from the Muslim extremists to Americans. The enemy is becoming the very people whom we defend with our lives. And they do not realize it. But in denouncing our actions, denouncing our leaders, denouncing the war we live and fight, they are isolating the military from society...and they are becoming our enemy.

Democrats and peace activists like to toss the word "quagmire" around and compare this war to Vietnam. In a way they are right, this war is becoming like Vietnam. Not the actual war, but in the isolation of country and military. America is not a nation at war; they are a nation with its military at war. Like it or not, we are here, some of us for our second, or third times; some even for their fourth and so on. Americans are so concerned now with politics, that it is interfering with our war.

Terrorists cut the heads off of American citizens on the internet...and there is no outrage, but an American soldier kills an Iraqi in the midst of battle, and there are investigations, and sometimes soldiers are even jailed...for doing their job. [all emphasis mine]

This is an excerpt from an essay written on February 1st of this year by SGT Eddie Jeffers, and I would urge you to read it, as well as two others, "Freedom Feels Good," and "Real Deal in Ramadi."

On Thursday, September 20, 2007, SGT Jeffers laid down his life for the ideals and convictions he cherished. Thank God for his Christian convictions: because of them, SGT Jeffers was ushered into the presence of his Lord and Savior by a host of angels. And I know that as he knelt at the foot of the Throne, he was blessed when God his Savior reached down, lifted him up and said,

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in a few things, and I will give you charge over many. Enter into the joy of your Lord!"

SGT Jeffers' father wrote,

It is with great personal sadness but joy in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that I announce the death of my son Eddie Jeffers. Eddie was killed around 7 am Iraqi time from an accidental vehicle roll-over. Although our personal loss is traumatic, we know he is in a better place. All of you have been so wonderful to my son and my family and he was so blessed and humbled by your love for him. He told me this past summer after the wonderful gift you gave his wife and him that he didn't understand why people were so generous and kind to him. You see to Eddie, he was just doing his job and what he believed was his life mission from God.

I've said this often; Eddie was my hero. My dear brother in Christ Rod Martin told me that Eddie died a hero for not just the soldier he was but the person. Eddie, through his writing, touched so many people's lives, yours and you so lovingly touched ours back.
We thank you in advance for your condolences and prayers. Please pray especially for Eddie's wife Stephanie; as you can imagine she is devastated. Our prayer is that Eddie's death will exalt Christ as did his life.

In lieu of any flowers we are asking all donations be given to the Fisher House in memory of Eddie; he loved that charity.

Will you join me in honoring an American hero, who followed his Savior in laying down his life for his friends? Please donate as much as you can to Fisher House, which "...donates 'comfort homes,' built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury."

And will you also read his essays, and commit to cherishing and nurturing this great country that he loved so much?

Let's honor him - and his fallen brethren - by bringing our troops home... VICTORIOUSLY!

(Crossposted to the Wide Awakes and the Cotillion)

Technorati Tags: SGT Eddie Jeffers, in memory, killed in action, essay, patriot

Gatewaypundit has the latest on the anti-military slanderer, Murtha

I wanted to embed the video here, too, but Motionbox is not cooperating today [pout].

But go on over to his site and watch the video. Jason Mattera appears on Hannity&Colmes along with Murtha apologist Jane Fleming Kleeb - and, frankly, Mattera wins the round. In one exchange, he asks Alan Colmes quite pointedly why Colmes is "carrying water" for Murtha!

Let's take a look at some of the facts of the matter. Last year, several Marines were accused of murder. Before it went to trial, before the military investigation had even started, Rep. John Murtha (Backbiter - PA), called them cold-blooded murderers on national television. Although he pleads that he had an "inside tip"  from a military source, he nevertheless condemned them without a trial and without them facing all the evidence against them in front of a jury of their peers.

Congressman Murtha, it is my understanding that "innocent until proven guilty" is STILL a founding principle of our justice system. I understand that at the core of our system, we would still prefer to let a guilty person free, rather than wrongfully convict an innocent. It is also my understanding that, when the accused person is brought to trial, it is the JURY - and not bystanders, no matter their supposed "position" in our government - that decides the innocence or guilt of the accused. And finally, particularly in the case of murder, the jury must be convinced beyond reasonable doubt of the accused's guilt.

Three of those Marines have now been cleared, and it is my understanding that at least three more will have the charges against them dropped by the end of the year. That may or may not happen, I agree, but you see, I am conforming to the American precedent of assuming they're innocent until they're proven guilty - something that Congressman Murtha apparently feels does not apply to him.

Alan Colmes cannot face this, and so he attempted to attack Gen. Mattis' character, referring to the General's statement from quite a while ago that he enjoyed killing the terrorists. May I ask Mr. Colmes what that has to do with the facts outlined above? Aside from setting up a strawman, Mr. Colmes, what were you trying to prove? Were you suggesting that our brave and honorable military should feel guilty about ridding the world of such amoral and murderous barbarians in a wartime situation? For my part, I celebrate with them each time they take down those intolerant, cowardly, and brutal sub-human bastards. I agree with the General that it cleans up the gene-pool!

And Ms Kleeb, when Sean Hannity asked you whether the Marines deserved an apology when-and-if they were cleared, you avoided the question. The Congressman will "move on"? In other words, he'll try to sweep his slander under the rug, and run away from the consequences of his ill-considered, anti-American, and libelous words, right?

Frankly, I think that Murtha ought to be horsewhipped, stripped of his seat in Congress, and sued for malignant defamation of character.

And that would still be too good for him!

(Crossposted to the Wide Awakes)

Technorati Tags: John Murtha, Marines, Haditha, murder, slander, libel, Jason Mattera, Young America's Foundation

Hitler - BANNED! (well, from iSketch...)

OMG, you have got to see this! (CatPurrs to my blog-sis, Beth)

(Warning, there are some four letter words in the sub-titles)

I have no idea what movie they used for this, but the way they chose the scene and inserted new dialog is absolutely hilarious! Bravo zulu for imagination and excellent execution!

Jimmy Carter (or is it "D'jimmi al-Qa'tar"?) suffering from foot in mouth again

Thanks to the Vodkapundit (Steven Green), I just read this news article which says:

Former President Jimmy Carter said Wednesday that it was almost inconceivable that Iran would "commit suicide" by launching missiles at Israel.

[...]

"Iran is quite distant from Israel," said Carter, 83. "I think it would be almost inconceivable that Iran would commit suicide by launching one or two missiles of any kind against the nation of Israel."

[...]

Carter did not dismiss the idea that Iran might want to attack Israel, noting Iran's refusal to suspend uranium enrichment production despite two United Nations resolutions imposing sanctions on the country. Tehran insists its nuclear program is aimed at producing energy for civilian use but the U.S., its European allies and many others fear the program's real aim is to produce nuclear weapons.

"Obviously, we all hope we can do whatever we can to keep Iran from becoming a nuclear power," Carter said.

Oh, D'jimmi, D'jimmi... Remember this?

Israeli officials are treating Iran's latest claims that it has 600 Shihab-3 missiles aimed at targets throughout the country the same way it treated Teheran's claims last month to have crossed a key nuclear threshold: by listening carefully, but not believing everything they hear.

[...]

Earlier Monday, an Iranian Web site affiliated with the regime reported that 600 Shihab-3 missiles were pointed at targets throughout Israel and would be launched if either Iran or Syria were attacked.

"Iran will shoot 600 missiles at Israel if it is attacked," the Iranian news Web site, Assar Iran, reported, saying such a barrage would "only be the first reaction."

According to the report, dozens of locations throughout Iraq being used by the US Army have also been targeted. The Shihab missile has a range of 1,300 km. and can reach anywhere in Israel.

Yeah, Iran would LOVE to attack Israel. No, Israel is NOT too far away fro Iran. And "...it's inconceivable that Iran would commit suicide by launching... missiles of any kind..."?

Hello? The country has a president who's a nutjob!

D'jimmi, you're 83 years old. You've done a lot (of harm) already. Why don't you just go on home, relax, and enjoy your retirement (in silence)? Believe me, it's probably the greatest thing you'll ever do for your country.

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure goes to Iran

At least, that's what comes to my mind when I see a headline which states that "Ahmadinejad is the 'Socrates of the Third Millennium,' says the president's office."

That's pronounced "So-crates," right?

Man, I bet that - if he weren't already decomposed to dust - Socrates would be spinning in his grave in absolute indignation! You know, Socrates is one of the founders of Western philosophy, used critical reasoning and had an "unwavering commitment to the truth," something one could hardly ascribe to the Holocaust-denier, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

In the Socratic dialogues, his extended conversations with students, statesmen, and friends invariably aim at understanding and achieving virtue {Gk. areth [aretê]} through the careful application of a dialectical method that employs critical inquiry to undermine the plausibility of widely-held doctrines. Destroying the illusion that we already comprehend the world perfectly and honestly accepting the fact of our own ignorance, Socrates believed, are vital steps toward our acquisition of genuine knowledge, by discovering universal definitions of the key concepts governing human life.

In what way can you possibly twist reality to say that Ahmadinejad is even vaguely worthy of taking up this mantle of philosophical honor?

Oh, that's right, it's Iran and its sycophantic and obsequious adoration of the madman they "elected" president...

In the document, various speeches and letters written by the Iranian president are analysed [sic] and it concludes that "Ahmadinejad reasons and discusses exactly as Socrates did in ancient Greece, by disarming other speakers and through his sharp reasoning."

Folks, what we have here is a major disconnect with reality! But, then, that's really what the adventures of Bill and Ted were all about...

(Big CatHouse purrs to Jihad Watch! Robert Spencer RULES!)

Technorati Tags: Mahmoud Amadinejad, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, Socrates, Robert Spencer

Iranian leader was denied Ground Zero visit

Well, D'UH!

To have I'madinnerjacket (that's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the dhimmis) escorted with pomp and circumstance and all sorts of diplomatic honors and courtesies to the scene of one of the greatest tragedies and obscenities to ever take place on American soil...

Well, the fact that is was even considered is obscene!

An advance team for the president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, asked earlier this month that he be allowed to lay a wreath at the World Trade Center site during the opening of the United Nations General Assembly next week, but the request was denied, New York City police officials said today.

Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly caused considerable confusion earlier today when he suggested that the request was still pending. In fact, police officials said later, the request — made at a meeting that included the Secret Service and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey — was denied for reasons of security and safety. They added that Mr. Ahmadinejad’s aides had asked that he be allowed into the pit, where construction is taking place.

Yeah. Fat freakin' chance any sensible and patriotic American would allow that!

Ahmadinejad: the leader of a country which is a major sponsor of Islamofascist ideology and terrorism, who is a Holocaust-denier, who would *love* to wipe Israel off the map, whose religion would like to subject all the world to its intolerant and cruel "legal" system, a man who represents all that America ought to hate and despise...!

To allow the representative of a country and religion of death, terrorism, despotism, and fear access to Ground Zero would be... almost blaspheming the memory of those men and women who were callously MURDERED by allah-fearing MUSLIMS intent on gaining Paradise by killing infidels.

Well, so sorry to say this, but I confess that I wouldn't shed a single tear if the Righteous Judge of all the earth would choose to allow His judgment fall upon Mahmoud Amadinejad in a very public and... explosive... way.

But the Living God is far more merciful than I... Perhaps He will send His Spirit to convict Amadinejad of the Truth, and we will have a very public and controversial conversion. In which case, I'll understand how the early Christians felt about the Apostle Paul, initially...

(A big CatHouse purr to my beloved blog-sis, Raven, for hunting this out!)

Technorati Tags: Mahmoud Amadinejad, Iran, terrorism, United Nations, New York, Ground Zero

Rich Mullins: Ten years gone

I remember that Rich Mullins was one of the first Christian musicians I discovered when God called me back to get serious with Him. Rich's lyrics and simple, pure music appealed to me, and the thoughts and issues he sang about resonated deeply in my soul.

And now it's been ten years since that car accident in Illinois. It's been ten years since God called him Home. It's been ten years of missing his earnest and honest pursuit of his Lord and Savior and the way he shared that with us.

I am very much looking forward to meeting him in heaven one day, to say thank you for helping me love my God and Savior a little better.

"Sometimes By Step" is one of my favorites:

Sometimes the night was beautiful
Sometimes the sky was so far away
Sometimes it seemed to stoop so close
You could touch it but your heart would break
Sometimes the morning came too soon
Sometimes the day could be so hot
There was so much work left to do
But so much You'd already done

CHORUS:
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days

Sometimes I think of Abraham
How one star he saw had been lit for me
He was a stranger in this land
And I am that, no less than he
And on this road to righteousness
Sometimes the climb can be so steep
I may falter in my steps
But never beyond Your reach

CHORUS

And I will follow You all of my days
And I will follow You all of my days
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days
And I will follow You all of my days
(Sometimes the night was beautiful)
And I will follow You all of my days

We still miss you, Rich. See you on the other side of Glory!

Technorati Tags: Rich Mullins, christian music, Sometimes by Step, memorial

Duncan Hunter at Gathering of Eagles

What a great guy... He spoke from the heart, with passion and love for our country and our men and women in uniform. He was also the only presidential candidate to show up for this important gathering!

Congressman Hunter graciously stopped for a couple of words with me, and a polite bystander took this photo:

Technorati Tags: Duncan Hunter, Gathering of Eagles

SQUIRM, John Murtha, you anti-military, libelous B*ST*RD!

I wonder, if enough people confront him on the record like this, if he might actually eventually issue a grudging apology.

And to think that this... person... was once in the Marines himself. You note I don't say "was once a Marine," because I suspect that a true Marine would never condemn his younger brothers without evidence or a hearing.

I hope one or more of the accused and now exonerated Marines *DO* sue him for libel or slander. After all, Murtha's remarks weren't made on the congressional floor, and so his immunity is a moot point...

Here's what Murtha said last year:

YouTube - John Murtha Says Troops Kill In Cold Blood

But when Jason Mattera, of Young America's Foundation confronted him today, Murtha couldn't even address the issue. "I served in Korea and Viet Nam!"  

Yeah? So? Even a Viet Nam and Korean War vet should have to answer for his egregious abuse of his position to smear our military!

SQUIRM, you maggot!

YouTube - Rep. Jack Murtha cuts and runs when asked about Haditha

Thanks so much to Jason Mattera for his pursuit of an answer, and to Bryan at Hot Air for posting the video!

UPDATE: And Gateway Pundit adds to the pile on... [rubbing hands together in gleeful delight] Make sure you read it all, and then poke around in the comments section at Hot Air... and then follow the trackbacks... Oh, wouldn't it be wonderful if Murtha was forced to resign in disgrace (he won't: DemonRAT(icks) like this don't have the spine to do the right thing)...?

(Crossposted to the Cotillion)

Technorati Tags: John Murtha, traitors, Jason Mattera, libel, slander, Young America's Foundation

The Waaahmbulance wannabes

DSC05512
Originally uploaded by Romeocat.

I saw several of these young people at the demonstration on Saturday - all with the MoveOn/Answer/Code Pink(o) crew. They all wore those brilliant green caps, and diligently wrote down all the naughty little altercations they saw.

Of course, the Gathering of Eagles crew had no legal advisers of our own roaming around, but don't forget that *WE* know the First Amendment isn't to protect us from other citizens who disagree with us.

But it was quite cute to see these young, deluded people earnestly writing down every verbal scuffle (including all the bad words, I'm sure!). It reminded me of little kids: "Mommy, mommy! Johnny called me a bad name!" "Mommy, Susie's poking me!" "Mommy, make Ricky stop looking at me!"

*sigh*

Kiddies, there were no civil rights infractions at the demonstration! ADULT citizens understand that, due to the nature of the gathering, there will be strong language (which I didn't care for even when a GoE supporter used it) and loud voices from both sides and will take it in stride. ADULTS understand that confrontations will take place, and they can either give back as good as they get, or remove themselves from the conflict.

ADULTS know that they don't need to go running to a "lawyer" like whining tattletales so they can try to press charges when someone calls them bad names or argues a different opinion.

*sigh*

America has become so enamored of litigation, and I really do blame the "nanny state" mentality fostered by people like this.

Life ain't fair, kiddies. Get used to it, and then get over it.

Oh, the Sixties were GOOD to you!

While we were wandering around DC on Saturday afternoon, we saw some fliers scattered on the ground. There weren't many of them, but one of my buddies (FIAR, of Radioactive Liberty) picked one up and started reading and began to snicker...

He started to read this flier out loud, and soon we were all almost hysterical with laughter - and for the rest of the evening, we speculated on whether this person was on or off drugs (and if they were ON drugs, we surmised that they were really GOOD drugs!) and kept giggling at the mental nuttiness the flier displayed.

So, in the interest of making Monday a better day, I reproduce the flier for your morning enjoyment:

Make sure you read the whole thing to get the full snicker effect...

And my thanks to FIAR - I had two copies of the flier, but somehow they didn't make it home with me [baffled look]. FIAR sent me his pictures, bless him!

Arlington Cemetery

CatHouse Chat pauses to bow in prayer, honoring our sacred dead and asking for safety and God's blessing on our living heroes who are standing the Watch.

UPDATE: Video added -

Visitors to the Tomb of the Unknowns are very quiet, very respectful, which is entirely appropriate for such a sacred place. The guards take 21 paces in each direction, then they pause for 21 seconds with each change of direction. This represents one of the highest honors offered to our military service members: the Twenty One Gun Salute. I need to research this tradition to find out the significance of the number "21."

I have an hypothesis, though - twenty-one is three times seven (d'uh!). Both "three" and "seven" are considered to be important and perfect numbers in the Judeo-Christian tradition. "Three" is representative of the Trinity, for instance, and "seven" could refer to the seven days of Creation. I dunno, it's just a wild-eyed guess on my part, and I'm probably totally wrong...

I was unable to get the video of the Changing of the Guard this time because the battery of my video camera was used up COMPLETELY for yesterday's rally (I'll convert and post it all, I promise!), and my little purse camera couldn't have held it all (not to mention that I'd only get *one* level of zoom once I started recording).

I'm thinking of coming up for Spring Break, and bringing the Munchkin - in which case, I will certainly get a record of the ceremony, which is conducted every half hour when the Memorial is open.

Gold Star families!!! (Edited and bumped)

Thank God for the Gold Star families who were here. They were welcomed warmly - applause and cheers and "thank you!"s resounded - and gave the love back freely. They spoke about how proud they were of their sons, and how much those heroes would have appreciated Gathering of Eagles.

Tears ran down my face as they gave their testimonies and testified to their sons' bravery.

America is blessed beyond measure to have men and women of such courage and character who stand between us and harm, and freely give their lives to guard our freedom.

When I saw the MoveOn, Code Pink, and Answer traitors spitting on these men and women by their actions, I had to wonder...

Does America deserve all the heroes who have died for her?

I don't think we are worthy of them.

Bats flock, don't they? (Updated - obviously, LOL)

Well, these 'bats certainly do... I think they were disappointed with their numbers, though. If I understood correctly, they were hoping to fill the whole lawn. Ooops.

I walked over a little bit late to this, because I had the marvelous honor and blessing to spend some tie chatting with John Donovan of Castle Arrggh! and his Lady, She Who Will Be Obeyed. You do realize that John was invited, along with several other milbloggers, to spend an HOUR with the President yesterday, right?

He's even got the Presidential coin to prove it! See?

Dead? Nah, just snoozing...*snicker*

The Code Pink, MoveOn, and Answer people were supposedly going to have a "die in" on the Capitol lawn, but these two were the only ones I saw. Apparently, it was much more fun for the moonbats to jump the line at the Capitol steps so they could get arrested...

Now, of course, it *IS* possible that these two were merely sleeping off the excesses of last night... After all, they were supposed to march at noon 1:30 2pm... 2:30 (must've been a wild night!), and so they had to get up early...

The Capitol

Ah, there's our Capitol - where our honest and ethical legislators do so much to unite our country, support our troops, and lower taxes.

NOT!

More moonbats on parade

I always find it so... fitting... that yellow is a very predominant color with them...

Moonbats on parade

While the Patriot Guard, Gathering of Eagles, Protest Warrior and so many others show true love, support, and respect for our brave men and women in uniform.

Fight and Win in Iraq!

Loved this sign - it looked very similar to the moonbats' posters, so you had to look again.

Che is DEAD! Get over it!

Thank God for Petraeus!

Just in case you can't read this, it says:

Thank God for Petraeus, because the Democrats betray us!"

Opening remarks...

Say it, brother!

Awesome patch!!

Continuing to add patriots

Begining to gather the Patriots

Travel time! On my way to Gathering of Eagles III

I'm psyched! This is the first time I've been able to join a gathering like this and publicly express my love and support for our troops and their mission. It is a privilege and blessing to be able to do this, and I hope that it's a peaceful yet powerful proof to our men and women in uniform that we love them and believe in them.

I've got my camera and my video camera, and I have my cell phone, so I'm planning on giving y'all LOTS of pictures. If I do moblog, though, I'll probably just post a picture and edit it later to add comments or such.

For more details about GoE's goals and purpose, make sure you visit their website.

And again, the iPod brought up the perfect song for this event this morning: Aaron Tippin's "Where the Stars and Stripes and Eagle Fly"

Well if you ask me where I come from
Here's what I tell everyone
I was born by God's dear grace
In an extraordinary place
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly

It's a big 'ol land with countless dreams
Happiness ain't out of reach
Hard work pays off the way it should
Yeah, I've seen enough to know that we've got it good
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly

There's a lady that stands in a harbor
For what we believe
And there's a bell that still echoes
The price that it cost to be free

I pledge allegiance to this flag
And if that bothers you, well that's too bad
But if you got pride and you're proud you do
Hey, we could use some more like me and you
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly

Yes there's a lady that stands in a harbor
For what we believe
And there's a bell that still echoes
The price that it cost to be free

No, it ain't the only place on earth
But it's the only place that I prefer
To love my wife and raise my kids
Hey, the same way that my daddy did
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly

Where the stars and stripes and the eagle...fly
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly

Technorati Tags: Gathering of Eagles, patriotism, demonstration, support troops, Washington DC

"Would You love me more? Would You love me less?"

How often I go back and forth between these questions! The Christian walk - mine, at least - is so often full of bumps and bobbles, twists and turns, soaring heights and dismal depths, that I occasionally don't know if I'm coming or going.

So, of course, we come to another "car meditation." Why is it that God so often visits me and speaks to me while I'm listening to KLOVE or WRVL in my car? This morning KLOVE played "What If?" a song by Jadon Lavik:

What if I climbed that mountain,
What if I swam to that shore,
What if every battle was victorious,
Then would You love me more?
Would You love me more?
What if I were everyone's first choice, what if I went farther than before,
What if I stood high above the rest,
Then would You love me more?
Would You love me more?

You say I belong to You apart from the things I do
You say I belong to You I'm in awe of why You do
Why you do, why You do, I'm in awe of You, ooh

What if I ignored the hand that fed me,
What if I forgot to confess,
What if I stumbled down that mountain,
Then would You love me less?
Lord, would You love me less?
What if I were everyone's last choice, what if I mixed in with the rest,
What if I failed what I passed before,
Then would You love me less?
Lord would You would You love me less?

You say I belong to You apart from the things I do
You say I belong to You I'm in awe of why You do
You do You do You do
What have I done to deserve Your Son sent to die for me?
What can I give? I want to live, give me eyes to see
In a world that keeps changing, there's one thing that I know is true:
Your love is staying; there's nothing else I'll hold on to

You say I belong to You apart from the things I do
You say I belong to You I'm in awe of why You do
Why You do
You say I belong to You apart from the things I do
You say I belong to You I'm in awe of why You do
I'm in awe of You I'm in awe of You
The way You love me, the way You do

I think all Christians want to go out and BE something for God - to DO something to earn His approval. I doubt there's a single true Christian out there who wouldn't jump happily at the chance to hit the "Press for instant Sanctification" button!

We love our Lord and all that He has done for us so much that we're like puppies: all bumbling and clumsy in our eagerness to please. Yet, like puppies, we have a very short attention span and are easily distracted. We take our eyes off of Jesus, and fall into sinful behavior. We realize our guilt and then hide in the corner, not wanting to confess and disappoint our beloved Master.

But I think that what we forget is that God knows all our faults already! We won't be confessing anything that will surprise Him. After all, God is omniscient - He knows the end from the beginning, and He knows His children from before they were even born. When Christ hung on the Cross, all of OUR sins were still future. Yet God still placed them upon His Son and Jesus bore the full brunt of God's wrath for those sins. The debt I owe has been paid - it has been paid for 2,000 years!

When God called me to Him, to come to Him for His forgiveness and grace, all the eternal punishment for my sins had been paid for. Not only that, but God then placed all the righteousness of the life Jesus lived upon me. I - and all believers - are clothed with Christ's perfection, and may stand upright before the holy God. This presents an odd and uncomfortable dichotomy: although we have been declared righteous, and although we have received the righteousness of Christ credited to our account, we still sin and stumble and forget and stray.

I think that's where this song comes from. I think that's where our feelings of uncertainty come from. Our head, our new spirit, KNOWS our position before God - but our bodies and hearts are still living here on earth. We want so much to obey and to live lives which glorify God, and yet we constantly fail. And so we get caught up in "proving" our faith and love to a God who already knows our heart! Knowing us so well, God has made provision already for our failures: payment for our sin and complete restoration to His family.

So, God can't love me less when I sin and fail: He already proved His infinite love for me when His Son loved me so much that He died for my sins. And how could God love me more, when, as I said, His Son sacrificed Himself on my behalf, even knowing all my sins?

God has proven His love to be perfect, and the vacillations of my feelings are of no account. When I feel like I'm failing God and He loves me less, I need to turn to Him in confession and trust, for His love will never leave me nor forsake me. When I get into super-Christian mode and try to earn my way into His favor, again, I must come before Him in confession and faith, knowing that it is not by my righteousness but that of my Savior that I have been granted access to Heaven.

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,  in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:1-9, bold emph. mine)

It is God who has done this wonderful work and given me the freedom to live and worship Him in my imperfections. Any work that God does is perfect and complete - and so I know that I can

[be] confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in [me] will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ

Every time I stumble, therefore, every time I fail, I need to come back to His Word and remind myself of His objective truth. I am what He says I am - and He says that I am HIS. I am His servant and His child. He knew me before I was formed in the womb, and He chose me from eternity past. It is by His perfect and holy will that He called me, and not because of anything I had done or earned. For some reason known only to Him, He chose me in my unworthiness, and I will forever be grateful!

As I have said before, it is a tightrope at times, but I know the hands of God are holding and guiding me, and I know He will work out His will for my life. But since I am still this side of Glory, I am still walking by faith, and not by sight. And that's OK, because "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day."

Technorati Tags: faith, Christian walk, Bible

YOU won't show the video?! Well, then, *I* will... (UPDATED)

It's too upsetting? It's too graphic?

You know what, you media cowards? These barbarians are out to kill us, to take away our God-given rights, to beat us into submission, to weary us until we give up - and YOU'RE letting them.  YOU'RE aiding them.

Don't EVER forget what happened six years ago:

 

On September 11, 2001, at Barksdale Air Force Base, President Bush concluded his brief statement with

The resolve of our great nation is being tested. But make no mistake: We will show the world that we will pass this test. God bless.

Yes. We were and are being tested. President Bush said we would pass this test, and I suppose in some ways we have - life has gone on, our economy has recovered, elections have been held as usual, our citizens do not live in terror.

But our resolve - most particularly that of the lunatic left - has faltered and become unfocused. The Main Stream Media would prefer to support and empathize with terrorists, publish sensitive material about national security, and excoriate and second-guess our Commander in Chief. Organizations like Code Pink and MoveOn -dot- org accuse our military leaders of lying for President Bush, yet they claim that they support our troops. Democratic leaders of Congress claim we have lost the way, that the surge has failed, and that the war - the one THEY VOTED FOR - is illegal.

Yeah, guys, I question your patriotism. I question your integrity. I question your love for this country.

I despise your weak willed and disruptive waffling (and I am including Republicans in this), and your quest for power and influence at the expense of securing our borders and truly supporting our military personnel and their mission. You disgust me, and your actions shame our proud and brave heritage. You are an embarrassment to the heroes who have sacrificed their lives to defend this country and promote freedom.

Who was it that said, "First, we hang all the lawyers"? He ought to have said "politicians"!

UPDATE: Misha, as always, expresses my sentiments far better and more eloquently than I could here:

Later that evening, as the full realization of what had just happened had finally sunk in, the Empress and I were holding each other tight and it struck me (she was very very pregnant with the Royal Heirs back then): “Our children will never know the world we grew up in. To them, the pre-9/11 world simply won’t exist.”

And I resolved, right then and there, that I would never rest, I would never be satisfied until every last motherfucking son of a syphilitic Moongod-worshipping goat had been annihilated so that our boys could live in a world where sick fanatics DIDN’T use civilian airliners as cruise missiles.

And I will stay true to that until I die. This isn’t over until every single Asshole for Allah and everybody who has ever muttered as much as a sympathetic word about them is dead and rotting, if I have to kill the swine myself.

There will be no forgetting, there will be no forgiving until they’re dead. All of them. Wipe them out, erase every single memory of them and make it a capital offense to as much as mention their names without immediately spitting.

Then wipe out their offspring, their friends, their pets, their cities, their villages, their holy sites, ANYTHING that might remind people that they ever were.

THEN I will be at peace, not before.

Amen, my brother. Amen, indeed.

And just as a wee small sample of the "character" of our enemies...

(Submitted to the Open Trackback post at Stop the ACLU)

Technorati Tags: 9-11, 9/11, September 11 2001, Twin Towers, Pentagon, Shanksville PA, terrorism, traitors

"Never Forget What Our Enemies Are Capable Of"

From Society of Americans for National Existence:

Slide show at THIS LINK. Speakers recommended.

Recently Cal Thomas wrote the following essay about 9/11 (emphases mine):

Forget 9/11 at Our Peril

Throughout our young history, Americans have been admonished to "Remember the Alamo," "Remember the Maine" and "Remember Pearl Harbor." These remembrances — and others — were for the purpose of motivating the public to fight on until an enemy was vanquished. When victory was assured, the memory faded into history.

Now, as we approach the sixth anniversary of Sept. 11, there are suggestions that we should begin to forget the worst terrorist incident in America's history. Recently, a front-page story in The New York Times suggested it is becoming too much of a burden to remember the attack, that nothing new can be said about it and that, perhaps, Sept. 11 "fatigue" may be setting in.

NEVER forget!

It may have been six years ago, but I will never forget.

I will never forget who was responsible. I will never forget the ideology which promoted this atrocity. I will never forget the inhumanity of these murders.

I will not forget those who are apologists for Islamic terrorism.

If I did, the ghosts of the 3,000 killed that day and those of our brave soldiers who gave their all to the fight would rise up and condemn me.

NEVER FORGET!!!

(Thank you, Ward, for reminding me of this video)

Technorati Tags: 9-11, Twin Towers, Islamic terrorism, terrorists, murder

Last.fm has hooked me...

I really like the way it will see what I already have on my iTunes and add it to my preferences (saves a lot of work!). I've been a wee bit confused with "scrobbling" and playlists, but I did figure them out once I applied my brain to it (gee, surprise!).

I'm not usually one for "social networking" sites - facebook and del.icio.us (or however it's punctuated) are baffling to me - but this one just might work for me! There are also widgets I can use here on CatHouse Chat - or there will once Last.fm gets enough info to generate lists and recommendations.

So go check out Last.fm and see if you can join the musical parade! If you'd like to friend me there, I'm using my romeokat -at- gmail -dot- com e-mail addy, or you can go to my user page.

Technorati Tags: Last.fm, social networking, music, online music

Sad that it's Monday? Here's something fun...

I went over to Neatorama because of a link from the Evangelical Outpost's weekly 33 Things list, and the post for this little video was just begging me to click on it!

Technorati Tags: Neatorama, mean kitty song

All this family needs is ANOTHER car accident!

But praise God, His angels were on the job and protected me this morning.

It reminded me of all the blessings He has given me - a healthy body, alert mind, and good reflexes; a solid car with excellent brakes and maneuverability; and, as I said, His angels watching over me.

The Darling Munchkin came out of it only a little shaken up, the car wasn't even touched, and the other driver remained completely oblivious. And, I suppose that the need to walk off the adrenalin rush is helpful in getting me to exercise...!

My Munchkin's reaction? "Well, Mom, now I understand why you say you drive as if everyone's out to kill you... They are!"

Thank God for His protection and mercy, and I pray that He will prompt that lady to drive more carefully in the future.

I think I'm in love with the Manolo...

Read the whole thing... but take particular note of the last two paragraphs...

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Technorati Tags: Osama bin Laden, Osama bin Metrosexual, the Manolo, makeover

What can you say?

What can you say to a man whose eyes, normally rich with laughter, are dark with grief? What do you say to him when he will never hear his wife call his name again? What do you say when you see strong shoulders, which once carried laughing daughters, now crumbled and shaking? What can you do when you cannot hear the humor and joy in his voice because they are drowned out by the weeping of the past two weeks?

What do you say to him when he doesn't share the hope of Jesus' claim

I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.

The memorial service yesterday was moving and beautiful - but where a family was, it is no longer. How do you respond to the cry, "Where was God in all of this?!" or "How could God allow this to happen?!"

Yes, I can point to the Cross and show that God knows what it is like to have an innocent and beloved child die a terrible death. I can talk about the boundless love of God that He would plan for His Son to die on that Cross for our sins, so that He could offer full and free forgiveness to us when we accept His wondrous gift... But somehow, in the midst of the grief, God just asked me to be quiet, to pray, and to offer my love and sorrow in support.

Perhaps one day, the prayers and supplications you-all have sent up to the Throne will be answered, and this good man will be able to rise up with praise on his lips and renewed joy in his heart.

So please keep praying!

In the meantime, One Wise Girl posted this video this morning which I'd like to pass on

As for me, I want to thank all my friends who have been praying for ME! The blessing you have given surpasses all understanding. Let me post the lyrics to Jeremy Camp's song, "I Still Believe," and you'll see where I am right now -

Scattered words and empty thoughts
Seem to pour from my heart
I've never felt so torn before
Seems I don't know where to start
But its now that I feel Your grace fall like rain
From every fingertip washing away my pain

I still believe in Your faithfulness
I still believe in Your truth
I still believe in Your holy word
Even when I don't see, I still believe

Though the questions still fog up my mind
With promises I still seem to bear
Even when answers slowly unwind
It's my heart I see You prepare
But its now, that I feel, Your grace fall like rain
From every fingertip washing away my pain

I still believe in Your faithfulness
I still believe in Your truth
I still believe in Your holy word
Even when I don't see, I still believe

Well the only place I can go is into Your arms
Where I throw to You my feeble prayers well in brokenness
I can see that this was Your will for me
Help me to know that You are near

I still believe in Your faithfulness
I still believe in Your truth
I still believe in Your holy word
Even when I don't see, I still believe

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Memorial Service is today

I want to thank you all for your very kind support and prayers during this terrible time. I'm going up in an hour to attend the memorial service, which the family prefers to keep private. It's obviously going to be a very difficult day, and so I would ask for your continued prayers - on my behalf, for strength and to show God's love and compassion; and upon the dad, for peace and rest, and for God to use this tragedy - somehow, some way - to break through with His grace,  mercy, and saving power.

Thank you again, and may God richly bless you for the love you have poured out on our behalf!

So FDT is finally in.....(by Kender, still tending the house here)

So Fred Dalton Thompson has finally announced (officially) that he is running for President.  It seems to me from the talks I have had with a lot of conservatives that he will have a bit of a time with it, as many conservatives are willing to compromise standard conservative principles and support rudy, or whine about the "lack of experience" that Thompson has compared to Mitt or Rudy. 

I say that is a plus.  This man has no political baggage.  He doesn't OWE anyone, which means he is free from the favor syndrome, which goes along the lines of I help you now you help me later.

Fred is free of tons of political baggage that comes from years of compromising with those that you disagree with.

I kinda like that fact about him.  Let's hire someone new that is thinking outside of the box, and isn't scared to piss people off.