Freedom is Not Free

"Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from hishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan..."

—General John Logan, General Order No. 11, May 5, 1868.

Memorial Day is observed annually on the last Monday of May.  It was originally known as Decoration Day and was first celebrated after the Civil War to pay tribute to and honor the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War.

On this Memorial Day and always, Americans, especially with this president in office, we must heed the words of President Ronald Reagan:

“…Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have…Concentrated power has always been the enemy of liberty… Democracy is worth dying for, because it's the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man… Each generation goes further than the generation preceding it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation. You will have opportunities beyond anything we've ever known… Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States… Facts are stubborn things.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”

The choice to use this video for publication on Memorial Day was not an easy one.  The producer of this video wrote the following description for it.

"Mansions of the Lord" performed by the Cadet Glee Club of West Point

It was this hymn that inspired the production "Stand Ye Steady -- Songs of Courage and Inspiration".

During the closing credits of the movie "We Were Soldiers", I heard this hymn sung by the Cadet Glee Club of West Point. After listening to it over and over, moved by its reverent lyrics sung to a melody that healed a generation of soldiers so unjustly held in scorn and, at the same time, conveying a comforting eternal Truth, I contacted the Glee Club Director Constance Chase and proposed the production. Many of the Glee Club's followers consider this hymn to be the signature performance of the Glee Club. The opportunity to create "Stand Ye Steady" became a reality in 2004.

What makes this hymn so special is that it is based on Scripture from the Gospel of John, Chapter 14:

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

Were there ever more direct and authoritative words spoken by Jesus Christ than, "...if it were not so, I would have told you."

Let us thank the Good Lord for this certainty and let us thank Him for expressing it to us so directly. "Oh Lord, when the Men and Women defending our Country on ground, sea or in the air, and we Citizens of the United States of America, pray for the shelter of Your invincible hand, let us rest in these Your words. 

Here is why we celebrate Memorial Day.

For the curious, Country Music star Trace Adkins’ “Arlington” was the runner up video for Memorial Day.

The History Channel has an outstanding Memorial Day Tribute on its website and we encourage you to visit the site >>

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

One Every 90 Seconds...

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CAPITALISM 101: What do Private Equity Firms Really Do?

Confused by all the hub-bub over private equity firms?  Here is a crash course on how private equity firms work.

If you are skeptical of this explanation because of its source, we invite you to educate yourself on the subject and become an informed voter.

RELATED STORY

• Romney Bain Capital Record Targeted By Obama Campaign (FIJ)

The Old Guard, a day in the life: Fife and Drum Corps

“…It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, or the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

—President Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, November 19, 1863.

Today we present part four of our six parts Memorial Day week series entitled: “The Old Guard, a day in the life.” From practicing rifle maneuvers to guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier, to working burial details at Arlington National Cemetery the 3rd US infantry is the oldest active Infantry Regiment in United States Army and was created in 1784. This is a must watch especially this week for anyone who wants to see what professionalism and dedication and honor really mean.

We hope you’ll join us for the entire series and come away with a greater respect for the men and women in the United Stated Military today and those who we remember, honor and celebrate every Memorial Day. Please watch.

The hours and hours of hard work and practice culminate with performances like this one  at the Virginia Tattoo in 2007.

The “Tolerant” Left

And here we thought the “Hollywood Left” and the Left in general was tolerant and open to diversity?

Well, it would appear actor Will Smith didn't get the memo or didn't bother to read his Russia travel guide.

As you will see, Mr. Smith wasn't exactly "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” or “Mr. Nice Guy" at last Friday's “Men in Black 3” movie premiere in Moscow. When a male Ukrainian journalist attempted to kiss the actor, during a friendly exchange, Smith lashed out--shoving the man and then slapping him in the face, becoming the pejorative "Ugly American".  Here’s the evidence of Mr. Smith’s cultural faux pas.  Détente is overated.

As it turns out, Smith is actually the one with the problem—his problem is that he is either culturally retarded, homophobic or allergic to nuts (peanuts or pistachios).  

Our research found that Russia’s kissing culture has always been one of the most beloved things in Russia and historically people always have liked to kiss.  The article noted, too that:

However for some people kissing may be dangerous. Recently, an American medical research report was published on people who are allergic to nuts. The report found that people with such allergies could have a terrible reaction if they kissed a partner who had just eaten peanuts or pistachios. This is terrible. So, be careful if you have allergies to nuts. And we truly feel sorry for you.

Maybe Smith should have slapped his body guards for not doing their job instead of some young journalist just trying to do his in a country that does not embrace a free press.

Don’t Let Tom Barrett Threaten your Second Amendment Rights

Gov. Scott Walker has earned the NRA-PVF endorsement for his unwavering pro-gun record throughout his political career,” said Chris W. Cox, chairman of NRA-PVF. “His commitment to preserving our Second Amendment rights and hunting heritage makes Scott Walker the clear choice for Wisconsin gun owners.”

 Walker strongly supports the right-to-carry in Wisconsin and has vowed to sign a “shall issue” bill into law.  He supported an amendment to the Wisconsin state constitution that would guarantee the individual right to keep and bear arms and efforts to ensure uniformity in state gun laws and prevent a patchwork of confusing local ordinances and regulations across the state. Walker also voted for a state constitutional amendment to protect the right to hunt and fish. Because of his consistent support for individual gun ownership rights, Scott Walker has earned an “A” rating from the NRA-PVF.

By contrast, Walker's opponent, Tom Barrett, has earned an “F” rating from the NRA-PVF for his long history of anti-gun activism and his lengthy anti-gun record as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Barrett has worked closely with anti-gun New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg as a member of the anti-gun front group “Mayors Against Illegal Guns.”  He opposes right-to-carry in Wisconsin and supports gun bans and state gun registration. Barrett also supports legislation that would regulate gun shows out of business.

VOTE JUNE 5

The Old Guard, a day in the life: Tomb Sentinel

Here is part three of our six parts Memorial Day week series entitled: “The Old Guard, a day in the life.”   From practicing rifle maneuvers to guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier, to working burial details at Arlington National Cemetery the 3rd US infantry is the oldest active Infantry Regiment in United States Army and was created in 1784. This is a must watch especially this week for anyone who wants to see what professionalism and dedication and honor really mean.

We hope you’ll join us for the entire series and come away with a greater respect for the men and women in the United Stated Military today and those who we remember honor and celebrate every Memorial Day.  Please watch.

"The most important choice is to get involved"

 

We bring you this important message from the First Lady from October, 2010, just before the mid-term elections.

Obama 2012—Are You In?

REALITY CHECK:

• Health Reform In Supreme Court: End Of Affordable Care Act? (Huffington post)
• Obama touts Wall Street reform bill, slams Boehner (CNN)
• Number of the Week: Student Loan Bubble (WSJ)

Three Lies About Gov. Scott Walker's Recall

Nick Gillespie of Reason.tv and Reason.com refutes three lies about Governor Scott Walker’s record after one year in office.

The Old Guard, a day in the Life: Drill Team Rehearsal

This is part two of our six part Memorial Day week series entitled: “The Old Guard, a day in the life.”   From practicing rifle maneuvers to guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier, to working burial details at Arlington National Cemetery the 3rd US infantry is the oldest active Infantry Regiment in United States Army and was created in 1784. This is a must watch especially this week for anyone who wants to see what professionalism and dedication and honor really mean.

We hope you’ll join us for the entire series and come away with a greater respect for the men and women in the United Stated Military today and those who we remember honor and celebrate every Memorial Day.  Please watch.

Congratulations to the Franklin High School Class of 2012

Dear FHS 2012 Graduate:

You are about to enter the Highway of Life.  Buckle your seatbelt and don’t forget to wear sunscreen!  Here is some free advice from the publishers of THE FRANKLIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL.

Closer to Home: Remembering the US Marines of the Battle of Tarawa

As Memorial Day approaches FIJ wishes to honor the Fathers of two long-time readers for their service to our Country in WWII.  One Father fought in the horrendous Pacific Battle of Tarawa.

We also wish to honor another long-time reader's Father who served aboard the USS Pope and participated in the capture of German U-505.

 From the video’s description:

On June 4, 1944, an American anti-submarine squadron accomplished an incredible feat, capturing the German U-boat U-505 and all hands. This film celebrates the achievement and explains how it happened. It certainly wasn't a fluke. Commander Daniel Gallery, of the USS Guadalcanal, was convinced he could surface and capture an enemy submarine, and he drilled his crews in the art of boarding. When the aircraft carrier USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60) and its destroyer escorts, USS Pillsbury (DE-133), USS Pope (DE-134), USS Flaherty (DE-135), USS Chatelain (DE-149) and USS Jenks (DE-665), got a contact, they worked in close concert to achieve the capture. German submarine commander Herald Lange and his crew were neatly captured, and their boat towed to Bermuda. Today this Type IXC U-boat rests in the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, a nice war prize delivered in style by the U.S. Navy.

Now it Can Be Told: U-505 Capture - Part 2

First Amendment Denied Certain Students in One North Carolina School

North Carolina Teacher Tells Student He Could Be Arrested for Talking Badly About Obama

Coming on the heels of the announcement of Franklin Public Schools’ Teachers of the Year, THE BLAZE reported today:

Last Monday, a high school student in North Carolina engaged his social studies teacher in a heated debate about politics and the two leading presidential candidates. During the exchange, the teacher (an obvious Obama supporter) got very angry with the student and accused him of disrespecting the president. She even went so far as to tell the boy that he could be jailed for speaking ill of Obama.  Read full story.  You will also find a link to the classrom audio.  The students are smarter and better informed than this"social studies teacher."  Parents should demand she be fired.

RELATED MEDIA

• Video stirs debate on teacher's actions in North class
• NC Teacher Screams at Student: It’s Criminal to Criticize Obama

Update on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 4:57 PM by Basil Ryan and Fred Keller

NC Teacher Suspended After Yelling At Obama Critic

The Old Guard, a day in the Life: Never Falter

“…It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

—President Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, November 19, 1863.  

Today we begin a six part Memorial Day week series entitled: “The Old Guard, a day in the life.”   From practicing rifle maneuvers to guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier, to working burial details at Arlington National Cemetery the 3rd US infantry is the oldest active Infantry Regiment in United States Army and was created in 1784. This is a must watch especially this week for anyone who wants to see what professionalism and dedication and honor really mean.

We hope you’ll join us for the entire series and come away with a greater respect for the men and women in the United Stated Military today and those who we remember, honor and celebrate every Memorial Day.  Please watch.

Romney Bain Capital Record Targeted By Obama Campaign

President Obama continues to stoke the flames of class warfare.

Huff Post has reported that President Barack Obama's reelection campaign on Monday morning opened a new front in its election faceoff with presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney, releasing documentary-style videos and a full website portraying Romney as a job-destroying corporate takeover artist.  Read the full story...

Of course, the Obama campaign left out a few FACTS.

FACT: Bain Capital LLC shut down in 2001. Romney left Bain in 1999, long before the plant closing, to run the XIX Olympic Winter Games in February 2002 in Salt Lake City.

FACT: A political power-player serving as a director of Bain at the time of the steel company's bankruptcy and layoffs--Jonathan Lavine. Lavine joined Bain in 1993. He is currently a Managing Director, and since its inception, managing partner and the Chief Investment Officer of Sankaty Advisors.

Blaming Romney for decisions made two years after he left the company is deceitful at best, but blaming predecessors is what Obama does better than anything else--it his trademark tactic.  Lavine joined Bain Capital in 1993.

Lavine is also a major bundler for President Obama, raising between $100-200k for his reelection.

SUGGESTION: Maybe the president should use some of Lavine's donations to help the steelworkers featured in his ad.

RELATED STORY

• Bain Attacks Get More Awkward for Obama 

Congratulations to the Franklin Public Schools 2012 Teachers of the Year

We see from Franklin School Board President, Janet Evan’s blog "Board's Eye View" that the 2012 FPS Teachers of the year have been announced.THE FRANKLIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL also extends our congratulations to this year's finest.

Nominations for Teacher of the Year are submitted each year by parents, staff and community members to recognize exemplary teachers in the Franklin Public School District.  Nominees are chosen by a vote of their peers.  Here are the 2012 Franklin public Schools Teachers of the Year.

Elementary School Teacher of the Year

Karen Ruid, Robinwood Elementary

Middle School Teacher of the Year

 Michelle Koenig, Math Teacher

High School Teacher of the Year

  Ann Nienhaus, Math Teacher

Interested readers may read each teacher’s nomination and acceptance on the FPS website.

Franklin’s BEST will be recognized during the Franklin school Board Meeting on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 6:00 PM at the Education and Community Center 8255 West Forest Hill Avenue.

What personifies a great teacher?  We think we have found the answers in this video.  Please watch.

CONGRATULATIONS Ladies!  

Quarry Draft Ordinance Too Dense for City Leaders

In its story covering last Tuesday’s Common Council Meeting FranklinNOW reported:

The limestone quarries on Rawson Avenue were at the center of debate at the city's Common Council meeting Tuesday, as alderman sought to create a citizen advisory board that would oversee monitoring of the sites.

To meet concerns of residents living near the quarries, the city has issued a request for proposals for a private contractor that would monitor blasting and air quality at the quarries. A draft ordinance tentatively defined a citizens [sic] panel that, together with the Plan Commission, would "check what they (the monitors) are doing," in the words of Common Council President Steve Taylor...  Read more.

In October of last year THE FRANKLIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL (FIJ) ran a story asking Who's Monitoring the Quarry?  At that time we wrote that the City admitted quarry operations had gone unmonitored for the past six years.  Were it not for concerned Franklin citizens living across the street from the quarry and upset with the Payne & Dolan quarry "enhancement” (expansion), who knows how long the quarry's emissions would have gone unmonitored.

Residents Call for Neighborhood Meeting

In attendance and representing the City of Franklin at this neihborhood meeting was Mark Luberda, Director of Administration. Mr. Luberda told those in attendance that it appeared Franklin has been lax about monitoring quarry issues.  Those in attendance were particularly interested in discussing the limestone quarry’s operations and why the quarries were not being monitored. Mr. Luberda said the contract that Franklin had in place to monitor the quarry lapsed in 2005 and the City never took up the issue again. When one of the Franklin residents asked him "why," Luberda answered, “Maybe there were no complaints.” Another Franklin resident pointed out that “perhaps there were no complaints because the quarries were not being monitored.”

In the end, the citizens group agreed that the blasting, dust and berms are getting much worse and the whole situation is out of hand. If that is the case, we ask why would Franklin city leaders allow the quarries to expand without any independent monitoring?

As reported by FranklinNOW, here are some of the aldermen’s comments pertaining to the draft that was presented and debated during the Council meeting.

Alderwoman Kristen Wilhelm proposed that committee members be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council, and that city staff support the committee. But a dense paragraph in the draft outlining the duties of the panel drew criticism.

Alderman Tim Solomon asked whether the committee would be "micromanaging the consultant." Alderman Doug Schmidt said he was "overwhelmed by the amount of verbiage" in the draft.

Finally, Aldermen Wilhelm and Olson said they would work together to produce a new draft, along with the city attorney and administrators.

In the end the Council decided not to take any action on the matter and the draft ordinance was set aside for more work.

Click here to listen to the audio of the May 15 Common Council meeting.

FIJ coverage of this story

• Is the Quarry Expanding? Well...yes and no
• Who's Monitoring the Quarry?
• “There is absolutely no expansion of the quarry with the approval of this project”
• City’s Elected Officials and Payne & Dolan’s Dirty Little Secret

FIJ's Memorial Day Week-long Tribute

On Monday we begin a six part Memorial Day week-long tribute to those who gave their lives to protect and defend the freedoms we enjoy.  The series is entitled: “The Old Guard, a day in the life.”  The mission of “The Old Guard” (The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment is to conduct memorial affairs to honor their fallen comrades, and ceremonies and special events and to represent the U.S. Army by communicating its story to our Nation's citizens and the world.  "The Old Guard," is the oldest active-duty infantry unit in the Army, serving our nation since 1784.

Bill Whittle: "Beta Nation"

What would we do without clinical psychologists from California?

We aren’t sure whether this episode will register with readers under 50-years old.  For those of us who can however: “Those were the days…”

Bill Whittle’s “FIREWALL” is a regular feature on FIJ.

Citizens for Responsible Government Fails in Effort to Recall Democrat Sen. Jauch

Orville Seymour, Citizens for Responsible Government Network Field Operations Director.WEAU.com recently reported:

A committee working to recall a northern Wisconsin senator has suspended its efforts.

Shirl LaBarre of Hayward registered a committee to recall Sen. Bob Jauch, a Poplar Democrat, to punish him for opposing a bill that would have jumpstarted an iron mine south of Ashland.

The committee has until May 18 to collect the 15,720 signatures it would need to force Jauch into an election. Citizens for Responsible Government Network, which works to elect conservative candidates, has been helping the committee…

[CRG] issued a statement on the committee's behalf Friday saying the recall has been suspended. CRG Network Field Operations Director Orville Seymer (sic) says people are focused on recalls involving Republican Gov. Scott Walker and volunteers are spread thin.  Read full story