Whose Land Is It Anyway?: US Taking a Family Farm, and AZ Immigration Laws

~by, Angela Kaye Mason

I suggest that before reading my article you check this link out...  IT’S YOUR LAND:Fighting for the Family Farm and read the story of our own government trying to take a family's farm. I think I need someone to explain something to me. Namely, why is it that the federal government thinks it is necessary to try and take a family farm, (which has been in this family for three generations, and has been a family farm for three hundred years) in an effort to protect our border in to Canada, and yet Arizona is wrong to try and get rid of illegal aliens, such as those who have MURDERED an American rancher in our southern states?

 Full Text of The Arizona Immigration Law 

It is NOT a new law, it is enforcement of a federal law, it is NOT about racism, no one has a problem with legal immigrants, the problem is with ILLEGAL aliens. The cops cannot ask for papers unless there has already been a reason to question the person, such as they were committing a CRIME. So Obama's ice cream analogy was pure ignorance. Should we apologize for not wanting criminals in our states who do not belong here? We have enough of our own! What is wrong with our country?

Things have gotten to be so candy-coated that we cannot even breathe without offending someone. A generation of kids who are so thin skinned that every little comment hurts their feelings are being raised up in a country where people from other countries and religions want us dead, and have succeeded in killing thousands of us in terrorist attacks such as The World Trade Center. Have we all forgotten that? Allow me to remind you. 

Members of a religious belief who openly want all Americans dead came to the USA from their country and went to our own schools to learn to fly our own airplanes. On obtaining their pilot's license, did they use their American gained education to be successful and prosperous citizens? NO, they flew two 747 jets into a building complex which was 13.4 million square feet and full of American citizens. In a suicide attack, these hijackers flew both of the planes into the Twin Towers, one in each tower in an effort to cause the most damage in this coordinated and well planned tragedy. After burning for 56 minutes, the South Tower collapsed, followed about 30 minutes later by the north tower. There were 2,750 AMERICAN citizens MURDERED that day, crushed to death in a burning building by people from another country, of another religion, who hated us, yet we are the ones accused of hate.

And now, after all of this, we are considered to be bad if we do not trust people. We must be so "politically correct" that we have to worry more about whether or not we might have offended ONE person than the possibility that that ONE person could kill 2700 Americans. I'd rather hurt someone's feelings myself. They should not be so sensitive anyway. If I belonged to a religion from a country that wanted to kill thousands of people, I would expect to be doubted, watched, and even questioned. I would much rather hurt the feelings of Obama's hypothetical ice cream family than to lie to myself, and tell myself that everyone who comes to America is nice people and they won't hurt me. Take the attempted NYC car bomber, Faisal Shahzhad for instance, he lived here for YEARS, had a normal family, bought a home, went to school, seemed to be a wonderful case for immigration. Look how dangerous he turned out to be. If he had succeeded we would be living September 11, 2001 all over again. And this was a LEGAL immigrant! Look at Jihad Jane, a blonde haired blue eyed petite woman who looked nothing like a terrorist. Quite frankly I don't trust anyone anymore, unless I know them. If police wanted to ask me for my ID, I would be glad to show them, and feel much safer knowing that my area was being properly protect NO MATTER WHOSE FEELINGS IT HURTS.

Now we are not allowed to be suspicious of anyone. We are expected to go around like little children being nice to everyone, and trusting that they won't hurt us. I remember, even as a child, we were warned not to trust strangers. Hello-the world has not gotten better since then, Mr. Government, it has gotten worse. Well, since it seems the government no longer has a desire to protect me, I suppose I must protect myself. So I'll start off by being as UNpolitically correct as possible.

If you are staring at me, and speaking really fast in a language I don't understand, I don't trust you. If you belong to a religion which has killed thousands of people from my country, I don't trust you, if you insist on trying to force me to accept you, I don't trust you, if you think it is okay to come into my country and want me to learn to speak YOUR native tongue, I don't trust you, if you try to take away my right to pray, speak about God, write my beliefs, and voice my opinion, I don't trust you, if you think I need to press '1' for English, I don't trust you, and on the same token, if you don't trust me, I understand completely. We cannot afford to remain politically correct when the meaning of those words has been translated to "Be so nice to people that you give them every opportunity that they can have to come to your own country, into your own homes, at your own workplaces and kill you. But do not ever question suspicious people, or act distrustful to them, because you might offend them." Know what, tough luck, be offended!

Controversial Mojave Desert War Memorial Cross Stolen!

By, Angela Kaye Mason

The cross which was erected over 75 years ago in 1934 to honor the soldiers who had been killed in WWI has been the center of controversy for many years. In a previous article, I brought the story of this cross and it’s history, along with the Supreme Court’s decision to let the cross stand where it was. A group of people who were against the religious symbol being on public soil had fought to have the cross taken down, but they lost in a 5-4 ruling last month. Apparently sore losers, someone snuck in cowardly over the weekend and ripped the cross from it’s perch.

In an article by the AFP, The National Park Service (by the way, it was employees of the National Parks who first complained about the cross being allowed to stay on the land) confirmed that the cross, which had stood seven feet tall on the hill for so many decades, had been ripped down. The thieves apparently cut through the bolts which were holding the cross in place on Sunrise Rock sometime on Sunday or Monday.

The original cross which was erected in 1934 was a Latin cross. It has been replaced over the years as needed, until finally, about a decade ago, this metal version was installed. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy ruled last month that the cross could stay, stating, “A Latin cross is not merely a reaffirmation of Christian beliefs,” he wrote. “Here, a Latin cross in the desert evokes far more than religion. It evokes thousands of small crosses in foreign fields marking the graves of Americans who fell in battles, battles whose tragedies are compounded if the fallen are forgotten.”

Since the Supreme Court has already ruled that the VA can keep the spot of land, and have a cross there if they choose to, all that is really needed is the erection of another cross, however the act of those who stole it is embarrassingly childish and a source of disgust to many-whose families, loved ones, and ancestors fought for the very freedom which the thieves enjoy (for now). Those fallen heroes are the ones for whom the cross was erected.

One Win For Religious Freedom: Supreme Court Says Mojave Desert Cross Can Stay!!

The decision was finally made by the Supreme Court today, in the case of the Mojave Desert Cross, which has been the center of controversy for the last several years. The cross has been covered in plywood throughout that time as the argument ensued. Since it was said that the cross could not be displayed on government land, a proposal was in place to transfer the spot of land which the cross sits on into private hands, so the cross could stay. A lower court had formerly denied the request, saying that the transfer did not sufficiently eliminates the concerns of those who did not want a religious symbol on public land, such as the Mojave National Preserve.

The Supreme Court announced today, however, that that lower court had gone too far by ordering that the cross be removed from it’s long time home on top of a remote rocky hill in California’s Mojave desert. The congressionally endorsed war memorial was erected by the VFW on the federal reserve over 75 years ago. In a 5 to 4 vote, the Supreme Court supported the land transfer and decided that the cross can stay. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote, “Here one Latin cross in the desert evokes far more than religion. It evokes thousands of small crosses in foreign fields marking the graves of Americans who fell in battles, battles whose tragedies are compounded if the fallen are forgotten.” He added aloud, “The goal of avoiding governmental endorsement does not require eradication of all religious symbols in the public realm.”

The cross was first erected in 1934, to honor soldiers who were killed in WWI and was taken care of for 50 years by John Riley Brimley, who was a World War One Army medic. People have been gathering at the site for Easter services and the like, which became routine in 1984. Various volunteers have cared for the cross since then. It was boarded up in 2002, and The Liberty Legal Institute a law firm founded in 1997 to protect religious freedoms and First Amendment rights, thankfully teamed up with The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and other veterans service organizations to defend the Mojave Cross from removal.

The whole long drawn out drama was started when a National Parks Employee complained about the transfer. Justice Samuel Alito stated that he never would have allowed the employee to bring the objection about the land being placed into the hands of the VFW to have went to court in the first place. Chief Justice John Roberts was a little more comical with his opinion. In the lower court argument, a lawyer for the side wishing to stop the land transfer suggested that they would have no problem if the cross were taken down, the land sold to the VFW, and then the cross re-erected. “I do not see how it can make a difference for the government to skip that empty ritual and do what Congress told it to do - sell the land with the cross on it,” Roberts said.

It is about time our Supreme Court and justice system stood up for our freedoms. Although it is a small victory, it is a victory nonetheless, and I, for one, am glad to accept it, not only on the behalf on Christians everywhere, but in honor of those who died for this country, so that we would have the right to place a cross in the middle of a desert without worrying that complaints would have it taken down. And as for the National Parks Employee who complained? Let's all pray for them, they seem to need it!

National Day Of Prayer 2010: White House Observance Cancelled

It’s all over Facebook, “President Obama has decided that there will no longer be a “National Day of Prayer” held in May. He doesn’t want to offend anybody. Where was his concern about offending Christians last January when he allowed the Muslims to hold a day of prayer on the capitol grounds. As a Christian American “I am offended.” if you agree copy and paste no matter what religion you are, this country was built on Freedom!!!”

And then there are the comebacks, “Not entirely true….snopes.com…..” showing that the message is not entirely correct, as it is written. The President did not cancel the entire day, he couldn’t even if he wanted to. A government can make laws about where you pray out loud, but they will never be able to stop anyone from praying- anywhere, anytime they wish, even if it is silent prayer.While it is true that prayer in America is under attack, no, President Barack Obama did not cancel the National Day of Prayer. What he DID do is announce the decision to cancel any observance of the day in the White House. There will be no prayer meeting at the White House as was tradition before Obama came into office. He made the same announcement last year.

Since much of American history has been removed from the history books, it is quite possible that some will disagree, but The National Day of Prayer is a very vital part of the nation’s heritage. The first call by the government for American citizens too pray was sent out by Congress in 1775, asking the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation. The very nation which now tries to claim that American forefathers did not intend for the citizens to mix prayer and government. The very same government which took a letter from Thomas Jefferson, cut out the words, “separation of church and state” and made it a law that America cannot have anything in it’s school and government buildings to imply religion. When these words were first written, school and church was held in the very same building, and the intent was to never allow government to make any rules about church, or religious beliefs.

The request from government for Americans to pray has continued since then all throughout history, such as when Lincoln proclaimed a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer” in 1863. A joint resolution between Congress, which was signed by President Truman declared that there would be a National Day of Prayer, to be held annually. In 1988, President Reagan amended the law, and permanently set the day as the first Thursday in every May. It is a law, which means President Obama would have to amend or repeal it in order to cancel the entire day. He cannot wipe out a law with just an announcement…he would need to go though a similar ordeal as the one which passed the Health Care Reform.

The National Day of Prayer was meant as a day to recall and teach the way that America’s founding fathers looked to God for the wisdom they needed as a new baby nation. Despite Obama canceling the National Day of Prayer SERVICE, The 59th Annual National Day of Prayer will take place Thursday, May 6, 2010. Millions will unite in prayer at thousands of events across America. The theme for this year is “Prayer for Such a Time as This” and is based on the verse from Nahum 1:7 which states: “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” (nationaldayofprayer.org) America is in much need of healing, and prayer is a good step towards getting there. “2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

RIGHT TO PRAY: We Will Not Go Gently Into That 'Good' Night

A school in Indiana will not go gently into that good night. They are absolutely refusing to give up the right to have prayer in their school without fighting the battle to it's end, although one of the school's top ranking student voted against the prayer.

In September, members of the graduating class of Greenwood High School shuffled into the school's auditorium for a vote on whether or not to have a prayer at the graduation ceremony. Most of these student voted in favor of the prayer. Eric Workman, the top ranking student, and suspected valedictorian of the school, voted "no."

Since the school was going ahead with the prayer, based on the majority vote, Workman decided to file a suit hoping to stop the prayer before his May 28th commencement. He has the ACLU backing his suit. The school, with the help of the community, is planning to spend whatever amount of money they need to in order to fight for the right to pray! "I think one of the reasons why people go along with the flow is you're dealing with a student and taxpayers' money. Then the ACLU gets involved and they're expecting the school to pay for everything, and you don't want to put the funds at risk.  But there just comes a time when you just have to stand up," Farley said.

The odds are not in their favor.

• In 2000, the Supreme Court ruled that students at a Texas public high school could not vote to approve holding student-led prayers over the public address system during school football games.

• In 1992, a Supreme Court ruling outlawed prayers by clergy at public school graduations.

• Non-denominational prayer has also been deemed unconstitutional.

"A lot of these schools, to avoid lawsuits or fights, will settle or change their practices," said Charles Haynes, senior scholar for the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center in Washington, D.C., referencing a case in Florida last year in which a complaint by a student immediately resulted in an apology and reversal in school policy district-wide.

Last month, student-led prayer offered daily through the public address system at Alabama's Alexandria High School stopped after a student questioned its legality.

"A lot of school districts take the path of least resistance," Haynes said.

This story really got me thinking. I am a pretty much calm, easy-going law abiding citizen, but lately I have had thoughts like," So what if a court decides they cannot pray, they should do it anyway. What can they do, lock up everyone at the graduation? I mean really, if someone who is NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE SCHOOL, takes the mic to speak, and says a prayer, who could really stop everyone there who wanted to from praying along? Do we not still have freedom of speech? I mean no one is forcing anyone else to pray who does not want to. The school is not fighting for the right to fail or punish any student who does not wish to pray. They are being fair to everyone, if you do not want to pray, THEN DON'T, but stop trying to walk all over the rights of those who do!! And Christians, it is your own fault if you let them. Look at Daniel. It was against the law for him to pray but did that stop him? NO.

When I was in the sixth grade this subject worried me alot. I remember thinking, "How can they stop me from praying? No one can stop you from that." I wrote a little poem, and I have seen variations all over the place since. My original version said something like"Though Satan tries to stop us and the Supreme Court makes it's rules, as long as kids have prayer, there WILL be prayer in schools!"

The government needs to understand...it is NOT the right to pray that we fight for, for NO ONE can stop us from praying anytime, anywhere we want. It is the right to pray together, out loud, the same way everyone voices anything else they want. In Florida they are fighting for the right to show the video of Dawn Brancheau, the Sea World trainer, being pummeled to death by a killer whale. They are calling the right to put the video online "Freedom of Speech" Are you kidding me? This falls under freedom of speech but the right to say out loud "God help these students as they travel into adulthood" is not?!

I realize this is a long post, but it is very important to me. I am getting frustrated with those who will not stand up. I write and get no feedback, I share and get no response, but I cannot stop. If we stop, we lose. Somewhere we forgot who we are. We are God's children, The same God who shut the Lion's mouth when Daniel was thrown into the den FOR PRAYING. And now when we are told we are not allowed to pray, we let it hurt our hearts for a moment, we lower our heads, we turn the other cheek, and we walk away...into that dark night. I , for one, will NOT go quietly!!! Who will stand with me?!?! Who will voice it out loud, in comments here, on their own profiles, who is not ashamed to let the world know, we will not go quietly!

 Here is what Andy Rooney thinks of prayer...I was sent this in an email yesterday, and it fit so well, that I am posting it here.

PLEASE PASS THIS ON!! Keep this going around the  globe. Read it and forward every time you receive it. We  can't give up on this issue. Andy Rooney and  Prayer Andy Rooney says: I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December.  I don't agree with Darwin,  but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his Theory of Evolution. Life, liberty, or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game.  So what's the big deal?  It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire Book of Acts.  They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game. But it's a Christian prayer, some will argue.  Yes, and this is the United States of America, a country founded on Christian principles.  According to our very own phone book, Christian churches  outnumber all others better than 200-to-1.  So what would you expect, somebody chanting Hare Krishna?  If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.  If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.  If I went to a ping pong match in China,  I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha. And I wouldn't be  offended.   It  wouldn't bother me one bit. When in Rome... But what about the atheists, is another argument?  What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized.  We're not going to pass the collection plate.  Just humor us for 30 seconds.  If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs.  Go to the bathroom.  Visit the concession stand.  Call your lawyer! Unfortunately, one or two will make that call.  One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do.  I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's  foundations.  Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights.   Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep.  Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing.  Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease  praying. God, help us.  And if that last sentence offends you, well, just sue  me. The silent majority has been silent too long..  It's time we tell that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard that the vast majority doesn't care what they want.  It is time that the majority rules!  It's time we tell them, "You don't have to pray; you don't have to say the Pledge of Allegiance; you don't have to  believe in God or attend services that honor Him.  That is your right, and we will honor your right; but by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away.  We are fighting back, and we WILL WIN!" God Bless us one and all...  Especially those who denounce Him, God Bless America, despite all her faults; she is still the  greatest nation of all.  God Bless our service men and women who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God. Let's make this the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the  foundation of our families and institutions. And our military forces come home from all the  wars.  Keep looking  up.

Tyranny Must be Resisted

DISCLAIMER: This was not written by me, it was a comment that I reposted (with permission) from a Veteran on Facebook.

My fellow Americans,

Please...make no mistake about this healthcare bill. This bill is not about healthcare and it is not about Obama, Pelosi, and Reid. No, this is much more vast and treacherous than that. It is nothing more than the "fundamental transformation of America"--translated as the transfer of power and redistribution of wealth to the socialist working class. This is about Marx, Lewinsky, Soros, Andy Stern, the unions, and other socialist elitists that manipulate the puppet strings attached to Obama, Reid, Pelosi, et al. ...

What we are witnessing is nothing less then the fruits of seeds that were planted over 60 years ago and only now are bearing fruit. The arrogant disrespect and disregard for the will of the people as they force this bill upon us only shows us that they truly believe that they have succeeded. Their blatant disregard for our constitution and our democratic principles is nothing short of tyranny and their actions are nothing short of treason!

We can wring our hands and express our fears and concerns and write letters and make phone calls and send e-mails that have only fallen on deaf ears. Paradoxically those efforts actually seem to have emboldened them more as they trample on our God-given rights and liberty.

We can begrudgingly concede defeat and cry and hope for change in November of 2012; however, they don't care about November of 2012 or 2014--for they feel their time has come. They have shown that they are willing to 'martyr' their own to achieve the end; in this, they are no different than the Taliban or Al Quaida.

We can bow our heads and acquiesce and accept the "fundamental transformation"--Or--we can fight and resist!

But to fight tyranny...we must leave our comfort zones...that means being willing to sacrifice life, liberties, and more! We should take inspiration from those patriots in Iran and China that have risked all and have even died resisting tyranny and opression. If they can do that for even a modicum of freedom, what then can we do for our sacred liberty?

I, for one, stand willing, able, and ready!

And, lest you dismiss me as just another revolutionary, reactionary, fanatic, or red-neck militia member with crazy conspiracy theories, I am a Vietnam era and first Iraqi war vet. I have served both as an enlisted soldier and an officer in the US Army.

I am an upper middle-class surgeon/physician in a very successful practice and am also completing my MBA. I have a wonderful family with children and live very comfortably in "middle America".

I am Hispanic-American and my family has been here in the US since 1692. I come from a very modest background where my family was very poor and I had about an even chance of going to school or ending up dead or in prison. I chose the military and am proud to be able to say I have served my country honorably. I have worked hard and sacrificed much to achieve what I have and to become who and what I am today.

I have seen and lived the best this country has to offer and now I see and am living the worst! In my 55 years, I never dreamed I would see this happen to my country. Like many of you here and unlike Mrs. Obama, for once in my life, I am truly ashamed of my country.

Slowly but surely, God has been taken out of our government and out of our schools. My children are being indoctrinated in school and not taught. They are introduced to concepts that I disagree with which is fine—as long as dissenting concepts and tenets are also introduced and taught!

But, introducing my children to homosexuality and gay rights in elementary school is NOT alright! Teaching them that we are responsible for global warming without counter evidence is NOT acceptable to me! Teaching them that eating meat is inhumane is not acceptable! Taking Jefferson out of history textbooks discussing ‘the enlightenment’ and replacing him with Voltaire is not OK!

It is MY job to indoctrinate my children in the beliefs, customs, culture, and moral judgments that I and my family hold dear! It is only the job of the school to teach my children how to read, write, communicate, and learn!

I try to teach my children that this is the best country in the world. But it is hard to reinforce that when they see the shameful things our government is doing today in the name of progressive liberalism.

The ACLU claims to defend our civil rights—please! They have done nothing but erode our rights for the benefit of small fringe groups and individuals!

Andy Stern and the unions claim to represent the rights of workers—yet any student of economy will tell you that unions drive up the cost of labor which drives down the demand for labor and which ultimately leads to higher unemployment for all. They also will not tell you that while unions drive up the wages and increase the standard of living for union workers--at the same time, wages for non-union workers and their standard of living is driven down.

This government will tell you that ‘big bad corporations’ are the only ones that will be taxed—what they don’t tell you is that corporations don’t pay taxes...people do...and taxes to corporations are like human waste...it flows downhill! They also do not tell you how taxes cause dead weight losses that decrease the overall welfare of those that carry the burden of the tax.

The main-stream media and press which is supposed to be our ever vigilant first line of defense has lost all sense of objectivity and has aligned itself with the progressive doctrine and the "fundamental transformation of America".

Enough is enough! I’ve had enough and this latest show of political chicanery and complete disregard and disrespect for the collective will of the people and our constitution by this government has driven me to an anger and discontent that I have never experienced before!

I am not advocating violence--yet-- and would very much love to just stay in my comfort zone and run my practice and build my businesses and sing "everything is beautiful". But in my heart and in my soul, I cannot just sit back and quiet as just another disaffected American while this great nation crumbles around me. I can’t do that for me, for my children and their children, and I can’t do it for you!

Tyranny is tyranny...whether here or abroad and we don’t need talking heads and politicians to define it for us—we see it, recognize it and it MUST be resisted by whatever means necessary!

Dismiss me as a ranting and raving conservative (I am a middle American!) if you will—but know this—I will fight with my life to defend the rights of even those I disagree with...I guarantee you they will not do the same for you!

John R. Vigil, MD