Historical

The Oath of Office:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

http://americanhistory.si.edu/presidency/1b2.html

How is it possible in this country that those standing on that bedraggled stage Saturday night, shouting bedraggled rhetoric and openly insinuating the damning of the Constitution and The Bill of Rights are the 'pick-o-the-crop' for us Americans, The People? All I hear as the underlying tone is damn us all until the enemy is defeated, even enemies this country's leaders helped create and foster and use against the American people for political maneuvering and influence and abuse.

These three, (or in this case, four), brilliant comedians gave us some of our earliest lessons on how creating a Problem, expecting a Reaction, and then offering a convenient, and urgently needed, Solution to their creation, works. The first is from 1936:

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VobSCO8APVM]

And since the plot worked so well, they redid it in 1951, with some subtle differences:

What a gut punch. I'm devastated....

Well, the media got their twisted wish in Paul’s recent resignation from his candidacy for president. And it really solidifies what they’ve been saying all along. Rand is not electable…at least for president. I understand that liberty and the message of freedom is not to be expected at the hands of any one individual, but why drop out after finishing in 5^th after the very first voters come out of the woodwork? How disappointed all those college students must be in clamoring and standing at the side of someone who immediately and subtly admits defeat after spending countless hours spreading the message he just omitted from the debate. I just do not understand how such a fiery message is not deemed relevant enough for Paul to continue with his months-long bid for presidency. I am truly saddened this day.

Music of the American R3volution.

I'm starting some research on US History. I grew up reciting the Pledge of Alliagance to the flag every morning along with prayers at the beginning of our school day.  I can't remember how I learned the words.

My parents didn't believe in public education. So, I was enrolled in a private catholic school run by nuns from Spain. My mom was a rebell. I didn't know it at the time. Something happened between my Mom and a nun and that was it. When enrollment time came Mom took me to another private school but this time was run by US nuns.

updated - full video

The standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon reminds me of the 1993 federal siege in Waco, Texas.  Let's hope it doesn't end the same way.  The remaining protesters may be lucky if they get out of there alive.  This video is a documentary on the Waco siege and a good reminder that the federal government may kill those who challenge its authority. 

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"Putin said that he had been referring to an iconic debate between Lenin and Joseph Stalin, when the two revolutionary leaders were arguing about the best way to organize the new communist country. While Stalin suggested offering the Soviet Union’s member states, such as Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and the south of Russia, autonomy within a federation, Lenin disapproved and put forward a plan giving each republic the right to secede from the USSR."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y9FpBAVuIc#t=20

From Wiki...  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eminent_domain#Constitution