Independence Now And Forever
- By Chuck Baldwin
As we approach Independence Day, it behooves us to recall the principles of America's founding, especially in light of the ongoing attempt by today's political and commercial leaders to merge the United States into a hemispheric government. In fact, the clarion call for independence is just as fundamental, just as revolutionary as it was 233 years ago.
Regarding the signing of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams said, "[Independence Day] will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore."
Biblical Significance of Modern Israel
- By Dr. Al Snyder
Evangelical Christians from many countries of the world comprise the majority of foreign tourists visiting Israel each year. Most of them are going to Israel for the first time, and what they primarily want to see are the ancient Biblical sites. They have read about Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, and other places in their Bibles. So they arrive with excitement and anticipation in the Holy Land, anxious to see these ancient Biblical places.
The fact that these ancient sites are still in existence for tourists to visit is what we might call, "Biblically significant." They were places of importance in Israel centuries ago during Biblical history. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob lived there. David and Solomon reigned there. Jesus and His disciples ministered there. And amazingly, two or three thousand years later, these ancient Biblical places are still real, existing and thriving places.
Americans Have Freedom In Their DNA
- By Tony Beam
Americans love liberty. Dissect the heart of a patriot and you will find the DNA of freedom. Listen closely to a patriot as he or she reveals the musings of their mind and you will hear a fixation on personal liberty. Just as nature abhors a vacuum, so a true American patriot abhors the thought of chains.
That is why tears well up in our eyes when we see the image and hear the voice of Ronald Reagan standing at the Berlin Wall telling Mr. Gobachev to tear it down. It is why we resonate with the words of Thomas Jefferson who said, “Liberty is to the collective body what health is to every individual body. Without health, no pleasure can be tasted by man; without liberty, no happiness can be enjoyed by society.”
Joyful Harps Recording New CD, Producing Sheet Music
- By Bob Dill
Readers of The Times Examiner are familiar with the multitalented Sheen sisters, Heather and Raquelle, and their Joyful Harps music. They teach music and also author weekly columns for the newspaper pertaining to home schooling.
Heather and Raquelle have recently started recording their harp arrangements on paper. Harpists may now go to their new sheet music page on their website and find several published original arrangements for duets and solos. They may be purchased by the piece individually for $6 each (price includes shipping). www.joyfulharps.com/oursheetmusic.html.
Elected Officials Speak Out on Sanford Affair
- By Bob Dill
Governor Pledges to Weather the Storm
Following an absence of 5 days from the state and admitting an affair with a “dear friend” in Argentina, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford has apologized to his family and constituents, and announced his decision to reconcile with his family and submerge himself into the business of continuing to serve the Palmetto State as Governor for the next 18 months.
The State newspaper has published embarrassing personal emails allegedly written by Sanford and his Argentine lover the newspaper claims they have had since December, 2008. Unconfirmed reports indicate the emails were obtained by another male friend of the woman in Argentina.
Immigration Tsunami - Part II
- By Mike Scruggs
Impending Disaster and the Need for Real, Not Phony Reform
Recent estimates by a major investment firm and two research firms have placed the number of illegal immigrants in the U. S. at between ten and twenty million. All the estimate revisions seem to move constantly upward. Obviously, our immigration problem is so enormous and out of control that it is very difficult even to measure. Some have very appropriately termed the immigration tsunami an invasion.
The massive tidal wave of illegal immigration and unprecedented levels of legal immigration now occurring in the United States portend an impending demographic disaster. These demographic changes are already having enormous and substantial impacts on our lives. Jobs, wages, taxes, and every aspect of our economy are being adversely affected. The quality and costs of education and healthcare are also being adversely affected. Public safety and national security are being weakened or jeopardized. Out of control immigration portends a political, social, and cultural future very different from the ideals of the Founding Fathers of our Republic.
Immigration Tsunami - Part I
- By Mike Scruggs
Impending Disaster and the Need for Real, Not Phony, Reform
According to a January Report by the investment firm of Bear Stearns there may now be as many as twenty million illegal immigrants in the United States. The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) and the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) had estimates of ten to twelve million illegals in the country in late 2004.
As illegal immigration is, of course, illegal and kept as quiet as possible, it is hard to get a handle on how many illegal immigrants are here. The three sources agree, however, that the numbers are growing rapidly. The CIS and FAIR both believe the number of illegals is increasing at the rate of 500 thousand per year. Some believe this may now be closer to 800 thousand per year. That figure will increase enormously, if there is any kind of amnesty, by whatever name. Such a plan is now before Congress in the form of the Kennedy-McCain Immigration “Reform” Bill.
Bill Connor Addresses Greenville GOP Women
- By Thomas C. Hanson
The Greenville County Republican Women’s Club conducted its annual Americanism program at its monthly luncheon meeting June 25 at the Poinsett Club.
Geri Warren is president of the club. Member Patty Stoner chaired the event, which featured an address by Master Sgt. Ken Gause, USAF (Ret), Col. Bob Davis speaking about the Wounded Warrior Project and the main address by Lt. Col. Bill Connor, a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Air Force JROTC cadets from Southside High School presented and retired the colors.
Junior ROTC in Greenville SchoolsSgt. Gause, AFJROTC aerospace science instructor at Southside High School, spoke about the Junior ROTC program in Greenville schools and some of the awards his cadets have received and opportunities that have been presented to them.
The goal of the Air Force ROTC program is to instill values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment in high school students.
Wounded Warrior Project
Col. Bob Davis, husband of Kathy Davis, the club’s first vice president, spoke about the Wounded Warrior Project.
Supreme Court Confirms: Sotomayor was Wrong
- By Christian Newswire
Sanctioned discrimination against firefighters for color of skin
WASHINGTON /Christian Newswire/ -- The United States Supreme Court reversed Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor in the now-famous New Haven firefighters case. Although Judge Sotomayor and two of her colleagues did not even think the case worthy of a published opinion, the Supreme Court said the case presented "two provisions of Title VII to be interpreted and reconciled, with few, if any, precedents in the courts of appeals discussing the issue."
Eckstrom Addresses ACG Luncheon
- By Terry M. Thacker
South Carolina Comptroller Richard Eckstrom addressed the annual luncheon of the Americans for Constitutional Government this past Saturday at the Sugar Creek Clubhouse.
After a covered dish luncheon, Presbyterian pastor Mark Evans gave a devotional, after which Eckstrom spoke to the approximately 55-60 people in attendance. He began by addressing what he termed “the pink elephant in the room,” that is, the situation with Governor Mark Sanford.
“I’m a personal friend of the governor,” he said, admitting that “it’s difficult.” He said that he recently advised Sanford to read John 8, which deals with how Jesus handled the situation involving the woman caught in adultery and how Jesus offered forgiveness and grace. He further said that “we need to take inventory of ourselves” as well.
Confederate Air Force Topic for SCV Speaker
- By Bob Dill
Ray Sheen was the guest speaker at the June meeting of the 16"' Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, Camp 36, Sons of Confederate Veterans in Greenville. Sheen is a former US Air Force officer who operates his own consulting business and enjoys Confederate re-enacting with family members. He volunteers as webmaster and maintains the I6'1' SCV and Museum of Confederate History web sites.
Allowing Destruction of the Republic
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Destroying Our Wounded
It is more than a little disturbing to observe the systematic dismantling and destruction of our constitutional republic and free enterprise system by the Obama Administration and Democrat dominated Congress, while the Democrat and Republican enemies of Mark Sanford are gloating in his marital tragedy to the detriment of his family and the well-being of the Palmetto State. At the same time, the dominant media and the uncaring voting masses appear oblivious to the impending dangers and are totally absorbed in the idol worship of a less than perfect, dead rock star.
The Fallen Morals of Congress
- By Franklin D. Raddish
The Bible says in Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” (King James Bible) The Bible also says in Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (King James Bible)
No longer are the halls of Congress filled with men of high moral character. Yes, we still have many people in Congress who have good moral character, but this number is quickly dwindling. It is heartbreaking to hear about those in Congress who were elected by the people of this country who have become moral failures. Many of our Founding Fathers were remarkable leaders because of their love for Jesus, family, and country. They were selfless servants of the people. But today many of those elected to Congress have become selfish masters of the people.
Why Governor Sanford Should Resign
- By Tony Beam
I need to put all my cards on the table. I am a huge supporter of Governor Mark Sanford. For six and a half years he has tried to hold the line on the growth of government in South Carolina. You have to love a guy who brings pigs into the legislature to make a point about pork. His methods of communication may seem eccentric but his unyielding commitment to fiscal responsibility has won him a broad majority of support in South Carolina.
He has said “no” to government spending in every way imaginable. He has vetoed the entire state budget and he has vetoed the budget one line at a time. Regardless of the method, the legislature always had the votes to override the vetoes or otherwise defeat Sanford’s attempts at fiscal restraint.
A Victory for the Citizens of Greenville County
- By Bob Dill
Council Votes 10 to 2 to Protect Owners of Property Designated “Historic” from Bureaucratic Abuse
A proposal to amend the Greenville County Zoning Ordinance and allow the Greenville County Historic Preservation Commission, an unelected body, to designate private property as historic without the permission of the property owner was about to glide “under the radar” and deprive the owners of property designated as such of their constitutional property rights was discovered by the Greenville County Taxpayers Association before it became law.
The proposed change would have allowed the Greenville County Historic Preservation Commission to designate private property as historic without the consent of the owner and would put property improvements and other changes to the property under the oversight and direction of the commission, with powers greater than eminent domain, according to Taxpayer Association President Robert G. “Butch” Taylor.
Richard Cash, GOP Candidate for 3rd Congressional District
- By Press Release
Richard Cash, a businessman from Powdersville, announced his run for Congress before an enthusiastic crowd of over 200 supporters on Saturday, April 18th. He is running for the seat in the third district, which is being vacated by Gresham Barrett. Richard Cash has been an entrepreneur and small business owner for the last 10 years. In 1999 he bought a neighborhood ice cream truck, which he has parlayed into a fleet of 13 yellow and green trucks under the name, Sweet Memories Ice Cream, LLC. He also started and owns a used vehicle business, which has been located on Hwy 153 for the past 5 years.
Furman University Army ROTC Holds Awards Ceremony
- By Bob Dill
Seniors Commissioned as US Army Officers
Furman University can be justifiably proud of the Furman Paladin Battalion and one of the top Army ROTC programs in the nation.
The professional Army Cadre and instructors are led by LTC Brian Maddox. The Furman Ranger Challenge team finished 4th in the annual competition at Fort Jackson, competing against 17 teams from South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. Furman performed well despite the tough competition.
This year, Furman moved under the 4th ROTC Brigade headquartered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This new brigade has 40 schools from South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Next year, the 4th Brigade will hold two Ranger Challenge events.
Sen. Larry Grooms Running for Governor of South Carolina: 2010 GOP Primary
- By Bob Dill
Julie Hershey invited about two dozen friends to meet Sen. Larry Grooms in Greenville, Monday. Grooms is exploring the possibility of seeking the Republican nomination for Governor of South Carolina in the 2010 primary election.
Hershey is Director of Heritage Community Services in the Upstate and met Sen. Grooms on the Senate floor when abstinence education funding was under attack by political opponents.
“This man stood on the Senate floor and fought for abstinence education. Here is a man who not only has the right thoughts and the right ideas, but he has the courage to act on his convictions,” Hershey said.
Gone With The Wind
- By Mike Scruggs
Asheville and Hendersonville Tribunes (NC)
There was once a land of Cavaliers and cotton fields called the Old South. Here in this pretty world Gallantry took its last bow. Here was last ever seen the Knights of their Ladies Fair, master, and slave. Look for it only in books because it is no more than a dream remembered, a Civilization Gone with the Wind.
Gone with the Wind, first published in June 1936, is according to many sources, the most successful and widely read novel ever published in America. The author, Margaret Mitchell of Atlanta, received a Pulitzer Prize in May of 1937 for her sweeping historical novel of the Old South set during the War for Southern Independence and Reconstruction. The novel was also wildly successful internationally. By 1965 it had been published in twenty-five different languages in twenty-nine countries.
Now is the Time for all Good Men …
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
During and following the World War II era, Greenville County public schools, at that time loosely governed by the state, but managed by the citizens of the local communities, offered classes in typing and bookkeeping. The classrooms were equipped with mechanical typewriters. Electric office machines had not yet arrived on the scene, and computers for students were only theoretical.
Students were taught facts of history and government and pride in our founding fathers and heroes who earned and preserved our God-given freedom through the generations.
Fraud in Academia
- By Walter Williams
Soon college students will come home and present parents with their grades. To avoid delusion, parents should do some serious discounting because of rampant grade inflation. If grade inflation continues, a college bachelor's degree will have just as much credibility as a high school diploma.
Writing for the National Association of Scholars, Professor Thomas C. Reeves documents what is no less than academic fraud in his article "The Happy Classroom: Grade Inflation Works." From 1991 to 2007, in public institutions, the average grade point average (GPA) rose, on a four-point scale, from 2.93 to 3.11. In private schools, the average GPA climbed from 3.09 to 3.30. Put within a historical perspective, in the 1930s, the average GPA was 2.35 (about a C-plus); whereby now it's a B-plus.
Meet a Few Right-wing Extremists
- By Franklin D. Raddish
Samuel Adams was known as the “Father of the American Revolution.” Adams was an early American leader and patriot for the cause of liberty in this country. He was the instigator of the Boston Tea Party. Adams was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and served as a member of congress until 1781. He formed the Committee of Correspondence that was responsible to keep the colonists united, and to keep them informed concerning the violated rights they were suffering under the British. Adams served as Lieutenant Governor and Governor of Massachusetts. (Ted Kennedy and company would have been run out of town on a rail in those days.)
Obama White House Trading Sovereignty for More UN Presence?
- By Bob Dill
There are reports that the Obama administration is preparing to swap U. S. sovereignty for a higher level of U. S. presence at the United Nations.
Michael Farris, chancellor of Patrick Henry College and founder of the Home School Legal Defense Association, is sounding the alarm that the Obama Administration is trying to secure a seat on the U. N. Human Rights Council. In order to secure the seat, Farris said, the Obama camp has submitted a series of “Commitments and Pledges” declaring loyalty and “deep commitment” to the U.N.
An April 27 “Commitments” document released by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Susan Rice, the U. S. representative to the U.N., the Obama White House pledged its support for the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, which along with the Convention on the Rights of the Child makes the U.S. subservient to the international agenda.
Confederate Memorial Service, Springwood Cemetery, Greenville, SC
- By Bob Dill
Storm clouds and rumbles of thunder did not deter some 200 faithful who participated in the Memorial Service to honor the service and sacrifice of Confederate Soldiers buried in Spring-wood Cemetery in downtown Greenville.
The service began with a prelude by the Joyful Harps, followed by the assemblage of troops including the Butler Guards and 16th Regiment SCV Honor Guard.
The Call to Order was issued by Commander James Bouchillon, 16th Regiment, SCV, Camp No. 36. Invocation by the 16th Regiment Chaplain, Rev. Mark W. Evans.
Colors were posted by the Honor Guard and Pledges led by Douglas Taylor, Regimental Color Sergeant.
Commander Bouchillon recited the Charge to the Sons of Confederate Veterans first issued by Lt. General Stephen Dill Lee, Commander General, United Confederate Veterans in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1906.
Hard Hats, Cannon Salute and TAPS on Confederate Memorial Day
- By Holly Sheen
At the conclusion of the Confederate Memorial Day service at the State Capitol in Columbia, Saturday, there was a cannon salute. There were three cannons and they were fired a total of 9 times.
Across the street a new high-rise is under construction and the exterior is being clad in glass. We could hear the construction crews inside all during the memorial service making a racket.
The Atlanta Campaign
- By Mike Scruggs
April 24 to November 16, 1864
Many historians date the Atlanta campaign from late April 1864 to September 2nd, 1864, the September 2 date coinciding with the withdrawal of General Hood’s Confederate forces from Jonesboro and the official surrender by Atlanta Mayor, James Calhoun. However, that leaves out an important part of the history. It was not until November 12 that Sherman destroyed Atlanta by ordering all buildings except homes and churches to be burned. Many homes and churches, however, were caught up in the conflagration.
Union forces had begun to probe Confederate strength south of Ringgold, Georgia, on April 24, with the objective of a major advance on Atlanta, an important Confederate railroad center and supply depot. Up until the middle of May, General Joe Wheeler’s Confederate cavalry were able to frustrate Sherman’s enormous army of over 100,000 men attempting to advance toward Atlanta.
Confederate Memorial Park Dedicated in Tampa
- By Jennifer Sawyer
“The Quest for Liberty is Timeless”
The world’s largest Confederate flag, a 30’ x 70’, was proudly raised at the new Confederate Memorial Park in Tampa, Fl. on Saturday, April 25, one day before the state’s official Confederate Memorial Day. Through the tireless efforts of many people, a first class park has been constructed on property owned by a private individual who is a member of the Florida Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Marion Lambert bought the property close to the intersection of I-4 and I-75 with the plan of putting up a memorial park and the largest flag pole possible.
The Jubal Early Camp #556 of Tampa and other area assisting camps was responsible for most of the park work and the carrying out of the dedication event.
Rally for Sovereignty Held at State House
- By Bob Dill
Sponsored by The Patriotic Resistance
The South Carolina Chapter of The Patriotic Resistance directed by Harry Kibler held a Rally for Sovereignty at the Statehouse in Columbia, Saturday, May 2, 2009. The rally attendance was estimated at several hundred.
The Invocation was led by Pastor Stan Craig of Choice Hills Baptist Church in Greenville. Speakers included Sen. Larry Grooms, Sen. Shane Martin, Sen. Lee Bright, Rep. Michael Pitts, Dr. Christina Jeffery, candidate for Congress in the Fourth District; Christopher Sullivan, former Commander in Chief, Sons of Confederate Veterans; Dean Allen, Constitutional scholar; Roan Garcia-Quintana, Executive Director, Americans Have Had Enough; Jim Brossard, American Patriot; and Harry Kibler, State Director, The Patriotic Resistance.
It Could Never Happen Here
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
The German people were deceived by the National Socialists (Nazis). Hitler promised them prosperity and equality during a severe financial crisis. He was the leader Germans had longed for. He was charismatic, and delivered prosperity and pride … for a season. Ultimately, the reward was tyranny, war and death. The Germans realized too late they had made a serious mistake. There was no turning back and no possibility for reversal. The German people had chosen their fate. It could never happen here.
The Russians were tricked by the Marxists. They were promised a redistribution of wealth: “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” Royalty, the wealthy and the peasants became equally deprived and slaves of the state. Only the rulers had privileges. Those who resisted were placed in reeducation or labor camps or killed. It happened in Russia and Eastern Europe, but it could never happen here.
Law vs. Moral Values
- By Walter Williams
A civilized society's first line of defense is not the law, police and courts but customs, traditions and moral values. Behavioral norms, mostly transmitted by example, word of mouth and religious teachings, represent a body of wisdom distilled over the ages through experience and trial and error. They include important thou-shalt-nots such as shalt not murder, shalt not steal, shalt not lie and cheat, but they also include all those courtesies one might call ladylike and gentlemanly conduct. The failure to fully transmit values and traditions to subsequent generations represents one of the failings of the so-called greatest generation.
Behavior accepted as the norm today would have been seen as despicable yesteryear. There are television debt relief advertisements that promise to help debtors to pay back only half of what they owe. Foul language is spoken by children in front of and sometimes to teachers and other adults. When I was a youngster, it was unthinkable to use foul language to an adult; it would have meant a smack across the face. Back then, parents and teachers didn't have child-raising "experts" to tell them that "time out" is a means of discipline. Baby showers are held for unwed mothers. Yesteryear, such an acceptance of illegitimacy would have been unthinkable.
100 Days of Reckless Photo-Op Hubris
- By Michelle Malkin
Come on, who's surprised? The White House-engineered photo-op of low-flying Air Force aircraft that caused terror in New York City this week epitomizes the Age of Obama. What better way to mark 100 days in office than with an appalling exercise in pointless taxpayer-funded stagecraft?
The superficiality, the unseri-ousness, the hubris, the obliviousness to post-9/11 realities: They were trademarks of the Obama campaign, and they are the tattoos on his governance.
He never leaves home without his teleprompter. All the Obama world's a stage. Or a world ready to be staged.
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