Wisdom of Silver Eagle

Veterans and Target Stores

2009-05-04T06:18:00.000-07:00

Wasn’t it last Christmas that Target refused to let the Salvation Army ring their bells in front of their stores?

Dick Forrey of the Vietnam Veterans Association wrote.
'Recently we asked the local TARGET store to be a proud sponsor of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall during our spring recognition event.
We received the following reply from the local TARGET management:
' Veterans do not meet our area of giving. We only donate to the arts, social action groups, gay & lesbian causes, and education.'
So I'm thinking, if the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and veterans in general, do not meet their donation criteria, then something is really wrong at this TARGET store. We were not asking for thousands of dollars, not even hundreds, and just a small sponsorship for a memorial remembrance.
As a follow-up, I E-mailed the TARGET U.S. Corporate Headquarters and their response was the
same. That’s their national policy
Then I looked into the company further..
They will not allow the Marines to collect for 'Toys for Tots’ at any of their stores. And during the recent Iraq deployment, they would not allow families of employees who were called up for active duty to continue their insurance coverage while they were on military service. Then as I dig further, TARGET is a French-owned corporation.
Now, I’m thinking again. If TARGET cannot support American Veterans, then why should my family and I support their stores by spending our hard-earned American dollars! And, have their profits sent to France
Without the American Vets, where would France be today?
'They, most likely would be speaking German and trading in Deutsche Marks'
Sincerely,
Dick Forrey
Veterans Helping Veterans
Please send this on to everyone you know to let Target know we don’t need them either !

Who is Native American ...

2009-03-23T09:42:00.000-07:00

Since Teresa and I hosted our first powwow, of which some in the "Indian Community" called a "White-man's Powwow", we have continued to receive flack and negative comments about being wannabes or psuedo-indians. It continues to amaze me on how many full-bloods or half-bloods or members of federally or state recognized tribes, bands, or clans are behind much of the negativity. It also amazes me how so many members of federally recognized tribes call members of state recognized tribes the same names.

As I look across the spectrum there seems to be a common thread, that is, many who belong to the federally recognized tribes often feel or comment that members of state recognized tribes, bands or clans, or those who are not affiliated with any group, are trying to steal the heritage or rights or ceremonies that "belong" to federally recognized groups.

I will concede that among every organization spectrum or grouping, whether they are Native American, African American, or they are doctors, lawyers, or others, there are going to be "bad-apples."

But here we are in 2009, 141 years after the Ft. Laramie Treaty, and 179 years after the Trail of Tears, and I'm sure we can come up with many more dates more than two or three generations ago that Native American People were removed from the homelands.

Does the fact that some members of the Native American People decided that instead of removing themselves to reservations, opted to remain on or near their homes and adopt the ways of the conquering white culture, make them any less Native American? By some "definitions" many of those who opted to stay are still technically considered as "hostile" by the federal government.

In addition because of the situation of society in the late 1800's and early 1900's many of those who did stay behind, when it came time for the Census by the Federal Government were enumerated as "mulatto" and some were even classed as "white". Because of society many of these Native Americans were forced to keep their heritage "in the closet", much like gay and lesbians had to until the late 1980's. Does that change who they are?

Does that little piece of federal government paper called a CDIB card mean that one person is more Native American than another person? Sometimes, especially for descendants of those who stayed behind and intermixed with the dominant society, it takes a couple generations to recognize a part of one heritage. Around the turn of the 1800's into the 1900's it was truly a social stigma to be Native American. For someone born in the late 1950's, their grandparents were likely born around 1900, at time of not publically admitting Native American heritage. If it was the grandparents, grandparent that was Native American, thus the 1950's individual's 2nd-great grandparent ... the blood quantum is 1/16th.

Many of us who are 1/16th or 1/8th already have a living, most of us don't want federal aid, or anything else, but the right to return to our heritage of our grandparents and the freedom to practice it. If federally recognized tribes, bands, or clans are concerned about those of us who are in that 1/8th to 1/16th quantum doing ceremonies wrong, come teach us, instead of criticizing us.

In closing ... my wife and I purchased the forty acres we have for one reason ... the furtherance and perpetuation of all Native American Cultures and Traditions. We've created powwow grounds through sweat and blood equity, we've privately financed a monument to 32 Native American Veterans that received the Ultimate Eagle Feather, the Congressional Medal of Honor, we've set up a food bank for all Veterans in southwest Geneva County, Alabama, we've initiated a toy drive in conjunction with our annual powwow to provide toys for underprivileged Native American Children. Please do not criticize those who are wanting and willing to learn the heritage of their ancestors. It may be a white-man's saying, but ... Never criticize unless you've walked a mile in your brothers moccassins. If we can get by our differences, the Native American People can again become a strong voice in this country.

That is all I have to say.

Choices

2008-12-29T05:59:00.000-08:00

Do I believe that in "becoming willing" I have made the best of all choices?

We must never be blinded by the futile philosophy that we are just he victims of our inheritance, of our life experience, and of our surroundings --- which these are the sole forces that make out decisions for us. This is not the road to freedom. We have to believe that we can really choose.

Genesis 2:15-17 --- The Lord God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

God gave Adam responsibility for the garden and told him not to eat from the knowledge of good and evil. Rather than physically preventing him from eating, God gave Adam a choice, even though Adam might choose wrongly. God still gives us choices today, and we, too, often chose wrongly. These wrong choices may cause us pain and irritation, but they can help us learn and grow and make better choices in the future. Living with the consequences of our choices is one of the best ways to become more responsible.

Everyday of our human existence is filled with a multitude of choices. From the moment we awake to the moment we finally fall asleep, we make many choices … what we'll eat, what we'll wear, and of course what we'll do. Many of the choices we may make are insignificant in many ways, yet the same choices depending upon the situation can also be quite significant.

For example, what we eat, is for the most part based upon what we like and have developed a taste for. However, if we have one of various health problems there are certain things we should not eat. Also there are certain things that are poisonous, or if not stored or prepared properly can cause sickness and even death.

Another example, what we wear. We must often consider a number of things when we choose what we will wear. Are we going someplace? What is the weather going to be like? If we are staying at home, we may choose not to get dressed and stay in our pajamas. We would most likely not choose to wear shorts, a tank top and sandals outside, when the temperature is 10 degrees below zero. We would most likely not wear a tuxedo or formal gown to do yard work.

We often hear from psychologists and psychiatrists that a certain individual is genetically predisposed to such and such condition, for example, being an alcoholic or diabetic. Obviously one is quite different from the other in a general medical sense. However they both are often subject to personal choices, sometimes associated with a psychological or physiological need. How many times have we had such a desire or want for something that we've ignored our inner gut feeling of not to and done it anyway?

Often times we make choices based upon our life experiences. For example we may be extremely hesitant to go into a body of water that is over our head if we have experienced nearly drowning, i.e., the sense of danger. Yet in the same vein, we may also strap into a top fuel dragster, amidst the potential danger, merely because of the adrenaline rush that it provides us.

Yet one of the most common and frequently used excuses for our choices is based upon "That's how I was raised," or "I'm a product of the society I live in." Is that really how we want to live our lives and make choices about the things we do in life? Two of the most common cliches of this manner of thinking are: "When in Rome do as the Romans do," and "A million Frenchmen couldn't be wrong." These choices are based not upon life experiences or wisdom but based upon our perception of the world around us.

An aphorism I like to express the issue of choice: "In effect it (life's choices) can be likened to the soldier who is alone and trapped behind enemy lines. He knows there are enemy patrols out searching for him, and if they catch him they will kill him. Between him and his own army is a vast minefield. His options of getting back are continuing to try and evade the enemy patrols and circumnavigate the minefield risking capture and sure death. Or using his military training and skills and attempt to navigate his way through the minefield still risking death but with the knowledge that the enemy patrols will not follow him into the minefield. And that should he make it through the minefield he has secured life by embracing death."

Much is the same with daily life and our individual journey along the path of life. The experience we gain by embracing death, embracing our fears, becomes a life changing experience of how to change our life by facing our deepest and darkest fears. Do I face my fears head-on with the intent of having nothing to loose? Do I continually try to take detours staying in familiar surroundings? Do I daily embrace death in today's battle for my life? For each moment and choice is a battle for life. What is my life worth? Am I content to follow the path of others and possibly loose the battle today? Yes there are times which only wisdom from experience can tell us which is the path of least resistance or effort; and which path will grant us personal freedom should we successfully navigate the day's minefield. What is my life worth? Am I content to follow the familiar, or am I willing to step out of my comfort zone and face my shadows? Will I continue to be haunted by my shadows and stay where life is comfortable? The choice is mine and mine alone; no one can make it for me or help me make it.

I ask you to think back to the years as a little child, when you may have been told to stay out of the cookie jar because it would ruin your dinner. Did you? Or did you allow the desire of those cookies to overrule what you were told? What was the feeling in your gut, as you looked around the room to make sure no one was watching and reached your hand into the cookie jar? It is that same gut feeling that comes from our heart-of-hearts that gives us the proper answer, no the desire of our thoughts.

How do we base our personal choices? Do we examine the potential consequences of those choices? Do we examine not only the individual consequences but also those to others? Do we make our choices based upon the social norms of society? Do we rely on our thinking instead of our heart? Lastly, are we willing and ready to accept and take full responsibility for the choices we make and the consequences or results of those choices?

Politically Incorrect: On Owning

2008-12-02T16:31:00.000-08:00

Owning things is what white people's lives are about. From the first you are told, "This is mine, this is yours;" "Don't touch that, it doesn't belong to you." You are told to keep away from things because of ownership, not because of respect. In the old days we never had locks on our doors. There was no stealing, but if someone was hungry, they could go in your house and get food. Why didn't people take things? Because of respect.

You build fences around your yards and pay money for people to measure the ground to tell you if your neighbor's fence is one inch too close to your house. You give nothing away unless you can get something in return. Everything is economic. No wonder white people need such big houses. They aren't to live in, they are to store things in.

We believed everything was a gift, and that a good man or woman shared those gifts. Good people thought that they should give, not that they should get. We didn't measure people by rich or poor. We didn't know how. When times were good everyone was rich. When times were bad everyone was poor. We measured people by how they shared.

Things are important when we need them. If we don't need them, they're not important. Our ancestors believed that you owned something only so long as you needed it. Then you passed it to someone else.

In our way, everything had its use, then it went back into the earth. We had wooden bowls and cups, or things made of clay. We rode horses or walked. We made things out of the things of the earth. Then when we no longer needed them, we would burn them or leave them, and they would go back into the earth. Now we can't. Now things don't go back into the earth.

Politically Incorrect: On Land and Property

2008-12-02T16:13:00.000-08:00

Let me tell you how we lost the land. It wasn't our land like we owned it. It was the land where we hunted or where our ancestors were buried. It was the land that the Creator had given us. It was the land where our sacred stories took place. It had sacred places on it. Our ceremonies were here. We knew the animals. They knew us. We had watched the seasons pass on this land. It was alive, like our grandparents. We were part of it. The land was part of us. We didn't even know about owning the land. It is like talking about owning your grandmother. For us, the earth was alive. To move a stone was to change her. To kill an animal was to take from her. There had to be respect.

We saw no respect from these people. They chopped down trees and left animals lay where they were shot. They made loud noises. They seemed like wild people. They were heavy on the land and they were loud. Then these new people started asking us for the land. They wanted to give us money for the land. Our people didn't want this. Then these people said that we didn't belong here anymore. That there was a chief in Washington, which was a city far away, and the land was his, and he said they could live here and we could not.

We thought they were insane. These people would ride across the land and put a flag up, then say that everything between where they started and where they put the flag belonged to them. That was like someone shooting an arrow into the sky and saying that all the sky up to where the arrow went belonged to him. We thought these people were crazy. They were talking about property. We were talking about the land.

Your people came from Europe because they wanted property for their own. They had worked for other people who had claimed all the property and took all the things they raised. They never had anything because they had no property. That was what they wanted more than anything.

Everyone believed that whoever had a piece of paper saying they owned the land could control everything that happened on it. The people came here to get their own property. We didn't know this. We didn't even know what it meant. We just belonged to the land. They wanted to own it.

Your religion didn't come from the land. It could be carried around with you. Your religion was in a cup and a piece of bread, and that could be carried in a box. Your priests could make it sacred anywhere. You couldn't understand that what was sacred for us was where we were, because that is where the sacred things had happened and where the spirits talked to us.

Your people didn't know about the land being sacred. You were killing all the animals. The buffalo was gone. The birds were gone. You would not let us hunt. You gave us blankets and whiskey that made our people crazy. We were put in little pens of land that were like tiny islands in your sea.

The worst thing is that you never even listened to us. You came into our land and took it away, and didn't even listen to us when we tried to explain. You made promises and you broke every one. You killed us without even taking our lives. You killed us by turning our land into pieces of paper and bags of flour and blankets, and telling us that was enough. You took the places where the spirits talked to us and you gave us bags of flour.

To us the land was alive. It talked to us. We called her our mother. If she was angry with us, she would give us no food. If we didn't share with others, she might send harsh winters or plagues of insects. We had to do good things for her and live the way she thought was right. She was the mother to everything that lived upon her, so everything was our brother and sister. The bears, the trees, the plants, the buffalo. They were all our brothers and sisters. If we didn't treat them right, our mother would be angry. If we treated them with respect and honor, she would be proud.

For your people, the land was not alive. It was something that was like a stage, where you could build things and make things happen. You understood the dirt and the trees and the water as important things, but not as brothers and sisters. They existed to help you humans live.

You took the land and you turned it into property. Now our mother is silent. But we still listen for her voice.

The picture at left is the ending still of a "Keep America Beautiful" television advertisements in the 1970’s. In the advertisement Iron Eyes Cody is standing by the roadside as a passerby tosses a fast-food drink cup to the roadside, landing at Cody’s feet. The camera pans upward and freezes at the picture to the left.

The words of Chief Seattle, "If men spit on the earth, they spit upon themselves," emphasize the love and respect Native Americans have for Mother Earth.
Please Keep Mother Earth Beautiful!

Politically Incorrect: On Leaders

2008-12-02T16:03:00.000-08:00

Sitting Bull was a leader. He was a real chief. People followed him because he was great. He never won any election or was appointed by any government. That's not how you get to be a leader. It was an honor you earned.

There are leaders and there are rulers. We Indians are used to leaders. When our leaders don't lead, we walk away from them. When they lead well, we stay with them.

Your system makes people rulers by law, even if they are not leaders. How can a calendar tell us how long a person is a leader? That's crazy. A leader is a leader as long as the people believe in him, and as long as he is the best person to lead us. You can only lead as long as the people will follow.

In the past when we needed a warrior we made a warrior our leader. But when the war was over and we needed a healer to lead us, he became our leader. Or maybe we needed a great speaker or a deep thinker.

The warrior knew when his time had passed, and he didn't pretend to be our leader beyond the time he was needed. He was proud to serve his people, and he knew when it was time to step aside. If he won't step aside, people will just walk away from him. He cannot make himself a leader except by leading people in the way they want to be lead.

That's why Sitting Bull was a leader. He was needed by the people and the people followed him. He was brave. He was smart. He knew how to fight when he had to. And he understood what the white man was all about. People saw that he could not be tricked by the white man, so they followed.

That's why the U.S. government hated him so much. It wasn't just that he set a trap for Custer. Anyone could have done that. It was because he was a leader and people listened to him, and he wouldn't listen to the U.S. government. He listened to the needs of his people.

Politically Incorrect: The Failure of Society

2006-12-23T05:33:00.000-08:00

In today’s world it has become “politically incorrect” to offend someone, whether it be on the basis of race, creed, religious belief, gender, age or the celebration of a religiously-based holiday. Yet all one has to do is look around them at their little piece of society and see the world around them.

True love must be unconditional, meaning that it is based neither in fear nor in ambition, and is therefore a pure expression arising from the heart. The implications here are that we are not afraid to speak and to act openly and honestly, even if our actions are not going to be perceived as being supportive and uplifting, and even if this then does mean a separation of sorts, as in the loss of a relationship, or even a job for that matter. And yet realize that the intention behind all acts of unconditional love, whether perceived as being supportive or not, is to uplift the other person and to encourage them to become the expression of their true purpose within life.

However, people are so incredibly selective in their perception, that whenever they are told something they do not want to hear or whenever an action is taken which they perceive to be against them in some way, they usually end up feeling hurt, victimized, and hard-done by. Yet such people never realize that they are not their behavior, and therefore that whenever they are confronted, it is not they personally who are being confronted but only their behavior.
by Theun Mares, Shadows of Wolf Fire

Every single action, physical, emotional or mental is dependent upon firstly, MOTIVE, and secondly, CIRCUMSTANCE. Thus to measure action, we must consider whether it is life supportive or life destructive. Sometimes it is hard to know when to defer to the weaker person. A simple rule of thumb . . . we should be sensitive and gracious. While some actions may not be wrong, they may not be in the best interest of others. While we have freedom, we shouldn't exercise our freedom at the cost of hurting another. We are not to consider only ourselves, but we must be sensitive to others ... Do what you will, but harm no one.

Yet if someone is stuck in their view of the world about them and one wants to uplift them, the one has no choice or alternative than to shake them out of the perception which is keeping them stuck. However, in doing so, one's actions are never seen to be supportive, for invariably one is forced in to having to destroy that person's present perception in one way or another in order to make room for a new view.

Let us consider for a moment just a single area of American, and possibly the global society . . . television and the movie industry.

Both of these industries were brought about as a venue of not only entertainment but a dissemination of information to the general public. Before cable and satellite television some areas of the United States were lucky if they had but one or two television stations to watch. Television stations went off the air between 12 midnight and 2 a.m. to perform maintenance on the transmitters. When these stations went off the air, they closed the broadcast day with either the National Anthem or some other patriotic closing. Then early in the morning when they came back on the air, it was generally accompanied by the Pledge of Allegiance. When was the last time you heard or saw either of these on television?

What about program content? It was not uncommon in the sixties for a program or movie that contained even the slightest suggestion of sexual activity or innuendo to be rated “R” and definitely not broadcast on television. Neither was cussing or the suggestion of vulgar language permitted in either venue.

How about the “news” media? Before the advent of satellite communications to the general public, news stories that were carried live were limited to those that could be transmitted by telephone cables, unless it was an event happening here in the United States. Reports from the Republic of Viet Nam were not live, see it as it happened, as we have witnessed with Dessert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and others of recent history. Yes, we did see some tragic events on live television, the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy.

It has been through both of these audio-visual media forms that we have witnessed a desensitizing of the global community. In the sixties and seventies, it was not uncommon for all the network television stations to carry the launches of Gemini and Apollo space missions, as well as their return to Earth and their splash downs in the ocean. Today we’re lucky if you can watch Space Shuttle launches and landings on 24-hour cable news stations.

The print and audio-visual news media will be the first to cite civil rights of the freedom of the press and freedom of speech to justify their articles or television news stories. But they don’t just report the events; they bring in their analysts to tell us what we just saw or just heard. Do they think the general populace is stupid and can’t comprehend what we saw or heard? Or how about these college sports half-time show analysts? In the sixties and even into the seventies, you didn’t have the entire half-time of a college football game filled with three guys in suits telling you about what should be done in the second half. You were able to watch the young men and women who busted their tails with hours of practice just like the players in performing the marching band half-time shows.

The public outcry towards the war in Viet Nam, and the loss of so many American men and women is an American tragedy. Yet can you fathom to think the level to which that outcry might have reached, if Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather, Chet Huntley or David Brinkley were standing their on a hotel balcony or in a rice paddy, like we have witnessed today’s reporters report from Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, or Bosnia?

I’m not a clinical sociologist, but I do believe I have a level of common sense equal to most American people. In the sixties and seventies American society had it’s problems, the race riots of Watts and Detroit, but it would be an interesting study to compare the volume of hate crimes, sexual abuse and rapes, between then and today, especially with the differences of media content.

While some actions may not be wrong, they may not be in the best interest of others. While we have freedom, we shouldn't exercise our freedom at the cost of hurting another. We are not to consider only ourselves, but we must be sensitive to others. What cultural benefit is there so showing sexual content in television or movies? What cultural benefit is there to vulgarity? I’m not promoting censorship in the remotest way, but there are a time and place for such things.

Silver Eagle

We the people of .... Almighty God

2006-10-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

This is something that I have never seen before... take the time to read it all, (or skip to the bottom)
Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.
Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...
California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom.
Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe.
Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.
Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...
Georgia 1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...
Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance establish this Constitution
Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.

Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings establish this Constitution.
Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...
Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity ... and imploring His aid and direction..
Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty....
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe ... in the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction ..
Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:
Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri 1845, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness... establishes this Constitution...
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution...
Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom... establish this Constitution.
Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution....
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty
New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those .
North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty ... establishes this...
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2 All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences..
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties...
Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. that all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...
Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to.... enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man...
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI ... Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator... can be directed only by Reason. And that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other.
Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution
West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God...
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility
Wyoming 1890, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties... establish this Constitution.

After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, just maybe, the ACLU and the out-of-control federal courts are wrong! "Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." - William Penn If you found this to be "Food for thought.." copy and send to as many as you think will be as touched as I hope you were.
MAY GOD BLESS?

World Affairs: July 15, 2006

2006-07-15T15:16:00.000-07:00

United Nations Security Council

Middle East: UN team holds talks in Cairo on need to defuse crisis15 July – Aiming to help defuse the current crisis in the Middle East, a three-person team dispatched by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the region held talks today with key Arab countries in Cairo.

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Israel accelerated its air attack on Lebanon on Saturday, blasting Hezbollah hideouts and hitting central Beirut for the first time. It accused Iran of helping fire a missile that damaged an Israeli warship in an ominous sign the showdown could spread.

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Saturday to impose limited sanctions on North Korea for its recent missile tests and demanded that the reclusive communist nation suspend its ballistic missile program. North Korea immediately rejected the resolution and vowed to continue missile launches.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Leaders of the world's industrial powers clashed Saturday over the escalating violence in the Middle East even as the summit host, Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged, "We will find common ground on this."

Reflections from History

Chicago, February 27, 2002: Today, the Board of Directors of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moves the minute hand of the "Doomsday Clock," the symbol of nuclear danger, from nine to seven minutes to midnight, the same setting at which the clock debuted 55 years ago. Since the end of the Cold War in 1991, this is the third time the hand has moved forward.

General Douglas MacArthur, September 2, 1945 (on the deck of the USS Missouri) "Men since the beginning of time have sought peace," but "military alliances, balances of power, leagues of nations, all in turn have failed, leaving the only path to be by the way of the crucible of war." Now "we have had our last chance. If we do not now devise some greater and more equitable system, Armageddon will be at our door. The problem basically is theological and involves a spiritual recrudescence and improvement of human character that will synchronize with our almost matchless advances in science, art, literature and all material and cultural developments of the past two thousand years. It must be for the spirit if we are to save the flesh."

Commentary - - -

As we look at the current events of the world in the recent past, we are faced with the stark reality that on a "global-scale" humanity sucks. As a "child" of the Cold War between the United States and the former Soviet Union, I personally would prefer to face the "Evil Empire" of the Soviet Union with their nuclear arsenal than the present state of global affairs, with the numerous terrorist groups that have so many initials you could use two or three cans of alphabet soup to cover them all.

During the "height" of the "Cold War" while we all faced the doctrine of "Mutually Assured Destruction", it was that same doctrine that in many ways kept a facsimile of peace in the world. Each super-power essentially riding herd on its client-states. Third-world nations that currently sponsor state-terrorism were under the generalized threat of losing their "super-power" foreign aid and economic support if they "rocked-the-boat" too often.

In today's global hierarchy without the former Soviet Union riding herd on countries like Syria, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and to a lesser extent North Korea (more a Chinese client) these countries are to an extent on their own. And who's their targets? Client states and governments of United States allies and the United States itself, its people and overseas offices and installations.

Why are we the target? For lack of a better cliche' lets call it "Cowboy-Yankee Arrogance." I'm not arguing that the United States is the best place on the planet to live, but we have plenty of room for improvements to be made, and until we no longer have people living in poverty, people without medical benefits, elderly losing their hard earned homes; until we no longer have the scourge of illegal mind altering substances polluting the population because people refuse to face reality; until we no longer have to protect women and children from sex offenders and predators; we had better remember that CNN, the BBC and other news agencies provide global 24/7 new coverage. So while the American Ideal is noteworthy and honest, it is not 100% reality.

Secondly we need to consider the fact that what works in our American Ideal, is NOT going to work all over the globe! It doesn't even work 80% of the time in the United States. Hence the term used by many third world nations, dictators and terrorists ... Yankee Imperialism.

Since the human race's entrance to this scene of Earth history, mankind has had before them a freedom of choice. The rules, the dogmas, the teachings ... you can through them all out the window, for unless we as a race, a species, choose to follow whatever set of rules we believe in; we as a species are far worse that even the most vicious animals of the animal kingdom. For even they do not kill their own kind, except in cases of self-defense or defending their young.

We often hear from psychologists and psychiatrists that a certain individual is genetically predisposed to such and such condition, for example, being an alcoholic or diabetic. Obviously one is quite different from the other in a general medical sense. However they both are often subject to personal choices, sometimes associated with a psychological or physiological need. How many times have we had such a desire or want for something that we've ignored our inner gut feeling of not to and done it anyway?

Often times we make choices based upon our life experiences. For example we may be extremely hesitant to go into a body of water that is over our head if we have experienced nearly drowning, i.e., the sense of danger. Yet in the same vein, we may also strap into a top fuel dragster, amidst the potential danger, merely because of the adrenaline rush that it provides us.

Yet one of the most common and frequently used excuses for our choices is based upon "That's how I was raised," or "I'm a product of the society I live in." Is that really how we want to live our lives and make choices about the things we do in life? Two of the most common clichés of this manner of thinking are: "When in Rome do as the Romans do," and "A million Frenchmen couldn't be wrong." These choices are based not upon life experiences or wisdom but based upon our perception of the world around us.

It's high time we wake up!

Sometimes .. Life is or can be a continual test.

2006-05-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, Life is or can be a continual test ... and that test can cover everything we may experience in this existence called "Life." Those "tests" or "challenges" will come at you in every facet of your life, from family, to employment, to recreation, to relationships, to your personal health - both physical and mental, to even inanimate things in everyday life.

As we face each challenge, the outcome is dependent upon our choices, often without the consideration of the long range effects, affects, and consequences.

Even now in 2006, I am experiencing the consequences and affects of getting my 2nd DUI when I lived in California in 2001, and the behavior and choices I had made or basically neglected to take care of at the time. Those consequences and affects on my life are nobody else's fault or responsibility but my own.

Without going into details, I will merely state in complete agreement with "Ascended Masters" who have come and gone before us, that much of this life is an illusion of our perception of what is. We face our challenges in many ways. Some will face them with mind-altering substances of alcohol, prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs or "illegal" drugs and substances. Why, because we do not have the personal courage and inner strength to face them on our own together with the Creator. We feel we need something else to not feel the pain of life. We don't want to feel the emotional let down of something not gone our way. We don't want to feel alone. There are many reasons why.

Yet in the same token, when we have made that choice to avoid the use of mind-altering substances or beverages, we begin to face a new challenge unless we are a 21st century hermit lving in a cave, forest, jungle or swamp. That new challenge is finding and making new friends and acquaintenaces who are also "free" of the use of mind-altering substances.

Over the course of my mere four years of sobriety, I can honestly say that there can be no friendship or relationship with someone who "indulges" in the use of mind-altering substances. Even when that individual treats you with the proper and due respect of not using the substance or beverage in your presence. Because one day, they will slip and will use in your presence. And when they do, their personal insecurities which brought them to use in the first place will surface with the splash of a tidal wave.

That tidal splash will engulf you unless you are personally prepared and have within you the internal fortitude and strength of Creator's Spirit to basically walk, if not run from that person. For if you attempt to remain, you will be engulfed yourself. You may not use yourself initially, but the course of events become laid out for you to slip and stumble. And to slip and stumble after having a period of sobriety, often leads to prisons, institutions and death.

The personal emotions associated with walking or running away from such a person, can be emotionally traumatic and devastating. Especially if you have chosen to "ignore" the other person's use and have begun to develop an emotional and physical bond with them. I have been there, and unfortunately done it also a number of times. It just doesn't work.

Silver Eagle

National Pride & Immigration ... you may not like my opinions

2006-04-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone ...

This may offend many of you, and if it does, ... oh well ... because basically it's truthful.

Over the recent years since September 11, 2001, there has been a underground backlash at many of our nation's immigrants. There have been many valid points brought forth on each side of the table. Issue's such as "national language", observance of "Christian" holidays and their being "secularized" to Winter Holiday (Christmas), Spring Break (Easter), there have been issues pertaining to long held (230 years this July4th) "American" traditions. Issues such as cultural traditions of our immigrants and retaining their language.

First off let me say this ... I love my country, I have served as a member of the United States Military and would with duty, honor and respect, serve my country again if the need required a 48 year old male to defend it's constitutional freedoms we so much enjoy today.

Hmm .. constitutional freedoms ... nice ring to it right? Did you know that prior to the development of our original constitution that Benjamin Franklin spent many months with the Iroquois people and Iroquois Confederation studying their constitution and used it as a model from which the Constitution of the United States was developed?

Hmm ... Benjamin Franklin ... one of our early American forefathers ... In 1492 Christopher Columbus discovered the "New World" and in 1620 (or there abouts) the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in what is now Massechusettes. Meaning that if you can not trace your family history in America back to a time before 1620, YOU ARE AN IMMIGRANT or descended from an immigrant.

Hmm ... Immigrants ... I don't have the numbers, but I would safely venture a guess that at least 70 percent of the present population of the United States can not trace their heritage or ancestory to someone who lived in "America" before 1602, and probably nearly 95 percent can not trace it back before 1492.

Now I'm sure that the above image may offend many ... but it's the "Truth".

The American Indians (the true Native Americans) have been fighting "terrorism" since 1492. They have been called "savages" and much worse. They have been subject to government condoned and implemented genocide (you think I'm kidding, read some history on the Trail of Tears, read the history of the Sioux People, the Lakota, and the unprovoked slaughter of innocent women, elders and children at Sand Creek). Read about the forced "sterilization" of Native American women in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Read about how "Christian" missionaries took Native American children from their parents and sent them away to boarding schools to become "Christianized".

The Lakota in Particular were learning that the Ft Laramie accord Red Cloud had signed in 1868 meant little to miners and settlers clamoring for access to their sacred Black Hills.

Although the land was protected by treaty, in July 1874, William Tecumseh Sherman dispatched Custer to lead a survey expedition into these Lakota domains. A pack train accompanied by 1,200 troopers wound its way through this game-stocked preserve-complete with guides, a photographer, a wagon master, a howitzer and three gattling guns, 110 wagons, 1,000 horses, and 300 cattle for meals along the way.

Once word leaded out that Custer's illegal 1,205-mile survey of the Black Hills had verified rumors of "gold from the grassroots down," mining in the area increased noticeably the following summer. In 1876, two years after the expedition, 6,000 newcomers had taken up residence in Custer City, SD, and gold strikes in Deadwood Gulch predictably lured thousands more. Streams were clogged by sluice boxes, and timbering operations were already moving into the virgin forests of the Black Hills.

Not surprisingly, the Lakota were incensed that their sanctuary had been invaded in so flagrant a violation of the 1868 treaty. Calls for resistance and revenge filled the air. When Senate negotiators came to Lakota territory in September 1875 to try to work out a lease agreement to the Black Hills, a warrior clad in battle attire led a chant: "Black Hills is my land and I love it-And whoever interferes will hear this gun." -Little Big Man, Oglala Lakota

Indeed, the government tried in 1888 to carve up the Great Sioux Reservation (then comprising about half the present state of South Dakota, plus parts of Wyoming and Nebraska) into six smaller Indian reserves and purchase the remaining 9 million acres for 50 cents an acre. The Indians balked. A year later Gen. George Crook was sent to Lakota country with an offer of $1.50 per acre and the implied threat that the land would be seized if the Indians did not agree to sell. Crook, dealing with the tribal leaders one by one, got nearly all to sign-with the notable exception of Sitting Bull.

So ... back to Immigration ... around the time that Red Cloud met with President Grant he met with Crazy Horse upon his return ... basically telling Crazy Horse that the "old ways" would soon be gone for there were a great many more whites and more were coming. That it was best for the Lakota to accept the offers of the reservation lands where they could still retain a bit of their sovereignty. Crazy Horse disagreed and vowed to die a true Lakota, living in the old ways. Many followed him, until he finally surrendered after bringing hardship to both Red Cloud's and Spotted Tail's agencies ... Pine River Reservation and Rosebud Reservation as they are now known.

As history bares out the facts, Crazy Horse died while surrendering through the treachery of other Lakota.

My Point?
Over the past twenty or so more years we have witnessed a great influx of "immigrants" coming from all over the globe to these United States. I would be willing to venture out on a limb and state that the number of "new immigrants" who are not of caucasian race, quite possibly outnumber those of us who are caucasian. So here we are some 140 years or so after the discussion between Red Cloud and Crazy Horse.

We have but two choices before us ... we can adapt and keep some of our ways and enjoy a peace and serenity of life in our own homes or ... we can resist, like Crazy Horse, and possibly end up at the business end of a bayonet, or "New Immigrant's" weapon of choice.

Do the math, 2006 – 1776 = 230 years

2006-03-28T09:55:00.000-08:00

A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most money from the public treasury, with the result that democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy followed by a dictatorship. The average of the world's greatest civilizations has been two hundred years. These nations have progressed through the following sequence: from bondage to spiritual faith, from spiritual faith to great courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency, from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependency, and from dependency back to bondage." ---Alexander Tyler in 1778

Declaration of Independence

[Adopted in Congress 4 July 1776]

[Proposed Amendment March 28, 2006]

The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen [People of the] United States of America

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights: that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes
destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to
them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their
former systems of government. The history of the present ~~King of Great Britain~~ (President of the United States) is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a
candid world.

He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden ~~his~~ [state] governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless
those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.

He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.

He has combined with ~~others~~ [corporation owners] to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: [that the members of our armed forces owe primary allegiance or loyalty to those who temporarily exercise the authority of the executive branch of the government rather than to the country and its Constitution which they are sworn to defend.]

For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit
on the inhabitants of these states:

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing taxes on us without our consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:

For abolishing the free system of ~~English~~ [United States] laws in ~~a neighboring province~~ [fifty states], establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the
forms of our governments:

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring ~~themselves~~ [himself] invested with power to
legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us [those who believe contrary to him].

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our
people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy of the head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive ~~on the~~ ~~high seas to bear arms against their country~~ to become victims of the Patriot Act, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is
undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions taking lands, privileges and rights of Native Americans guaranteed by duly signed and approved treaties.

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms:
our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A ~~prince~~ [President], whose
character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in attention to our ~~British~~ [American] brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

We, therefore, the ~~representatives~~ [People] of the United States of America, ~~in General Congress, assembled,~~ appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these ~~colonies~~ [fifty states], solemnly publish and declare, that these united ~~colonies~~ [states] are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the ~~British Crown~~ [President of the United States] and that all political connection between ~~them and the state of Great Britain~~ [the Executive Branch] is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this
declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

Ancient / Primitive Cultures

2006-03-21T14:18:00.000-08:00

Recently, in part of my studies, my quest for understanding and wisdom, I began studying ancient/primitive cultures. What I have found (so I think) is that in a majority of these cultures that were predominantly of a nature-based religion or belief system is that they were for all intents and purposes, a peaceful and harmonious society. That is not to say that they did not conduct warfare, or what we would today consider atrocities, such as human torture or sacrifice.

In most instances warfare or raids were conducted either as a means of protecting one’s hunting grounds, or as an expansion of those lands because the wildlife had moved on. From what I have been able to absorb, those nature-based religions or belief systems were not “into” spreading or forcing their will or belief upon others. They existed in a tribal or familial clan type structure, very similar to the herd or pack structure of many animal species, often with what we now call an alpha-male and alpha-female in the leadership or hierarchy of the tribe or clan.

As the tribe or clan grew, there always became a potential for another male or female to challenge the position of the “alpha”. Depending upon the outcome of the challenge and the nature of the level of support between the “alpha” and “challenger” the tribe or clan might split into two separate, yet intrinsically related sub groupings. In the same token, if there was not a level of support behind one of the participants, the loser might be expelled from the clan or be forced into a position of submission.

As the numbers of these sub groupings and the tribe or clan grew, one begins to see the development of a “nation” or “people”. Again, this is purely opinion pertaining to those grouping that were of a nature-based religion or belief system. For many hold the belief or position that all life, two-legged, four-legged, winged, finned, plant, and even stone was sacred or holy. Further this is why there are so many and diverse accounts of nature-based peoples following the precept of “Take from the Earth what is needed and nothing more,” or something extremely similar. It is also an example of why so many of these cultures had a ritual of prayer following the kill of the hunt, to thank and honor the spirit of the animal for giving itself as food and shelter for the people.

Regarding the issues of human torture and sacrifice, I have not studied enough to make an “informed” assessment, only a personal perception or opinion. First in order to attempt to comprehend the purpose we need to be able to step outside our current 21st century frame of mind and existence.

One of the most common beliefs or understandings of nature-based peoples is that all things are related. Additionally it is believed (or so I understand) that all life besides being sacred or holy has within it a “life-force”. The shedding or spilling of blood is representational of that life-force being taken or given by the one whose blood it is. Which is why in certain cultures after the kill, the hunters promptly after a prayer thanking the animal for giving its life, then consume either the heart of the animal or drink its blood. The concept is that the “life-force” of the animal then becomes a part of the hunter. In other similar cultures that are farmers, they would take the first fruits of spring milk or honey and pour back unto the soil, Mother Earth, as an offering to continue the abundance of the farming season.

We tend to think of human sacrifice as barbaric in this 21st century world. Yet when one considers the time of ancient or primitive culture and what it meant at that time, to give one’s life as a willing sacrifice for the good of the people, would be considered an honor. Yet in some instances the sacrifice was made through the shedding of captive’s blood, prisoners of battle, which by today’s standards in barbaric. Often times such a prisoner sacrifice was or could likely more properly be as atonement for actions of the individual or people.

And I’m sure I’ll catch a little flak for this statement, but Jesus of Nazareth did say, “Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his brother.” Granted in the context used here by me, the quotation of Christ is out of context with Hebrew teachings about killing another person. Yet my purpose of mentioning it is associated with the “honor” and “respect” of giving one’s own life for his brother or sister or people. This is another reason those who were warriors of the clan or tribe or people were always held in high honor and respect for they chose to put their lives on the line for the protection of the people.

21st Century Society . . .

We of humanity, in the 21st Century are the most vile, viscious, destructive and selfish species on the planet likely since the begining of time. We seek to control, kill or destroy that which we do not understand, accept or believe as we do. Even the most viscious of the animal kingdom does not kill its own kind even to appease it's hunger. Yet, we humans, the stewards of this planet, will kill each other for a pair of designer tennis shoes, a few ounces of a man-made chemical to alter our sense of reality, or worse for the thrill or adrenalin rush. We have no reason to be at the top of the proverbial food chain.

In fact it begins to scare me to an extent when I look at today's younger generation. These are going to be the ones in government positions making decisions about society and life when I reach my "golden years". They will be the ones in control of this country's nuclear arsenal for the defense of this country. They will be the ones required to take action should Al'Qeda, the Red Dawn, Shining Path, or other terrorist group strike the American homeland again. Yet these are the same ones today who accept no responsibility for their actions and are so quickly to point the finger of blame at someone else.

May the Creator have Mercy on humanity!

Silver Eagle

Parallels ... Toltec and Lakota

2006-03-09T16:23:00.000-08:00

Toltec ... 2nd Agreement

Don't take anything personally ~ Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

Lakota ... Let the wind blow through you

You cannot forget what other say anymore than you cannot feel the wind when it blows. But if you learn to let the wind blow through you, you will take away its power to blow you down. If you let the words pass through you, without letting them catch on your anger or pride, you will not feel them.

commentary

Here we have two teachings or concepts by two cultures from the Americas, separated by thousands of miles, yet of almost identical concept. A concept that if not only followed but lived by has the capability to revolutionize human life. Yet a concept that is so humanly challenging to live by, because of the poison of the spoken or written word, is likely the most difficult to master.

March 16, 2006

Another thing that came to mind this morning is the teaching of Jesus to his disciples about forgiveness, which to some might be a broad reach to connect with the above Toltec and Lakota teachings. Consider Matthew 18:21-22, 35 . . .

Then Peter came to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. ... So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts frogive not every one his brother their trespasses.

The rabbis (of that time) taught that people should forgive those who offend them three times. Peter, trying to be especially generous asked Jesus if seven (the "perfect" number) was enoughtimes to forgive someone. But Jesus answered, "Seventy times seven" (the number ofeternity), meaning that we shouldn't even keep track of how many times we forgive someone. We should always forgive those who are truly repentant, no matter how many times they ask. ... Because God/Creator has forgiven all our sins, we should not withhold forgiveness from others. Realizing how completely God/Creator/Jesus/Christ has forgiven us should produce a free and generous attitude of forgiveness toward others. When we don't forgive others, we are setting ourselves outside and above Christ's law of love.

Is there a connection between this Christian scripture and the Toltec/Lakota teachings? I believe so. That connection is the "natural" progression or sequence of events, from "Letting the wind blow through you to forgiveness. For letting the wind blow through you or not taking the action of another personally, we take the "power" out of the action whatever it may be. But by forgiveness we remove from that voice within us, that small seed which could grow into a massive tree of resentment.

In various texts and teachings one will find however a divergent view pertaining to forgiveness of an action and forgetting the act. Some teach that after we forgive that we should also then forget, whereas, I am of the understanding that we do not forget, that is erase the event or action from our memory. For by "letting the wind blow through you" we have already removed the power of the event or action, and by forgiving we have expressed the nature of the Creator's love. By removing the power from the event we have made it "neutral", like the words on a page, it's just there.

In the book Black Elk Speaks, Black Elk speaks of what wisdom is, the merging of knowledge with experience, or " Knowledge + Experience = Wisdom ". Every action, event, situation, etc., that occurs in the physical world does so for a specific reason in the Creator's Plan. We cannot begin to comprehend the vastness of the Creator's Plan, so many times we question it ... Why? Much like I initially questioned the purpose behind the squirrel I named "Compassion".

Forgiveness can be in today's computer world likened to anti-virus software, protecting your computer's hard-drive from infection. In our human situation it is protecting our spirit from developing resentments. Forgetting, on the other hand can be likened to "wiping" your hard-drive clean in the process of reformating, you loose all stored information.

If I were to walk up behind you and tap you on the shoulder, then as you turned to see who tapped you, I punched you in the nose, you might eventually forgive me. Now if you were to forget that event happened, I could do it again. By forgiving me you have taken the power from the situation and made it neutral, however by NOT forgetting the experience you have gained "wisdom" to be carefull when someone taps you on the shoulder from behind, that you might get punched in the nose!

Mitakuye Oyasin,

Silver Eagle

Value of Life

2006-01-21T07:56:00.000-08:00

Auburndale, Florida - Spirit of the Buffalo Powwow

What is the value of human life? How is it quantified? Who decides who is valuable?

For those who have read my posts, you know where I stand, that all life is invaluable without limits. Over the weekend of January 12-15, I once again attended and this year directly participated in the Spirit of the Buffalo Powwow in Auburndale, Florida. What does that have to do with the topic title of this post you may ask?

The Native American people value human life from beginning to end, birth to death, at the highest level. The children are reared with honor and dignity because they are the future. The elders, are respected with the same honor and dignity, because without them we would not be here today. Sadly, these are so unlike the "traditional" white society in so many cases.

The children from the earliest ages are taught the traditions and culture of their family, their tribe, their clan. They are NOT told that children should be seen and not heard. They are taught to question "Why?" to gain understanding and knowledge. They are taught the traditions and culture verbally by their parents, grandparents, and others of the extended family. They do not rely on books to pass this on, instead it is committed to personal memory. Much in the same way the Celts and Druids of old passed on knowledge. They are not belittled or made to feel ashamed when the make a mistake or error, for they understand that through mistakes learning and knowledge are transformed into wisdom. It is a blessing to understand the limited bit that I do of the various Native American cultures and traditions.

The elders share the stories, the legends, the traditions of their culture, of their famiy, of their tribe, of their clan. Each generation responsible for passing it on to the next, and updating or adding to them. Among many Native American families there live three sometimes four generations of the family. Grandparents and great-grandparents are not wisked of to some retirement home or nursing facility, and left there to be forgotten. Watching and listening to these elders at the Spirit of the Buffalo Powwow was inspiring, to witness the glow of life in their eyes as they shared their stories to those who would listen.

I recognize that it appears that I'm coming down on the "whites", but I am not, so to speak. What I am attempting to share is what Native American tradition honors as the existence of Thunder Beings. These Thunder Beings are understood by Native Americans to be messengers from the powers on high, the Star People (extraterrestrial visitors). The Thunder Beings are a force for both dissolution and re-creation. In the Plains Indian tradition, a person who has a visit by a Thunder Being, in person, in vision or in dream, becomes a heyoka, a "contrary". [4] This heyoka then customarily soon starts behaving in a way opposite to the conventions of the dominant culture. The heyoka does so, precisely in order to wake up society to see that there are other and fresher ways of doing things. Thus, the heyokais the human counterpart of the Thunder Beings, who repeatedly dissolve the existing order and fashion a new arrangement from the pieces.

As we transition from the Fourth into the Fifth World, it occurs to me that not all heyokasare Plains Indians. Some have yellow skin, others black, others white. These heyokas of every color are experiencers, and have been changed by their experience of extraterrestrial contact by messengers from the sky (Thunder Beings). As modern-day heyokas, experiencers are charged to live as active witnesses against the ignorance and corruption of the Fourth World, and to live as witnesses of the Fifth World which is emerging. In doing so, modern heyokas honor the Thunder Beings, the extraterrestrials, who have come as cosmic midwives to help us birth the Fifth World.

Full Article: Transition from Fourth To Fifth World: The "Thunder Beings" Return (WOVOCA.com - Earth Mother Crying!)

Some may say "bull" to the concept of these Thunder Beings, Star People, Heyokas. Yet those wrapped up in the convoluted intestinal knot of Christian dogmas without question accept the teachings and concept of angelic beings.

My friends, I do not ask you to change your beliefs but merely to open your eyes and experience life going on around you each day. Do not be ignorant of what your senses are telling you. Do not be ignorant of what your heart-of-hearts is telling you. In the same token, do not listen to that "liar" in your head telling you the rules of society, trust your heart-of-hearts.

Mitakuye Oyasin,

Silver Eagle

11/28/05 11:28am

2005-11-28T08:28:00.000-08:00

As the Thanksgiving holiday weekend closes, a couple things come to an awareness of the mind and heart. Society and quite possibly "humanity" in general has become wrapped up with and spoiled by the advances of technology and science. There is a sense of need or desire for I want this and I want it now ... instant gratification ... as well as "needing" our ego stroked. This is happening in relationships, business dealings and family life.

There is a fine line between self-gratification (ego stroking) and being appreciated by others. The gratification/ego stroking is rather unattractive and is often found or experienced through fishing for compliments. In many ways I "personally" would attribute it to a lack of self-worth and a poor self image. In either case it is an emotional need or attachment to seek validation of who we are in life.

In many ways it causes me to recall the teaching of Jesus about the giving of alms ... to do so in secret, so that the lfet hand does not know what the right hand is doing.

Which then leads us or takes us to our personal motive for doing something. Are we doing this or that because we want to from our heart-of-hearts, or are we doing it, even if subconsciously, for our mind's recognition or praise or thanks from others?

The test is very simple ... after we do something, do we move on to something else, and let go of what we've done? Or do we linger waiting to show others what we've done, or do we feel neglected, or unappreciated if what we've done goes unnoticed?

The words of Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for....and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of the sorrow....if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear or further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain....mine or your own....without moving to hide it ..or fade it..or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy....mine or your own....if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning you to be careful, be realistic or to remember the limitations of being Human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself....if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul.

I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore be trustworthy. I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not pretty every day and if you can source your life from God's presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure....yours and mine....and still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver of the full moon....Yes!

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of great despair, weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done for the children.

It doesn't interest me who you are....how you came here. I want to know if you'll stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep....in the empty moments....

OriahMountain Dreamer(c)From Dreams Of Desire 1995..by Oriah House-all rights reserved-published by Mountain Dreaming

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's !!

2005-11-19T08:30:00.000-08:00

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us.They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't gettested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitch hiking.

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. And wewere O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride downthe hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound, no cellphones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chatrooms..........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no law suits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in usforever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn'thad to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law! This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

And YOU are one of them! CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good and while you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!

The Cave of Fire

2005-11-11T20:48:00.000-08:00

The 'Cave of Fire' marks the beginning steps of going beyond regular emotional states of self awareness.
By Deja Allison

The ritualizing of human evolutionary process is older than when our forebears crawled out of the primal waters. It has over time set itself into our cultures, philosophies and human traditions.

This paradigm has surfaced and intertwined itself through human traditions such as Shamanism, or anyone of the many obeah practices that are prevalent in our many different cultures. Druidism, Whirling Dervishes, Buddhist monks, Cloisters and the many other lamasery practiced have taught the steps necessary to allow for personal growth and awareness through certain established edicts in order to raise the level of human awareness and consciousness.

Religion, in it's own system has been the more accessible criterion available to the masses. All cultures have known that a process outside the physical is essential to complete the total human evolutionary process. It is not by thinking, alone that we achieve this.

Spiritual precepts, metaphysics, sorcery, magic, and all forms of divination are the beginning (if one knows how to use them) instructions to take us further along the transformation than human reasoning could take us, but very few people had access to this knowledge on a mass scale. Most of the arcane knowledge was kept secret (more human power control struggles) from us ordinary folk, so the inner levels were kept guarded and not explored generally, by the mass populations. Read More

A Most Beautiful Heart

2005-11-10T22:00:00.000-08:00

One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town proclaiming that he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley. A large crowd gathered and they all admired his heart for it was perfect. There was not a mark or a flaw in it. Yes, they all agreed it truly was the most beautiful heart they had ever seen. The young man was very proud and boasted more loudly about his beautiful heart.

Suddenly, an old man appeared at the front of the crowd and said, "Why your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine." The crowd and the young man looked at the old man's heart. It was beating strongly, but full of scars, it had places where pieces had been removed and other pieces put in, but they didn't fit quite right and there were several jagged edges. In fact, in some places there were deep gouges where whole pieces were missing. The people stared -- how can he say his heart is more beautiful, they thought?

The young man looked at the old man's heart and saw its state and laughed. "You must be joking," he said. "Compare your heart with mine, mine is perfect and yours is a mess of scars and tears." "Yes," said the old man, "yours is perfect looking but I would never trade with you. You see, every scar represents a person to whom I have given my love - I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them, and often they give me a piece of their heart which fits into the empty place in my heart, but because the pieces aren't exact, I have some rough edges, which I cherish, because they remind me of the love we shared.

Sometimes I have given pieces of my heart away, and the other person hasn't returned a piece of his heart to me. These are the empty gouges -- giving love is taking a chance. Although these gouges are painful, they stay open, reminding me of the love I have for these people too, and I hope someday they may return and fill the space I have waiting. So now do you see what true beauty is?"

The young man stood silently with tears running down his cheeks. He walked up to the old man, reached into his perfect young and beautiful heart, and ripped a piece out. He offered it to the old man with trembling hands. The old man took his offering, placed it in his heart and then took a piece from his old scarred heart and placed it in the wound in the young man's heart. It fit, but not perfectly, as there were some jagged edges. The young man looked at his heart, not perfect anymore but more beautiful than ever, since love from the old man's heart flowed into his. They embraced and walked away side by side.

Astrologically Speaking - November 2005

2005-11-09T21:51:00.000-08:00

There are signs you can see in the sky for yourself this month:

Look to the east as the Sun sets behind you, and you'll see Mars coming up over the horizon.

Watch through the night, and you'll see Jupiter rise - coming up over the eastern horizon just before the Sun does at dawn.

Simultaneously, Saturn looms overhead, while Mars is setting in the west. This is what a T-square looks like in the sky: two planets opposing each other (Mars and Jupiter at opposite ends of the horizon in this case), with a third planet at the halfway point, between them, which is Saturn.

Unseen is Neptune, not only because it's too dim to be seen with the naked eye, but more to the point in this case because it's directly below you - which is to say, overhead on the other side of the world forming a Grand Cross.

Along with all the Mars action is telling us that, from collective violence like war to individual violence like murder and other criminality, terrorism, from accidents and crashes and fires and explosions due to recklessness or evil intent and sometimes just plain bad luck, November is yet another adrenalin surging month. If you sense angst and impatience in yourself and others, don't be alarmed: it's par for the course when Mars is so prominent.

Get a grip, calm yourself as much as possible, keep focused on what you're doing and watch out for interference (or worse). Be ready to dodge danger, and for heaven's sake don't go where you're likely to find it unless you're just bound and determined for trouble. That being said, our best behavior = being aware & staying cool.

The Serenity Prayer ... expanded

2005-11-09T19:45:00.000-08:00

No better statement of our need to reestablish balance in our lives can be found than in the Serenity Prayer.

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference.

Serenity means that I no longer recoil from the past, live in jeopardy because of my present behavior, or worry about the unknown future. I seek regular times to re-create myself and I avoid those times of depletion that makes me vulnerable to despair and to old self-destructive patterns.

This Serenity comes from within the individual.
It is not based upon material wealth or external pleasures.
It comes from daily doing our best and the understanding that our "best" is going to change from moment to moment, often based upon our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.
It comes from using our special gifts and talents on a daily basis in a manner that will not only benefit others but also be a witness of our personal beliefs.

Accepting change means that I do not cause suffering for myself by clinging to that which no longer exists. All that I can count on is that nothing will be stable --- except how I respond to the transforming cycles in my life of birth, growth and death.

Accepting things I cannot change.
You cannot change your environment in which you live.
You cannot stop the sun from moving across the sky.
If it is external to you, you most likely cannot change it alone.
Giving up my attempts to control outcomes does not require that I give up my boundaries or my best efforts. It does mean my most honest appraisal of the limits of what I can do.

Courage to change the things I can.
I can only change that which is internal to me.
I can change an external appearance.
I set my own personal boundaries of what I can do or allow to be done unto me.
By daily doing my personal best I am satisfied, but I let go of the outcomes and place no expectations on them.

Wisdom becomes the never forgotten recognition of all those times when it seemed there was no way out and new paths opened up like miracles in my life.
The wisdom to know the difference.
Wisdom does not come from a book, listening to a tape or watching something.
To be knowledgeable or learned does not imply wisdom.

Wisdom comes from the application of knowledge within the experience of life.
True wisdom comes from stepping outside the common boundaries of the mundane world and fully living life, often on what may be considered the ragged edge.

True wisdom comes through facing the challenges and opportunities presented by the daily events of human experience and learning from each experience; even if that experience teaches you that the experience is beyond your personal, individual ability to achieve or accomplish.
True wisdom teaches that failure is not being able to not succeed, but rather that failure is not being willing to try.

History repeated ... 1960 ... 2003

2005-11-07T19:27:00.000-08:00

In December 1960, the Wizard had come into predominance in its new cycle. John F. Kennedy, a wizard Soul, had just been elected President of the United States, and a war was waging on the other side of the globe, brought about by the vagarities of the last Priest cycle (1950-1960), to which we were sacrificing our youth, much as the Grecians sacrificed their youth to a far-off monster, the Minotaur, on the Isle of Crete.

I truly believe that we will probably never know the true story as to who killed John Kennedy. I also believe that it's not really important that we know who killed him, as it is that we understand why he was killed, or sacrificed, actually. The sacrifice of the Sacred King is an ancient ritual in which the blood of the King would be shed in order for the land to be renewed and reborn. There was a great horror facing humanity at this time; that of the sacrifice of youth to the machine of war. It was not just the Vietnam war; other wars around the globe threatened the lives of our youth and the survival of our race. In allowing the sacrifice to take place (and there is evidence that Kennedy was aware that the sacrifice would occur), he averted the horrors of a greater war that would have wiped out most of the population of Earth. It doesn't really matter who pulled the trigger that killed Kennedy, or whether or not he was liked as a persona. The important thing is that Kennedy was successful in his service as a soul, and he is greatly honored for what he gave to humanity and the rest of the world.

We stand now upon the threshold of a new Wizard cycle, that began in April, 2003. It is up to us to bear the responsibility of bringing in a kinder, gentler cycle; one in which the Wizards are loving creators instead of warriors. Much of the current Priest cycle of the 1990's has been geared toward bringing in this Light energy. Many metaphysicians believe that it will be during the next Wizard cycle (April 2003-October 2013) that the Ascension of Humanity into the fourth dimension will occur. The window of opportunity, opened for us during the Harmonic Convergence during the Warrior cycle of August 1987, remains with us. It is up to us to make the decision to go forward into the New Energy.

President Bush Addresses the Nation The Oval Office
President's Remarks

view listen

March 19, 2003 10:16 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: My fellow citizens, at this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger.

On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war. These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign. More than 35 countries are giving crucial support -- from the use of naval and air bases, to help with intelligence and logistics, to the deployment of combat units. Every nation in this coalition has chosen to bear the duty and share the honor of serving in our common defense.

To all the men and women of the United States Armed Forces now in the Middle East, the peace of a troubled world and the hopes of an oppressed people now depend on you. That trust is well placed.

The enemies you confront will come to know your skill and bravery. The people you liberate will witness the honorable and decent spirit of the American military. In this conflict, America faces an enemy who has no regard for conventions of war or rules of morality. Saddam Hussein has placed Iraqi troops and equipment in civilian areas, attempting to use innocent men, women and children as shields for his own military -- a final atrocity against his people.

I want Americans and all the world to know that coalition forces will make every effort to spare innocent civilians from harm. A campaign on the harsh terrain of a nation as large as California could be longer and more difficult than some predict. And helping Iraqis achieve a united, stable and free country will require our sustained commitment.

We come to Iraq with respect for its citizens, for their great civilization and for the religious faiths they practice. We have no ambition in Iraq, except to remove a threat and restore control of that country to its own people.

I know that the families of our military are praying that all those who serve will return safely and soon. Millions of Americans are praying with you for the safety of your loved ones and for the protection of the innocent. For your sacrifice, you have the gratitude and respect of the American people. And you can know that our forces will be coming home as soon as their work is done.

Our nation enters this conflict reluctantly -- yet, our purpose is sure. The people of the United States and our friends and allies will not live at the mercy of an outlaw regime that threatens the peace with weapons of mass murder. We will meet that threat now, with our Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Marines, so that we do not have to meet it later with armies of fire fighters and police and doctors on the streets of our cities.

Now that conflict has come, the only way to limit its duration is to apply decisive force. And I assure you, this will not be a campaign of half measures, and we will accept no outcome but victory.

My fellow citizens, the dangers to our country and the world will be overcome. We will pass through this time of peril and carry on the work of peace. We will defend our freedom. We will bring freedom to others and we will prevail.

May God bless our country and all who defend her.
END 10:20 P.M. EST

Comment - - - Some will say that current military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are nothing like Viet Nam and Southeast Asia. What is important is the "coincidence" of the timing of the events ... December 1960 to March 2003. The soul impulses of Warrior, Priest, Wizard, and Thief manifest not only among individual souls, but also manifest as generational influences within humanity. Each one of these archetypes cycles in and out of manifestation in accordance with a 127 month (10 year, 7 month) period for each one, for a full cycle of approximately 42 years. The occurrence of each Wizard cycle always has to do with breaking bonds that limit individual expression or creative action. From December 1960 the next "Wizard" cycle technically began in August 2002. This Wizard cycle will last until approximately January 2013. Of interesting note here is the association or proximity of the end of the Mayan Calendar, December 22, 2012.

Thesis for Bachelor of Sacred Religious Philosophy

2005-11-07T10:51:00.000-08:00

The Divine, God and Goddess

The Divine

Growing up in the Roman Catholic faith, then being married to a Southern Baptist woman, the concept of The Divine, of God, of a Supreme Being and Intelligence or Higher Power, was not something that was or is foreign to me. My understanding was along traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs.

It was through rehab, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous that I discovered it was not necessary to consider other's concept of The Divine or Higher Power. All that was necessary was my own conception and understanding of the existence of this Creative Intelligence, a Spirit of the Universe, underlying the totality of all things. The Realm of the Spirit is broad, roomy, all-inclusive and never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek it.

As I stated, with a Judeo-Christian background or foundation, I had an understanding of this Divine as a being called God. Throughout the pages that follow because they have been written at various stages along this present Earth-journey, you will find I will frequently use the terms "The Divine" and "God" interchangeably. Yet in some of my latter writings I will use "God" in a different context, and will leave that to your discernment.

Throughout the world there are many names associated with The Divine. All referring to a supreme and inclusive, universal and eternal, essence and energy, visible and invisible, tangible and intangible. The Divine is all that is, and all that is not. It exists in all things, past, present and future. It is organic, as well as inorganic. "It Is" can just as well describe The Divine, as "I Am" is spoken of within the Old Testament of the Bible. The Divine has no beginning and no ending. It has no form or shape, but is present in all things. It can also be called The Source of all things.

As my studies have transcended beyond traditional Christianity by coming to an awareness or understanding of both Native American and Celtic/Druid beliefs, I now personally call The Divine ... "Spirit". The use of Spirit is consistent with all belief systems that have a divine Higher Power. Furthermore it is consistent with my personal awareness and understanding.

Within Biblical scripture, the Infinite and Eternal being is revealed as God. Purely spiritual, Supreme Personal Intelligence, the Creator and Preserver of all things, the perfect Moral Ruler of the universe (Unger's Bible dictionary, p. 410).

Here is where I depart from traditional Judeo-Christian teachings and doctrine. The Divine in Native American beliefs is known as "Great Mystery" and within the Celtic/Druid beliefs is known as the "Sacred One." For within Judeo-Christian doctrine, The Divine or "God" is often referred to in the masculine tense. Yet the perfection of The Divine transcends masculine and feminine, and is the embodiment or essence of harmony and balance.

Therefore, The Divine, as the Supreme Being, Creator and Preserver of all things, the perfect Moral Ruler of the universe then must be the union of that which is masculine and feminine, enjoined as One.

Of God & Goddess

The Divine, as the Supreme Being, Creator and Preserver of all things, the perfect Moral Ruler of the universe then must be the union of that which is masculine and feminine, enjoined as One.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Genesis 1:27)

Blessed Lady and Ancient Lord, enjoined as the Sacred One.

Earth Mother and Sky Father united as the Great Mystery.

Now the Judeo-Christian faith originated from a region of the world that is predominantly patriarchal or male dominated society. This dominance is often sited as being Biblical by using Genesis 3:16 to support it's claims ... "and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall have rule over thee."

At issue however comes the separation of the attributes of The Divine, The Sacred One, The Great Mystery, into masculine and feminine, of God and of Goddess. Through the ages, non-Judeo-Christian doctrines have identified the Goddess with the Earth and the Moon, and God being identified with the Sun and the life cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. I am not advocating "Feminine Spirituality" here, but rather the simplicity and balance of God and Goddess who are enjoined as The Divine. Just as my left arm and right arm are enjoined as parts of my physical body.

A perfect or complete knowledge of The Divine, of Spirit, is not attainable by the finite rational reasoning of the human kind upon this earth. The completeness of The Divine may be closer understood and revealed by an understanding of the godhead ... Spirit, God, and Goddess. For we cannot completely know Spirit, The Divine, unless we are able to experience Spirit. Yet by experiencing and understanding God and Goddess, as the masculine and feminine attributes of Spirit, we can become closer to the complete knowledge or understanding of Spirit.

As I previously stated, Spirit, The Divine, exists in all things. The Divine created man and woman in its own image, God and Goddess. Thus both God and Goddess are then also in all things, including us humans.

In non-Abrahamic descendent beliefs, the Goddess is often identified as I stated with the Earth and Moon. The Goddess is often called the triple Goddess of Maiden, Mother and Crone of whom the three aspects are related to the cycle of the Moon. The waxing New Moon is the Maiden, the Full Moon is the Mother, and the waning Old Moon is the Crone. God is often identified as stated with the Sun and life cycle of birth, death and rebirth. In certain beliefs, God is not only the spouse or mate of the Goddess, but also is Her offspring representing unbound fertility and is often crowned with the horns of a wild buck.

The existence or non-existence of God and Goddess can not be proven by scientific or technological methods any more than can The Divine or Spirit be proven or disproved. Thus the question I must present, "Is not the acceptance of a masculine and feminine, God and Goddess, essence of a Supernatural, Creator and Protector by any name in balance with the Natural Order of All Things? For in order for they're to be balance and harmony within nature, do not all-living things exist in a male and female? In science are not the flows of energy addressed with a positive and negative polarity? From the previously quoted Genesis 1:27, does it not stand finite human reasoning that there is both God and Goddess as part of the Divine, of Spirit, if male and female are created in their likeness. In concert or connection to my understanding of Native American and Celtic/Druid teachings that God/Father and Goddess/Mother are aspects of what is called Great Mystery or Sacred One or Spirit.

Then if we can accept, believe in "I Am" from biblical texts as "God", can not the same be said for the aspects of "Goddess"? Furthermore, I would ask ... Does it truly matter what we call The Divine or it's attributes of God and Goddess? For they truly know who they are, as well as they know to whom we are referring to in prayer and meditation? Do they not?

Silver Eagle

Recapping ...

2005-11-05T21:56:00.000-08:00

My Totems
Power --- Bald Eagle --- the Power Totem is that Animal Spirit which is most closely related (of spirit) to us, and thus will reincarnate with us again and again, and from lifetime to lifetime, as it is our constant ally. Much as the Soul Ray will explain the Soul`s Unique Purpose whilst in flesh , the Power Totem is a reflection of our own Soul, and likewise represents our Life Path and the major lessons, attributes and abilities of our individual and eternal spark. --- Role: ~Illuminating Force~Lesson: Soar Above . . . Illumination . . . Ability to See Hidden Spiritual Truths . . . Strength . . . Connection to Spirit Guides & Teachers . . . Courageous . . . Intuitive . . . Rising Above . . . Creativity . . . Healing . . . Keen Sight

Theme --- Arctic Wolf --- While the Power Totem is the reincarnating You, and is with us from incarnation to incarnation, the ~Life Theme Totem~ is with us only for the current Earth Walk. This is the Animal Spirit that is with us to Teach the Wisdom and Understanding of the current Life Theme, as well as to assist us in fulfilling our Souls present ~Life Mission.~ For those familiar with traditional astrology, the Role of the Theme Totem is very similar to the Ascendant or Rising sign that establishes the "goal post" for the current incarnation. --- Role ~The Teacher~Lesson: Learning & Using Potential . . . WisdomMedicine: Manifestation~Keywords~Teacher . . . Resistance to Change . . . Stamina . . . Resilience . . . Wisdom . . . Determination

Mission --- White Buffalo --- Along with our Life Theme for the present incarnation, we also arrive with a Life Mission. Where the Theme represents the general goals and focus of the current earthwalk and is the current Pathway or direction for the evolving soul, the Life Mission is a specific Role we have come onto the Wheel to learn, absorb and fulfill. As such, we will feel the pull of our Life Mission as a "higher calling," and this is not far off the mark, as it is quite literally a Mission or Special Service that we have agreed to fulfill long before beginning our Earthwalk. --- Role ~The Bringer of the Light~ The Builder of the Bridge . . . The Giving Spirit. . . Lesson: Truth . . . Medicine: To Cross between Planes . . .

So what's it all mean?
In very simple terms (I hope) I see it as follows, ... the Bald Eagle represents my soul/spirit throughout eternity and across the borders or boundaries of what our human mind conceives as "time." Possessing that ability to see hidden truths and provide illumination of them ... the Arctic Wolf represents the now, this present life, that is to be a teacher of what is illuminated, the ability to learn and use pure potentiality in wisdom ... the White Buffalo represents my "mission" in this life, the higher calling, which is to Bring the Light, the illumination, the truth, and to build the bridge through a giving spirit so that others may cross between the physical and spiritual.

Which as I look at my life and past and desire of the future with The Eagle's Nest for Spiritual Studies is actually a very neat package yet to unfold.

Spirit of White Buffalo

2005-11-05T21:28:00.000-08:00

Spirit of White Buffalo
with
astrologybydiana@netscape.net

Role ~The Bringer of the Light~ The Builder of the Bridge The Giving Spirit
Lesson: Truth
Element: Water
Wind: North, The Elders
Medicine: To Cross between ~Planes~

White Buffalo walked from the West, her large eyes watching the grass that covered the endless plains as it waved in the breeze, like strands of golden hair stirring with the gentle touch of unseen hands.

Hooves trod over endless miles, mighty head held aloft as she continued her journey, following the whisperings of the summer breeze that carried the message meant for her ears alone. She would not rest until she had completed her Journey.

From over the softly rolling hills, emerged a figure walking upright. She recognized this figure`s shape as being that of a two-legged, and she hastened her own approach, recognizing the urgency of the voice that continued its whispering in her ear.

The man looked up toward the distant horizon, having been compelled to journey toward the west where the sun would soon be dipping down, marking the end of the day. His eyes caught the vision of white brilliance that was filling up the plains around him, indeed the very sky, and for a moment his heart leapt in fear, for this was unlike any light he had ever known, dazzling in its intensity and brilliance.

For some reason not completely known, yet thoroughly compelling, like the beat of the drum during the Sun Dance, the warrior suddenly felt no fear, and walked toward the magnificent creature who now had stopped just a few feet from him.

The beautiful creature`s great eyes met his own and the movement of time halted its relentless thrum. Long strands of grass moved in slow motion and he could see tiny particles of pollen dance and glitter in the rays of the sinking sun like tiny crystals cast upon the winds.

Her Light enveloped him and he knew no fear, no concern or anxiety, he knew only peace, as though the light were a warm blanket left before a roaring fire before being placed over his form. And in the next moment he was following the White Buffalo . . . toward the setting sun.

As they reached the Doorway Between Planes, White Buffalo turned to the two-legged and encouraged him forward. He stepped into the brilliance of the Light that spilled forth from the Great Doorway as a Warrior among Men. Yet he emerged on the other side as a Dove.

White Buffalo looked toward the farthest reaches of the Western Gate, the Place where the Buffalo Nation resides. She felt their love for her, and as she cast her eyes to the Sky Nation, she heard the song the Ancestors sang, yet as she watched the fading figure now enveloped in the brilliant Light, she knew the reason she had made the journey, and her heart sang a song of resounding joy.

Keywords
Light Bearer
White Buffalo is the Totem for one whose Life Path is to awaken the Soul of Others. Yet in order that she might fulfill this role, she need first to find the Light Within herself, to integrate the Mind, Personality, Emotion and Soul.

This is not an "easy" incarnation, as the process of divining ones own Light is an intensive undertaking that is achieved through a combination of life experience, acknowledgment and integration.

Yet the Light Within will illuminate the process of Discovery and lead him to the Doorway Between Planes, the Gate where the Blue Road and the Red Road intersect.

When he has attained true Integration, the LIght he brings will be seen by All who are willing to learn of the Light within themselves in the splendid dance of the Awakening Soul.

Builder of the Bridge
When Great Spirit moved Its Creative Force across the expanse of the Earth Mother, a Doorway was left between the Blue Road of Spirit and the Red Road of Physical Life. And yet there remained a chasm between Planes that the two-leggeds found difficult to cross, so Great Spirit called upon White Buffalo that she fashion a Bridge to link the Two Planes together.

She stood on the precipice of the mighty chasm and contemplated the task she had been given. For some time, she pondered the space between worlds and wondered how she would manage to bridge that distance. Then, a great calm settled over her Being, as she laid her body down only to discover that her back legs touched the Plane of Physical LIfe, and her mighty head rested upon the golden shores of the Blue Road.

***One who is blessed to have White Buffalo walk beside them, is aware of a "higher purpose" to Life. It is as though they can hear the call of Great Spirit in the secret language of the Oak trees as the wind whispers its path along its branches and leaves, sees the Chasm between Planes in the reflection of the setting sun upon the oceans shimmering surface, and feels the rhythm of Great Mystery in the beating of an eagles wings.

This soul has been gifted the blessing of White Buffalo Totem through his actions of Selflessness in previous incarnations . . . in his ability to integrate the many aspects of his Self into One in the current life as he seeks Truth and Understanding.

Yet with the Blessing comes also Responsibility, for the commitment is to Build the Bridge Between Planes so that Others might also cross.

This will manifest as one who will link understanding between different nations, creeds, religions and beliefs that currently separate their fellow two-leggeds in the ultimate understanding of the Truth, that the many, are in truth, One.***

Truth
It is said that part of the reason White Buffalo is white, is because she cannot speak any untruths, her spirit blessed in the Waters of Truth and Honesty which in turn turns her hide white.

***One with White Buffalo Totem is a soul that is based concretely in Truth, in the belief, adherence to, and upholding of, Truth in all of it`s wondorous forms. Consequently, she will always seek to operate from nothing less than Truth, though this is of course a gradual process, given our Physical Personalities and experiences along the Red Road.

First, Truth is merely spoken as a child, free of editing. Yet, as the child grows and matures, he observes that being direct and honest is not always favored by adults, since the things he may sometimes say seem to elicit a strong reaction, or even pain in others.

Though one who is blessed with White Buffalo will always come back to Truth as the cornerstone of their Belief System, and will live by a strict code of Honesty. Perhaps this is why, when Truth is not honored by Others, White Buffalo Soul may have moments of sadness for the dousing of the LIght of Honesty Within. Then he will raise his head once more to Light and Beauty of Great
Mystery and resume his Path of Truth.***

Elder Spirit
White Buffalo is an Elder Spirit amongst the Animal Totems, for she was with Wakan Tanka at the creating of Earth Mother and placed in the West to hold back the tides.

Her Wisdom is forged in watching, ever vigilent, the progression of the two-leggeds. She observes, understanding the pain the people experience while in the flesh, yet also witnessing the beauty of their souls as they unfold in Conscious Awareness of their Life in ~Physical.~

***One with Buffalo Totem is generally not given the gift as the Power Totem, yet inherites the gift both through previous lifetimes spent in service to their fellow Two-Leggeds, and in the current lifetime through continual study, learning, and conscious growth.

As this is a Totem with tremendous responsibility, she will be drawn to an "Elder Soul," one who has walked many times around the Sacred Hoop of Life. She will walk with one who is focused upon the complete integration of Self, as only once one has integrated all parts of the Whole within themselves, may they then seek to Unite others both to themselves, and to one another.
Herein lies the challenge, as the Path for White Buffalo is never smooth, yet riddled with pebbles, boulders and divided at times by raging rivers. Yet through Trust in his Path and Soul`s Purpose, Faith in Great Mystery that all will be exactly as it is meant to be, and Love for All, any challenge that presents itself will always be acknowledged, embraced and absorbed, leading him to the Light streaming from the Gateway where he may then lay himself down to fashion the bridge so that others might make the journey across.***