The Truth Will Make Us Free (so will the Battle Hymn of the Republic!)

I would like to see our President be kinder to the loyal opposition and do more for starving children. Remember we are no longer a giving nation. We give 2/3 less to the world today than we did in 1962. We cannot lose our friendship with Mexico and Canada and other freedom loving nations. We must maintain reliability in trade with them. Many Americans still want us to be the leader of the free world. No President in our history has departed from “big boy” politics in such a compromised way. It embarrasses us who want our neighbors in Mexico and Canada to not give up on us as a reliable neighbor.

President Donald Trump recently said that “…he wants to get into heaven”.

"America, America, God shed his grace on thee and crowned thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.”

Is America a Christian nation following Christian principles of “loving one another”? Well, first of all we are not a theocracy. Our Founding Fathers wanted to protect the rights of all religions and made it clear that there is no religious test required to serve in the United States government. There are 40,000 Christian sects in the world right now. Dear reader, please fact check that number! In America we also have various groups of the Islam faith, the Jewish faith, Asian faiths and the agnostics and atheists. They are all protected and should feel accepted and equal under our U.S. Constitution. Also remember we are a country of immigrants, and to deny that is truly attempting to live in a make-believe world. Please also note that the American Christian Nationalists and right-wing evangelists really do believe that God has given them all the correct answers! However, Pope Francis never took that position about his own power.

President Donald Trump several weeks ago suggested that we are a Christian nation and that he even hopes to go to heaven. Fact check that he said that. Dear reader that is all well and good, but not a formula to apply to every single American. We cannot impose our religion on a secular society. Theocratic societies have a history of failure. Politicians must serve to enforce the U.S. Constitution for all, and it is our legal guide for all, and remember that does not conflict with the Christian Bible. Christ said, “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God's.” Saint Peter said, “honor your government and pay your taxes.” Christ said, “love one another as I have loved you”. None of that conflicts with a just society that we try to have here in the United States under the U.S. Constitution. In other words, a just society could be one that God would bless in America. The U.S. Constitution created by our Founding Fathers was totally heartfelt as they tried to create a workable legal document.

I am 88 years old, a Christian, a grandfather, a retired small business owner, a writer by avocation, and an Army veteran with two older brothers buried in Arlington National Cemetery. I love our flag, and I love our U.S. Constitution, and I feel we should all follow our rights under the First Amendment. I will not ever be silent over my wishes for freedom and liberty for all in America. The black slave community won their freedom in the Civil War. Please note well dear reader that the English had banned slavery in 1833. Most of the world, except for South America, had already banned slavery well before the American Civil War. Then note carefully that the U.S. Constitution protects all minorities, all American citizens without exception. Billionaires and millionaires do not have superior rights, even though they possess many more privileges. Does that conflict with a just society or do you believe that it is offensive to a just God? We will all see some day. Bigotry and attempts at diminishing the rights of others is not allowed under our laws. Meanwhile, Martin Luther King did not just fight to have his race tolerated! He fought to have his fellow black citizens protected under the U.S. Constitution. And remember Abraham Lincoln took extraordinary measures under the U.S. Constitution adding several amendments to make sure blacks as well as all of us would be protected under our free society. Now we should all note that bias and bigotry are an ignorant position, because it costs money to hate a black neighbor or an Asian neighbor. We actually save the Treasury money by not making it difficult for others amongst us to reach dignity and a decent wage. Acceptance into all communities is a formula that makes an economy work resulting in constructive behavior. Any American who maintains a position of hate to a fellow American citizen or immigrant more than likely is going to cost money eventually to our Treasury.

I can honestly state as an Army veteran that I disagree with President Donald Trump and his views over blacks, women, and transgenders in the military. Especially when one recalls that the President took extraordinary means to get out of serving in the Vietnam War. Now his policy is to act as if DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), has put certain classes of the military in a better position. He wants all black generals, for example, to be re-examined to make sure that they were not promoted under DEI conditions. He has certain views that women in the military is not a positive situation. He has other views for example that the 4,000 transgender soldiers may not be allowed in the future and questions their viability. In fact, a female transgender, full bird Colonel felt obliged to go on national television and state that her rank was well earned and not given to her under any DEI conditions. Fact check! Remember the Christian faith is inclusive not exclusive. Our Founding Fathers wanted an inclusive government, not exclusive. They gave the U.S. Constitution and the leadership of the country to “the people”. We must look to include, not to exclude. Exclusion is a dumb policy and costs our Treasury a lot of money to be ignorant. Vice President JD Vance, an avowed Christian, said that American immigrants were lesser partners in the United States and he demeaned Pope Francis and Pope Leo the XIV over their empathy and sympathy toward immigrants. Let’s not use immigrants as a wedge to divide us.

Our President took office last November and took the oath of office without putting his hand on either of the two bibles his wife was holding. Was this a violation of any protocol? No, it was not! You are not required to put your hand on the Bible to be President of the United States. But on the other hand, it could lead to false impressions no doubt. Could it not? Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (1870) once said “A conservative government is an organized hypocrisy”. Our president becomes very upset when his past negative activities are revealed. Afterall, he was convicted in a fraud trial on 34 counts, he did loose his family foundation and had to pay a $2 million fine, he is now appealing an $85 million sexual assault case, yet he seeks retribution and revenge using government officials to go after cases of questionable and mostly groundless claims.

In his daily business of governing, a pattern is emerging where for the first time in our history we have a historical anomaly. The President of the United States believes that the loyal opposition that criticizes him is allowed to be called “scum” or “enemies of the people”. FACT CHECK! This is peculiar, and out of step and out of common decency, and there's no history of a past President using that kind of graphic demeaning language against an opponent. He often takes criticism from social media and other critics by calling everything they say “a hoax”. Now he invariably responds to negative criticism characterizing it as something left over from the Biden Administration. It should be pointed out that President Donald Trump could care less about our Founding Fathers, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln or Ronald Reagan. It seems clearer by each day that our president is seeking a Soviet style government. One man rule, less freedom from the First Amendment, less freedom of the press, and all power to the Unitary Executive. Anyone who disagrees with this concept will not be allowed to go unpunished. Both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vane fit this title, they are “eighth grade bullies, who can dish it out but they can’t take it.” Winston Churchill commented on his opponents who criticized him relentlessly, but when he fought back they became enraged. Both our President and Vice President are adverse to constructive political criticism. They both have chips on their shoulders. Harry Truman may have said it best, “if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen”. Now it appears America is in for a long ride of meanness and hostility from the White House. Unless we get a sweeter, more pliable administration it’s going to be a bumpy road. Especially if all and any criticism is forbidden.

When Joe Biden was president of the United States, at his press meetings he was hounded relentlessly by “reporters” from Fox “News”. How does President Trump handle his press? He handles it with hostility and negative positions and now has eliminated all correspondents from the White House who have asked too many difficult questions. FACT CHECK!

Joe Biden left his four-year term in office: pulling out of Afghanistan knowing that no country had ever occupied Afghanistan for a long length of time. Biden added 17,000,000 new jobs, a record! He had little or no scandal over his political appointees. He reestablished friendly relations with the EU countries and NATO. Was he perfect in his Presidency? No. He served four years and at the end had spent $2.6 trillion over budget. Note well dear reader his predecessor Donald Trump had impacted the U.S. Treasury amount because of a large tax cut for the rich, in 2017. And remember also, President Trump ended his four-year term setting a record for debt at $7.6 trillion over budget. Be advised and double check, fact check and then fact check again! Also, fact check that in February of 2024, a survey was done using PhD educated professors of political science. They were asked to judge all American presidents. Joe Biden came in 14th out of the 47 presidents, while Donald Trump was pegged dead last by all those answering. Fact check!

Just maybe the above misinformation about Joe Biden from the president and also the need from Fox News pundits, this is why the truth about President Joe Biden has to be covered up. They indeed must keep the BS flowing, else the truth just might emerge about many of his successes and it might impact their soap and pillow sales.

Now let's look into something really creepy, definitely bizarre, and unparalleled in political presidential election outcomes. The story goes like this; Joe Biden according to President Donald Trump stole and rigged the 2020 election, manipulating mail in votes and a variety of other strange assertions. There were 62 lawsuits filed to preserve Donald Trump's chance to overturn the vote. They all failed. Cyber security official appointee Chris Krebs, and Attorney General Bill Barr also said there was nothing irregular in the election. Dear reader, they were both promptly dismissed from their duties two months early. This incident has divided us and has made life tough for many. Now MAGA Republicans must accept that the election of Joe Biden was improper, or they will not be appointed to a political position, and they will not be supported for reelection. This situation cannot exist any longer if we are going to celebrate our 250th year of being a viable society on the fourth of July next year. Ranting and raving and loud noises to get others to take a groundless position over a train load of BS makes zero sense. And worse, when the President now takes office and on his first day he pardons 1,600 insurrectionists who did millions of dollars of damage to the Capitol building where many injuries and deaths had occurred. Remember 50% or more of the Capitol police had actually voted for Donald Trump and now he is pardoning those who attacked his supporters! 80% of the American population polled disagreed with pardoning the insurrectionists. So, if we're going to accept truth we had better begin now. We must demand Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI head Kash Patel if they're going to tell everyone that Joe Biden never won the election, we are absolutely entitled to see their facts, their evidence and their proof. Is it somewhere hidden in the inner sanctum of the Capitol building? I don't think so, but as an American I am willing and able to look at their offerings of guilt as they accuse Joe Biden or the Democratic Party. So, give us what you have before God and all the American people. The truth is it appears, there is nothing to support a “rigged election”, and they know it. This disgraceful overworked “rigged election” stuff must stop for political truth in America to remain viable. The shameless, contrived BS will hurt us as a country if it continues. Let us demand time and again to cease, or else it will affect our next July 4th celebration as we seem to jump off the cliff of reality.

Now let's move on to Project 2025, this was constructed during the Biden administration by the Heritage Foundation Russ Vought, Kevin Roberts, JD Vance and of course counseling with other MAGA Republicans to plan an instantaneous new system of governing should they win. Dear reader, they made it clear that they all were going to remain silent over Project 2025 and their plans on redoing all our Federal departments and agencies. How did that work out? Well DOGE was put together and Elon Musk was the driver of the bulldozer used to flatten virtually all systems of government. There were many questionable and hurtful positions taken without regard to loyal Federal employees’ rights. Remember dear reader the government of the United States of America is not a business, and it cannot be run like a business. Good government must have a heart to exist and keep all of our citizens on board, protected from mayhem and utter chaos. Ideological madness can destroy the economy of our nation and the fabric of our Institutions. There is a distinct possibility that we are trending toward a negative outcome that exists right before the eyes of those able to see!

Now we have major concerns over particular outcomes of crashing down Federal agencies. For example, money that was properly authorized by the U.S. Legislative branch, who controls all Federal funding, was stopped in place, unspent by our new President and Elon Musk. The outcome and the consequences? Well, let's take a look at USAID and remember dear reader, since 1962 we have had our farmers growing food for many poor starving children throughout the world. And remember in 1962 we spent 3% of our Federal budget on foreign aid. That figure is now less than 1%. Please fact check this, we are now no longer a giving nation! Please fact check this, especially the Christian community. Now the result dear reader of stopping in place all activities of USAID caused food enroute to various parts of the world be hampered by the lack of money to finish delivery! This food actually rotted in warehouses, millions of dollars worth! Now fact check this very important statistic that I am about to give you. The death and starvation of various groups in the world due to no help from our American farmers is in excess of 150,000 who have died of starvation since February. And remember as a result of getting rid of USAID, now our American farmers are in a stressed position not growing crops because of USAID and loss of soybean customers under tariffs. Please fact check and then fact check again and remember over 50% of those farmers according to polls voted for Donald Trump. Many of them are grossly worried about bankruptcy. It should be obvious to normal mainstream American voters with core values that some political folks in the American government have a heart no bigger than a damn golf ball. This is an example of inhumane treatment that should not be tolerated no matter who you are or who you voted for. When the richest country in the world cannot feed starving children, as we have done since 1962, then we can be accused of losing our soul. And please note, that the God I venerate has said, “offenses are bound to come, but woe unto him from where the offence commeth”. And please also acknowledge, “you cannot serve God and man, you must choose one or the other.”

Now our President is excited about his tariffs. I think they should be called TERRORIFFs. Now we have next to zero free trade amongst our trading partners. And now we have caused Canada and Mexico to consider us unhinged and unreliable over our treatment of trading with them. Canada was heretofore our number one trading partner. Our relationship is at risk and Canadians are no longer vacationing in the United States. The Supreme Court, because of Donald Trump taking away tariffs from the Legislature, is at this moment deciding whether it was a mistake giving him full tariff ability. One very peculiar example of our president misusing tariffs is that of Brazil. In Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro was just sentenced to 25 years in prison for his attempts at overthrowing the Brazilian government. President Donald Trump who feels strongly about his counterpart has now taken it out on Brazil and the American coffee drinkers by raising the tariff to 50%. Why did he do it? To punish the Brazilian government over their treatment of someone convicted of insurrection. Fact check, fact check, fact check, especially when you drink your soon to be expensive coffee!

It is wrong for all of us to accept watching on National television, children starving to death, without taking action. I am sad that every hospital in Gaza has been destroyed. I am tired of seeing more and more war correspondents witnessing battle, die in Palestine (over 200 killed so far). The children in Gaza are on the edge of death over starvation and the American president just said, “we gave them food and they didn't even thank me!” Fact check! Remember also the only Catholic Church in Gaza was struck by Israeli artillery killing three people. This is the church where the priest in charge had weekly conversations with Pope Francis and later Pope Leo XIV. Fact check!

Are we now breaking international laws? Killing eleven so-called “drug dealers” in a Venezuelan speedboat without showing any proof whatsoever of a violation of American or international laws seems like a violent stretch to say nothing of damaging the reputation of the American military officers who participated in something that is against international law and against America law. This cannot be tolerated. Fact check! Our U.S. Military should not be put into a position to be called upon to participate in hostile killings outside of declared wars. Our military should not be forced to go against their oath to the U.S. Constitution. It is now disgraceful that the Defense Department is trying to gain control over press releases. They want to eliminate transparency.

We are the leaders in the free world of maintaining order, decency and dignity. We cannot slip into an abyss of destructive behavior. If our President truly wants to be a Christian leader, he may want to practice what he preaches by reading, in Luke “The rich man and Lazarus” or “the sheep and the goats” under Matthew. These two parables, every American Christian and all voting Americans should read. Remember, these parables are in the Bible under the rose-colored print, that means they are the word of God. So, look seriously at what you are reading.

Now dear reader please help me pray for the nation of Ukraine whose only crime in this war is wanting freedom and liberty (similarly to the early Americans) from an invading dictator who wants to add to his own territory and rebuild the glory days of Russia lost over 40 years ago. We must maintain empathy and sympathy for Ukraine. Americans must not forsake facts over our history. President Ronald Reagan was instrumental in tearing eastern Europe away from the Russian Iron Curtain that had been in place since WWII. Remember his favorite words to the Soviet leaders, in West Berlin, “tear down this wall”. Now western Europe feels threatened again, and it does impact our friendship with NATO and European Union countries. We must maintain our friendship and viability, and we must remain vigilant. If President Donald Trump is forced to impose restrictions on his friend Vladimir Putin, well, we are better safe than sorry. Our friends in Europe need us right now. Our president must show courage instead of waffling so much for the past ten months.

I would like to see our President be kinder to the loyal opposition and do more for starving children. Remember we are no longer a giving nation. We give 2/3 less to the world than we did in 1962. We cannot lose our friendship with Mexico and Canada and other free nations. We must maintain reliability in trade with them. Many Americans still want us to be the leader of the free world. No president in our history has departed from “big boy” politics in such a compromised way. It embarrasses us who want our neighbors in Mexico and Canada to not give up on us as a reliable neighbor.

So, God bless our President, we are all in this together, divide and conquer tactics will not solve anything. We must practice “e pluribus Unum”.

Let's pray for all of the children and grandchildren of the world, keeping them free of madness and mayhem. Let’s regain our patriotism and belief in America, as we approach our 250^th celebration of the Declaration of Independence. We must pivot away from so much division and now never forget that each moment is an opportunity to begin again. “We will sing a new song to thee oh God!”, from psalms.

Opening Image: Adobe Stock, EA World View, Microsoft Designer