Culture: Are You Ennobled?

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While updating TLB’s Facebook page with the latest sales promotion, a familiar face flashed across my screen – the image of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.  Hot off the press was the news that the award-winning actor was found dead in his NYC apartment at the age of 46 of an apparent drug overdose.  Out of curiosity I “googled” the phrase “actor dies of drug overdose” and stared at the images of seemingly, endless photos of accomplished people – all shapes, sizes, ages, and colors.  Perhaps cliche to say, it’s nevertheless worth noting that talent, fame, and fortune are not guarantees of happiness.  They are fleeting.  And this is self evident.  So what is permanent?

The Founding Fathers had an answer for this.  With knowledge of Old Testament prophets, Ancient Greek Philosophers, and Christianity, they devised a government whose purpose is human happiness – the American Republic.  Carefully divided and arranged powers are based on “The Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God”, in other words, fixed and discoverable laws.  Citizens must “figure out what is true and good and beautiful and conform our lives to those standards that come from nature, do not change, and are not to be voted on”, according to Hillsdale professor Terrence Moore.  Advice worth considering.  And according to the founding claim, it ennobles the individual.

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TLBCo.: Have a heart, America!

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Hearts and February go together, as do patriotic thoughts to those who know something about American history.  Several of our greatest citizens – Presidents, no less – were born in February.  Washington, Lincoln, and Reagan are some that come to mind.  Whether providing the first, best example of the American character, preserving the union, or recalling Americans to our founding principles, they all loved America deeply and served her faithfully.  From time to time America requires that of her citizens – to rise to the occasion.  Today is one such occasion.

Judge L. Hand (yes, that was actually his name) once said:  “Liberty lives in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it;”  So have a heart, America, literally!  And show liberty still lives in yours.  Check out TLBCo.’s purple heart magnet, on sale at our shops through President’s Day.

http://www.thelibertybrand.com/magnetLLH.html

It Matters!: A Time for Choosing, Again . . .

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Gettysburg Address Sesquicentennial PosterA choice is impending.  And the choice is fundamental.  It recurs in various forms and at different times in American political life.  Just as in the years leading up to the Civil War, we are once again A House Divided  over the moral foundations (and character) of self government.  Lincoln surmised that the purpose of asserting the moral principle of Liberty to all in the Declaration was for future use as it “was of no practical use in effecting our separation from Great Britain.”  It serves as a “stumbling block to those who in after times might seek to turn a free people back into the hateful paths of despotism.”  Sound familiar?  Join us in recalling Americans to the Founders’ model of self government grounded in transcendent moral principle.  The perpetual pursuit of the moral truth of Liberty to all is the lofty and worthy goal of America.  Do the work.

It Matters!: “Do the work.” Ted!

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Screen Shot 2013-09-25 at 8.39.52 AMGlancing at Twitter last night to gauge the response to Senator Cruz’s (R-TX) filibuster one particular tweet caught my eye.  It was from Chuck Whoolery and said something like “I’m sick of all the media outlets saying that Cruz’s actions don’t matter . . . IT MATTERS TO ME!”  I share his sentiments.   In fact, this is why I named a category in this blog containing my personal, political commentary:  “It Matters!”  Politics DOES matter as do the actions of those whom we elect to represent US – to be OUR VOICE.  No doubt that political strategists, analysts, and pundits alike will prognosticate (this is my “vocabulary word for the day”!) about the shrewdness of Cruz’s actions.  After all this is how they make a living.  But consider this.  The Founders and other great leaders of the past – the ones who loom large in our memories (Lincoln comes to mind) – remind us there are things larger than ourselves – principles – that are worth defending irregardless of personal costs.  Once upon a time America was made up of such people.  The signers of the Declaration of Independence, in essence, signed their own death warrants; Washington and his men crossed the Delaware River on a blustery Christmas night against seemingly insurmountable odds; and the likes of Lincoln and King lost their lives expounding (vocabulary word #2!)  the equal, natural rights of all human beings; These are only a few examples of Americans who risked all.  As touted, Obamacare seeks to fundamentally (and irreversibly) transform the nature of the relationship between government and its citizens.  I applaud Senator Cruz for publicly objecting and expressing the views of a majority of Americans.  I expect no less from my Senator and seem to recall he took an oath to do just that!  “Do the work.” Ted!

Personal Note: “Super Annie” to the Rescue!

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I must confess THIS is the photo I wanted to include in my previous post about the birthday parties that I’ve been throwing for the Constitution the last several years at my kids’ elementary school.  It’s a “double” cookie cake because this was the most cost-effective way to have cakes for both 4th grade classes.  The kids love it because it has lots of icing; I like it because I have them spell out “We the People” on the document, providing a nice lead-in to our discussion.  We talk about how in the American form of government, uniquely, sovereignty or power resides outside the government with the people.

Calling my daughter – Anne – “Super Annie” is an inside, family joke.  We all precede our name with “Super” when we think we’ve done something really outstanding.  I started the tradition by calling myself “Super Mom”, many times jokingly, when I do the things all moms are tasked with – many times simultaneously.  I even received “Super Mom” PJs one year as a Mother’s Day present!  In this particular case, Anne earned the distinction.  After lamenting the fact that I knew I had a photo of one of the Constitution Day cookie cakes but couldn’t find the photo to include with my post, she went straight to our desktop computer and produced it!  Better late than never?  Thanks, “Super Annie!”