Gingrich says Republicans can't beat Hillary in 2016

Former House Speaker and Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich told NBC's Meet the Press Sunday that a Hillary Clinton presidential candidacy in 2016 would be virtually impossible for Republicans to beat.

Gingrich stated that with former President Bill Clinton and an ex-President Barack Obama teamed up with a mainstream media machine that would willingly promote the ticket, the Republicans would not be equipped, at least not at present, to successfully oppose such a massive entourage.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

The 2A News Roundup--Top Ten for Monday, Dec. 10, 2012

All guns and politics from the best gun rights and liberty bloggers on the Internet.

Kurt Hofmann reports the latest developments on two national reciprocity bills for concealed carry, which has the anti-gun bigots in a stir.

WRSA notes that no matter how appealing the single young women in that photo may look, they represent a growing danger to liberty. Read his reasoning, and glean the facts. We face an uphill climb if we are on the side of individual freedom and limited government.

Karl Denninger lets the cat out of the bag on a disturbing aspect of ObamaCare that nobody noticed until now. Read it all. And get set to get VERY angry.

Way Up North posts the must-read quote of the day on the subject of secession.

Tam lists a few interesting tidbits of info you may not have known.

Mike Vanderboegh reports that Obama's arrogant Agriculture Secretary (is there ANYONE in this administration who isn't arrogant?) has told farmers they had better get in line with the administration's program, or they will become irrelevant.

CLO comments on the fact that Obama is considering John Kerry for Sec. of State as the chances for Susan Rice's confirmation fade.

Every Blade of Grass describes the basic tools necessary for survival when the SHTF. He has a second section of part one as well.

Stand Up America says that the alleged Benghazi ringleader has been captured.

The War on Guns informs us that a petition is going around demanding that Bob Costas, Jason Whitlock, NBC Sports, Fox Sports, and the NFL apologize to all peaceful and law-abiding gun owners.

Arabs team with Russia, China to push Internet control

A controversial international plan to control the Internet has aroused the protests of the United States as certain Arab nations have teamed up with Russia and China to attempt to place the World Wide Web under the control of the International Telecommunications Union.

At the World Conference on International Telecommunications currently meeting in Dubai Dec. 3-14, a group of Arab states along with Russia and China proposed that nations strictly control Internet companies, leading many critics, especially in the United States, to charge that the proposal would severely hamper Internet freedom.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

Musings After Midnight--Strategy Considerations in Moving Forward to Depose Tyranny and Restore the Constitution

Good evening, and welcome. Time for another fireside chat with your congenial host, Anthony G. Martin, also known on Twitter as Welshman007.

I invite you to pull up a chair, warm yourself by the fire, have some coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. I always have some scones around too, if you wish.

This being the Christmas season, I want you to feel at home, welcomed, comfortable. "Peace on earth, good will toward men" is a worthy goal, although in our day to day lives we may feel that it is impossible to implement it. But still, we can try.

Be that as it may, events in the political and social realm continue to unfold around us, no matter which "holy days" we happen to celebrate. The same is true with Christmas. In spite of the fact that we may turn our attention to the Babe in the Manger and His message of salvation, love, and forgiveness, the world as a whole is still held firmly in the grip of sin, evil, violence, and war.

The entire Middle East appears to be on the brink of implosion. Syria has chemical weapons of mass destruction that apparently it intends to use on its own people. The best intel we have indicates that these WMDs came directly from Iraq, which sent its weapons of mass destruction to Syria just prior to the U.S. invasion.

The Muslim Arabs living near Israel somehow got the United Nations to declare them to be a nation. But rather than this being an indication of moving closer to peace in the region, in reality it only makes war inevitable. Their goal, and they have said so many times themselves, is to wipe Israel off the map. These 'Palestinian' terrorists live right in the doorstep of Israel. And they now have nationhood status.

And then there is the ongoing disintegration in Egypt, Libya, and Iran, all pointing to colossal foreign policy failures on the part of Hillary Clinton and the Obama Administration.

Here at home we continue to face dire circumstances due to the mind-boggling debt load the nation carries to the tune of $130 trillion when Social Security, Medicare, and the prescription drug program are added in.

Some question my formula for adding in the three so-called "entitlement" programs. Most place the debt at $16 trillion--still ridiculously high--which excludes Social Security, Medicare, and the drug program. I firmly believe that it is imperative to add in those three items to the debt for one simple reason--the U.S. does NOT have the money to pay for them. That means the gov't must borrow the money to honor its commitment to citizens in those three realms.

But many citizens protest, saying, "But, I paid into those programs all my life. That is my money. It is not an entitlement and has nothing to do with the debt. All I want is my money back."

If you are willing to actually listen to the truth about that, my friend, here is the reason you are wrong. The government raided those funds and spent every penny you ever put into them. That's right. It is all gone. You do not have a bank account in a locked box with the federal government with your name on it where they are carefully guarding all the money you sent them. Once that money went to the coffers of the national treasury, it immediately ceased to be yours and it is now being used for whatever the federal government wishes to spend it on.

The way they have justified their theft is a "promise" that they will put the money back. But since we are now so deeply in debt, the only way that money can be put back is for them to borrow it from China, Japan, the Federal Reserve, and other countries.

Thus, we do not get a truthful picture of the nature of the debt unless we add in Social Security, Medicare, and the prescription drug plan.

And since this president and the Democrats who control the Senate are not serious about doing anything to address this debt by making deep cuts in federal spending, it's off to oblivion we go, sooner rather than later. Greece, Spain, and other European nations are the proof.

So, regardless of it being Christmas, these realities are still with us, though we may not pay attention to them much due to our focus on gift buying, holiday parties, and musical programs.

When it became clear that nothing would be done to address any of these problems, given that Obama was reelected and the U.S. Senate was consigned to Democrat control yet again, many patriots opined on the fact that the nation is surely headed to collapse, destruction, anarchy, and then war. This is probably true to a much greater degree than anyone wants to admit. The divide among the populace is deep and volatile. Deep feelings motivate each side, and both sides are determined to implement their vision for the country--two visions that are as diametrically opposed as they can get.

Some have suggested a separation. A divorce. Some states would secede, forming a new nation, while others would remain with the status quo. Such an option may not be as far fetched as it seems, given that the country has been down this trail once before. And that event perhaps is a foreshadowing of what will happen should it go down that trail yet again. The forces of the central government would not tolerate it. And such a thing would be considered an act of war, which would mean that the Leviathans would unleash the full force of its arsenal against those areas that declared their independence.

Various and sundry militia groups and patriots say they are prepared for such an eventuality. I have no reason to believe they are lying. Americans have been arming themselves to the hilt for five years, and as time passes they continue to buy large quantities of guns and ammo, more so now than when Obama got elected the first time.

While I am deeply sympathetic to the sentiments of these groups (after all, I am a Jeffersonian, which should tell you something), I loathe the idea that I may be forced to fight a war in my senior years, at a time when I had hoped to slow down, enjoy what little I have been able to accumulate, and nurse my various maladies in peace. I don't want to engage in a war on our own soil.

But the reality is this may come to us whether we want it or not.

At some point the forces of government control cross a line so crucial, so sacrosanct, that no red-blooded American patriot can let that go without thinking that the Leviathans must be made to pay for their despotic violations of basic human liberty. This has been building ever since the middle of the 20th century. It has now reached a fever pitch. The consensus I am picking up is that the electoral process has failed us due to a citizenry that has been indoctrinated and dumbed down to the point to where they cannot be trusted to make sound decisions in the voting booth.

William F. Buckley, Jr. was famous for having once said in the late 50s that he would rather be governed by the first 500 people in the Boston phone book than the people elected to Congress. Back in the 1950s, perhaps that was a prudent thing to say. But even Buckley was forced to admit when he became much older that such a thing would no longer work. And indeed, in the years since Buckley's death it has reached the point to where many patriots, myself included, trust NO ONE in the electorate as a whole to do any better than the imbeciles we send to Congress and the White House. "The people" are the ones making these terribly unwise decisions.

How does Nancy Pelosi manage to get elected to the House year after year after year? Because "the people" in her district in San Francisco vote for her. How does self-avowed Socialist Bernie Sanders get elected to the Senate year after year after year? Because "the people" in Vermont vote for him.

"The people" voted for the government that gave them Adolf Hitler in Germany in the 1930s.

Thus, when a populace has become so muddleheaded, corrupted, brainwashed, and feebleminded that they can no longer be trusted to cast their votes in a rational fashion, what then? Are we doomed to the path of Nazi Germany or Communist China just because a majority of voters want it?

Well, Jefferson said no. HELL, no.

His solution was a civil war, a revolution, a purging, every 20 years or so...not to overthrow the government but to make sure the Constitution remained the ultimate rule of law in the land.

Are we at that point today? I admit I don't know. I am very slow to admit that we are, but that may be due to my own internal reluctance to accept the fact that we have actually allowed ourselves to get to this stage in my lifetime. I had hoped I would be long gone before I witnessed the disintegration of my own country.

There are those who insist we ARE, indeed, at that point and that we are long overdue. I suspect they are right.

So, as we move closer and closer to the critical moment of decision regarding our nation's future, it is important to think about strategy considerations in moving forward in our attempt to depose tyranny and restore the Constitution as the ultimate and final rule of law in our land.

And here I am talking about philosophical and political strategies, not military ones. I will leave the military strategy to those who are experts in such things.

But if the long dreaded moment of truth arrives, and we find ourselves fighting a war to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution, we must not forget that philosophical and political strategies are every bit as important as the military ones. Unless we have a plan in place, we will descend into complete anarchy, lawlessness, chaos, and ultimately find ourselves with a dictatorship every bit as dangerous as the one we supposedly went to war to prevent. If a vacuum is created without something to fill it, a "something" of our own choosing, then a different "someone" or "something" will most definitely take advantage of our neglect, with deadly consequences.

Given these unavoidable facts, here are some strategic factors that must be considered.

First, we must make sure we develop a clear message to the public at large concerning what it is we want to accomplish. The political and media machine will most definitely paint us as traitors and insurrectionists who wish to "overthrow the government."

Nothing could be further from the truth, and we must make sure we clearly state who we are and what we are about from the outset, and continue to state it often as we proceed.

Conservatives, libertarians, and patriots do not wish to overthrow the government. And those who say such things are barefaced liars.

Now, I know that a few kooks run around the country, claiming to be patriots, who obviously wish to overthrow the government. They have said so. We must disavow such people, distance ourselves from them, and make it clear to the populace that this is not what we are about.

For example, let me personalize this for a moment so that it can be more readily understood.

I want to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution, which has mandated three distinct branches of government that must be kept--the legislative branch (the Congress), the executive branch (the presidency), and the judicial branch (the Supreme Court). THAT is the federal government as prescribed by the Constitution, and that is what I wish to preserve, protect, and defend, along with all of the rights enumerated in the Constitution.

There is no way I would align myself with any movement that would depose the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. That is our uniquely American system of government, and that is what I am committed to protecting and restoring.

Therefore, those who say that people like me wish to "overthrow the government" are either (a) lying, (b) ignorant, or (c) some combination of both (a) and (b).

I have no intention of aligning myself with people who wish to overthrow the government created by the Constitution. But what I AM committed to overthrow are many of the PEOPLE who occupy the offices of that government. The government structure is not the problem. It is the people who have somehow managed to get into that government structure.

We the people have the right to decide who occupies those offices. And when the wrong people get in, and the electoral process fails us in getting rid of them, then Jefferson's reset button kicks in. We remove them by force.

That is not sedition, or treason, or insurrection. That is our system of government as created by the Founders! It's right in the Declaration of Independence.

Thus, it is not the government we wish to overthrow. Far from it. We want a change in leadership in the top offices of that government.

Second, should a state or a group of states succeed in withdrawing from the union at some point, it is important to move quickly to implement at least the broad structure of government outlined in the Constitution. Even if there are no "central offices" or building to house these branches, it is important to have in place the structure for them, which will be filled by patriots willing to serve in the interim as the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary...until such time as elections can be held.

Why is this important? When instability ensues from such a gargantuan upheaval in society, it is too easy for personal egos to get in the way, leading to discord, and even to a one-man monarchy of sorts, where a single individual calls all the shots. Strong men (and women) often feel that they know what is best, and they have the ego strength, fortitude, and power of personality to dominate.

But we must resist that temptation at all costs.

This we can do by making sure at the outset that the structure of government we accept and wish to implement is that which is mandated by the Constitution, which describes shared power that is limited, as opposed to concentrated power on the part of an individual or small group of individuals. And the shared power that is limited in scope must remain limited. We must be intentional and proactive in insisting that the power of any one individual be strictly limited.

The example of George Washington provides a good lesson in this regard. Washington was a war hero who was able to successfully lead a fledgling army of citizens to fight off the British in order to gain independence. Some citizens wanted to make him king. He refused, and was even embarrassed by such sentiments being expressed. After all, we had just fought a war to throw off a monarchy.

Washington, thus, retreated to his home and was content with tending to his own business ventures. But it was decided by the patriots that no one was better suited to fill the office of president as prescribed by the new Constitution.

Washington resisted. He did not want to be president.

The patriots persisted, however. Finally, they convinced him that his country needed him, that his wisdom and guidance would help solidify, unite, and put the new nation on a even keel. And besides, as far as patriots were concerned, the best qualification for public office was the very fact that Washington did NOT want to serve. His personal ambition would not get in the way.

Washington was a great choice. He served with dignity, honor, and observed the strict limits placed on his power.

Even if we never have to go to war or secede from the union, these are invaluable lessons for patriots as we seek to restore the original spirit and intent of the Constitution. If ever there were a mindset sorely needed in Washington at this hour, it is the humble manner of a George Washington, who detested arrogance, who abhorred being treated as a king, and who recognized and affirmed the strict limits placed on his power, and the power of the legislature and judiciary.

Third, if the worst-case scenario occurs, and we find ourselves at war to defend our right to form our own government in opposition to the tyrants who have taken over Washington, there is another consideration that must be taken into account that is of immense importance. In the short term, there will be hard times as never before in the modern era. In spite of the fact that many patriots have stocked up on guns, ammo, food, and other supplies, there are other patriots who believe 100% in all we stand for, but for reasons beyond their control they may not have had the opportunity to make such preparations.

Here I am talking about the chronically ill and disabled, the elderly, and those who live in poverty.

The reason why capitalism worked so well for so long in this country and others is that people by and large lived by certain moral and ethical absolutes, most often due to the teaching they heard at church. Thus, when a neighbor fell on hard times, the community of individuals came together to help, voluntarily. There was no law requiring it. There was no government program mandating it. They simply did it out of the goodness of their own hearts, voluntarily opening up with wallets to their neighbors in need. Food was taken to them. Their barns were rebuilt. Their fields were plowed and tended until they themselves were able to do it again.

Gradually America lost this spirit of voluntarism, and thus, a gap was created which made it very hard for the poor to get anything at all. This led to cries from "progressives" to implement broad, sweeping government programs that we refer to today as "the nanny state." I maintain that had the citizens continued with their basic moral and ethical duty to help their neighbors in need voluntarily, then we would never have gotten in this shape where the government nanny makes infantile dependents out of people from the cradle to the grave.

There is going to be unimaginable suffering on the part of citizens caught up in the coming upheaval, whether the United States remains intact or not. The question is, will you open up your storehouses to provide food, water, medical care, and sometimes, even shelter, to those elderly and chronically impaired who cannot care for themselves?

If you believe as I do that voluntarism, not government programs, are the answer to making provision for the needy, then that will be the time to prove it. We cannot and MUST not go into this with the attitude that "I have made provision for me and mine alone, and you have to live with the consequences of your failure to do so." Well, in this instance it won't be because they failed to do so. It will be due to circumstances beyond their control.

This will be the time for you to remember your upbringing. For some it may mean going back in your minds to a time in your youth when you heard a preacher quote Jesus saying, "If you have done these things for the very least of these my brethren, you have done it unto Me." That statement referred specifically to voluntarily helping the sick and the poor. For others it may mean starting to actually live what you have claimed are your core values, that government should get out of the business of taking care of people so that individual citizens can do it voluntarily. If this is your belief, then that means YOU!

We cannot afford to lose anybody in this fight for liberty in modern times, not even those who may not be able to take care of themselves but who believe with all their hearts in our cause.

These are some things we need to think about as we move forward. I have much more to say about this, but I will leave the rest to another time.

Thank you for stopping by to read this chat. I hope it at least gives you some food for thought.

Conservative consensus says 'send it over the cliff'

As talks on the so-called fiscal cliff continue in Washington, a consensus has emerged today among conservatives to walk away from the talks with President Obama and allow the nation to go over the fiscal cliff, or at least give the president and the Democrats all of the tax increases they want.

On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., stated that given the stubbornness and refusal of Obama and the Democrats to meet Republicans halfway on spending and debt reduction, the Republicans should simply walk away from the talks, let the nation go over the fiscal cliff, and then make sure the Obama administration and Senate Democrats "own" the fallout from it.

In addition, Fox News commentator Eric Bolling, who has emerged as a strong conservative voice, stated Thursday evening that the only way to get adequate spending cuts that will make a difference in the huge and dangerous debt load the U.S. carries is to walk away from the talks and allow the nation to go over the cliff.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

The 2A News Roundup--Top Ten for Thurs., Dec. 6, 2012

All guns and politics from the best gun rights and liberty bloggers on the Internet.

Pamela Geller has the explosive details on the fact that the Obama Administration helped to arm Jihadists in Libya through a secret weapons transfer. This one is BIG!

David Codrea reports the latest on the big gun-grab attempt by gun control freaks who wish to rob veterans of their 2nd Amendment rights. Financially incompetent to own a gun? FOOLS say such things.

Kurt Hofmann says that the latest software allowing citizens to print their own firearms is not the only way we can bust the government monopoly on force.

Mike Vanderboegh alerts us to the fact that the current "zombie" warnings from government is coded language. We the citizens who resist the Leviathans are the zombies. Remember that.

WRSA reminds us that the upside down American flag is not a desecration but a distress signal. And he provides the latest example of why we are a nation in deep distress.

Stand Up America notes that although Detroit is asking for a massive bailout in exchange for its support of Barack Obama, it may be time to let the cesspool dissolve into oblivion.

Days of our Trailers relays the story of the rabid anti-gun Illinois politician who was arrested for trying to carry a handgun onto a plane. Hypocrites, one and all.

Way Up North sounds the alarm on the massive surveillance of all citizens the federal government is conducting right now.

The War on Guns notes a story of government tyranny, oppression, and a media complex that continues to distort, lie, and push an agenda.

Market Guru Karl Denninger comments on Jim DeMint's departure from the Senate and the real story behind this. I agree. There is much more to this than what meets the eye, as I stated in my article at Examiner today.

DeMint resigns from U.S. Senate

Republican leaders and the entirety of the Washington political establishment in both parties were shocked, even taken by complete surprise, at the announcement today that U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., has resigned from the Senate.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

Questionable tactics lead to impasse on fiscal cliff talks

The major news outlets of Washington reported Monday and Tuesday that the ongoing talks concerning the so-called fiscal cliff are at an impasse. The main reason for the impasse, say political observers, is the questionable tactics of the key players.

Monday evening Fox News' Sean Hannity stated that President Obama has dug in his heels, refusing to budge on issues such as tax increases of nearly $2 trillion, spending increases, and a new stimulus plan that will hit the taxpayers with another $50 billion.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

A Christmas Treat for You

A very Merry Christmas to all of you.

I have a treat I want to give you as my special gift this Christmas season.

You will find it over at the ministry site at Martin Christian Ministries.

I hope you enjoy it.

The 2A News Roundup--Top Ten for Tues., Dec. 4, 2012

All guns and politics from the best gun rights and liberty bloggers on the Internet.

Mike McCarville reports that a conservative black Republican of note, J.C. Watts, is being encouraged to seek the chairmanship of the RNC.

Alphecca alerts us to a news story about guns making its rounds yet again, which is nothing more than urban legend.

Roberta X weighs in on Bob Costas' epic case of diarrhea of the mouth.

Days of our Trailers has the latest on the continuing saga of the buffoon goons over at Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.

Every Blade of Grass relays his involvement in an interesting saga regarding spacecraft and ships. Take a look. And then note his previous posts on this.

GunRights4US says that we can all kiss our 401(K)s and IRAs goodbye...Obama is coming for them.

Nicki has more news from the realm of Obamanomics that should send shivers up the spines of all who are concerned about their money.

The Smallest Minority is spot-on in his observations concerning why liberals/progressives don't trust guns in the hands of good people who never commit crimes. From a psychological standpoint, he has hit the nail on the head!

The Wandering Minstrel shows us a photo of the uninformed hacks quoting uninformed hacks on the "NRA is the new KKK" mantra.

Blonde Sagacity posts the cartoon editorial comment of the day.

Conservative ire against Boehner hits boiling point

Politico is reporting today that conservative discontent that has been brewing just under the surface toward Speaker John Boehner and the House Republican leadership has now hit the boiling point. At least three powerful conservative groups have now publicly expressed their opposition to Boehner.

The last straw, according to the conservative groups, was the retaliatory removal of four key conservative congressmen from plum committee assignments. Their removal was said to be punishment for bucking the GOP leadership establishment "too often."

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

The 2A News Roundup--Top Ten for Monday, Dec. 3, 2012

All guns and politics from the best gun rights and liberty bloggers on the Internet.

Mike Vanderboegh provides some interesting ammo statistics.

Kurt Hofmann reports some more shenanigans out of the infamous and boneheaded 'Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.'

The War on Guns poses a question for the network that employs unabashed Leftwing nutcases like Bob Costas, whose job is to report SPORTS. He is NOT a political commentator.

WRSA notes the current crisis of "American self-government." As I always say, the Founders never intended for "self government" to be the ultimate goal in and of itself, in a vacuum. A country can have self government and enslave its people by their approval. The ultimate goal is liberty. As long as self government attains that ultimate goal, well and good. But when self government goes awry, what you have is tyranny every bit as deadly as Communism and Nazism.

Standing By weighs in on the fiscal cliff debate.

Way Up North muses on the political unrest that is engulfing most of the major nations of the world.

Tam has renamed the FBI the "federal bureau of entrapment." Take a look to see why.

Brigid writes a wonderful essay on the entitlement society that is the dry rot eating through the very fabric of our nation.

Pamela Geller's latest column at WND takes a sobering look at the creation of a "Palestinian state," and how it is the death toll for real peace in the region.

Stand Up America reports explosive news today that WMDs are being moved around in Syria, signaling growing tensions and pending war and collapse. And wait till you see the evidence that many of these WMDs were moved into Syria from IRAQ just prior to the U.S. invasion!

New links found between Fast and Furious and New Mexico gun scandal

In 2011 the Examiner was the first national news outlet to report that a major gun smuggling scandal had engulfed the entirety of the town government in Columbus, N.M. Eleven town officials including the mayor and the police chief were charged and sentenced for gun trafficking in a scandal that was shown at the time to be connected to the Fast and Furious operation of the ATF and multiple agencies of the Obama administration.

Today National Gun Rights Examiner David Codrea reported that new links have been discovered between the Columbus scandal and Fast and Furious.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

Palestinians to be punished for statehood vote

Although President Obama has made it clear he will not retaliate against the United Nations or the Palestinian Authority over the vote creating a "Palestinian state," Congress is set to do exactly that, according to a published news report in The Hill today.

A backlash against the Palestinian Authority is believed to have broad, bipartisan support in Congress. And U.S. Sen. Orin Hatch, R-Utah, stated that he would introduce a bill cutting off U.S. funding for the United Nations.

The Congressional move to cut off U.S. funds for Palestinians will come directly on the heels of a move by the Israelis to immediately withhold tax transfers to the Palestinians, which has been a matter of Israeli policy for several years.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

Conservatives tell Boehner to 'walk away' from fiscal cliff talks

Two prominent conservatives, one a journalist and commentator, and the other a long-time politician and political analyst, have encouraged House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, to walk away from talks with the president and Senate Democrats regarding how to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff." This fiscal cliff, however, has nothing to do with the real calamity that is set to cripple the U.S. economy.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

Israel to reject UN vote on 'Palestinian statehood'

In a direct declaration of defiance of the United Nations today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that no matter how the U.N. General Assembly votes today on "Palestinian statehood," Israel will stand firm in defense of its interests in protecting its citizens against terrorism and preserving "the 4,000 year old bond between Israel and the land of Israel."

The United Nations plans to strip Israel of land that has been held by the Hebrews and their descendants, on and off, since 3,000 B.C. The entire region was seized by Muslims centuries ago and held firmly in the grip of Islam until 1948 when the Jewish homeland was reestablished.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

The 2A News Roundup--Top Ten for Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012

All guns and politics from the best gun rights and liberty bloggers on the Internet.

David Codrea reports that finally the Whistleblower Protection Act has been signed into law. I wonder, though, if the law will prevent the lawless in government from retaliating against ATF whistleblowers in the Fast and Furious scandal.

WRSA observes that we have all this "democracy" around but little freedom. This is great stuff because democracy has nothing to do with freedom, and never has.

Kurt Hofmann issues a dire warning to those who think the 2nd Amendment protects us from tyranny. The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence wants us all DEAD!

Mike Vanderboegh has in information on gun control freaks that you may find to be most interesting...

Way Up North posts a wonderful pictorial along with a great message. Take a look.

Tam says it's deja vous all over again in Europe.

Alphecca reports that a California Appeals Court has upheld San Francisco's insanely restrictive gun laws.

Pamela Geller informs us that, not surprisingly, Egypt's controlling Muslim Brotherhood has rammed through a Sharia Constitution for the country. Some "democracy."

Blonde Sagacity notes some REAL "audacity of hope," and it sure isn't Obama's blather.

Stand Up America posts a must-read on "super blue cells" scattered throughout America that are responsible for Obama's reelection.

UN to vote on 'Palestinian statehood' Thursday

Over the objections of the United States and Israel, the United Nations is set to vote on 'Palestinian statehood' Thursday, Nov. 29. The move has the broad support of Muslim nations in the Middle East and the majority of the nations of the European Union.

Critics, however, say that the move will do nothing but further inflame the tensions that constantly brew just beneath the surface in the Middle East.

Israel has long decried moves by Arabs in the region to establish such a state, which many say amounts to a second Palestinian state since Jordan was originally conceived as the first Palestinian state...

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

The 2A News Roundup--Top Ten for Wed., Nov. 28, 2012

All guns and politics from the best gun rights and liberty bloggers on the Internet.

Brigid provides excellent reading in a piece titled, "Walking in Freedom."

Roberta X blogs on an interesting gun she ran across at a gun show -- a tiny, hammerless model made in 1913.

Mike McCarville reports that yet another Republican, Tom Cole, has joined up with the turncoats in teaming with Obama to raise taxes and tax rates.

Nicki has some choice words for Ruth Bader Ginsberg on her recent comments about gender and the Supreme Court. Warning: adult content.

The Smallest Minority notes that the great Mark Steyn made a prediction back in Sept. that, unfortunately, turned out be reality, and continues to unfold. Not good for America.

The Wandering Minstrel says that in order to get a welfare check, you should have to pass this test. Take a look.

Traction Control, who is a major licensed gun dealer of note, reports that after Obama's reelection, gun and ammo sales have skyrocketed to their highest level ever.

Oleg Volk, photographer extraordinaire, provides his latest masterpiece along with commentary about ammo. 

The Stiletto notes that those who can't teach, cheat.

Karl Denninger posts a must-read on the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and marriage. Don't miss this one.

Fast and Furious defendants sentenced

Two defendants in the Fast and Furious scandal were sentenced in Phoenix on Monday for their participation in the ATF sponsored gun smuggling operation to Mexican drug cartels.

Jacob Anthony Montelongo was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison on charges of conspiracy and dealing guns without a license. Sean Christopher Steward was sentenced to nine years for conspiracy and lying.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

What the h*** are these numbskulls up to!?

Drudge is reporting this evening that former Florida Governor Jeb Bush is meeting near the White House with "alumni" from his leadership team. A Romney political operative was there as well.

Speculation is running wild that the meeting is an early indication that Jeb is intent on running for president in 2016 and was in town to test the waters. He did not deny such speculation when asked by National Review.

You see, this type of thing right here is why I am fed up to the hilt with the Republican Party. Two moderates in a row, two losses in a row. Add Jeb in 2016 and we will have three losses in a row.

The country does not want nor need another Bush in the White House, not in this lifetime, nor the next, nor the next, and probably not for centuries to come. And we certainly don't need any more Clintons or Kennedys either. These three families constitute the closest America has come to having royalty, a notion that the Founders not only abhorred but blasted to kingdom come.

The very fact that these elitist Republican numbskulls are merely considering such a thing is enough for me to spew them out of my mouth as the sickening, foul contamination that they are.

The 2A News Roundup--Top Ten for Monday, Nov. 26, 2012

All guns and politics from the best gun rights and liberty bloggers on the Internet.

Mike Vanderboegh says that the controversy surrounding the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence and their vendetta against patriot Kurt Hofmann is growing. Now they are going after Mike and David Codrea!

David Codrea declares that the DOJ is the weakest link in the cartel gun smuggling wiretap leak.

Kurt Hofmann reports on the massive failures on Black Friday of the National Instant Criminal Background check that is required on all gun purchases.

WRSA shares why he is more optimistic than many when it comes to resisting the Leviathans. Take a look.

Way Up North passes along commentary about the current secession movement.

Stand Up America has uncovered a massive child porn ring encompassing several agencies of the federal government. Why am I not surprised.

From Standing By: "Why American Voters Seem Insane."

Days of our Trailers comments on the gun store owner who refuses to sell anything to Obama supporters.

Alphecca reports that nobody is taking advantage of the "gun dorms" being offered at the University of Colorado.

Pamela Geller says that the situation in Egypt is growing even more dire as info has surfaced indicating that the new Muslim Brotherhood dictator intends to assassinate anyone who opposes his power.

Benghazi scandal fades from news

In the weeks since the 2012 presidential election, the Benghazi scandal has faded from coverage as a news story in the mainstream media. With all of the current focus being on the so called "fiscal cliff," news outlets now have a good excuse for keeping the scandal off of the front pages of publications and out of sight entirely on network television's evening news shows.

The question that looms over the Obama administration and Congress going into 2013, however, is how long will they be able to avoid dealing with the Benghazi debacle...

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

Musings After Midnight -- Time for the day of reckoning for Republicans

It wasn't so much that Mitt Romney was a weak candidate. Overall, he wasn't. It wasn't so much that Romney was lacking in that elusive quality we call "presidential." He was. And it wasn't that Romney would have been bad for the country. He probably would have been a welcomed breath of fresh air with his genuine goodness that hearkened back to an earlier era when we here in this country prided ourselves on our integrity, our purity, our word being our bond.

The problem was that the Republican elitist establishment had decided early on that Romney was going to be the nominee, and they set out to get the rest of us to approve that choice by claiming that he was "the most electable" out of a fairly large field of candidates.

Each year the elitist establishment does the very same thing. Either one candidate is singled out above all of the others as "the most electable," or one candidate is singled out as "the most unelectable" because he or she is very popular with the average Republican voter in spite of having fallen out of favor with the elites. Sarah Palin and Ron Paul come to mind.

Reagan was denigrated as being "unelectable" throughout the 1970s by these omniscient, omnipotent gurus, until one day in 1980 he proved not only that he was electable but that he could beat a sitting president in a landslide. And then he turned around and won in a much larger landslide in 1984, one the largest in American history.

In 2008 McCain was chosen for his "electability" and then promptly lost to Obama. The same thing happened with Romney this year.

The bottom line is that the Republican establishment does not have a very good track record when it comes to choosing electable candidates. Yet they manage to convince the majority of rank and file Republicans during each presidential election that they have the inside track and know best.

Ron Paul, Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, and others were each designated early on as unelectable. But at that same point during the 1980 Republican primary races, Reagan was also designated as unelectable. In fact, Reagan was running behind some of the other declared Republican candidates who fared better in the polls in a run against Jimmy Carter. And even after Reagan received the nomination, he ran behind a very unpopular president in the polls until late September and early October. It was very late in the campaign, only a few short weeks before the November election that year, that Reagan began to show signs that he could possibly beat Carter.

Yet on election day he gave Carter a resounding shellacking.

What is my point in droning on about this? The Republican Party elitist establishment is suspect. They have a built in bias in favor of "moderate" or "liberal" Republicans to begin with. And they detest any candidate who threatens the status quo, the dangerous and deadly under the table collaborative collusion between elitist Republicans and the Democratic Party leadership. And it just so happens that those who challenge this unholy alliance are conservatives. It also just so happens that the conservatives are the ones who rarely find favor with the unholy alliance.

We are now seeing yet another example of this dangerous and deadly collaborative collusion with the current posturing regarding the so-called "fiscal cliff." Before any official negotiations have even begun, already the elitist Republicans are caving to Obama demands.

U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia caved when he said he could not remain faithful to his no new taxes pledge. Today John McCain and Lindsey Graham jumped on board the tax hike bandwagon.

But as we conservatives have maintained all along, America does not have a taxing problem. We have a spending problem. Every nickel spent by the federal government is now borrowed. The debt now exceeds what the entire nation is worth by $30 trillion. And the debt now amounts to roughly 10 times what the nation produces in goods and services per year.

That is astronomical and dangerous. No nation on earth has ever survived with a debt load that large. And making a few obligatory concessions to reducing the spending by a trillion or two is laughable. That doesn't even begin to be a drop in the bucket compared to what is needed to bring the debt under control. And raising taxes on those who create the wealth and provide the jobs will not lead to more money for the government at all. Such measures in the past have only reduced overall revenues to the government due to the fact that when wealth creators are punished by tax policy, they stop investing in jobs and markets, and the entire economy slows. Less money made means less money that is available for government to tax. That is simply the way it works. This is economic reality.

Thus, the Republican establishment is once again selling us down the river before the new Congress has even been called into session. The presidential election of 2012 is barely over and already they are busy trying to "cut a deal" with a president and with Senate Democrats who are intent on slapping higher taxes on the citizens without doing much to seriously reduce federal spending.

U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., made the only sane observation about the debt in 2011 when he said that in order to really make a difference in the debt, federal spending needed to be cut by $9 trillion immediately. Nobody else, not Republicans nor Democrats, would dare touch such a proposal.

But he is right. The official national debt, using the fudged numbers of the federal government, is $16 trillion. But when unfunded liabilities are added in, that is, when the money the government has promised to senior adults in the form of Social Security payments, Medicare coverage, and the prescription drug plan are added in, that debt jumps to $121 trillion. The reason? The federal government does not have the money to meet those obligations. That means that every penny spent on those programs must be borrowed.

Is it comforting to you that your Social Security retirement, Medicare coverage, and prescription drug plan is provided by funds borrowed from China, Japan, and the Federal Reserve?

It gives absolutely no comfort to me whatsoever. I am way too aware of what debts can do to a person, a business, and any entity, including a government. Debt ultimately leads to the loss of possessions that you highly value.

But here we are in a lethal financial quagmire for which there are few solutions and none that do not involve significant pain. Is this how you wanted to spend your retirement years? Me, either. But we can thank our politicians over the past 30 years or so who have squandered every penny the citizens have put in every program of the federal government, including the so-called "sacred and protected" Social Security, spending those funds on whatever boondoggle they could think of, with some sort of half hearted "promise" to eventually put the money back, much like a person who embezzles thousands from a business but has an attack of conscience and tells himself/herself that they "intend to pay it back."

But the harsh truth Americans need to accept about our dire financial straits is that THERE AIN'T NO MORE MONEY!

We are only a few years from being in the exact same shape as Greece and Spain, complete with deadly and barbaric rioting in the streets. Hungry, starving people who have no more money to spend, and whose governments have no more money to give away can turn barbaric in a heartbeat.

In many ways the so-called "fiscal cliff" that faux Republicans, Democrats, and Obama are into hysterics about presently is not a fiscal cliff at all. There is no real emergency. Although Republicans warn about the massive tax increases that will kick in unless a new deal is reached, the thing they are not telling you is that massive cuts in government spending will automatically kick in as well -- something that the RINOS and liberals most definitely do NOT want to happen.

So the real "crisis" is that the politicians fear they will get the blame for the massive spending reductions in federal programs across the board. Such a thing could turn out to be much more positive for the country, in spite of the tax increases that are coming along with it.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am totally against these tax increases. Something needs to be done to stop them. But the cuts in spending? Let them fly! This is exactly what is needed, painful though they may be.

The question is whether or not you want moderate pain now, in the present, or excruciating, unbearable pain in the future, a pain so severe that you may not survive it.

I readily choose moderate pain in the short term.

But this is only wishful thinking. The politicians of the elitist establishment of both Parties will never allow this to stand, which is why they are crying foul and running around like chickens with their heads cut off attempting to create a false sense of calamity in order to stop the dramatic cuts and tax increases. But the real truth is that even if such cuts and increases went into effect Jan. 1, there would be no "fiscal cliff" or calamity.

The only real fiscal cliff is that which is being propelled by politicians such as McCain, Graham, Reid, Obama, Schumer, and Pelosi, who refuse to address the looming sword of Damocles hanging over our heads in the form of the mind-boggling $121 trillion in debt.

No one is willing to do whatever is necessary to get our financial house in order so that we can avoid the calamity being experienced by Greece and Spain. Even the Republicans are timid in this regard. The RINOS such as McCain and Graham are even worse.

So, what's a patriot to do?

I had stated quite publicly after Romney was selected as the nominee that in the interest of getting rid of Obama I would support the Republican candidate. I did not, after weeks of endless soul searching, believe that I could vote third party or a write in given that such votes would tend to be siphoned off from Romney, making it more difficult for Obama to be ousted. My only goal was to oust Obama and get a Republican majority in the Senate.

I had further stated quite publicly that after this election cycle I would throw my energy behind teaching the Republican elitists a lesson. I advocated conservatives leaving the Republican Party by the millions, no matter what the consequences, in order to show the elitist snobs once and for all that they need us to win, that if they ignore our demands we will make sure they never win another election.

That sentiment only intensified when Romney lost.

I was livid that for two elections in a row I got roped in to supporting whoever the elitist Republicans gave us "for the good of the country." And I was even more livid that just as I had predicted, we LOST with these two candidates given to us by elitist Republicans, just as we ALWAYS do when we cast our lot with moderate establishment candidates such as Gerald Ford, Bob Dole, John McCain, and Mitt Romney.

Frankly, I am ready to abandon the Republican Party, leaving them to their own insanity. In spite of losing two elections in a row, they are now claiming conservatives are to blame and propose even more pandering to the Left. That is asinine. Lunacy.

And now we have three high profile Republican senators calling for tax increases in the middle of the worst economy since the Great Depression. Once again, that is asinine. Lunacy.

And that lunacy is so brazen that I want no more of it. If this is the kind of "leadership" we can expect from the Republican Party going forward, then they can count me out.

I believe that all conservatives should follow suit. Together we can make a powerful statement that cannot be ignored.

As for me, perhaps it is best that I not be aligned with any Party anyway. It may enhance my objectivity.

But I am interested in hearing from you as to where we proceed from here. Do you think we should stick with the Republicans and fight like hell to reform it from within? Or do you think it is too late for that? And if so, how do you propose to get enough conservatives and libertarians to join together to actually WIN?

And the cop out statement that it doesn't really matter because we are going into Civil War anyway is alarmingly short sighted. We had BETTER have a plan in place to address political realities that are ongoing, even in a war, and even more so AFTER such a war is fought. Complete anarchy is not the way forward. We need to have a plan in place for an orderly transition as we undertake the process of restoring the Constitution, the rule of law, back to its rightful place as the ultimate expression of the Founders' vision for a Constitutional Republic in America.

Black Friday riots an omen of coming civil unrest?

Astute citizens, political observers, and economic realists have been forecasting for four years that America is on the fast track to collapse. Those who keep their ears to the ground believe that we are headed very quickly into a similar fate suffered by Greece and Spain.

And at least one writer believes that the riots that were reported on Black Friday this year, which included deadly violence, are a dark omen of coming civil unrest due to a collapsing economy.

The reason? The unwillingness of elected officials, particularly the White House and Senate Democrats, to do what is necessary to address the dangerously high level of national debt that will enslave generations of Americans in the future to creditor nations and entities, such as China and the Federal Reserve...

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

Top 40 Best Christmas Songs of All Time

When I first wrote the "top Christmas songs of all time" theme in 2009, I had 30 of the best--at least according to my informed opinion. I remember at the time thinking to myself that eventually I would have to expand that list. There are just too many excellent Christmas songs that have come along to exclude from such a list.

So, this year "the top 30" has expanded to "the top 40 best Christmas songs of all time." You will thus find 10 songs on the list that I have never included before.

When it comes to Christmas music these are some 'must-haves' for your collection. I'm sure I am going to inadvertently leave out a few, but in my view this list contains the very best Christmas music ever recorded, most of which is still available from various retail and online sources.

So, let's get to it...the best Christmas music of all time.

1. (Tie) 'O Holy Night' by Andy Williams, recorded 1965.
'Ave Maria' (Schubert version) by Perry Como, recorded in 1957, updated version 1983.

2. Handel's 'Messiah' recorded by Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, 1970.

3. 'The Little Drummer Boy' original version, Harry Simeon Chorale, 1950s

4. 'Mary's Boy Child' by Evie Tournquist, 1976.

5. 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' recorded a capella, The Cathedral Quartet, 1985.

6. (Tie) 'I'll Be Home For Christmas,' The Florida Boys, 2000
'I'll Be Home For Christmas' by Perry Como

7. (Tie) 'White Christmas' by Bing Crosby
'White Christmas' by the Florida Boys featuring baritone Glen Allred.

8. 'Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire' by Nat King Cole

9. 'Mary, Did You Know?' by the Gaither Vocal Band, featuring Mark Lowry.

10. 'Heaven's Child' by The Florida Boys, 2000.

11. (Tie) 'Sleigh Ride' by Amy Grant
'Sleigh Ride' by Arthur Feidler and the Boston Pops

12. 'Santa Claus Is Coming to Town' by Frank Sinatra

13. 'Silent Night' recorded a capella, The Florida Boys, 2000

14. 'The Bells of St. Mary's' by Bing Crosby

15. 'I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day' by Bing Crosby

16. 'There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays' by Perry Como

17. 'Do You Hear What I Hear?' by Re'Generation, 1975

18. 'Jesu Bambino' by Re'Generation, 1975

19. 'I Wonder as I Wander' by Perry Como

20. 'Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas' by Burl Ives

21. 'What Child Is This?' by the Harry Simeon Chorale

22. 'Jolly Old St. Nicholas' by the Ray Conniff Singers

23. 'Go Tell It On the Mountain' by the Harry Simeon Chorale

24. 'O Come All Ye Faithful' by Nat King Cole

25. 'Beautiful Star of Bethlehem' by Flatt and Scruggs

26. 'Frosty the Snowman' by Perry Como

27. 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' by Gene Autry

28. 'Christ is Born' by Perry Como

29. 'Happy Holidays/It's the Holiday Season'--Andy Williams

30. 'Winter Wonderland' by Johnny Mathis

31. 'Ave Maria' (Bach version) by Celtic Woman or Luciano Pavarotti

32. 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year' by Andy Williams

33. 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' by Brenda Lee

34. 'Blue Christmas' by Elvis Pressley

35. 'Christmas Without You' by Dolly Parton

36. 'The Holly and the Ivy' by the Norman Lugoff Choir

37. 'Away in a Manger' by Lawrence Welk Band and Chorus

38. 'Carol of the Bells' by the Robert Shaw Chorale

39. 'Coventry Carol' by the Robert Shaw Chorale

40. 'Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella' by the Robert Shaw Chorale

I will add that if you can find anything by the Robert Shaw Chorale, get it. This world-renown choral group, under the direction of the quintessential maestro Robert Shaw, produced some of the finest music ever recorded, most of it a capella. Several of his songs are listed above, but in reality every single thing ever recorded by Shaw is excellent.

Another note is that the album from which came a good many of the songs on the list, a Florida Boys Christmas from 2000, may be out of circulation. I know that it became very hard to find only a couple of years after its release due to its popularity. I don't think it is available new. But, you may find some used copies on eBay. It is worth having. In fact, it is worth the price of the entire recording just to have Glen Allred's rendition of 'White Christmas.'

Why Peggy Noonan is wrong on how GOP must change

Famed Reagan speech writer and syndicated columnist Peggy Noonan staked out her territory in the newly launched debate among Republicans as to how the party must respond to two losses in a row in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections.

Basically Noonan has cast in her prospects with the elitist establishment of the GOP, maintaining that the tea party has hurt Republicans overall by appearing to be "too angry" for most voters. Noonan maintains that the anger that voters ascribe to the tea party has been a turn off and that in order for Republicans to attract the people it needs to win, it needs to develop a positive message.

Thus, Noonan endorses the so-called Republican "big tent" that is inclusive of widely divergent points of view, which moderates claim is how Reagan won the White House in 1980...

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

The 2A News Roundup--Top Ten for Friday, Nov. 23, 2012

All guns and politics from the best gun rights and liberty bloggers on the Internet.

David Codrea reports that a major ATF whistleblower says that someone in the agency defaced and destroyed his badge while he was on medical leave--a deliberate act that is more indicative of a juvenile delinquent than a federal agent.

Kurt Hofmann has run across a rumor that says Obama is going to ban semi-automatic weapons, not by a law passed by Congress or a U.N. gun ban treaty, but by executive decree. Dictatorial tyrant.

Days of our Trailers wishes Happy Thanksgiving to Chicago, especially in light of the murder spree that continues there, in the most restrictive gun ban environment in the nation.

GunRights4US notes that the Obama-Democrat tax plan will force many smaller family farms out of business. The culprit? The "estate tax." It's going up to 55%.

John Jacob H presents a copy of George Washington's original Thanksgiving proclamation.

Nicki has a few choice words for the race baiters.

WRSA says get set for the "total domination control grid."

The Wandering Minstrel lets his views be known on the mayors who are against guns with his entry, "Gun Owners Against Illegal Mayors."

Stand Up America declares that ceasefire in Gaza only means reload for the Palestinian terrorists.

Mike McCarville notes that some Republican establishment elitists are blaming the Tea Party for the losses of the White House and more Senate seats. But Tea Party leaders are crying "FOUL!"

Experts say prepare now for massive 2013 tax hikes

As if to cast a dark cloud over the 2012 Christmas shopping season, financial and tax experts stated Thursday that now is the time to prepare for massive 2013 federal tax hikes.

Obamacare alone contains over $800 billion in tax increases, and the first wave of those increases are set to occur in 2013-14. In addition, unless Congress and the president act before Jan. 8, 2013, the Bush era tax cuts will expire, sending taxes skyrocketing in what will amount to the largest single tax increase in U.S. history.

The average middle class family of four will automatically pay an extra $2,000 in federal taxes alone, excluding Social Security and Medicare withholding, unless Washington moves quickly to extend or make permanent the Bush tax cuts.

But there is heavy Democrat opposition in Congress to either extending or making permanent the tax cuts...

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

Here is Glen Allred at His Best--even at 70 years of age

My earlier post will tell you all about my prayer request for Glen, but I wanted to show you a demonstration of why I think Glen Allred is the greatest baritone that gospel quartet music ever produced. Not only can he do that close harmony for which baritones are known, but he is an excellent soloist...and here, the Florida Boys are at their very best! Enjoy...

Prayers Needed for a Good Friend

I just found out today that a good friend of mine, a famed Gospel singer whom I have known since I was eight years old, had open heart surgery in Pensacola, Florida. I ask that you join me in praying for him.

Glen Allred was the famed baritone singer/guitarist for the legendary Florida Boys Quartet from 1952 to 2007, when the group retired and left the road. Glen is a true-blue icon in Gospel Music, having started his career on the Grand Ole Opry with the Oak Ridge Boys back in 1950. He played the guitar for the quartet, and then one night when the group's baritone was sick, Glen was tapped by the group's manager to fill in. It was then discovered that not only could the Oaks' guitarist sing, but he could sing exceptionally!

But in time the group's regular baritone returned, and Glen wanted to do more than just play the guitar. So, in 1952, he accepted the offer from Pensacola business magnate and Gospel promoter J.G. Whitfield to join The Florida Boys, a group that Whitfield started in 1948 under the name "Gospel Melody Quartet."

Allred's voice became THE anchor for the Florida Boys' sound, and there he stayed for 55 years. Quartet aficionados will tell you readily that it is the baritone that is most essential to the harmony of a four-part ensemble. Without a good baritone, the quartet's harmony falls apart, although not many listeners are aware of the part when they hear a quartet. It is not meant to be a major noticeable sound in a quartet but a carefully nuanced quieter part that is known for its flats, sharps, and naturals that set quartet music apart from other musical genres.

Very, VERY few people who have followed the gospel quartets for the past 50 years would disagree that Glen Allred is perhaps the best and greatest baritone to ever perform on a stage. Or at least they will say he ranks in the top three, along with Doy Ott of the Statesmen, and Mark Trammell of the Cathedrals and the Mark Trammell Quartet.

I happen to think Glen takes the top honors, although the other two were/are wonderful.

Glen befriended me when I was but a little boy attending a gospel concert in my hometown. Somehow I was able to get backstage to meet my favorite group at the time, the Florida Boys. I met Les Beasley, Billy Todd, Derrell Stewart, and my hero I had idolized by watching him on TV, Glen Allred. Glen was even nicer in person than he seemed on TV.

In those days the Florida Boys hosted a TV show on Sunday mornings that from 1963 to 1980 or so was shown in every major TV market in America, The Gospel Singing Jubilee. I got up early every Sunday morning just so I could see The Florida Boys and Glen Allred.

I never forgot how kind Glen was to a little boy with stars in his eyes that night back stage. And in time I was able to become friends with Glen and the rest of the Florida Boys through tracking them down at concerts, later starting and singing in my own group, and then doing some concert promoting along the way.

Glen is a Christian gentleman that I am proud to have gotten to know. I miss him and "the boys" out on the concert trail, but they deserved perhaps more than any other to park that bus and spend time resting at home in a comfortable bed.

Join me in praying for Glen Allred as he recovers from surgery. I'm sure his wife Shirley, and son Randy, and the other family members, will deeply appreciate it.

The story behind the story of the first Thanksgiving

Contrary to popular perception, Thanksgiving is in part a testament to the triumph of capitalism over socialism. In addition to the deep, abiding religious/spiritual significance of this uniquely American holiday, Thanksgiving serves as a shining example of how private property, free trade, and individual liberty always win over the collectivist mindset of socialism/Marxism.

Most of us are very familiar with the story of the first Thanksgiving, when the Pilgrims gathered with their new-found Indian friends to give thanks to God for not only sparing their lives but giving them the blessing of abundance after nearly failing to survive their first winter in New England.

What you might NOT know, however, is the story behind the story.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

2016 campaign already in high gear behind the scenes

Word came from the Republican National Committee (RNC) today that the 2016 presidential campaign is already in high gear, albeit behind the scenes and out of public view.

The manner in which Americans go about choosing a president has necessitated a 24 hours per day, seven days per week cycle, 365 days out of the year, with little or no break after a national election. The reason for this turn of events is money. Barack Obama demonstrated in 2008 that with the right online and overseas strategy, some of which many believe is illegal, close to $1 billion can be raised for a campaign.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

And a mighty fine afternoon to you...

Afternoon, friends. I wish all of you a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving Day tomorrow.

The 2A News Roundup will resume on Friday of this week. My schedule here has been abbreviated due to some holiday stuff I'm involved in.

Be sure to read my Examiner articles each day. Examiner pays by the number of readers I get. That means if you don't read I may not be able to keep food on the table. Thank-you kindly to those of you who are faithful readers here and over at the Examiner as well.

Just wanted to say that I'm thankful to God for those who of you have befriended me here and who continue reading my stuff here and at Examiner, although I am now just an ill-tempered old man who hates to lose. :)

God bless you one and all.

Paul says secession is a 'deeply American principle'

Retiring U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, wrote on his congressional website Monday that the current growing secession movement among the states is a "deeply American principle" and is "a form of American freedom."

Paul made the comments in response to the fact that all 50 states in the union have sent a special petition to the White House requesting that the executive branch recognize their right to separate from the United States.

A state must have at least 25,000 signatures on the petition in order to get a response from the White House. But some states have more than enough signatures. Texas in particular has amassed 115,000 signatures.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

The 2A News Roundup--Top Ten for Monday, Nov. 19, 2012

All guns and politics from the best gun right and liberty bloggers on the Internet.

Mike Vanderboegh points to a source of some excellent buys, surplus, for those wishing to save money on gear.

Kurt Hofmann, who continues to be hounded by the vermin at The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, notes an item in the news that certainly does anything but fit their commonly-used template to libel gun owners.

David Codrea says that a recent official government report indicates that there WILL be calls for drastic new gun control laws in the new Congress and in the second term of Obama.

WRSA has a must-read item that is worth every bit of your time. Read it all.

Way Up North posts several examples of why you can never trust "Monday, Mondays..."

And then to add to the meme, Tam provides a Monday "stream of consciousness."

Standing By declares "we are headed for an economic dictatorship."

Alphecca has an interesting read on women and concealed carry.

CLO comments on the fact that it is very likely Eric Holder will remain as Attorney General in spite of his numerous failings and ethical lapses.

Pamela Geller show us a heartwarming letter from an Israeli child who is in the midst of relentless attacks on his country from Palestinian terrorists.

Join Me on the Radio at 6 p.m. today

I will be a guest on Jo Anne Moretti's Underground Liberty Report on Blog Talk Radio this evening beginning at approximately 6:10 p.m. Her show runs from 6-8 p.m.

Here are the links and info:

Please tune in at 6pm EST to Moretti Underground/Liberty Report:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/prnradionetwork/2012/11/19/moretti-underground-the-liberty-report
Chat: http://prnradionetwork.homestead.com/SHOW-PAGE.html
CC: JoJo Norton 
Today's special guest : .Anthony G. Martin

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/prnradionetwork/2012/11/19/moretti-underground-the-liberty-report

Prices rise sharply 2 weeks after election

In what some economists say is an omen of things to come, prices on various items such as prescription and over the counter drugs, and gasoline, have risen sharply just two weeks after the election.

"It really makes a person wonder," one pedestrian told the Examiner Sunday in Greenville, S.C., who commented on the hike in gas prices...

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

Musings After Midnight--"A Brief, Simple Explanation of Why Obama is Still President

Hello, my good friends.

Welcome to another after midnight session of these chats where we gather together as concerned patriots to muse over the state of the nation. Granted, we have had little to be happy about for the past four years. From what I can tell, we are going to become even more distressed as Obama's second term progresses.

And that is why these chats are more vital than ever and will become even more important as time goes on. We patriots MUST stick together. In fact, we must find a way to come together in some organized fashion so that we don't splinter off into   impotent subgroups that have little influence or impact.

Presently we are disorganized. There are many patriots out there who are doing great things to restore the Constitution as the ultimate law of the land. But they are split among dozens if not hundreds of groups. Maybe that is a good thing. There are some positive points to having smaller groups where authority is spread out. But there is also something be said for coming together to fight a common -- and very powerful -- enemy.

These things we will have to flesh out as we proceed.

But at the very least we can discuss issues here.

More about that later in the coming days.

For tonight's discussion I have some thoughts for your consideration that may help us forge a consensus as to where we proceed from here. I want to present a brief, simple explanation as to why Obama is still president.

You may wonder why I would want to focus on that since the subject appears at this point to be obvious to everyone and elementary to boot, a foregone conclusion. I know that various and sundry theories have been presented by various pundits as to why Obama won, and most of them have at least some merit. But it seems to me that the one thing missing is a comprehensive overview, a step by step understanding of the various components of the landscape in 2012 that led to this debacle. We need such a simple, easy to follow grid. For therein lies the seeds of our comeback as conservatives and patriots.

The way I boil it down is this: Obama is still president due to the following basic factors, all of which played a role in the 2012 election.

First, Obama and the Democrats successfully bought off millions of citizens with freebies, courtesy of the taxpayers.

It has been said that in Ohio, for example, the single issue that made the difference between an Obama win and a Romney upset was the bailout of the auto industry. That, in itself, is a bribe. Citizens in Ohio with connections to the auto industry were bought off by the Party in power in order to get their votes. It was a dastardly act as well, on several levels. Not only did they steal the money right out of the taxpayers' pockets to give to large corporations in Ohio, but they stole the companies right out from under investors who had sunk multibillions of their own money into those companies, and then turned around and gave it to the auto workers union. That is ABJECT THEFT, a criminal act. But it worked. Corruption buys votes if the money is right.

Second, Democrats have used immigration policy to overrun the country with millions of new votes on the part of Hispanics who are sold out to all Democratic candidates. Being the Party of amnesty works, although it is a slap in the face to honest, non-criminal immigrants who are willing to stand in line and wait their turn like everyone else.

But the Democrats have discovered another interesting tidbit about the Hispanic immigrants. They like big government and all the freebies that go with it.

Is it any wonder that they oppose any and all attempts to make immigration fair and balanced, that no attempt is made to thwart the onslaught against our country from the south? Republicans have their own skeletons in the closet in this regard. They like the cheap labor, off the grid. That is criminal, every bit as much as what the Democrats have done.

And if you are a Libertarian Party member reading this, let me say something straight to you right now, until you change the travesty of supporting "open borders" like you've always done, you can forget me giving you the time of day. You are every bit as bad as the Democrats and Republicans.

We need a complete moratorium on immigration until we get this cleaned up. And we need to roll back the number of people allowed in here from the south. If you stand for big government, you know nothing about our Founders and the Constitution, and thus, you don't need to be here at all. Go home.

Third, corruption was a huge factor in Obama's "win." I talked about this before in 2008 and got ridiculed and blasted by the so-called "pragmatists" who said there wasn't enough voter fraud to make a difference. BULL. If you think that, you are nutty as a fruitcake.

This year, there are too many precincts that showed ZERO votes for Romney for this not to be due to fraud and vote tampering. And it just so happened in Democrat bastions of corruption such as Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Chicago. There are also major discrepancies and eyebrow raising stats coming out of Florida showing nothing less than abject thuggery at polling places.

Political analysts have stated that a changeover of only 400,000 votes in four states would have given Romney the victory instead of Obama.

And never forget my friends the numerous reports we received indicating that machines registered votes for Obama although the voters had pushed the Romney button. THAT is unconscionable, and no investigation has been launched into it. That is but one more example of the current thugocracy.

And then fourth, Obama won because Romney was not the right man for the job.

Now let me say this clearly at the outset. I believe Mitt Romney is a good and decent man. I saw nothing from him but integrity, honor, truth, and goodness in this campaign. He is obviously an admirable human being, a great father and faithful husband, an excellent and skillful businessman. And so convinced I became that he is basically a good man that I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt about some of his past votes. I was willing to accept the premise that people can change their minds about issues. Reagan did. Others have done so. If he has become pro-life and is sincere, I applaud him for it. If he now believes in the Second Amendment along with its own stipulation that "the right of the people to keep and bear arms SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED," then I can affirm him in that change of heart.

But still, I did not and do not believe he was the best candidate to go up against Obama. He was too soft, too accommodating, too willing to ascribe honor on the part of an opponent who has shown himself to be nothing but pure evil. We needed a hardnosed conservative who would have kept the heat on Obama from day one, and then never let up. We needed a much clearer differentiation between the two candidates. One is a progressive who implements elements of Marxism and Fascism. We needed a candidate who was the diametric opposite. Ron Paul would have been much better than Romney. So would Sarah Palin. Say what you will about Palin, but she will NOT back down from a fight. She will take the truth right to your face, like it or not.

THAT is the type of conservative we need at this dark time in our history. A truth-teller. One who speaks harsh truth to power. One who stands for smaller government and lower taxes and reductions in spending.

I never believed that Romney went far enough on these issues. I said so in 2007, I said it again in 2009, and I have preached it constantly since this campaign began. The one thing I did not do was to continue criticizing Romney once he became the nominee. No one can accuse me of not doing everything in my power to make sure Obama lost and Romney won. Once Romney got the votes at the Convention, I put all my energy into getting him elected in order to make sure we would rid the country of this scourge called Obama once and for all.

But it all fell on deaf ears. The early warnings about Romney were ignored. The incessant warnings about Obama since 2007 were also ignored. Thus, America will get what it deserves. Let the sane, astute Americans beware. We are in for a ride from hell due to the insanity of our fellow citizens.

Now, the Republican elitist establishment, and some very misguided faux conservatives such as Ann Coulter, sold us a bill of goods about Romney just as they did with McCain four years ago. The result was just as I predicted. LOSSES!

We cannot afford to do this again. In fact, we could not afford it this time.

So, as fine a man as Romney may be, he was not the right candidate for our message.

That's about it, in a nutshell. Four basic reasons why Obama is still in the White House. Obviously, my friends, we are going to have to do things very differently going forward. Unfortunately, the RINOS are already saying the GOP will need to move further to the left.

Now what sense does THAT make? We already have the Marxist Party (Democrats). Why do we need Marxist-lite? That is about as stupid as any hammerhead I have ever heard attempting to drool and blather his way through political philosophy. People who say such things should have their heads examined.

Why would having Marxist-lite be successful when you can just go ahead and vote for the real deal, the whole enchilada, by voting for the Democrats?

The only winning formula is to provide a clear alternative, the diametric opposite to the Marxists.

Now obviously we are going to have to figure out a way to present our message in fashion that is appealing to groups we need in order to win. For example, although Hispanics like big government, they also like the conservative values that we espouse. We can capitalize on that. How? I don't know. That's where you come in. Together we are going to need to hammer out a game plan that will win.

I know that some believe none of this matters anymore, that civil war is our only recourse. And while I do not disagree with that, I want to constantly seek for other options. I don't want to go to war. For one thing, you never know how such a thing will turn out. You may not get what you bargained for, and you will quite possibly come out with something much worse than we have right now.

Thus, those who believe we have passed the point of no return may well be right. War may be inevitable. But is is not my first choice, not even my second choice. I will accept it if this is our fate and do my part as a citizen who loves our Constitution. But I will always, always seek ways to save this Republic in a manner that does not involve war.

A Thanksgiving Message

My Thanksgiving message for this year...

Access it here.

Thanks!