Happy New Year

It's seems almost cliché to say it, but I do wish all of you a Safe and Prosperous New Year. May 2011 bring you much success and an abundance of joy. I hope everyone was able to mark the passing of 2010 with loved ones, friends, and a good beer or two, that's great!

I'm not going to write the standard summary of the previous year's events. My year was marked by the unexpected passing of my mother on September 28. The other happenings of 2010, both accomplishments and setbacks, are dwarfed by that event. However, I try to find peace in the belief that mom will be eternally rewarded for all her sacrifices and suffering. We miss and love you Mom.

What will 2011 bring? It's hard to say. Our freedoms are being attacked at home and abroad, in the name of "diversity" and "progress." There are those among us who think it is their place to tell us what to eat, what and how to teach our children, who we give our money to, and demand we be submissive while they bargain away our freedoms to oppressors both at home and abroad. Now, perhaps more than anytime in the past, the enemies of freedom are bringing the war to us. Often times they are naïvely supported by the very people we elect to protect us.

However, we must remain optimistic. Americans have long been innovators and survivors, and we will triumph in the long term. There may be dark times ahead, but it is my belief that Americans will see through the deceptions and once again freedom, and The Constitution, will reign supreme in the land of the free. I pray that day is not too far off.

I'll leave you with this parable from Bearing Drift.

An exchange student explained that he had been shot while fighting communists in his native country. They wanted to install a communist government. In the midst of his story he asked “Do you know how to catch wild pigs?” He explained that this was not a joke.

Put corn on the ground in the woods. The pigs will come every day to eat the free corn. When they get used to that, put a fence along one side of the area. When they get used to the fence, they will resume eating the corn. Then, put up another side of the fence. They will get used to that and resume eating.

Continue until you have all four sides of the fence with an open gate. The pigs will soon come through the gate to eat. Slam the gate on them, and catch the whole herd.

Suddenly, the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They will run around and around, but they are caught. Soon, they will go back to eating the free corn. They are used to it and have forgotten how to forage for themselves, so they accept their captivity.