monarchy | Keyword Feed

Iran's History Of Violence - Jun 27,2009

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 07:07:23 GMT

by Steven R. Ward
On the eve of the centennial of Iran's first modern revolution, the country is experiencing the latest in a series of popular eruptions against an oppressive government. It was 100 years ago this month that Iranian freedom fighters were marching on Tehran to depose an autocrat they could no longer abide. By mid-July 1909, this army of varied tribal, ethnic, and secular democratic mujahedin would capture the capitol and send the Qajar monarch, Muhammad Ali Shah, packing to Russia, placing his young son on the throne of a revived but still infant constitutional monarchy. Iran's early democracy, however, expired within two years because of reactionary pressures and the revolutionaries' inability to live up to their principles, a fact that should instill some caution regarding attempts to discern the many twists and turns such challenges to an existing order in Iran can take.

Since the late 19th century, the major civil disturbances that have repeatedly roiled Iran have shared a number of features that can put the prospects of the current anti-government demonstrations into perspective. Though there are many factors that have influenced the outcomes of past Iranian protests—including the strength of opposition leaders and complaints about foreign domination —history indicates that the most important factor affecting the success of nationwide dissent is the perceived strength of Iran's security forces. Unfortunately, this history does not bode well for the Iranians now demanding a greater voice in how they are governed.

The Qajar-era Iranian military, who unsuccessfully tried to fend off the assault on Tehran in 1909, was under-funded, poorly trained and equipped, badly led, and often sympathetic with the mujahedin fighting for the constitution. Though the army grew stronger in the following decades, the short-lived autonomous republics of Gilan in 1920-21 and Azerbaijan and Mahabad (Iranian Kurdistan) in 1945-46 were able to overcome the Iranian armed forces with the support of Soviet Red Army units.

By the time that the last shah of Iran, Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, battled Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in the 1970s, the Imperial Iranian Armed Forces were large, well-armed, and lavishly funded. But they were undermined by the vacillating monarch's shifts between repression and accommodation, which included the punishment of some security officials for their harsh measures. The shah's undercutting of his generals aggravated their already poor leadership and hurt the morale of the junior officers and enlisted men.

More important, Khomeini's revolutionaries used an array of clever tactics to neutralize the armed forces. Successful attacks on the security forces showed that the regime was vulnerable, and often intentionally provoked government reactions that incited more unrest. Khomeini also ordered his followers to embrace the military rank-and-file and bring them to the revolutionaries' side through fraternization and propaganda. Additionally, in more of a choke hold than an embrace, intimidation and psychological warfare were used to undermine the troops' loyalty. There were echoes of both of these tactics during the fourth day of this month's protests when some of the demonstrators offered flowers to security force personnel shortly before other protestors attacked a paramilitary base.

In the past, the armed forces have not uniformly supported the ruling Islamic Republic. For much of the 1990s, the senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the main pillar of the clerical government, could not be certain of the rank-and-file's loyalty. During anti-regime riots in Qazvin in 1994, for example, some IRGC units refused to carry out commands to use force to reestablish order. And most of the security services, sharing the views of their families and peers, seemed to have supported former president Mohammad Khatami, the moderate cleric who sought to reform Iran's government. In the 1997 presidential election, for example, they voted for Khatami in percentages similar to the rest of the country.

In response to this lack of loyalty, the regime developed various new units, including special male and female Basij paramilitary units, to handle violent unrest. The clerics relied on poor Iranians—who were still beholden to the regime for subsidies, work, and religious guidance—to staff these units, which have been trained and equipped for riot control and containing internal unrest. These Basij units, which back up the national police service, are the firebreak against serious regime threatening unrest.

Despite regime efforts since the 1999 student riots to inoculate the security services against divided loyalties, the prospect cannot be discounted. The current IRGC commander, Mohammad Ali Jafari, publicly announced last year a reform program for the Guard that aimed to revive its revolutionary spirit, and an official IRGC statement on the eve of the election rejected the suggestion that there was a gap between Guard commanders and their personnel. But leading up to the election, 59 former senior IRGC officers publicly announced their support for presidential candidate and current opposition leader Mir Hosein Mousavi, and former Guard commander and defeated conservative presidential candidate Mohsen Rezai has joined Mousavi in demanding that the election results be overturned.

Finally, throughout Iran's modern history civil disturbances have achieved the most when the government leadership was perceived as fragile or uncertain. Muzzafar al-Din Shah, the initial target of the 1905-1911 revolution, was dying when he agreed to Iran's first constitution and legislature in 1906. The celebrated former prime minister Mohammad Mossadeq, who won renown by besting the British and nationalizing Iran's oil over the shah's objections in the early 1950s, had become increasingly autocratic by 1953, which had estranged him from much of his political base and left him vulnerable to a coup by his pro-shah enemies in the military and among the Iranian elite. Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was sick with cancer and an increasingly indecisive leader as he faced off against the iron-willed Khomeini.

Iran's current leader, the 70-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has enjoyed the strong backing of the IRGC as he has consolidated power over the past 20 years. The overt support for him shown by the security forces will be one of the most important indicators of where he stands with the Iranian people—and, in turn, will provide some insight into how bold they can be in pressing for change.

CIA COUP 1953?SINCE THEN IRAN NO DEMOCRACY?

Are We Going Socialist? Or Am I Crazy? - Jun 27,2009

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:32:06 GMT

So now here we are with a President and Congress getting ready to pass one of the largest Socialist Packages ever to be seen. We keep hearing abou thow it is a recovery plan. I disagree. We have heard the words "If we dont act now we are doomed". 'We will have to try things we've never tried before'... Now I personally believe Liberlism is nothing more than Socialism.. I also believe that the Republicans are the lesser of two evils. I am not satisified with either party... They are both selling out not just ourselves but our children and grandchildren.. Now lets take a look at some interesting guidlines that have been around for ages lets say since the 18th century...There was a gentleman by the name Adam Weishaupt. He was born on February 6, 1748. He had a grand idea of a Utopian world.. Beginning around 1768, Adam began “the collection of a large library for the purpose of establishing an academy of scholars.” He read every ancient manuscript and text he and his associates could lay hands on. Adam grew interested in the occult, becoming obsessed with the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Adam was looking at "transforming" the human race. He had just 5 goals to accomplish his Utopian society...

1.Abolition of monarchies and all ordered governments.
2.Abolition of private property and inheritances.
3.Abolition of patriotism and nationalism.
4. Abolition of family life and the institution of marriage, and the establishment of communal education of children.
5.Abolition of all religion.

If you look at where we are headed in this country I see a lot of his goals being accomplished. We already have part of number 2 when Congress declared Eminent domain. That is that the power of government to take private property and use it for public use. Every state has laws regulating how government can take the property of private landowners. In many states, the government is required to negotiate with the property owner before actually taking the property. In some states, the government can begin legal proceedings to take property without giving prior notice to the property owner. We also have our President talking of Redistribution of wealth!!!!

I believe we are in the time of number 3.. We keep hearing Global crisis.. Globalization. World Bank. What do you think the United Nations is? This is from their website... Welcome to the UN. It's your world.Global association of governments facilitating cooperation in international law, security, economic development, and social equity.

I think we all can agree we are truly at number 4..

Now to number 5. I myself personally believe that Jesus Christ is my Saviour.. If you have other beliefs I am cool with that.. Now the UN has had meetings of bringing all religions under one umbrella. If you dont believe me well here is a link... http://www.uri.org

“The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of ‘liberalism,’ they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.”

- Norman Thomas, U.S. Socialist Party presidential candidate 1940

I myself believe this country was founded on Christian values. I also believe this country is worth fighting for!!!! What if our founding fathers hadnt fought for it? We are the youngest nation in the world and we grew to power faster than any nation in history. I belive we did so due to the fact we were once a GOD fearing nation. Anybody notice how the downturn of our great country all started with the removal of prayers from schools.. Do you see that as Coincidence.... I do not..

Socialism Change Obama Rhetoric

GET IN where you FIT IN!! - Jun 21,2009

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:13:43 GMT

Having a hard time finding your fit in social circles, clicks, clubs, groups, organizations, ministries, etc...It is all your fault!...You need to stop!...Check yourself!...Ask yourself, "what am I doing wrong?"...Here are a few suggestions you must consider when attempting to submerge yourself into a "tribe". Yes, I did call it a "TRIBE"...because that is what all social circles, clicks, clubs, groups, etc..ulitmately become...A tribe, is a social group of humans connected by a shared system of values and organized for mutual care, defense, and survival beyond that which could be attained by a lone individual or family. A 'tribe' is defined in anthropology. When viewed historically or developmentally, a tribe is a mutual care system which, unlike a kingdom or state or other schema, is oriented around kinship and shared beliefs.....
Suggestion#1...find out if the tribe has the same belief/agenda as you do.
(it makes no sense in getting yourself all excited about being apart of something only to find out you have absolutely NOTHING IN COMMON...
you just don't think alike /live alike or look alike...PROBLEM!!)
Suggestion#2...find out if the tribe has an open door policy for admissions.
(You maybe trying to get in somewhere you have not been invited to in the first place..you walk in the door and knives start jetting from peoples eyes ...PROBLEM!!)
Suggestion#3...find out if the tribe is based on socio-economic statis (that is popular these days...I should have made this sug#1)... Bougie or Realistic.
(you may be too low class for the Bougies and too fake for the Realistics!)
Suggestion#4...if you have had little success in being accepted into a tribe of your choice...the last and final suggestion should suit you perfectly!!
Suggestion#5...START YOUR OWN BLEEPIN TRIBE, FOR EARTH'S SAKE!!
(stop running around from this to that waisting time...most people who are easily accepted into social circles,clicks, groups, organizations, gangs, ministries, etc...are usually followers and don't have the BACK-BONE to be leaders...and is ok just following..ok! that is for them but, You my friend...are not a follower...you are an independent thinker, a creative force to be reconed with, unique on all levels of intellegence...so therefore, you want be easily accepted into these tribes because there is only room for one CHIEF!! And the chief of any tribe have the ability to recognize competiton when he sees it..YOU!!)
GET IN WHERE YOU FIT IN...PERHAPS, IT IS YOUR OWN CREATION..YOUR TRIBE!

Sincerely,
Don't give up on U!

appreciation | respect | growth | healing | aliens on earth | tribe | like minds | kindred outcast | clicks

Islamic concept of Government - Jun 16,2009

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 03:00:00 GMT

What does Islam teach about Government? What government style does Islam endorse? Democracy? Theocracy? Monarchy? Tune in...you just might be surprised

Islam | Government | Muhammad | Jesus | Ahmad

NATIONS MUST NOT ABANDON CHRIST - Jun 15,2009

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:04:25 GMT

          "The money powers prey upon the nation in times and conspire against it in times of adversity. It is more despotic than a monarchy, more insolent than autocracy, and more selfish than bureaucracy. It denounces as public enemies, all who question its methods or throw light upon its crimes. I have two great enemies, the southern Army in front of me and the bankers in the rear. OF THE TWO, THE ONE IN THE REAR IS MY GREATEST FOE...corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow and the money powers of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until the wealth is aggregated in the hands of a few and the Republic is destroyed..."
                                                                                                             --ABRAHAM LINCOLN

    "As with individuals, so with nations. These, too, must necessarily tend to ruin if they go astray from "The Way." The Son of God, the Creator and Redeemer of mankind, is King and Lord of the earth, and holds supreme dominion over men, both individually and collectively."
                                                                                                      --Pope Leo XIII

      "We pray and beseech you, Venerable Brethren, to join your efforts with ours, and earnestly to strive for the extirpation of this foul plague [Masonry], which is creeping through the veins of the body politic. You have to defend the glory of God and the salvation of your neighbor; and with the object of your strife before you, neither courage nor strength will be wanting....But as it befits the authority of Our office that We Ourselves should point some suitable way of proceeding. We wish it to be your rule first of all to tear away the mask from Freemasonry, and to let it be seen as it really is, and by sermons and pastoral letters to instruct the people as to the artifices used by societies of this kind in seducing men and enticing them into their ranks and as to the depravity of their opinions and the wickedness of their acts....
       "Let no man think that he may for any reason whatever join the Masonic sect, if he values his Catholic name and his eternal salvation...It may seem to some that Freemasons demand nothing that is openly contrary to religion and morality; but as the whole principle and object of the sect lies in what is vicious and criminal, to join with these men in any way to help them cannot be unlawful...."
                                                                                                 Pope Leo XIII

Nations | Peace | Popes Speak | Masonry. Pope Leo XIII

Tehran tense as Iran's supreme leader endorses vote outcome - Jun 15,2009

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:27:55 GMT

TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday gave his support to the outcome of the country's contested presidential election, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

Protests continue Sunday for a second day in Tehran over the results of the presidential election.

more photos »

Khamenei praised the large voter turnout at Friday's election, where President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected with more than 62 percent of the vote, and said the result showed Iranians value "resistance against oppressors," the agency reported.

But clashes between police, supporters of the president and protesters opposing Ahmadinejad, dominated the capital Sunday.

Supporters of Mir Hossein Moussavi, an opposition candidate many analysts believed could unseat Ahmadinejad, allege the vote was rigged.

Hundreds of regular and riot police were on the streets as civil unrest continued for the second straight day.

But it was non-uniformed activists, on foot and on motorcycles, who appeared to be behind the most violent incidents.

Some residents told CNN that these "militias" were forcing their way into the homes of Moussavi supporters.

CNN reporters in Tehran witnessed men, dressed in plain clothes, combing through streets and alleys for anti-Ahmadinejad protesters. Armed with clubs, metal batons and baseball bats, they chased protesters, in some cases beating them.

Sunday's clashes began between police and protesters as Ahmadinejad held a victory rally while opposition supporters claimed ballot fraud.

Riot police fired tear gas and brandished batons to disperse about 100 stone-throwing protesters on Val Asr Street in central Tehran before thousands of flag-waving Ahmadinejad supporters jammed the area to hear his victory speech.

"Elections in Iran are the soundest, the healthiest of their kind," he told his cheering supporters. "Some people inside or outside the country ... say that the vote has been disrupted, there has been fraud. Where are irregularities in the elections?" Watch Ahmadinejad call Iran "the most stable country in the world" »

Ahmadinejad insisted the nation was united and stood together against unnamed foreign enemies.

"Each and every Iranian is a nation in itself, a pillar on their own, and they stand in the face of all enemies and resist them," he said.

CNN witnessed some confrontations in the streets.

"There was this cat-and-mouse game between the rioters and the police," said Samson Desta, a CNN producer who was hit by a police baton. "For the time being, it seems like police have things under control. But we spoke to a lot of students and they're saying, 'This is not going to go away. They may stop us now but we will come back and make sure our voices will be heard.'"

It was the second day of protests in Tehran. On Saturday, thousands of demonstrators, shouting "Death to the dictatorship," and "We want freedom," burned police motorcycles, tossed rocks through store windows and set trash cans on fire. Watch angry protesters take to streets »

With handkerchiefs and surgical masks shielding them from tear gas, Moussavi's supporters clashed openly with police in a rare challenge to the regime.

Don't Miss

Ahmadinejad hails election as protests grow
Israel: Iran results intensify threat
iReport.com: Send photos, video of the protests
iReport.com: Images of the protests
CNN.com Arabic: Iran votes

Foreign reporters were blocked at every turn from covering the demonstration. And the government reportedly shut down access to networking sites, such as Twitter, making it difficult for information to seep out to the outside world.

Ahmadinejad, who defended his "completely free" re-election, portrayed his win as a victory for the Iranian people over foreign powers on Sunday.

"They believe in a form of democracy that will yield the result that they favor," he said, referring to media outlets that questioned the election results. "The era of having a few countries making decisions for the fate of other countries has come to an end."

Eighty-five percent of the country's 46 million eligible voters went to the polls Friday -- an unprecedented voter turnout, Iran's interior ministry said.

When the ballots were counted, the government declared Ahmadinejad the winner -- with 62.63 percent of the vote.

Moussavi received 33.75 percent.

Moussavi disputed the results, blaming "untrustworthy monitors." Independent election observers were banned from polling places.

"The results announced for the 10th presidential elections are astonishing," he said in a statement. "People who stood in long lines and knew well who they voted for were utterly surprised by the magicians working at the television and radio broadcasting."

A letter published on Moussavi's Web site said the defeated candidate has asked the election authority, Iran's Guardian Council, to nullify the results of the election.

There were conflicting reports on whether Moussavi had been placed under house arrest, but in a statement Iranian police said that the candidate was not under arrest.

Moussavi, a former prime minister regarded as a reformist, is credited with successfully navigating the Iranian economy during a bloody eight-year war with Iraq in the 1980s. And he enjoyed tremendous support among Iran's youth. Iran's population has a median age of 27.

Ahmadinejad, despite being blamed for Iran's economic turmoil over the past four years, maintains staunch support in rural areas.

No matter who won, the ultimate power in Iran is with Khamenei, the supreme leader.

The system was set up after Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 when the ruling monarchy was overthrown and Shah Mohammed Reba Phalli was forced into exile

TERRORIST KHAMANEI ENDORSES TERROIST AHAMADI NEJA

A Nation Under God - Jun 14,2009

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:41:54 GMT

America, what does that word mean to you? To most it means a land of liberty and freedom. A land not afraid of self expression and a land where individuals are free to worship God, without fear of persecution. If we go back to the beginning, we will see this great country of ours was formed for the purpose of religious freedom. Fleeing the grasp of the controlling monarchy, into a new land destined to be the United States of America.
As Christians we know this. We understand our country has been blessed due to the willingness of our leaders to allow the word of God into the structure of this great country. But if we stop and really look at what goes on around us, we as Christians know there is a problem, which needs our attention.
Edmund Burke once said "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
Crime plague our cities like a virus, infecting our children, and taking the lives of the ones we love. Is it freedom to allow for that, which ultimately will destroy? Do we as Christians, do all that we can to stand in the gap, and be a voice for the good, or could we possibly do more? In 2 Chronicles 7:14 it reads:
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Whether Christian, or not, the problems our nation faces are real, and without a doubt a majority of all people would agree that to apply the principals found in God’s word would have nothing but positive effects on the whole. If we look into the book of Daniel, and read the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We will see three young men, though placed in rather high positions, when it came to following what the others did and ignoring the word’s of God .They chose to stand on God’s standard, and not yield to any other. For that reason they were delivered from the wrath of the King, by God himself. Meaning; We as Christians have a choice. Stand on the standard on which God laid before us, or yield to that which opposes God. We must stand on what we know is true, and right, and not by our own ideas of truth, but only that of God’s. If we are to be a true “Nation under God”. If we do this, God gives his word to heal our land. People would ask how I can help. It starts much like a older Chinese quote says: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step , and To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping . We as Christians do have a great deal to do with the policies and structure of our country, and more of us need to stand up and take that one step, and say “I am here, and I want to help”. Most of all big events in the history of the world, started with one man, or one woman. Are you that one person? Is God calling you today? Will you step forward and be that person today? Let us be a voice for our children, and for their children. Let us put God back into the big picture of things, and stand on his promise today.

voice | god | promise | country | christians | nation | heaven | burke | freedom | america

Is there a better form of government than a republic? - May 30,2009

Sat, 30 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Come share your thoughts and explore many different forms of government. We will look at all the different areas we can think of; theocracy, dictatorship, monarchy, representative democracy, and more. With a focus on finding which really would be the best for us to restore. Is it a republic after all?

liberty | Constitution | government | politics | education

The Eagle Has Landed! - Apr 29,2009

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:27:17 GMT

It is finally here! The long-awaited, overrated, overemphasized, 100th day of Barack Obama's presidency has arrived. His presidential spacecraft has been orbiting the earth for the past 99 days and now the SS Obama44 has touched down and the disembarking Commander-in-Chief is walking tall on a road of acceptance and popularity that has left many befuddled, bamboozled, and bewildered. How can this be? How can this "young, inexperienced, still-wet-behind-the-ears" former Senator from Illinois still be on his feet? After all, he inherited two very unpopular wars (some of his decisions regarding them were just as unpopular, mainly with his opposers), a devastated economy (his stimulus bill and budget are creating party rifts, creating heated discussions, and attracting tea baggers AKA the mentally disturbed) he has had several recommended cabinet members do an about face (Richardson, Gregg, etc. remember those guys? Tough.), He still has unfilled cabinet positions (some Conservatives tried in vain to derail K. Sebellius' nomination), his presence on the world stage, at least in the mind of his opposers, was less than stellar (although I beg to differ. Quite frankly, he and Michelle had it going on! Our POTUS and FLOTUS represented with grace, beauty, dignity, honesty, sincerity, and in the spirit of unity and brotherhood), he allegedly "bowed" to a Saudi dignitary (oh come on, he was checking out the man's shoes) Michelle touched the Queen (ooh, now old Lizzie girl has cooties! Get a grip, the Monarchy is a joke, and in the 21st Century, we just don't.....well, CARE!), he accused the U.S. of arrogance (So? We are! What do you think referring to ourselves as a "superpower" is? Let me spell it for you, a-r-r-o-g-a-n-c-e), he released the torture memos much to the chagrin of Republicans (their dirty little secret is exposed. And here I was thinking that these 'pure-as-the-driven-snow" frauds were perfect), he wants health coverage and educational opportunities for all Americans (how dare he care about the well-being and futures of America's citizens in the midst of crisis!) he unexpectedly dropped in on soldiers in Iraq instead of Afghanistan (Wow, the ultimate mistake! He must be a mad man for caring much about the men and women who were deceptively thrust into a senseless war with no strategic plan for victory for nearly 7 years), he goes primetime to reach the American public (a President who is eloquent and articulate has the nerve to go before millions to sell his policies? Send him to the loony bin immediately!), he uses a teleprompter (okay, that's it. It is time for impeachment proceedings. A President who wants to stay on point and ensure that he gets his message across effectively, uses a teleprompter as a guide? That has to be against the constitution somehow. Hmm, we'll ask John Boehner to look it up. But he needs to do so very cautiously because President Obama, well,,,,let's just say that he knows a thing or two about the constitution. He was a constitution law professor!), he walks around the white house and oval office without a jacket (he's cool, calm, collected, and comfortable as President. Let me think. We could impeach on the grounds that his shirts and ties are not made of polyester or cotton, but silk! That would certainly validate the "elitism" charge against him.), he didn't throw a crying fit or suffer an emotional breakdown when the party of "no" consistently and unjustifiably rejected every piece of legislation that he proposed (you mean he went around them and got it passed anyway? Put him on Air Force One and fly him into a desert in some remote country, leaving him with only a day's ration of bread and water! That'll teach him to reject partisan politics!) he lands softly on his feet when brutally attacked by the likes of Fox News psychiatric test dummies such as Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, and Bill O'Reilly; deranged, portly, druggies like Boss Hog Limbaugh, and "hole in the cerebral ozone" Michelle Bachmann. What? their insane rants, calls for insurrection, incitement of riots, and stirring of racial division and hatred hasn't knocked him on his back? What's with this guy? 100 days and he's still working hard for the American public, pursuing his vision for this nation, fathering his beautiful daughters, loving his awesome wife, and leading a powerful nation practically unscathed? Well, I don't know about you. But I'm gonna stay strong in my support of President Obama because anybody that can endure the amount of mud and pig slop that has been thrown at him in a mere 100 days, has exactly the type of character, perserverance, endurance, and ability that this country needs to get the train of prosperity back on track and rolling again. I'm willing to wait for the change. The eagle has landed and his wings are strengthened, his span increased, thus giving him room to fly above right wing indignation and self-righteousness, glide beyond partisan and racial bitterness and hate rhetoric, and soar confidently through the first and second heavens, with the hand of God planted firmly in his back. Here's To New Beginnings!!

AfterThoughts Signing Off...

100 days | President Obama. State Of The Nation

The Monarchy Report - Apr 08,2009

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT

News from the court of Our Most Gracious Sovereign, Barack Obama

European visit | pitchforks | Geithner's tax week message | North Korea missile launch | Comrade Nutski

The Monarchy Report - Apr 01,2009

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 03:00:00 GMT

News from the court of Our Gracious Sovereign

Geithner | G20 | bailout | Sebelius | Biden

Spring 2009 Newsletter - Mar 25,2009

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:53:12 GMT

Don't take your eye off the ball

Illegal immigration continues to destroy America. Illegals take jobs for less pay, drain our schools and health-care facilities, infest our streets and jails, ignore our language, and some even wish to redraw our southwestern border.

America officially brain dead, in need of a miracle

Suffering from wounds inflicted on three battle fronts over the better part of the last century, the old USA remains alive, but only on life-support. Once a nation that touted herself “the land of the free and the home of the brave”, she has succumbed to a syndrome described as modern-day liberalism, which has compromised her will to survive. She has embraced the culture of death, which has only led to her own demise.

It is clear that poisons have been released into her bloodstream by her many enemies. The most toxic of all has been the ideology of collectivism, essentially reversing her commitment to the individual. It has spread over time, slowly destroying all the systems and vital organs necessary for life. Too many individuals have become dependent on the collective to survive. In many instances, dependence has even turned into a sense of entitlement.

What has been lost is the truth that the collective will fail to exist without each individual fulfilling its own destiny. This is how a nation was built on “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. Each individual must be one of substance, able to stand on it's own. This makes the collective indestructible. The ability to prosper on your own, without the “help” of the government. This is what once made America great. This is what made people proud to be an American.

Our history proves this assessment. The pilgrims sailed here to escape religious persecution. American patriots fought and died for their independence from an oppressive monarchy. Immigrants have fled here longing for individuality and freedom from tyranny. In every case, government, in an effort to represent the collective, has confiscated the inalienable rights of the individual. America has been the only remedy.

Now, the USA is in need of your help. She needs you to reject the poison of collectivism. It has disguised itself with the images of “Hope” and “Change”. These are falsehoods, they are lies. There is nothing hopeful about the United States of America changing into the United Socialist States of America. This idea is foreign to our body.

Individuality is the miracle antibody to collectivism. Only when the American people take responsibility for their individual rights, while simultaneously disposing the idea of collective rights, will we resurrect the greatest nation ever created. Oh, what a comeback it will be.

Iran licking it's chops

The leaders of the rogue Islamic Republic of Iran have responded to the recent video released by President Barack Obama to the Iranian people. Both President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have publicly made light of the olive branch Obama has extended.

Although he has vowed a change in the US approach to diplomatic relations, the radical Islamic leadership of Iran, which refers to the US as “The Great Satan”, has at best, scoffed at Obama's rhetoric.

"The great Iranian nation welcomes real, fundamental and fair changes in America's behavior and policies, particularly in the Middle East region," Ahmadinejad said. "He (Obama) insulted the Islamic Republic of Iran from the first day. If you are right that change has come, where is that change? What is the sign of that change? Make it clear for us what has changed," Khamenei said in a speech in the northeastern city of Mashhad. The crowd chanted "Death to America."

Still, Khamenei left the door open to better ties with America, saying "should you change, our behavior will change, too."

Hey Mr. President, Is this more “change we can believe in”?

Connect with mattyp, help win America back

Log on to www.blogtalkradio.com/Winning-America-Back. My call-in program airs live from Jupiter, Florida every weeknight from 9-11pm EST.

Become my friend at www.myspace.com/mattyp9271. Check out archived segments of the program. Make your $2 donation to Winning America Back and Wolfack Enterprises. Watch the videos I have downloaded. Read my blogs. Get with it before it's too late!

A Must Read!!!

Conservative talk show host Mark Levin, “The Great One”, of WABC in NY and Sirius Patriot 144 has released a new book. It is entitled Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto. This has instantly become required reading for fans of Winning America Back. Mr. Levin has the exceptional ability to spell it all out for you in plain English. He will inspire you to ground yourself in true conservatism- the principles that founded our nation.

Summer Tour 2009

Wolfpack Enterprises is taking Winning America Back on the road. Host mattyp will be appearing in several cities across America this summer to host the program live, in front of a studio audience. If you would like your city included as part of the tour, contact me on BTR or myspace. Log on to both regularly for updates. See you soon!

Bet you never heard this before

There is no real divide amongst conservatives and liberals in America today. In fact, it is necessary to be both somewhat conservative and liberal in order to be a true American.

We can all agree that America was founded on the idea of liberty; the freedom to think or act without being constrained by necessity or force. This is what makes us all liberals.

However, we can also agree that we must be responsible with our liberties. Otherwise, our nation risks descending into anarchy. This is where conservatives come into the picture.

There must be a set of moral standards already in place in order for freedom and liberty to reign. This is commonly known in America as the establishment.

Conservatives are committed to this establishment, including such institutions as the family, religion, capitalism, and a strong defense, in order to maintain our nation for future generations.

It is true that liberals tend to focus on individual rights, while conservatives continually highlight the need for personal responsibility. However, both are necessary to keep America going strong.

The divide in America actually exists between conservatives (traditional liberals) and modern-day liberals. Modern-day liberals are actually socialist, secular humanist, cultural Marxists dedicated to the communist revolution, taking place in the United States of America today. These principles are the complete antithesis of freedom and liberty.

Illegal Immigration | Iran | Mark Levin | modern-day liberalism

The Monarchy Report - Mar 18,2009

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:30:00 GMT

A summary of events at the court of our Most High Sovereign, Barack Obama

omnibus spending bill | rush limbaugh | dick cheney | sarah palin | AIG bonuses

Prince William, making the monarchy look bad one drink at a time? - Mar 09,2009

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:00:00 GMT

It's no secret that Prince William likes to have a tipple. A recent article reported that Prince William, as part of his initiation into the RAF Helicopter service will be required to use a straw to drink out of a toilet filled with beer. Is he making the monarchy look bad? Has he gone one drink too far?

Prince William | Beer | Toilet | Royal Family | Helicopter

Musings on Britannia - Feb 15,2009

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Join The Talking Thumb for free-association chatter on any and all things British. From Monarchy to Merseyside. From The Battle of Britain to Bubble and Squeak. You name it and we'll talk about it. Call in to join the chat.

British | Ex-pat Brits | Aussies | Yarpies | Beer and skittles

Salute to Chelsy Davy - Feb 09,2009

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy recently broke up. On this episode I pay tribute to the woman who captured this prince's heart.

Chelsy Davy | Prince Harry | Royalty | Royal | British Monarchy

Martial Law Coming to America - Feb 07,2009

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Open Martial Law Coming to America August 27, 2007 by Zen Garcia - Anyone that studies how the Executive has evolved martial law in America will find a long string of Executive orders leading back to Oliver North, Rex 84, and many administrations that have asserted the Executive, the 'privilege' of suspending Constitutional checks, balances, rights, and freedoms. Those that utilize the executive to subvert the people's have since the founding of this country been trying to restore t

New World order | world government | end of days | biblical prophecy | Depopulation

The trouble with Prince Harry - Feb 02,2009

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Prince Harry has sparked controversy on several occasions. His most recent one is a real doozy! I'll discuss it during this episode.

Prince Harry | monarchy | British monarchy | royalty | royal

Royal Scandals!! - Jan 20,2009

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Which royal scandals have rocked the monarchy? Listen to this episode and find out!

Scandal | monarchy | royal | British | Queen Elizabeth II

Is Hawai'i For You? - Jan 05,2009

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:22:19 GMT

I am reproducing the text of my emailed response to someone who told me that she is sad and lost that she (a native Texan) can't relocate to Hawai'i because of the derogatory impression "haoli" folks appear to garner when in the Islands. I hope my response works to enlighten you all ... I despise the derogatory use of the term "haoli," mainly because its modern usage is wrong on so many fronts ... none the least of which is that it offends the very premise of Aloha Spirit:

Ignore what you've heard and go with your gut ... if your heart is in the right place, the locals will feel it and know you are for real. That is the truth of it.

What you heard is that there is reverse discrimination in Hawai'i ... the brown folks are the majority and it is literally "the shoe on the other foot" on the Island. Well, that is true to a degree, but it isn't a profound, unilateral truth. Why? The truth is that everyone that does not have Native Hawaiian blood running through their veins is a Haoli ... a visitor, a stranger, a traveller ... present in the Islands. Another truth is that in Hawaiian culture, it is customary to hanai ... adopt ... a person not related to you into your Ohana. Young, modern Hawaiians (and there are less than 800 pure-bloods left, so you do the math!) seem to forget about that aspect of Hawaiian spirituality and tradition. Unfortunately, the term "haoli" has come to be derogatory and applied mainly to Caucasian folks due to the historical legacy left by the money-grabbing, Monarchy-annihilating missionaries of the 1800s.

Quite frankly, I don't believe you adhere to what those missionaries did or adhere to their racist/elitist way of thinking ... and I suspect that your desire to move to Hawai'i is rooted in the Mana that eminates from the Islands. Yes?

If so, then that is the only valid reason that you should go to Hawai'i because somewhere in your Spirit's past, you had a connection to the energies in that part of the world. You should always follow your gut and you should always follow that inner voice with unconditional love in your heart. No pre-conceived notions. No intentions of bringing Texas to Hawai'i. Just a desire to be one with the land and the People of Hawai'i. Aloha Spirit has no race, no nationality, no color ... it is Unconditional Love without emotional baggage. There is a truth for you to contemplate.

So, my friend, do not continue to feel lost and sad. There is no need to be in Po, the dark place. You need to huli your bowl and go to Hawai'i and just BE there. You know what it's like to judge others shortsightedly ... I'm certain you've experienced that for yourself at the hands of others less kind and terribly arrogant. All any of us from Hawai'i ask of you is this:

Respect Ka 'Aina, the land, and Ka Makai, its oceans ... never take them for granted, because we, Hawai'i's people, are charged with the duty and responsibility of caring for Her. Respect the Hawaiian culture and honor the people by learning all you can about Hawaiian history, gain an appreciation for the language, and understand and live the paradigm of Ka Hana Pono. It's not such a tall order, really. You just don't want to be looked upon like any other tourist traveling there to ogle, to make fun of the food, the names and the language and, ultimately, the people. Nothing wrong with that sentiment at all ... matter of fact, it's maika'i ... it is good ... therefore, it is also Pono (righteous).

President-elect Barack Obama is one of Hawai'i's sons ... he was born in Honolulu, educated in Hawaiian schools and represents the Aloha Spirit in action in many profound ways that the American people as a whole are discovering, and applauding. We are all terribly proud of him and his Light because we all believe that it is the way of Aloha that will help turn America, and this world, around for the better.

If we, as members of the human race, can all strive to do That Which Is Right, rather than retreat to that which is easy, our world might have a chance at survival. After all, my friend, we are all One Ohana. But, to make it work, we must walk our talk of Spirit Greatness ... in Hawaiian, we say it as "hele ka 'olelo i ka uhane nui au." I will be talking more about Ka Hana Pono in the days and weeks to come, so I invite you to always join me under my Bannion tree to listen to the legacy that is the Hawaiian paradigm of living the Aloha Spirit. It truly is a beautiful world view, and one that is as pragmatic as it is all-encompassing. I had the privilege of learning these things as a child, which allowed me to process those ideals and finally apply them to my daily living. With your permission, I can show you the way.

You akamai? You understand what I'm saying to you? :)

Keep in touch, and after reading what I'm all about, both here and on my website, and reflecting on what I've said to you here, if you still want to join us in Hawai'i, I think you should follow your gut and relocate. If you love nature the way we on the Island do, you will find more than enough reasons to remain happy there. Do not project the negative ... stay in the moment, live in the moment, and you will always be Pono ... and that, my friend, you can't fake. The locals will pick up on your Aloha Spirit and embrace your friendship and company openly.

Malama pono kau'a, my friend ... please stay in touch and thank you for visiting me and listening to Da Coconut Wireless on BTR. Do check out my website: if you are in agreement with what I've said there, then you're well on your way to fitting in nicely in Hawai'i.

A hui hou ... Until the next time,

Lana

Airport occupations bring Thailand to political breaking point - Dec 01,2008

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:23:59 GMT

Political tensions in Thailand are reaching breaking point as anti-government protesters from the Peoples Alliance for Democracy (PAD) continue to occupy Bangkok’s two main airports—Suvarnabhumi international and Don Muang domestic.

PAD leaders, tacitly backed by the military hierarchy, the monarchy and state bureaucracy, are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat who has refused to step down. He and his cabinet have retreated to the northern city of Chiang Mai amid intense media speculation that the army might carry out a coup.

It is not just the airports that are paralysed, but the Thai state, after months of confrontation between pro- and anti-government factions of the ruling elite. PAD, which seized control of the Government House compound in central Bangkok in August, took over Suvarnabhumi airport last Tuesday and Don Muang airport on Thursday as part of their “final battle” to oust the government.

Up to 100,000 foreign tourists are trapped in what is one of the world’s major airline hubs. Limited flights are taking place from the U-Tapao military airport, 140 kilometres south east of Bangkok. Several countries are seeking ways to evacuate their nationals. The Spanish government has announced that it will send military aircraft to extract its citizens. The Australian government was seeking access to airports in other parts of Thailand.

In a desperate bid to end the standoff, Somchai announced a limited state of emergency last Thursday to cover Bangkok’s two airports. But army commander General Anupong Paochinda, who called last week for Somchai to step down, has insisted that no force be used against the PAD protesters and has refused to authorise the use of troops. The security forces have not hesitated in the past to use violent repression to prop up regimes to which they were politically sympathetic.

On Friday, Somchai sacked the police chief, but to no effect. Emboldened by the army’s stance, several thousand PAD protesters have entrenched themselves behind barricades at the two airports. PAD guards are armed with batons and golf clubs, and according to some press reports, with guns. PAD upped the ante on Saturday by breaking through a police blockade at Suvarnabhumi airport and kidnapping a police officer. Hundreds of riot police retreated rather than challenge the PAD protesters.

Over the past week, there have been sporadic attacks on both pro- and anti-government supporters. Just after midnight on Sunday morning, a grenade exploded in the midst of PAD protestors encamped at Government House, injuring at least 45 people. PAD leaders blamed government supporters, but no one has claimed responsibility. The attack, whoever carried it out, compounds the chaos in the capital and provides a further pretext for the army to intervene.

Following the grenade attack, PAD and former general leader Chamlong Srimuang met the Bangkok police chief and announced that PAD guards and police would carry out joint patrols of the Government House area. Chamlong and other PAD leaders were arrested in October after a Thai court declared the occupation illegal only to be released on bail. The genial relations between PAD and the security forces were exemplified by photographs released on the Internet showing Chamlong sitting around a table with smiling police officers.

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) has also mobilised its supporters, particularly from the rural north and north east. When Somchai was in Udon Thani over the weekend, 10,000 red-shirted government supporters gathered to ensure his protection. Several thousand supporters of the pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) rallied in downtown Bangkok yesterday.

Rumours of a coup have abounded in Bangkok over the past week. The Nation reported on Friday that stories were circulating that General Anupong and Prime Minister Somchai had exchanged ultimatums. Anupong was said to have told Somchai he must dissolve parliament by midnight next Thursday or face a coup.

General Anupong reportedly met with Prem Tinsulanonde, a prominent royalist ex-general who heads the Privy Council of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The military has issued a bland statement explaining that increased troop movements observed around the capital, including armoured vehicles, were simply part of training for cadets.

A speedy decision in the Constitutional Court case may provide a trigger for the removal of the government. Along with the security forces and state bureaucracy, the courts have demonstrated an obvious bias against the PPP. In September, the Constitutional Court dismissed former PPP Prime Minister Prime Minister Samak Samaravej for accepting an honorarium for appearing on his long-standing TV cooking show.

PAD leaders routinely denounce the PPP-led government as corrupt and a stooge for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by the military in September 2006. When the army finally relinquished power last year, Thaksin’s Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT) was banned and its prominent leaders barred from politics. Despite these steps, its successor, the PPP, won a solid victory in national elections last December.

PAD’s call for “new politics” has nothing to do with democracy. Rather PAD leaders reflect the interests of layers of the traditional Thai elite frustrated at the PPP’s ability to win elections with the support of its substantial rural base. PAD is calling for parliament to be replaced by a body that is 70 percent appointed by the state bureaucracy. PAD leaders have adamantly refused to negotiate an end to the standoff with the government.

Neither PAD nor its backers objected to the autocratic methods used by Thaksin while he was in power. Rather their concern was that the TRT and the PPP have harmed their economic interests by further opening up the Thai economy to foreign capital. Both sides in this bitter factional dispute are seeking to control onto the levers of state power as a means of lining their own pockets. The result is political paralysis that is compounding the country’s economic crisis which in turn is exacerbating political tensions.

Thai Chamber of Commerce chairman Pramon Sutivong yesterday called on the “government to resign or dissolve the parliament because we think this is the best way out.” The comments are clearly a response to the widespread perception that the army is about to step in. “This situation can’t go on for long,” he told Bloomberg. “It will soon lead to violence, forcing the military to come out to stage a coup again. We all want to avoid that.”

The Federation of Thai Industries has estimated that the takeover of the airports is costing the country $57 to $85 million a day. Some analysts predict that the collapse of the Thai tourist industry could lead to the loss of a million jobs. The economy has already slowed sharply in the third quarter to 4 percent on an annualised basis, compared to 6 percent for the first quarter of 2008. Some commentators forecast that the growth rate could plunge to 2 percent next year.

Over the weekend, the US State Department described the airport seizures as “not an appropriate means of protest” and called on PAD supporters “to walk away from the airports peacefully”. European Union ambassadors issued a statement declaring the occupations “totally inappropriate”. “We urge the protesters to evacuate the airports without delay in order to avoid a major constitutional crisis and its economic consequences for Thailand,” it stated.

PAD leaders, however, have shown no sign of backing down. The local Thai press has reported that PAD is threatening to extend their occupations to the country’s sea ports if the government does not resign. Their object is clearly to pressure the military to intervene. If the army chiefs are holding back, their main fear is that a second coup in just over two years will only plunge the country deeper into economic and political crisis.

BANGKOKS NO PINT OF RETURN?

A Salute to Prince Charles - Nov 24,2008

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:00:00 GMT

A Salute to Prince Charles at 60.

Royalty | Monarchy | Royal | Prince of Wales | Queen Elizabeth

Is the monarchy in safe hands with the new generation? - Nov 17,2008

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:00:00 GMT

When the Queen goes to the great palace in the sky, is the monarchy in safe hands with Prince Charles and Prince William? Or will things all fall apart like a deck of cards? Should we be worried?

Royalty | Prince Charles | Prince William | Prince Harry | Monarchy

TV Talk: AOL TVSquad's Bob Sassone - Nov 12,2008

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Bob will be back today and we will have an interview from London with Robert Hardman, writer and producer of the PBS miniseries Monarchy

Monarchy | PBS | sons of anarchy | fringe | eleventh hour

AOL TVSQUAD's Bob Sassone and Robert Hardman of PBS Monarchy miniseries on TV Talk today - Nov 12,2008

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:49:30 GMT

More Royal Blogs!!! - Nov 09,2008

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:30:00 GMT

On this episode I will introduce you to some more fascinating royal blogs! Could one of these blogs be yours? Listen and find out!

Royalty | British Monarchy | Royal News | Royal Blogs | Royal Watcher

Revolutions of Freedom & Terror - Aug 03,2008

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:04:38 GMT

Imagine your terror. You are the daughter of a minor nobleman. All you have ever known is your family's pleasant country house, which is surrounded by gardens and farms. One night you are dragged out of bed, dressed in servants' clothes, and rushed away in the old market cart. Your parents have been warned that the family is about to be arrested.

The concentration of power and wealth amongst a few at the expense of many is a recipe for unrest. A similar situation existed in during the revolutions in America and in France. The big difference between the two nations’ wars though is that, whereas in America the fear and trepidation existed before the war and was brought on by the occupying British, in France, the fear of being killed appeared after the monarchy was overthrown and was caused by the leaders of the revolution itself.

All revolutions are the moments in a nation’s history when the masses, that is to say, the millions of ordinary men and women, begin to participate in politics and take their lives and destinies into their own hands. Revolution stirs up society from the top to the bottom of its ability to survive. It mobilizes layers that were previously inert and non-political. There are many things that cause an entire nation to rise up against its own government. Those are times when the survival of a people gains more importance than the continuation of a people’s traditions that had marked them throughout their history. This was true of the American and French Revolutions, as well. Yet, there are many differences between the two freedom movements of Americans and the French. Therefore, we should look into the differences that led the French people and the American colonies to rise up and throw off their leaders’ yoke of bondage. Though both groups of commoners had similar goals and desires; the two movements ended up miles apart in terms of their final outcomes.

A careful study of the French Revolution provides a complete proof against those who have stated that the revolution in France was the work of tiny handfuls of conspirators and demagogues. In his work, A Brief History Of The Past Two Hundred Years, Raymond F. Betts wrote, “In sum, the French Revolution did many things, unleashed new forces, destroyed old ideas, offered new promises. Not the Revolution itself, of course, but the people who made it.” Europe in Retrospect: The French Revolution, the Ideology.

The role of the masses, otherwise known as the third estate, is fundamental in driving the revolution forward at every stage. Revolution is indeed a movement and a rebellion started and carried out by the neglected masses. Yet, though the French People had the ability to find the leadership needed to overthrow the monarchy, they lacked the willpower to guide the revolution after the monarchy had fallen. This is in great contrast to the thirteen colonies after England sued for peace. In comparison, it may be a bit unfair concerning the aftermath of the coup d’état. America had virtually ruled themselves for more than two centuries, by the time the nation ratified the constitution. When the fighting had ceased and the numbers of dead Americans were still unknown, the new nation had already constructed a political, economic and judicial apparatus with which to rule and defend its newly independent people. Though America faced difficulties in the style and form of its government, the years of cultural development and economic help from the King of France during the revolution all helped to keep the fledgling nation together.

In contrast, France’s revolution for Equality, Liberty and Fraternity quickly descended into a virtual state of terror after the king’s head was separated from the King’s crown. France’s populace had been the victim of a feudal system that had left them ailing, very poorly educated and very angry. The leaders of the French Revolution were men of great skill. Mirabeau was a great orator and able statesman. Danton was a figure larger than life, the rallying point of the revolution at a moment of terrible danger. Robespierre, with all his faults and lust for power, was a very brave representative of the Jacobins who had really united the masses of Paris’ poor to carryout the Revolution. As could be expected, the latter-day bourgeois critics of the Revolution had reserved all their most venomous spite for the most consistently revolutionary figures. Men like Hébert a most consistent leader of the masses, is given little attention. It is sad how each of these men and many others finally turned upon each other.

The leaders who led the rebellion turned it into a court of blood, suspicion and deadly intrigue. The only thing that seemed to stop the spree of guillotined nobles and suspected conspirators was when the revolution finally turned on itself. Robespierre’s acquiescence in the ordered execution of the outspoken and very popular Danton represented the beginning of the end for the rebellion that the French Revolution had unleashed. If the leadership had had similar experience in running a nation as the United States enjoyed after it successful revolt, perhaps the streets of Paris would not have flowed with so much French blood. When the revolution devolved into the mayhem that ensued, active participation of the masses ebbed and the revolution came to a complete stop; going actually backwards causing the French public to long for the days they had just decapitated. Instead of a movement toward freedom being carried out, as the American Revolution had done, the rebellion was taken hostage by a group of leaders who not only matched and exceeded the brutality of the monarchy, but also failed to change the lives of the people. Instead of starvation by neglect, now anyone thought to have collaborated or thought to be thinking of collaboration were quickly rushed to revolutionary France’s version of a humane death by guillotine. Probably the most historic and important thing that the French Revolution accomplished was to pave the way for the empire that Napoleon Bonaparte soon after founded.

Some of the primary causes for the French Revolution can be found in the class structure of the three estates. The Clergy, which held major sway in the rule of France and all other monarchies that ruled over the people, was the First Estate and received special favors and access. This brought on a lot of apathy and distain for the church. During the history of France, the church had tried and succeeded in interjecting its power and demands by threatening the monarchies with excommunication. It was from the Church that kings and queens derived their divine right to rule. Those who refused to submit to the Pope could never hope to be protected by the Vatican.

Contrarily, America’s experience and causes for revolution were vastly different to issues and reasons for France’s war. Americans had come to the shores of the new world with the great hope of building their evangelical faith in a free land where no one could ever persecute them again for their love of God. In contrast, The French Revolution was not only a push to rid the people of its selfish and neglectful political system. It was also a defiant fist in the air against the church. Whereas America encouraged growth of the church before, during and after the war, France’s revolution was a coup to throw off the church as an impediment to political and economic development.

The Second Estate that made up the three leveled society of pre-revolutionary France was the Nobility. The aristocracy in France had treated its people as mere servants. While the people were in the throws of starvation, King Louis XV was living a lavish life and conducting himself without the slightest concern for the plight of the Third Estate, the commoners, who represented the majority of the population. It is well rumored that King Louis the Fifteenth’s last words were, “After me, the flood!” Though only tradition, the words seem plausible in light of the king’s flippant and wasteful lifestyle in his court.
Another major catalyst for the rebellion and the death of the monarchy in France was due to the major role that the Age of Enlightenment had played over many years. This movement had planted seeds of freedom and free thought that had no alternative but to eventually overthrow the obstacles to the development of change and freedom. This Western movement had had a great influence also on thirteen colonies over in the New World, which had just started to thumb its nose at its sovereign. The ideals of the Age of Enlightenment, that though today may seem passé, were powerful and revolutionary in the days of the Louis IVI and Robespierre. So powerful were they that even music and scores were determined as divisive and banned from Europe’s concert halls because of the political fervor they induced. The opera, Figaro serves as a great example of this historical truth. When Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote his opera, Figaro, it was banned from many stages throughout Europe.

Simply put, the Age of Enlightenment had challenged the historic view that Kings devised their power by the rule of God and the Church. Therefore, the Age of Enlightenment challenged the established rule of a king’s divine right to rule. The new thought of the enlightenment not only launched a challenge to the ruling elite of nobility, but it also served as a direct threat to the clergy of the Catholic Church that had propped up the established monarchies throughout Europe. In addition, because the various thrones throughout Europe were all intermingled due to inner marrying for peace-making purposes, the whole thought of absolute rule was brought into questions. Perhaps the only kingdom to have ever responded to its people’s outcries was Great Britain when it produced the Magna Carte, which was a direct inspiration for the American Revolution, many years later. It is interesting to point out as well that the only monarchy to have survived this powerful force unleashed in the 1700’s is the Crown of England.

The American Revolution had writers such as John Lock and Thomas Jefferson and many others. Nevertheless, while the French Revolution fought for freedom from the King and from Christendom, post-revolutionary America experienced a great spiritual awakening which propelled the United States into the greatest gospel-propagating nation of its time. Preachers like Jonathan Edwards and Charles Finny saw great masses of people turn into dedicated servants of Christ. It was said that some cities even witnessed great numbers of taverns shut down due to the lack of clientele. The results of the French revolution were quite different, which left the cathedrals and chapels empty throughout France. The Catholic Church in France has never really recovered.

Another aspect of the Age of Enlightenment that motivated rebellion was that the new ideals for life appealed to bourgeois grievances. The ideals and writings of the Age of Enlightenment had served as a base from which to lodge their complaints and desires for change in the ruling nobles. In addition, the desire to conduct free trade and to see an expansion of the Third Estate’s financial stability drove the commoners to demand that they be allowed to conduct business in a freer atmosphere. The development of Third Estate commerce was a great threat to the nobility. The best way to insure submission was to keep the populous weak and needy.

In addition to the cultural cast system and the Age of Enlightenment; another major cause of the French Revolution was the financial difficulty into which the ruling class had allowed the nation to fall. The financial reform problems of debt and the financing many overly ambitious wars had had no affect on the lavish lifestyles of the nobility. It was the commoners, the Third Estate, who bore the brunt of the bad decisions of the monarchy. The king and his family continued to spend extravagantly on their courts while the people starved. Consequently, it was the peasants and the bourgeoisie that paid all the hefty taxes that were levied to pay for the bad investments and rich lifestyles while the Second Estate, the nobility, refused to give up any of their tax concessions. The role of women in the French revolution is a graphic illustration of this fact. Among the most decisive moments in the revolution was the fifth of October 1789, when six or seven thousand women of Paris marched in the pouring rain to Versailles to demand bread and to force the king to move to Paris. The men were shamed into joining this strange procession of "the baker, the baker's wife and the baker's boy" which turned the king of France into a virtual prisoner of a revolutionary people.

Another important point in the drive toward revolution in France was the king himself. Louis XVI was a king who could be described as an introvert. He spent little time concerning himself with the people’s needs and concerned himself mainly with the needs of his court. He had been raised with the nobles and that along with an obtuse, weak demeanor caused him to simply disregard the signs of rebellion festering under the current of court games and its frivolous lifestyle. In addition, King Louis XVI seemed incapable of taking strong and decisive action. He was a caretaker and filled his days with the games and pomp and circumstance of his office. Also, his wife, Queen Marie Antoinette, had great influence on the king. Though the words that have been ascribed to her are probably exaggerated, she did demonstrate a true distain for the French subjects and cared little for the people’s plight.

In the case of the Americans, the new-world patriots were aiming their arrows of descent at the British Crown. Yet, after the war, the new nation pulled together and a class society was formed that allowed the growth of all levels of society. The idea of equality was not really a foundation stone of the American Revolution. Americans had lived together, rich and poor since the founding of Jamestown. Yet, when the American people compared the “Nobility” of the new nation to the nobility of England, the new leadership seemed far more just and even handed. The nation revered its forefathers even in poverty, because they felt their interests were taken into consideration.

Finally, it cannot be minimized just how big a role the American Revolution played in the development of the French war against their monarchy. It has been pointed out that there were many differences between the French and American revolutions. Yet, the purposes and the doctrine of the American Revolution did give an impetus for the French to finally rise up and take the government by force. Also, the presence of French soldiers on American soil during the American Revolution did introduce new ideas of liberty and economic freedom in the minds of the leaders of the French rebellion. French soldiers who returned to France had new ideas and goals and quickly shared their views throughout the nation. As a result, the ideal proclaimed by the American forefathers and the wording of the American Declaration of Independence caused a yearning for more liberal freedoms for all people. It caused the people to let down their hesitancy to take up arms against the tyranny they faced in their own nation. It forced the people to understand that the only way to get out from under the terrible taxes of the lavish king was to call for no taxation without proper representation. All of this gave the people the common belief that a republican form of government was superior to a monarchy.

Is America perhaps in the midst of a new revolution? The current election has the potential of changing the land of the free forever. Barack Obama represents leadership that will take the nation toward social revolution where we will see a plethora of blushing, bearded brides. His persona is an enigma that is far more visible and available than the biased American press would lead us to believe. This nation that has been at war with Islamic radicals throughout the world is about to elect a man who finds his roots in faith of Mohammed. That, in itself, represents a revolution of thought and practice that will render the war on terror unwinnable. These changes are dangerous side of democracy that still must be preserved. If a land is ready to relinquish its hold on power and ready to yield the role of superpower, then such risky revolutions shall be inevitable.

The greatest protagonist of Revolution has no name. It is the revolutionary people themselves; those countless unknown and unsung heroes, activists and heroines from both America and and the world who embody the mainspring of the entire process. There are great differences in goals, ideals and results in the wars that turned America and France into the nations they are today. It will be interesting to see how the future revolutions of these two countries, both violent and bloodless, will develop. What is sure is the true words heard time and time again that nothing can stop an idea whose time has come. Until then, Vive La Revolution! - Steven Clark Bradley

All of Steven Clark Bradley's novels are widely available all over the net. Here are a few links to help you read these exciting stories now.

Amazon.com
booksamillion.com
powells.com
bordersstores.com
barnesandnoble.com
copperfields.com

Revolution | Steven Clark Bradley | History | War | Social Upheaval | Political

Frederick Douglas: Fourth of July speech (1852) - Jul 11,2008

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 04:04:07 GMT

Transcript By: Art McGee july 4th, 2003 GBN Global Black News.

NOTE: I have taken the liberty of speaking and placing next to the word "slave/" the word "/Afrikan", because through the "whitewashing" of our previous African conscious-minds we have accepted our oppressors "definitions" which were used to "enslave" our Ancestors and continues to shape our thinking processes. Today, we can and must step up our game and start using the power of words for our "mental liberation" as creative human beings of color!

Frederick Douglas: Fourth of July speech (1852)

Fellow Citizens: Pardon me, and allow me to ask, why am I called to speak here today? What have I or those I represent to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us? And am I, therefore, called upon to bring our humble offering to the national altar, and to confess the benefits, and express devout gratitude for the blessings resulting from your independence to us?

Would to God, both for your sakes and ours, that an affirmative answer could be truthfully returned to these questions. Then would my task be light, and my burden easy and delightful. For who is there so cold that a nation's sympathy could not warm him? Who so obdurate and dead to claims of gratitude, that would not thankfully acknowledge such priceless benefits? Who so stolid and selfish that would not give his voice to swell the hallelujahs of a nation's jubilee, when the chains of servitude had been torn from his limbs? I am not that man. In a case like that, the dumb might eloquently speak, and the "lame man leap like as an hart."

But such is not the state of the case. I say it with a sad sense of disparity between us. I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary. Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you this day rejoice are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity, and independence bequeathed by your fathers is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought life and healing to you has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth of July is yours, not mine,. You may rejoice, I must mourn. To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, is inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony. Do you mean, citizens to mock me, by asking me to speak today? If so, there is a parallel to your conduct. And let me warn you, that it is dangerous to copy the example of a nation whose crimes, towering up to heaven, were thrown down by the breath of the Almighty, burying that nation in irrecoverable ruin. I can today take up the lament of a peeled and woe-smitten people.

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes! We wept when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive, required of us a song and they who wasted us, required of us mirth, saying, sing us one of the songs of Zion. How can we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?: "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth."

Fellow citizens, above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions, whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday, are today rendered more intolerable by the jubilant shouts that reach them. If I do forget, if I do not remember those bleeding children of sorrow this day, "may my right hand forget her cunning, and my my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth!" To forget them, to pass lightly over their wrongs, and to chime in with the popular theme, would be treason most scandalous and shocking, and would make me a reproach before God and the world.

My subject, then fellow citizens, is "American Slavery." I shall see this day and its popular characteristics from the ~~slave's~~/enslaved Afrikan's point of view. Standing here, identified with the American bondman, making his wrongs mine, I do not hesitate to declare, with all my soul, that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this Fourth of July. Whether we turn to the declarations of the past, or the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting. America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future. Standing with God and the crushed and bleeding ~~slave~~/enslaved Afrikan on this occasion, I will, in the name of humanity, which is outraged, in the liberty, which is fettered,-- in the Constitution and the Bible, which are disregarded and trampled upon, dare to call in question and to denounce, with all the emphasis I can command, everything that serves to perpetuate slavery the great sin and shame of America "I will not equivocate; I will not excuse"; I will use the severest language I can command, and yet not one word shall escape me that any man, whose judgement is not blinded by prejudice, or who is not at heart a slave-holder, shall not confess to be right and just.

But I fancy I hear some of my audience say it is just in this circumstance that you and your brother Abolitionists fail to make a favorable impression on the public mind. Would you argue more and denounce less, would you persuade more and rebuke less, your cause would be much more likely to succeed. But, I submit, where all is plain there is nothing to be argued. What point in the anti-slavery creed would you have me argue? On what branch of the subject do the people of this country need light? Must I undertake to prove that the ~~slave~~/the Afrikan is a man? That point is conceded already. Nobody doubts it. The slave-holders themselves acknowledge it in the enactment of laws for their government. They acknowledge it when they punish disobedience on the part of the ~~slave~~/the African. There are seventy-two crimes in the State of Virginia, which, if committed by a black man (no matter how ignorant he be/is), subject him to the punishment of death: while only two of these same crimes will subject a white man to like punishment. What is this but the acknowledgement that the ~~slave~~/the Afrikan is a moral, intellectural, and responsible being?

The manhood of the ~~slave~~/the Afrikan is conceded. It is admitted in the fact that Southern statute books are covered with enactments, forbidding, under severe fines and penalties, the teaching of the ~~slave~~/ the Afrikan to read and write. When you can point to any such laws in reference to the beasts of the field, then I may consent to argue the manhood of the ~~slave~~/the Afrikan. When the dogs in your streets, when the fowls of the air, when the cattle on your hills, when the fish of the sea, and the reptiles that crawl, shall be unable to distinguish the ~~slave~~/ the Afrikan from a brute, then I will argue with you that the ~~slave~~/the Afrikan is a man!

For the present it is enough to affirm the equal manhood of the ~~Negro~~/the Afrikan race. Is it not astonishing that, while we are plowing, planting, and reaping, using all kinds of mechanical tools, erecting houses, constructing bridges, building ships, working in metals of brass, iron, copper, silver, and gold: that while we are reading, writing, and ciphering, acting as clerks, merchants, and secretaries, having among us lawyers, doctors, ministers, poets, authors, editors, orators, and teachers: that while we are engaged in all the enterprises common to other men - digging gold in California, capturing the whale in the Pacific, feeding sheep and cattle on the hillside, living, moving, acting, thinking, planning, living in families as husbands, wives, and children, and above all, confessing and worshiping the Christian God, and looking hopefully for life and immortality beyond the grave - we are called upon to prove that we are men?

Would you have me argue that man is entitled to liberty? That he is the rightful owner of his own body? You have already declared it. Must I argue the wrongfulness of slavery? Is that a question for republicans? Is it to be settled by the rules of logic and arumentation, as a matter beset with great difficulty, involving a doubtful application of the principle of justice, hard to understand? How should I look today in the presence of Americans, dividing and subdividing a discourse, to show that men have a natural right to freedom, speaking of it relatively and positively, negatively and affirmatively?

To do so would be to make myself ridiculous, and to offer an insult to your understanding. There is not a man beneath the canopy of heaven who does not know that slavery is wrong for him.

What! Am I to argue that it is wrong to make men brutes, to rob them of their liberty, to work them without wages, to keep them ignorant of their relations to their fellow men, to beat them with sticks, to flay their flesh with the lash, to load their limbs with irons, to hunt them with dogs, to sell them at auction, to sunder their families, to knock out their teeth, to burn their flesh, to starve them into obedience and submission to their masters? Must I argue that a system thus marked with blood and stained with pollution is wrong? No: I will not. I have better employment for my time and strength than such arguments would imply.

What, then, remains to be argued? Is it that slavery is not divine; that God did not establish it; that our doctors of divinity are mistaken? There is blasphemy in the thought. That which is inhuman cannot be divine. Who can reason on such a proposition? They that can, may; I cannot. The time for such argument is past.

At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed. Oh! had I the ability, and could I reach the nation's ear, I would today pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering, sarcasm, and stern rebuke. For it is not light that is needed, but fire: it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake. The feelings of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused: the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed: and its crimes against God and man must be denounced.

What to the enslaved Afrikan in America is/ ~~slave is~~ your Fourth of July I answer, a day that reveals to him more than all other days of the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass-fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are to him mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy's thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation of the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of these United States at this very hour.

Go where you may, search where you will, roam through all the monarchies and despotisms of the Old World, travel through South America, search out every abuse and when you have found the last, lay your facts by the side of the every-day practices of this nation, and you will say with me that, for revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, America reigns without a rival.

What to a Slave is the Fourth of July - Frederick Douglass (1852) - Jul 02,2008

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:14:12 GMT

Fellow citizens, pardon me, allow me to ask, why am I called upon to speak here today? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us? and am I, therefore, called upon to bring our humble offering to the national altar, and to confess the benefits and express devout gratitude for the blessings resulting from your independence to us?

Would to God, both for your sakes and ours, that an affirmative answer could be truthfully returned to these questions! Then would my task be light, and my burden easy and delightful. For who is there so cold that a nation's sympathy could not warm him? Who so obdurate and dead to the claims of gratitude that would not thankfully acknowledge such priceless benefits? Who so stolid and selfish that would not give his voice to swell the hallelujahs of a nation's jubilee, when the chains of servitude had been torn from his limbs? I am not that man. In a case like that the dumb might eloquently speak and the "lame man leap as an hart."

But such is not the state of the case. I say it with a sad sense of the disparity between us. am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity, and independence bequeathed by your fathers is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought light and healing to you has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn. To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony. Do you mean, citizens, to mock me by asking me to speak today? If so, there is a parallel to your conduct. And let me warn that it is dangerous to copy the example of nation whose crimes, towering up to heaven, were thrown down by the breath of the Almighty, burying that nation in irrevocable ruin! I can today take up the plaintive lament of a peeled and woe-smitten people.

"By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yea! We wept when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there, they that carried us away captive, required of us a song; and they who wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How can we sing the Lord's song in a strange land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth."

Fellow citizens, above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions! Whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday, are, today, rendered more intolerable by the jubilee shouts that reach them. If I do forget, if I do not faithfully remember those bleeding children of sorry this day, "may my right hand cleave to the roof of my mouth"! To forget them, to pass lightly over their wrongs, and to chime in with the popular theme would be treason most scandalous and shocking, and would make me a reproach before God and the world. My subject, then, fellow citizens, is American slavery. I shall see this day and its popular characteristics from the slave's point of view. Standing there identified with the American bondman, making his wrongs mine. I do not hesitate to declare with all my soul that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this Fourth of July! Whether we turn to the declarations of the past or to the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting. America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future. Standing with God and the crushed and bleeding slave on this occasion, I will, in the name of humanity which is outraged, in the name of liberty which is fettered, in the name of the Constitution and the Bible which are disregarded and trampled upon, dare to call in question and to denounce, with all the emphasis I can command, everything that serves to perpetuate slavery-the great sin and shame of America! "I will not equivocate, I will not excuse"; I will use the severest language I can command; and yet not one word shall escape me that any man, whose judgment is not blinded by prejudice, shall not confess to be right and just....

For the present, it is enough to affirm the equal manhood of the Negro race. Is it not as astonishing that, while we are plowing, planting, and reaping, using all kinds of mechanical tools, erecting houses, constructing bridges, building ships, working in metals of brass, iron, copper, and secretaries, having among us lawyers doctors, ministers, poets, authors, editors, orators, and teachers; and that, while we are engaged in all manner of enterprises common to other men, digging gold in California, capturing the whale in the Pacific, feeding sheep and cattle on the hillside, living, moving, acting, thinking, planning, living in families as husbands, wives, and children, and above all, confessing and worshiping the Christian's God, and looking hopefully for life and immortality beyond the grave, we are called upon to prove that we are men!...

What, am I to argue that it is wrong to make men brutes, to rob them of their liberty, to work them without wages, to keep them ignorant of their relations to their fellow men, to beat them with sticks, to flay their flesh with the lash, to load their limbs with irons, to hunt them with dogs, to sell them at auction, to sunder their families, to knock out their teeth, to burn their flesh, to starve them into obedience and submission to their masters? Must I argue that a system thus marked with blood, and stained with pollution, is wrong? No! I will not. I have better employment for my time and strength than such arguments would imply....

What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass-fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are, to Him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy-a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States at this very hour.

Go where you may, search where you will, roam through all the monarchies and despotisms- of the Old World, travel through South America, search out every abuse, and when you have found the last, lay your facts by the side of the everyday practices of this nation, and you will say with me that, for revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, America reigns without a rival.

Fourth of July | Frederick Douglass | slavery | slaves | abolitionist | anti-slavery movement

American Soap Box - May 06,2008

Tue, 06 May 2008 01:00:00 GMT