http://www.foxnews.com/video2/video08.html?maven_referralObject=6046470&maven_referralPlaylistId=&sRevUrl=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,526748,00.html
June 18, 2009
Mr. President,
At the above link you will find a montage of statements you’ve made regarding Fox News. Wrapped up in that same collage are fairly obvious stabs at those conservative constituents that may not agree with your administration’s position on issues. I would offer the following sir:
The popular victory that you claimed was anything but a landslide - 69,498,215 votes for. 61,571,790 VOTES AGAINST. Can you really afford to dismiss 61.6 million voters? Figures cited from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_2008
Statements such as: "Those of you who are watching certain news channels on which I'm not very popular, and you see folks waving tea bags around”, Obama said, “let me just remind them that I am happy to have a serious conversation about how we are going to cut our health care costs down over the long term, how we are going to stabilize Social Security.”
“But,” Obama continued, “let's not play games and pretend that the reason [for the deficit] is because of the Recovery Act." ( as quoted on Politico’s website, http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21870.html )
You regularly lay blame at the feet of the former administration, and yet your “recovery act” has quadrupled the debt it took Mr. Bush eight years to accumulate…in only the first 100 days. And when projected deficits are laid out side by side (accounting for your plans to “cut” health care costs, and “stabilize” social security):
"Projected Deficit
In the first independent analysis, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office concluded that President Obama's budget would rack up massive deficits even after the economy recovers, forcing the nation to borrow nearly $9.3 trillion over the next decade."
As cited from the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/graphic/2009/03/21/GR2009032100104.html
The protests that have been mounted are not games. They are the result of a large percentage of the populous seeing through the rhetoric that regularly comes from your office. And my guess is that those sympathetic to the protests number at least around 62 million. That may account for the popularity of the Fox News Channel.
Regardless, your blasé and thinly veiled contempt directed towards not only Fox, but also towards conservative Americans is a truly sad thing.
Sincerely,
Chris Beall
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
June 13, 2009
The Honorable James D. Caldwell
Attorney General of Louisiana
1885 North 3rd St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Dear Attorney General Caldwell,
I am writing to thank you for your part in the defense of our individual and our collective Second Amendment rights by your standing in, “…opposition to the reinstatement of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994’s semi-automatic firearms prohibition, which is commonly referred to as the assault weapons ban.”
Your actions as well as your position are noted, and are appreciated. In an era where our Constitutional liberties and freedoms seem to be under ever increasing attack at the federal level, there is some measure of comfort in knowing that our chief law enforcement officer in the state is diligently standing in the gap to insure our rights are not stripped.
For as long as your office supports and defends our Constitution (not limiting that statement to any one right) you shall have my support. Thank you sir.
Sincerely,
Chris Beall
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Encl: JUNE11.STATE.AG.LTR.pdf (June 11th State Attorneys General letter to US Attorney General Eric Holder)
June 10, 2009
Dear Members of House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice,
Specifically, the letter is addressed to those 10 members of the committee who voted to defeat SB 72 as proposed by State Senator Edwin Murray.
Thank you for voting to uphold Constitutional liberty. I would urge you to continue to be mindful of what rights and liberties you may be treading upon as you create policy & law.
Similarly, I would urge you to think twice before proposing meaningless, repetitive, or redundant law.
Thank you again for your faithful representation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Chris Beall
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
June 10, 2009
Senators:
I am writing to voice my ardent opposition to any sort of “nationalized health care” system, or “socialized medicine”.
Our health care system is indeed flawed, and is in great need of serious attention – but it is still the best system on the planet. Why is it that so many foreigners clamor to come to the USA for care (while I have yet to hear of a single American vying to get their medical needs attended to anywhere outside the USA)?
The problems with nationalization of health care are practically endless…just a single issue would be monetary. Where is the money going to come from? You can always just print some more I suppose.
The answer to our woes is most assuredly not government control. Your public & vocal resistance to the push for any sort of legislation that would nationalize or socialize our healthcare system is expected and demanded.
Sincerely,
Chris Beall
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
please refer to:
http://www.jewishpolicycenter.org/226/the-pitfalls-of-socialized-medicine
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/erbe/2009/02/27/nationalized-healthcare-would-be-a-middle-class-disaster.html
June 10, 2009
Senators,
I have yet to hear you publicly voice your opposition to the appointment of Sonya Sotomayor, or to stand in opposition to the push from the White House to expedite her confirmation hearings.
As my representatives, I insist that you do both.
Sonya Sotomayor in her own words, does not believe in the role of the Supreme Court as outlined in the Constitution. Sotomayor has made it clear that she:
· Would legislate from the bench.
· Could not be impartial.
· Would be biased.
For a wide variety of cited Sotomayor quotes & commentary, please view: http://blog.heritage.org/2009/05/26/supreme-court-nominee-sonia-sotomayor-in-her-own-words/
She has stated these things over and over again in a myriad of different venues. If she gives different answers now, then she is also a liar. There can be no acceptable stamp of approval for this appointment. Nor is silence on the matter tolerable.
Sincerely,
Chris Beall
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
June 7, 2009
Gentlemen,
I would have also included the following in the “to” line, if I would have been able to locate their email addresses: Michael Reagan, Mike Huckabee, Sean Hannity, Ron Paul, Mitch McConnel, and any other articulate conservative leaders we may have… though I am by no means limiting the message to just you, or them. I believe that this question needs to go out to every Constitutionally minded citizen in the country.
Today we are seeing events unfold I never in my lifetime would have ever dreamt could possibly come to fruition…what amounts to a direct frontal assault on the foundation of our country & the socialization of ever increasing segments of our lives. And it’s transpiring fast enough that the detrimental effects of each intrusion are not being felt soon enough for any sort of a public outcry – before the next intrusion. They are coming in waves it seems. How can this be?
I have no doubt that soon enough, that public outcry will come…but at what cost? If we stopped Obama’s socialization machine TODAY, how long would it take to undo what he has managed in only a hundred and something days? We have already placed our great great grandchildren in debt. And whenever the left wing radicals espouse their malarkey about this being an inherited mess from GWB (we all know that GWB WAS in fact a very poor leader in many ways, but …), why is it no one SCREAMS that Obama has only served to not only make it better but that he has made and continues to make it exponentially worse? Even the Washington Post published data showing the graphic nature of the absurd increase our debt that Obama is incurring. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2009/03/21/GR2009032100104.html
WE the people need a voice.. WE need a UNIFYING .. MOBILIZING voice – and I really do not believe that it will ever happen with individuals… but only with a crescendo of the collective leadership in place.
And guys? Hannity was RIGHT when he said the other day that EVERY representative needed to be listening to his interview with Rush. Limbaugh.. whether you like him or not.. whether you believe him to be PC or not.. inflammatory or not.. is RIGHT. He is bloody DEAD on. And WE have GOT to STOP sugar coating it.
WE also have to STOP getting caught up in the extraneous political nonsense. We’ve got to STOP getting drawn into the political death traps the liberal media puts in our paths. And damn it, we have GOT to STOP bowing to the left wing establishment & walking on egg shells.
If we don’t all stand in unison, and scream with a single voice at the tops of our patriotic lungs that our forefathers, and brothers in arms did not die in vain… that WE WILL stand up and be counted & will NOT let our Constitution wither quietly away… then, we will deserve the socialistic fate that awaits us at the end of this dismal road.
WE can no longer afford to let politics or political correctness.. petty differences.. or fear.. separate the leaders.. YOU.. YOU are the leaders here. PLEASE WORK TOGETHER!! SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE!!! WE will. We WILL listen.
If you collectively mobilize, and call US to action.. we WILL move. Have faith in your constituents, your listeners! WORK TOGETHER. As long as YOU are fractured, WE will be fractured.
Now.. what can I do to help? I will give you my time, my resources…whatever it takes to help ignite OUR grassroots network. Please, this is not rhetorical. It is as honest and impassioned a plea as I have ever made. Blogs? Emails? Websites? Flyers? What?
Semper Fi –
Chris Beall
June 5, 2009
Senator Vitter,
Thank you for your response sir. Please also consider the following:
In your message below you mention that you also, “…have concerns with statements she (Sotomyor) has made that indicate she may engage in judicial activism and legislate from the bench…” (emphasis mine of course)
Senator? I am not an extremist. I’m a registered independent that traditionally rides the fence somewhere between the left & the right. But more and more lately, I find myself being galvanized to the right out of stark terror at what I am seeing transpire before my eyes. And even the consideration of someone for Supreme Court Justice such as Sonya Sotomayor only serves to magnify those fears.
There can be no doubt about Sotomayor; her own words leave no doubt. What is possibly left to “consider”?
You have an opportunity here Senator, to be a voice of reason in an ever maddening political arena. I have faith that your values are solid, and that you take your oath to protect and defend the Constitution with grave seriousness. Please, bear that in mind as you summon the resolve to meet this challenge (and that of the many other recent attacks on the bedrock of our great country).
Sincerely,
Chris Beall
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
June 4, 2009
Sonya Sotomayor is the wrong person for Supreme Court Justice, and her nomination needs to be blocked.
The law is impartial, and justice is blind. These concepts form one of the cornerstones upon which our country was built. We are now, and always have been a nation of laws and not of men.
All government officers of the United States, including the President, the Justices of the Supreme Court, and all members of Congress, pledge first and foremost to uphold the Constitution. These oaths affirm that the rule of law is superior to the rule of any human leader.
James Wilson said during the Philadelphia Convention in 1787 that, "Laws may be unjust, may be unwise, may be dangerous, may be destructive; and yet not be so unconstitutional as to justify the Judges in refusing to give them effect." George Mason agreed that judges "could declare an unconstitutional law void. But with regard to every law, however unjust, oppressive or pernicious, which did not come plainly under this description, they would be under the necessity as judges to give it a free course."
Sotomayor says:
· “Whether born from experience or inherent physiological or cultural differences, a possibility I abhor less or discount less than my colleague Judge Cedarbaum, our gender and national origins may and will make a difference in our judging.” Symposium sponsored by Berkley Law Journal, 2001.
· “I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion [as a judge] than a white male who hasn’t lived that life.” Symposium sponsored by Berkley Law Journal, 2001.
· “The aspiration to impartiality is just that—it’s an aspiration because it denies the fact that we are by our experiences making different choices than others.” Symposium sponsored by Berkley Law Journal, 2001.
· “All of the legal defense funds out there, they’re looking for people with Court of Appeals experience. Because it is — Court of Appeals is where policy is made. And I know, and I know, that this is on tape, and I should never say that. Because we don’t ‘make law,’ I know.” Duke University panel discussion held in February 2005
· “The constant development of unprecedented problems requires a legal system capable of fluidity and pliancy. Our society would be strait-jacketed were not the courts, with the able assistance of the lawyers, constantly overhauling the law and adapting it to the realities of ever-changing social, industrial and political conditions; although changes cannot be made lightly, yet law must be more or less impermanent, experimental and therefore not nicely calculable. Much of the uncertainty of law is not an unfortunate accident: it is of immense social value.” Sonia Sotomayor & Nicole A. Gordon, Returning Majesty To The Law and Politics: A Modern Approach, 30 Suffolk U. L. Rev. 35 (1996).
Sotomayor’s positions are purely & simply abhorrent to the bedrock upon which the United States of America was founded.
We are a nation of laws with a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. To quietly allow Sotomayor’s nomination would be tantamount to blind acceptance of rule without representation.
June 4, 2009
The job of the Supreme Court… in the words of the Supreme Court… is to hear and decide specific cases via Constitutional interpretation. And while the Court views the Constitution as a living document, it can under no circumstances act in any advisory capacity, legislate, or create policy.
And yet, there is currently a Supreme Court Justice nominee (Sonya Sotomayor) who has been quoted, “All of the legal defense funds out there, they’re looking for people with Court of Appeals experience. Because it is — Court of Appeals is where policy is made. And I know, and I know, that this is on tape, and I should never say that…” quoted from http://blog.heritage.org/2009/05/26/supreme-court-nominee-sonia-sotomayor-in-her-own-words/
If you accept the need to have separation of powers.. the need to have three co-equal branches of government as the Supreme Court believes.., “The Constitution of the United States is a to provide for a national government sufficiently strong and flexible to meet the needs of the republic, yet sufficiently limited and just to protect the guaranteed rights of citizens; it permits a balance between society’s need for order and the individual’s right to freedom. To assure these ends, the Framers of the Constitution created three independent and coequal branches of government.” quoted from http://www.supremecourtus.gov/
If you believe the above to be true, then you should by all means contact your representatives and let them know that you do not support Sotomayor as being an acceptable choice for nomination to any court – much less the supreme court.
May 9, 2009
I urge you to contact your representatives and email them the below message (bold font), if you agree that this is dangerous legislation: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.2159
The gist of what it does that I see as being so subversive is that is gives the Attorney General (Mr. Eric Holder: someone that has already declared a desire to “disarm America”) the power to deny transfer of firearm to anyone he deems to be a potential terrorist (and if you recall the recent Homeland Security report regarding domestic terrorism? And who it deemed to be potential terrorists?)
Please, whatever your position, write your reps. Call your senators. Petition those in office. Be politically active. Make your voice heard.
"H.R. 2159, The Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2009": The language in this proposed legislation is clearly & undeniably unconstitutional - and I (a law abiding citizen of the United States of America, and as importantly: your constituent) stand in strong opposition to it. Please contact me via email or phone to confirm that you plan to not only vote against this resolution if it is brought to the floor for vote - but to oppose the its advancement and the advancement of its agenda at every turn.”
“Let us disappoint the Men who are raising themselves upon the ruin of this Country.” John Adams
“It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.” Samuel Adams
“The Constitution is not an instrument for government to restrain the people, it is an instrument
for the people to restrain the government---
lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.”
Patrick Henry
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people, committed citizens, can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that EVER has.”
Margaret Mead
May 9, 2009
To All Members of the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice:
I am writing to you to voice my strong and ardent opposition to House Bill 387, as being a serious and significant impingement of my Second, and Fourth amendment rights under the United States Constitution. The language in this bill is inflammatory; the “statistics” cited therein are false; the logic of the whole, flawed at best.
The Bill’s sponsor Mr. Richmond (Cedric L, D.101) would have us not simply walk on the edge of a slippery slope, but to simply throw us headlong into a full blown police state.
As a resident, constituent and law abiding citizen, I insist that you all stand in solidarity against this blatant attempt to usurp the rights and freedoms which so many have given so much to protect and defend.
Sincerely,
Chris Beall
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
“Let us disappoint the Men who are raising themselves upon the ruin of this Country.” John Adams
“It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.” Samuel Adams
“Ours was the first revolution in the history of mankind that truly reversed the course of government, and with three little words: 'We the people.' 'We the people' tell the government what to do, it doesn't tell us. 'We the people' are the driver, the government is the car. And we decide where it should go, and by what route, and how fast. Almost all the world's constitutions are documents in which governments tell the people what their privileges are. Our Constitution is a document in which 'We the people' tell the government what it is allowed to do. 'We the people' are free.” Ronald Regan
“The Constitution is not an instrument for government to restrain the people, it is an instrument
for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.” Patrick Henry
June 3, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIVd7YT0oWA
the above link is to a speech that Obama gave in Turkey recently where you can watch him say, “…we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation, or a Jewish nation, or a Muslim nation," said Obama. "We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values." But what ideals? And what values?
It’s not the first time. In 2007, he (Obama) had very similar commentary which has been republished extensively across the net.
The vast majority of academia promotes the notion that America is not, and never has been associated with Christianity. They further promote a position of “separation of church and state”, widely citing ‘Constitutional’ references.
First Amendment language is used for this position … but rarely will a source actually discuss where the phrase comes from:
The terminology “separation of church and state” is derived from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptist Church (the church was concerned at the time about possible government interference in Church matters). In that letter President Jefferson was assuring the Church that government would not impose upon their freedom of religion, and he said that the First Amendment created an effective ‘wall of separation’ between the state and the church.
President Jefferson’s quote has been wrongly cited by countless attorneys and at least a few Supreme Court Justices…most often used as an (erroneous) foundation for the argument that religion should be removed from public forums.
That being said, our founders did not in fact create/craft a system of government that implemented, forced, or even sponsored a particular religion. They created a nation of laws, with certain inalienable rights.
Even though that freedom of choice is present however, and even though it is abundantly clear the Founders intended on keeping the government out of religion, did they actually intend on keeping Christianity out of government (much less out of schools, public forums, etc)?
Let them tell you in their own words.
· “God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.” (excerpts are inscribed on the walls of the Jefferson Memorial in the nations capital) [Source: Merrill . D. Peterson, ed., Jefferson Writings, (New York: Literary Classics of the United States, Inc., 1984), Vol. IV, p. 289. From Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII, 1781.]
· “Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern which have come under my observation, none appears to me so pure as that of Jesus.” – Thomas Jefferson
· “ The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend to all the happiness of man.” – Thomas Jefferson
· “We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We’ve staked the future of all our political institutions upon our capacity…to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.” --James Madison [1778 to the General Assembly of the State of Virginia]
· In 1812, President Madison signed a federal bill which economically aided the Bible Society of Philadelphia in its goal of the mass distribution of the Bible.
o “ An Act for the relief of the Bible Society of Philadelphia” Approved February 2, 1813 by Congress “It is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity toward each other.”
· “A watchful eye must be kept on ourselves lest, while we are building ideal monuments of renown and bliss here, we neglect to have our names enrolled in the Annals of Heaven.” -- Letter by James Madison to William Bradford [urging him to make sure of his own salvation] November 9, 1772.
· ““ The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principals of Christianity… I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”…“[July 4th] ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.” –John Adams, in a letter written to Abigail on the day the Declaration was approved by Congress
· "We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." --John Adams, October 11, 1798
· "I have examined all religions, as well as my narrow sphere, my straightened means, and my busy life, would allow; and the result is that the Bible is the best Book in the world. It contains more philosophy than all the libraries I have seen." – John Adams, December 25, 1813 letter to Thomas Jefferson
· “ God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel” –Benjamin Franklin, Constitutional Convention of 1787 | original manuscript of this speech
· “In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered… do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?” --- Benjamin Franklin, [Constitutional Convention, Thursday June 28, 1787]
· In Benjamin Franklin's 1749 plan of education for public schools in Pennsylvania, he insisted that schools teach "the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern."
· In 1787 when Franklin helped found Benjamin Franklin University, it was dedicated as "a nursery of religion and learning, built on Christ, the Cornerstone."
· “What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ.” – George Washington, speech to the Delaware Indian Chiefs May 12, 1779
· "To the distinguished character of patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian" -- George Washington, May 2, 1778, at Valley Forge
· “ O Most Glorious God, in Jesus Christ, my merciful and loving Father; I acknowledge and confess my guilt in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day. I have called on Thee for pardon and forgiveness of my sins, but so coldly and carelessly that my prayers are become my sin, and they stand in need of pardon.”
“ I have sinned against heaven and before Thee in thought, word, and deed. I have contemned Thy majesty and holy laws. I have likewise sinned by omitting what I ought to have done and committing what I ought not. I have rebelled against the light, despising Thy mercies and judgment, and broken my vows and promise. I have neglected the better things. My iniquities are multiplied and my sins are very great. I confess them, O Lord, with shame and sorrow, detestation and loathing and desire to be vile in my own eyes as I have rendered myself vile in Thine. I humbly beseech Thee to be merciful to me in the free pardon of my sins for the sake of Thy dear Son and only Savior Jesus Christ who came to call not the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Thou gavest Thy Son to die for me.” --George Washington; from a 24 page authentic handwritten manuscript book dated April 21-23, 1752
William J. Johnson George Washington, the Christian (New York: The Abingdon Press, New York & Cincinnati, 1919), pp. 24-35.
· "Although guided by our excellent Constitution in the discharge of official duties, and actuated, through the whole course of my public life, solely by a wish to promote the best interests of our country; yet, without the beneficial interposition of the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, we could not have reached the distinguished situation which we have attained with such unprecedented rapidity. To HIM, therefore, should we bow with gratitude and reverence, and endeavor to merit a continuance of HIS special favors". -- George Washington, 1797 letter to John Adams
· Thomas Paine.
o “ It has been the error of the schools to teach astronomy, and all the other sciences, and subjects of natural philosophy, as accomplishments only; whereas they should be taught theologically, or with reference to the Being who is the author of them: for all the principles of science are of divine origin. Man cannot make, or invent, or contrive principles: he can only discover them; and he ought to look through the discovery to the Author.”
“ The evil that has resulted from the error of the schools, in teaching natural philosophy as an accomplishment only, has been that of generating in the pupils a species of atheism. Instead of looking through the works of creation to the Creator himself, they stop short, and employ the knowledge they acquire to create doubts of his existence. They labour with studied ingenuity to ascribe every thing they behold to innate properties of matter, and jump over all the rest by saying, that matter is eternal.” “The Existence of God--1810”
· John Hancock
o “ In circumstances as dark as these, it becomes us, as Men and Christians, to reflect that whilst every prudent measure should be taken to ward off the impending judgments, …at the same time all confidence must be withheld from the means we use; and reposed only on that God rules in the armies of Heaven, and without His whole blessing, the best human counsels are but foolishness… Resolved; …Thursday the 11th of May…to humble themselves before God under the heavy judgments felt and feared, to confess the sins that have deserved them, to implore the Forgiveness of all our transgressions, and a spirit of repentance and reformation …and a Blessing on the … Union of the American Colonies in Defense of their Rights [for which hitherto we desire to thank Almighty God]…That the people of Great Britain and their rulers may have their eyes opened to discern the things that shall make for the peace of the nation…for the redress of America’s many grievances, the restoration of all her invaded liberties, and their security to the latest generations.
"A Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer, with a total abstinence from labor and recreation. Proclamation on April 15, 1775"
· Patrick Henry
o “This is all the inheritance I can give my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.”
—The Last Will and Testament of Patrick Henry
o “It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” [May 1765 Speech to the House of Burgesses]
o “The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed.”
· Samuel Adams
o “ He who made all men hath made the truths necessary to human happiness obvious to all… Our forefathers opened the Bible to all.” [ "American Independence," August 1, 1776. Speech delivered at the State House in Philadelphia]
“ Let divines and philosophers, statesmen and patriots, unite their endeavors to renovate the age by impressing the minds of men with the importance of educating their little boys and girls, inculcating in the minds of youth the fear and love of the Deity… and leading them in the study and practice of the exalted virtues of the Christian system.” [October 4, 1790]
· Alexander Hamilton
o On July 12, 1804 at his death, Hamilton said, “I have a tender reliance on the mercy of the Almighty, through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a sinner. I look to Him for mercy; pray for me.”
o "For my own part, I sincerely esteem it [the Constitution] a system which without the finger of God, never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interests." [1787 after the Constitutional Convention]
o "I have carefully examined the evidences of the Christian religion, and if I was sitting as a juror upon its authenticity I would unhesitatingly give my verdict in its favor. I can prove its truth as clearly as any proposition ever submitted to the mind of man."
Here’s some random info that may be pertinent given the conversation.
· Proposals for the seal of the United States of America
“Moses lifting his wand and dividing the Red Sea” –Ben Franklin
“The children of Israel in the wilderness, led by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.” --Thomas Jefferson
On July 4, 1776, Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams "to bring in a device for a seal for the United States of America." Franklin's proposal adapted the biblical story of the parting of the Red Sea. Jefferson first recommended the "Children of Israel in the Wilderness, led by a Cloud by Day, and a Pillar of Fire by night. . . ." He then embraced Franklin's proposal and rewrote it. Jefferson's revision of Franklin's proposal was presented by the committee to Congress on August 20, 1776.