Sound Off!

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Plain, Honest Men

Subject: Jefferson, the American Mind and the Birth of America

I recommend a new book: PLAIN,HONEST MEN, by Richard Beeman,Prof. at the U of Pa, Random House 2009. He details the very interesting deliberations at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in the summer of l787. Much of it seems very relevant to Constitutional questions arising in 2009. — John McV.

A Democracy or a Republic?

Dear Mr. [Whitehead],

With all due respect, I don't understand why the use of Democracy is used - the U.S. is suppose to be a Republic! Why do so many writers continue to use "Democracy"? It is maddening and it a huge part of why we are in the Big mess we are in!! Democracy is "mob rule" Republic - Government by Laws big, big difference!!!!!

Please help me understand...

Thank You

Mr. Whitehead,

Thank you for your articles in the Belgrade News, you are a beacon in this dark time. My only regret is that you did not run for President, we/our country needs you.

Sincerely,

Laura L .

USA in a State of Hypocrisy

I recently viewed the speech given by the valedictorian of 2006, Brittany McComb.

Please convey our message to her: wow!

It takes courage to use the 'liberty' and, 'justice for all' that the US has thought they have stood for. The silencing of her voice despite the obvious approval from the entire audience, was unthinkable on the parts of those who 'pulled the plug'.

The USA is considered to be a champion of 'rights' believing that 'democracy' is the only way to freedom. They have gone into other countries with bombs and guns to 'liberate' people so that they too, would have such freedom of speech.

What she was expressing was so inspiring: teens do not have to try and fill a void in their hearts with achievements or drugs or alcohol or sex.

Someone is there, all the time: and, like the stars that are there all the time, we may not see them all the time, but we know they are there.

An old time prophet once wrote: 'Call unto Me, and I will show you great and mighty things you do not know'. The US has a lot of crying out to do.

We all do. Thank you for your work to bring the dictators to their knees: every knee shall bow, every tongue will confess: Jesus Christ, the One who wore the Crown of Thorns is Lord over heaven and earth.

Hypocrisy is one of the worst sins. The USA should be ashamed of what happened there.

In Canada, Trish

Rights Bestowed from Our Creator, Not Man

Subject: Know Your Rights or You Will Lose Them

I am an admirer of your work and I didn’t think I would ever have to point this out to you, but the source of my liberties, and those of every American, is our Creator, not the Bill of Rights, as you incorrectly state below:

For more than 200 years, Americans have enjoyed the freedoms of speech, assembly, and religion, among others, without ever really studying the source of those liberties, found in the Bill of Rights--the first ten amendments to our U. S. Constitution.

The First and Second Amendments are unambiguous that they are not granting any liberty, but clearly prohibiting government from interfering with those liberties which we each already posses in the natural state. Furthermore, the Ninth Amendment is clear that there are many other rights we also posses, which are not enumerated in the Constitution.

If one must look to the Constitution to reveal the source of our personal liberties, look not to the Bill of Rights, but to the Preamble. The Preamble is clear that the Constitution was “ordain[ed] and establish[ed]” to “secure the blessings of liberty.” Blessings do not come from government, but from the Creator.

The Declaration was clear that governments are instituted amongst men to secure the rights bestowed from our Creator, not grant any rights.

The fundamental problem in America today is that most Americans are ignorant of these not so insignificant point. This ignorance will be the downfall of the Republic, as the masses permit our politicians to continue to play the role of God and create rights and entitlements; something tyrants do, not Americans.

Kind Regards,

Michael D.

God Is the Source of Our liberties

Subject: Know Your Rights or You Will Lose Them

In your weekly newsletter "Speak Truth To Power," in the article "Know Your Rights or You Will Lose Them," you lead the article with:

For more than 200 years, Americans have enjoyed the freedoms of speech, assembly, and religion, among others, without ever really studying the source of those liberties, found in the Bill of Rights--the first ten amendments to our U.S. Constitution.

As you, as a Constitutional lawyer surely know, the Bill of Rights is NOT the source of our liberties. The authors of the Constitution recognized that God is the source of our liberties when they drafted the Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

If our rights were derived from a piece of paper written in 1776 or 1787, they would be as tenuous as those of peoples around the world whose rights are granted and enumerated by their government. Ours, however, pre-existed these documents and forever will.

I think a clarification is in order. Don't you?--Andy P.

Monday, June 29, 2009

It Will Soon Become a Spiritual Battle.

Dear Sir,

It has been some time since you wrote your article about corruption in Congress and I must say, you do say all the right things. Except the part about Pres. Obama. What do you think his real agenda is? Have you seen the Obama Deception? Have you read about his family history and the influences he has carried to Washington with him? America will probably wake up just in time for the round-up of anyone foolish enough to voice a difference of opinion. Can you not see that the real masters working behind the scenes are the fabulously wealthy European and American bankers that control Congress, the news media and the military industrial complex. How else could our president lie to us and be so effective at disinformation as to involve us in a war in Iraq. Maybe it is already too late to preserve liberty. Isn't it amazing how easily educated people can be manipulated when intelect alone becomes the guiding light. It will soon become a spiritual battle.

David C.

Monday, June 22, 2009

On Target in Spain

Subject: On Target with John Whitehead

Dear John,

This is only to briefly tell you how delighted I am with your YouTube talks and the subjects you address to open eyes that might have remained closed otherwise. It's not onlt the USA suffering from decadence (overruling with loss of moral values),
but particularly also Europe, that is said to be 'united' but is more divided than even about matters concerning particular social needs, freedom of speech, religion and respect for other c.q. differing opinions.

I admire your persistence and wish you God's speed!

John
Granada
Spain

Obama and Torture

Subject: When It Comes to Torture, No One Is Above the Law

Mr. Whitehead:

Thanks for your piece "When it comes to torture, no one is above the law." With regard to what you say toward the end about President Obama, I couldn't agree more. I voted enthusiastically for Obama, but I told a Democratic friend of mine the other day that if our president really thinks we should "move on" and do nothing about the torture policy of the Bush/Cheney administration, he should quit wearing the American flag in his lapel.

Robert H.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

A False Premise

Subject: Obama and Transparency: Should He Release the Torture Photos?

I have eagerly anticipated reading each of your articles for years...until this one. Are you really naive enough to believe that torture (real or alleged) is the driving force behind the treatment captured Americans would receive? Any military person can tell you that ideology is the driving force - witness the murder of Dr. Tiller, the Cole attacks, 9/11, embassy bombings, marines in Lebanon, etc., etc. When you start from a false premise, the rest of your argument loses credibility.

Capers B.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Constitution Party of West Virginia

Thank you for your work in gaining relief for the Constitution Party of West Virginia from being prohibited by the DNR from circulating petitions for signature. Thank you for your ongoing work. — Gary H.

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Thanks be to God for victory in the CP-WV case, and many thanks for your assistance in defending the unalienable rights of our friends in West Virginia. May the Lord richly bless you all! — Sincerely, Ricardo D., CP of Georgia