My family, my faith, my freedom, and this country that millions have died to defend

 

"Settle down!" They tell me. "Just relax and see what happens. It's not worth getting all worked up over." Really? My family, my faith, my freedom, and this country that millions have died to defend, not worth getting worked up over? I disagree. SC

VOTE BLUE

These are pretty easy choices

 I'm certain that, just like the rest of us, kamala Harris is imperfect. But she's more than sufficient as the face and spokesperson for our movement. This is not about Kamala Harris. This is about turning a page, ending a chapter, and passing the torch of liberty to a new generation. It's about banding together as citizens who have each other's backs and are prepared to work together to seize this moment and secure a better future for all.

What kind of country do we want?

Let's talk for a moment about our options.

We can have a bitter, old man who wants to go back to a dark time,

or we can have an administration prepared to move forward.

We can fight over superstitions and archaic cultural rivalries,

or we can benefit from scientific discovery and enlightenment.

We can accept alternative facts and baldfaced lies,

or we can defend truth, justice, and fact-based reality.

We can resort to violence to settle petty grievances,

or we can accept that we are different and learn to coexist.

We can take the path that history shows ends in bloodshed,

or we can learn from democracy's remarkable achievements

and continue to strengthen our institutions for the good of all.

We can cave to the will of the angry, misled, and misinformed,

or we can rise as one and embrace our future as proud Americans.

We can surrender our freedoms to divisive Christian Nationalism,

or we can defend the rights and hard-won freedoms of all.

We can discard democracy's balance of power, for one-man rule,

or we can continue our pursuit of a more perfect union,

and a government of, by, and for the people.

For those of us who appreciate the sacrifices of our veterans, our forefathers,

and all those who have dedicated themselves to liberty and justice for all,

these are pretty easy choices. SC

A bright and prosperous future for us all.

 President John F. Kennedy, in his inaugural address of January 1961, called upon our people to "Ask not what the country can do for you-ask what you can do for the country." Despite what some would have us believe; America today is more prosperous than ever. Our challenge as today's Democrats, is to reinvent our economy in such a way as to encourage those who are the custodians of this great wealth to invest those funds in the future of America. In so doing, America can once again grow an economy that will benefit us all, creating the jobs of the future, the infrastructure of the future, and the hope, housing, and financial security that will encourage our people to join together in achieving the vision of the America of the future, an America where all who are willing to participate can put aside our differences and work for the benefit of all, creating a nation founded on freedom, devoted to opportunity and equity, and dedicated to the task of building a bright and prosperous future for us all. Join us. SC

TRUTH FAITH & FREEDOM are under threat. VOTE BLUE

The Maga-maniacs who pull Trump's strings are determined to transform America into a "Christian Nationalist" nation. If that happens, they will control our destiny; they will impose their own sick version of religion on us all, and they will end Truth, Justice, Freedom, and America as we know it. Please, don't let this happen.

If hearts don't change, here is a shadow of what may be. If the white, Christian Nationalists are successful in getting Trump elected, what will follow are atrocities of Biblical proportions. Over time, everyone who is not a white Anglo Saxon Protestant, a Puritan, and a believer in the new order, will be purged from our society by whatever means necessary. There will be blood in the streets. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Eventually you will realize you were complicit, and you will repent. It will be too late. Repent now.

Some of you may be aware of a little incident known as World War II and the holocaust. Basically, the Nazi Party began a campaign to MAKE GERMANY GREAT AGAIN, by organizing those who felt disenfranchised, denying facts, rewriting history, burning books, and purging the country of those they considered inferior. Sound familiar?

Assuming Trump doesn't wimp out and he and Harris actually debate, based on Trump's loose grasp of reality and his complete lack of respect for law and order, it will be fascinating to see him filleted by a blood thirsty prosecutor and actual advocate for justice. I can't wait!

If you seriously want to turn your rights and religious freedoms over to the far right and let them impose their puritanical values on you and your loved ones, you know who to elect.

Along with family,
TRUTH FAITH & FREEDOM
are under threat.
VOTE BLUE

SC

America's pursuit of a more perfect union

The theme recently has been the passing of the torch. Most of you are aware that the world just witnessed the Olympic Games in Paris. Some of us watched it occasionally, if at all. Others watched it almost religiously, in awe of its place in history, and of the inspirational feats of the world's youth, displaying superhuman achievements in athletics. As a nation, we witnessed the event from different viewpoints, because that's how we roll. Some saw the culmination of four years of determined efforts by these dedicated young people. They saw the world come together as one, in a peaceful celebration of competition, sports, camaraderie, and even affection between the nations of the world. They were inspired by what they saw and by the hope it represented for our future. Others saw reasons to be offended.

Next Monday we will witness another passing of another torch. Monday, the Democratic Party will begin a four-day celebration of their hopes for the future. Monday night, President Biden will speak. As he completes his talk, a page will be turned. A chapter will end. The torch of freedom will pass to a new generation of enthusiastic young people, eager to pursue excellence and achieve new heights in America's pursuit of a more perfect union. Some of us will be inspired and excited by the prospects of our future together as the land of the free and the home of the brave. Others will be offended. Those of you who are familiar with my posts know what I'll see. I hope that's what you see too

It's the just, merciful, humble thing to do.

Since the election is fast approaching, and there's a lot at stake, I will say this one more time as clearly as I know how. I would never encourage anyone to take the life of the unborn or anyone else, but I will humbly stand before God having defended a woman's rights over her own body, and the rights of the unborn to be spared the sorrows of this old world unless they have a mother who loves them. It's the just, merciful, humble thing to do. SC

I intend to continue sounding the alarm until I run out of time. SC

I'm as sick of all this political bickering as anyone, but here's the deal. People will begin voting soon. I don't watch a few snippets of news; I watch lots of news! Whether it's reported on your news media or not, If the MAGA Republicans have their way, project 2025 will be the blueprint for our future. If that happens, bigots will be thrilled. Racists will be thrilled, and Christian Nationalists will be thrilled. But America's long, celebrated history of pursuing a more perfect union will be over. Democracy in America will be over. "One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all" will be over. That's the truth as I see it, and I intend to continue sounding the alarm until I run out of time. SC

What is Christian Nationalism?

Based on the Republican platform of 2024, the alt right is intent on making Christian Nationalism the one and only faith recognized or permitted by our nation. Let's talk for a moment about Christian Nationalism. It's an assault on the most basic principle of freedom on which America is founded. The First Amendment of the Constitution states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." In other words, regardless of your faith (or lack thereof) you have the right to worship (or not) as you choose, free from government interference. Those who would enforce Chrisian Nationalism (or any other religious preference) upon you, stand in direct opposition to our Constitution's first amendment and America's most basic guarantee of freedom. SC 

If forced to choose, would you choose the best interests of the planet and future generations of your family, or would you choose your big-ass truck? SC

In Missouri, Mr. Hawley is running ads suggesting that the Democrats are coming for your big-ass truck. Of course, that's not true, but it's the kind of falsehood that Hawley is well known for, that, and sprinting from the Capitol like a bunny. The transition from fossil fuel and big oil will move extremely slowly, much like the transition from horse and buggy days to internal combustion automobiles. No one came after anyone's horses; people gradually chose better, more efficient options. But his threat does pose an interesting question: If forced to choose, would you choose the best interests of the planet and future generations of your family, or would you choose your big-ass truck? SC

I'm not the least bit hesitant to stand before God, warts and all, and face eternity.

Following a bout with Polio back in 1955, when I returned home and walked out into the bright sunshine on Reservoir Hill, I began a walk with my Savior that has lasted until today. I respect your right to worship as you choose. I expect the same courtesy. I'm a sinner; my old robe of flesh catches on this and snags on that and hinders my every effort to be perfect. Second only to my faith is my pursuit of America's principles of liberty and justice for all. I have no regrets for my efforts to support the rights of every other sinner to enjoy freedom, seek fulfillment, and worship or not, just as they feel called. At age 72, I'm prayed up and ready to go. My sins are washed away by my faith and the precious blood of my Savior, and I'm not the least bit hesitant to stand before God, warts and all, and face eternity. SC

"One nation under God, indivisible, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL." I support freedom to the full extent freedom is possible within a framework of just laws and environmental protections. If you believe your Bible calls you to restrict the rights of others, you've misread your Bible.

If you or your Presidential candidate are a pathological liar and at odds with reality and truth, you are at odds with God.

This is timely. If you're a person of faith, this may be of interest to you. The Ten Commandments are back in the news. Some of the commandments are subject to interpretation. Keeping the sabbath, for instance, means different things to different people. In sharp contrast, there is absolutely no ambiguity regarding Commandment #9. Everyone knows that lying is a sin. If you're a pathological liar and at odds with reality and truth, you are at odds with God. SC

My politics is inseparable from my faith.

I guarantee you that you are no sicker of my political posts than I am. Is there nothing, you may ask, that's more important to you than politics? I'm 72 years old. This year's "politics" will determine the direction of this country for the rest of my life. It will affect every aspect of my family, my faith, and my freedom. So, the answer is no; there is nothing more important to me than politics. How, you may well ask, did politics affect your faith? For over forty years, I spent hours each week in church. I served a term as deacon; I was for a time a youth minister and Sunday school teacher, and I was a door greeter for over 20 years. As a result of the Trump administration and its effects on "the church", I no longer attend church. So, you may ask, do you no longer have faith? Micah 6*8 is the lens through which I view every issue and each of life's decisions. "And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." My politics is inseparable from my faith. Another element of my faith is the pursuit of Truth & Justice regardless of the consequences. SC

The DOW is breaking records. Unemployment is down. Salaries are up. Our economy is as strong as any economy in the world.

 I'm no economist, but this isn't rocket science. During Covid, the Biden administration pumped vast amounts of money into the economy to assist those who were homeless and hungry. As a result, corporations and big business raised prices accordingly. Since that time the Fed has addressed this situation. Prices are inching down. The DOW is breaking records. Unemployment is down. Salaries are up. Our economy is as strong as any economy in the world. All indications are that once the Harris administration is in place this trend will continue until America is once again the most powerful nation in the world. SC

I intend to be part of the blue tsunami. SC

I was recently asked how I'll vote and how I justify my choice. I'd love to take a moment to address that. 2025 will usher in a time of previously unimaginable prosperity in this country. As America's youth take up the torch of freedom and assume their roles as leaders of the future, America will reach new benchmarks in our pursuit of a more perfect and more inclusive union. Together we will transition away from the outdated technologies of the past and embrace the cleaner, more efficient technologies of the future. With this new technology will come the jobs and opportunities of a new day in America. This new day will be the herald of a time when all those who are prepared to work will take their place in an economy where wages are fair and equitable, and the rewards for their efforts are a life of fulfilment, and security like the world has rarely imagined and never seen. No longer will the challenges of the future be ignored and left to future generations. Our country will once more accept and embrace our responsibility as a beacon of freedom and democracy for the world. All Americans will rise as one, defending not only their liberty but the liberty of others. All this will come to pass as a result of the blue tsunami that will wash across our incomparable land this November. I intend to be part of that tsunami. SC

If you care about your family, scream this from the rooftops.

This is not complicated. For a number of years now our country and much of the civilized world have been in a slow transition away from coal and fossil fuels. Global warming is largely responsible for the floods and droughts that are in the news every day. The slow transition to more environmentally responsible energy slows global warming. If you look past the smoke, mirrors, and foolishness of the stomach-turning political ads that flood our media today, and vote in the best interests of yourself and upcoming generations of your family, this is all you need to know: If we elect people who believe in science and support the goal of insuring that our planet can sustain life for decades to come, good things are possible. If we elect people who support big oil, chant drill baby drill, and insist that concern for our environment is a "green scam" the devastating wildfires, floods, and food shortages that destroy countless lives every day will grow exponentially worse until life on earth is unrecognizable. You choose. Vote as though the future of your grandchildren is at stake. It truly is. SC

Bursting forth like a glorious dawn and filling the bright blue skies

Considering what Truth and Justice have suffered in recent years, it's not unreasonable to worry that they've been irreparably damaged by the experience. Of course, that's not the case. Truth and Justice are impervious to racism. They're impervious to bigotry. They're impervious to lies and deception, regardless of the number of innocent souls who've been ruthlessly misinformed. Despite the abuse they've suffered, there is no doubt coming a day when Truth and Justice will rise again like a phoenix from the ash, bursting forth like a glorious dawn and filling the bright blue skies, as if to touch the very face of God.

Shannon Thomas Casebeer

Building foundations for a bright new tomorrow

Each and every day, each and every one of us, regardless of our circumstances, has a choice. We can squander our time fingering old welts, second guessing past decisions, and tormenting ourselves over the poor choices of others; or we can embrace a new day brimming with opportunities for doing justly, loving mercy, and building foundations for a bright new tomorrow. Our choices over the next few months offer tremendous opportunities for working together to secure a prosperous future and brighten the prospects of others for years to come. Time is precious. Choose wisely.

Shannon Thomas Casebeer