The Islamic State has likely radicalized thousands of people in the United States, according to a new report, raising concerns that supporters of the terrorist group could be plotting domestic attacks similar to the recent shootings and bombings in Paris.
The Threat Knowledge Group, an organization led by the counterterrorism experts Sebastian and Katharine Gorka, has compiled a list of 82 individuals in the United States who were affiliated with the Islamic State...
Read more at the Washington Free Beacon
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Showing posts with label United States. Show all posts
Showing posts with label United States. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
The Architect of Destruction
By Maureen Scott
Obama appears to be a tormented man who is filled with resentment, anger, and disdain for anyone of an opinion or view other than his. He acts in the most hateful, spiteful, malevolent, vindictive ways in order to manipulate and maintain power and control over others. Perhaps because, as a child, he grew up around family members and mentors who instilled him with an abiding bitterness toward the U.S. That bitterness seems not to have left him. ✧ It is not the color of his skin that is a problem – for anyone in America. Rather it is the blackness that fills his soul and the hollowness in his heart where there should be abiding pride and love for this country. Read more at Renew America... Read More......
Obama appears to be a tormented man who is filled with resentment, anger, and disdain for anyone of an opinion or view other than his. He acts in the most hateful, spiteful, malevolent, vindictive ways in order to manipulate and maintain power and control over others. Perhaps because, as a child, he grew up around family members and mentors who instilled him with an abiding bitterness toward the U.S. That bitterness seems not to have left him. ✧ It is not the color of his skin that is a problem – for anyone in America. Rather it is the blackness that fills his soul and the hollowness in his heart where there should be abiding pride and love for this country. Read more at Renew America... Read More......
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Can you pass a US Citizenship test?
In order to become a US citizen, immigrants must pass the Naturalization Test. American citizenship bestows the right to vote, improves the likelihood of family members living in other countries to come and live in the US, gives eligibility for federal jobs, and can be a way to demonstrate loyalty to the US. Applicants must get 6 answers out of 10 in an oral exam to pass the test. According to US Citizenship and Immigration services, 92 percent of applicants pass this test.You must get 58 or more of these test questions correct in order to pass.
Source: Christian Science Monitor Read More......
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Why We Should Care About America's Fading Economic Freedom
The Economic Freedom Team at Economic Freedom.org writes, "The word at the water cooler is that the U.S. has fallen to 18th in economic freedom. So what’s the big deal? Professor Antony Davies of Duquesne University explains in U.S. News & World Report that economic freedom benefits just about everyone. ✧ The conclusion is simple: Economic freedom yields beneficial results. ... data bears out what Americans know intuitively: The United States is less free than it once was, and our lives are the worse for it. The way to improve our lives as citizens is to return to our birthright as citizens: liberty." Read the full article at U.S. News & World Report...
Read More......
Thursday, December 8, 2011
CFP: Proof of U.S. citizenship is not required to vote in US Elections
Jim Campbell - Incredulously, though it’s a felony to vote if the voter is not a United States Citizen, all one needs is a face to vote in our elections. It goes without saying; the Democratic Party wants it that way. Read more at Canada Free Press...
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Thursday, March 17, 2011
Drunk with Debt (with a St. Patrick's Day slant)
BankruptingAmerica - We guarantee you've never seen the data shown like this before!!! Like our data visualization? Get some more at http://bit.ly/9ZzZbU.
- Background: Years of unsustainable government spending by Republicans and Democrats are bankrupting our country. Debt is a symptom of such overspending. And the US gross debt has reached $14 trillion -- the size of the US economy. This has only happened once before in American history: World War II. ∴ But cheer up and don't let the sobering facts get you down on St. Patrick's Day! Because the Bankrupting America community is getting the message out that Washington must cut spending. You can help by sharing this video now!
- Numbers in the video are adjusted for inflation. The debt numbers used refer to "gross debt."
- This video features the song "Maid Behind the Bar" by Slainte, available under a Creative Commons attribution - noncommercial license.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
AP: GOP bid to change U.S.-Russia nuclear treaty fails
WASHINGTON EXAMINER, 12/28/2010 - (AP) Democrats have deflected an attempt by Republicans to require U.S. and Russian negotiators to reopen a nuclear arms treaty being debated in the Senate. ∴ But the 37-59 vote against the measure by Arizona Sen. John McCain exposes doubts about whether the Senate can ratify the treaty as written before a new, more Republican Congress assumes power in January. ∴ Treaties require a two-thirds majority of those voting in the Senate, or 67 votes if all 100 senators vote. Thirty-seven senators on Saturday voted for McCain's amendment to send the treaty back. ∴ Republicans want to strike a reference in the treaty's preamble to missile defense systems. They say the preamble, as written, would allow Russia to withdraw from the pact if the U.S. develops a missile defense system in Europe.
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Monday, October 5, 2009
Is Obama's Handling of Honduras a View of Our Future?
AMERICAN THINKER, 10/5/2009 by Robert A. Bonelli - The United States is different from most other countries in many ways. One unique aspect of our country is that our elected officials, officers of the court, and the military, all pledge their allegiance to the Constitution and not to an office, individual or party. This assures continuity of the ideals set forth by the founders. ∴ The Supreme Court of Honduras in conjunction with their Congress and military reacted to defend the Honduran Constitution earlier this year, when President Manual Zelaya introduced a referendum to change the Constitution to permit him to run for another term outside of the term limits specified in their Constitution. Aside from his action being extremely unpopular, their Supreme Court ruled his move illegal and thus took action to defend their Constitution and, with the approval of their Congress, had their military remove him from office. ∴ The entire world condemned the Honduran leaders' corrective measure. It was not surprising to see countries not used to defending a written set of ideals react negatively to the Honduran action, but it is shocking to see the President of the United States and his administration join with these other nations in condemning the Honduran defense of their Constitution. ∴ The Obama administration went further and cutoff aid to this brave nation that did nothing more than take a stand that their government is subject to their people and not the other way around. Our history, our culture, our DNA clearly should have every American confused and frightened. Read more at American Thinker...
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Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Constitution for all Conservatives
Speech given at the Liberty Summit on June 6, 2009 by Craig Myers
Our view of the Constitution determines the success of our constitutional republic. Increasing attacks on the U.S. Constitution and our many state constitutions, remind us of what we are trying to conserve. Our republic was initiated by, "We the people", as the preamble declares, and it is "We" who must protect it. As the Declaration of Independence states, ...governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." This is why our grassroots campaign for government accountability is mobilizing.
Three points:
Point 1: Can we view the Constitution as an à la carte menu of options?
a. Liberals consider it a "living document" subject to revision.
b. Can inalienable rights be subject to such interpretation?
The focus of the Constitution is to provide the greatest possible liberty for all Americans.
Our founding fathers assumed that rights such as liberty are accompanied with duties and conditions. The Constitution is a contract between Americans and their government describing the rights and privileges of each.
Every political relationship expresses the value system or worldview of the citizens. The foundation of our value system has always been our moral and religious convictions. Among these is the conviction that our rights were given by our Creator, not by men, and are therefore inalienable.
The Declaration states, "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..."
The United States had the first Constitutional Republic in the history of the world. Its foundation was biblical, and its citizens were predominantly Christians. Our republic has largely succeeded, while hundreds of attempts to imitate our system have failed. As our founding fathers repeatedly said,it is not the system of government alone, but also the morality and religion of its citizens that are critical to the success of a constitutional republic.
Liberal elites treat our Constitution as evolving set of values and ideas, merely governing man's relationship with man, and not subject to any higher authority than himself. Wherever this secularization has succeeded, the result has been the same. The Greek, Roman, and all modern utopian ideas of secular state power result in a state run by elites which extend their power and restrict individual liberty. This is the experience of socialist and communist republics.
When our liberal leaders and activist judges treat our Constitution as a living document, the inevitable result is the dismantling of our inalienable rights. The populist excuse for this is that newly discovered rights are being created for special interest groups. However, as George Washington and other founders warned, this always comes at the expense of the general welfare and the principle of equal justice.
The preamble of our Constitution states: "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." As we have seen in recent decades, the secular worldview has diminished rather than enhanced every one of the goals established in the preamble. Undermining, rather than promoting the general welfare of all American citizens is a prime example.
Viewing the Constitution as an à la carte menu of options, is like tearing it in half. Ignoring the moral and biblical foundation only leads to its destruction. We cannot preserve the intended benefits of it while violating its foundational principles. That is why this is the strategy of the liberal elites.
Point 2: Why is it important for social and fiscal conservatives to understand, respect, and cooperate with each other?
A. Without such cooperation, can we succeed in elections aimed at conserving our constitutional freedoms?
In Oregon, to succeed with a ballot measure or elect a candidate to statewide office requires a million votes. Neither the social nor fiscal conservatives have such support if they do not act together.
Even though these groups may disagree on a number of issues, they must recognize that the only way to preserve our cherished economic freedoms is through a strong alliance.
Despite their differences, the principles expressed in the preamble to our Constitution must take precedence over all else. Though fiscal conservatives may agree only 70% of the time with social conservatives, the preservation of those freedoms that we all hold dear truly hang upon this coalition. (See the Disclaimer Page on the CO website)
Point 3: A social conservative perspective on the Constitution.
As historically understood, the Constitution is a coherent reflection of biblical teaching on the nature of man, and his relationships with God and his fellow man. (See below) The constitutions of all 50 U.S. states, either in the preamble or body, explicitly recognize or express gratitude to the Almighty God described in scripture.
The US Constitution presumes self-government by its citizens, which requires self-control. This in turn demands general adherence to the eternal laws of liberty and rules of conduct found in the 10 Commandments. The Declaration of Independence expressed it as, "..appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions..."
The Constitution and our other founding documents were written and signed by 250 remarkable men, 95% of whom were devout Christians from various Orthodox denominations. Their writings address the issues faced by every generation including today's. They frequently stated that the morality of America's people would determine the success of our constitutional republic. (See below)
Ultimately, it is not the government that protects the Constitution for the sake of the people. It is the job of the people to protect the Constitution from decay through their moral values, civic virtue, and participation. The nature and quality of our relationships with our fellow citizens results from our relationship with God and our accountability to him.
The notion of government accountability itself stems from our own accountability to God. Our Constitutional freedoms will naturally decay, as we neglect our relationship with the author of those freedoms. This is expressed in the Declaration of Independence as, "...a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence."
Conclusion:
For conservatives to work successfully together, we must understand our differences and recognize that our similarities are far greater. If we ignore the basis of our constitution, it is tempting to try to cherry pick which of our foundational principles to support based on their popularity. This pretends that some moral issues are merely matters of personal preference and have no broader political or eternal importance.
Yet we are now hurtling toward European style socialism because we as a nation have forgotten that it is "In God we trust" not man and man's wisdom. Our view of the Constitution and its biblical foundation is determining the success of our republic.
Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.
Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...
California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom...
Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe...
Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences...
Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...
Georgia 1777, Preamble.
We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...
Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We , the people of Hawaii , Grateful for Divine Guidance ... Establish this Constitution.
Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the St ate of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.
Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...
Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity .. And imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction...
Michigan 1908, Preamble
We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution.
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:
Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri 1845, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness . Establish this Constitution...
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution ...
Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution.
Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution...
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty...
New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those...
North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We , the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common.
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this...
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2 All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences...
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance...
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing...
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties ...
Tennessee 1796, Art.XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...
Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas , acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man...
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI... Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other...
Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility...
Wyoming 1890, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming , grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution...
William Penn
"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."
The following are a few Declarations of Founding Fathers and Early Statesmen.....This list is by no means exhaustive; many other Founders could be included, and even with those who appear below, many additional quotes could be included.
John Adams
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; JUDGE; DIPLOMAT; ONE OF TWO SIGNERS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.
Without religion, this world would be something not fit to be mentioned in polite company: I mean hell.
Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. . . . What a Eutopia - what a Paradise would this region be!
Samuel Adams
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; "FATHER OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION"; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS
I conceive we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world . . . that the confusions that are and have been among the nations may be overruled by the promoting and speedily bringing in the holy and happy period when the kingdoms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and the people willingly bow to the scepter of Him who is the Prince of Peace.
Elias Boudinot
PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; SIGNED THE PEACE TREATY TO END THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION; FIRST ATTORNEY ADMITTED TO THE U. S. SUPREME COURT BAR; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; DIRECTOR OF THE U. S. MINT
Let us enter on this important business under the idea that we are Christians on whom the eyes of the world are now turned... [L]et us earnestly call and beseech Him, for Christ's sake, to preside in our councils. . . . We can only depend on the all powerful influence of the Spirit of God, Whose Divine aid and assistance it becomes us as a Christian people most devoutly to implore. Therefore I move that some minister of the Gospel be requested to attend this Congress every morning . . . in order to open the meeting with prayer.
Congress, 1854
The great, vital, and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrines and the divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Congress, U. S. House Judiciary Committee, 1854
In this age, there can be no substitute for Christianity... That was the religion of the founders of the republic and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants.
John Dickinson
SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA; GOVERNOR OF DELAWARE; GENERAL IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
[Governments] could not give the rights essential to happiness... We claim them from a higher source: from the King of kings, and Lord of all the earth.
Benjamin Franklin
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION; DIPLOMAT; PRINTER; SCIENTIST; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA
As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and His religion as He left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see.
Alexander Hamilton
REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; AUTHOR OF THE FEDERALIST PAPERS; SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
Hamilton's untimely death halted the formation of a religious society he had proposed. He suggested that it be named the Christian Constitutional Society, and listed two goals for its formation: first, the support of the Christian religion; and second, the support of the Constitution of the United States. This organization was to have numerous clubs throughout each state which would meet regularly and work to elect to office those who reflected the goals of the Christian Constitutional Society.
John Hancock
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS
Sensible of the importance of Christian piety and virtue to the order and happiness of a state, I cannot but earnestly commend to you every measure for their support and encouragement.
Patrick Henry
REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; LEGISLATOR; "THE VOICE OF LIBERTY"; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA
Righteousness alone can exalt America as a nation. Whoever thou art, remember this; and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself, and encourage it in others.
The great pillars of all government and of social life [are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible.
John Jay
PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; DIPLOMAT; AUTHOR OF THE FEDERALIST PAPERS; ORIGINAL CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE U. S. SUPREME COURT; GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK
Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.
Thomas Jefferson
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; DIPLOMAT; GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA; SECRETARY OF STATE; THIRD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
The practice of morality being necessary for the well being of society, He [God] has taken care to impress its precepts so indelibly on our hearts that they shall not be effaced by the subtleties of our brain. We all agree in the obligation of the moral principles of Jesus and nowhere will they be found delivered in greater purity than in His discourses.
God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are a gift from God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever.
Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God.
James Madison
SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; AUTHOR OF THE FEDERALIST PAPERS; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; SECRETARY OF STATE; FOURTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
We have staked the whole of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.
Benjamin Rush
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; SURGEON GENERAL OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; "FATHER OF AMERICAN MEDICINE"; TREASURER OF THE U. S. MINT; "FATHER OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION"
I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am as satisfied that it is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament.
[T]he only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government is the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible.
George Washington
JUDGE; MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY; PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION; FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; "FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY"
You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are.
While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.
Daniel Webster
U. S. SENATOR; SECRETARY OF STATE; "DEFENDER OF THE CONSTITUTION"
[T]he Christian religion - its general principles - must ever be regarded among us as the foundation of civil society.
Whatever makes men good Christians, makes them good citizens.
[T]o the free and universal reading of the Bible... men [are] much indebted for right views of civil liberty.
William Pitt - the Younger
Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves.
Imagine what a blessing it would be if our legislature or Congress truly respected our constitutions. If a majority of such leaders were in office, we would be enjoying a new birth of freedom in this country! Therefore, let all freedom loving prople be charitable, united, and harmonious in our dealings with each other and promote those expressions of conservative values which we share. Remember that these ideas did not originate with any of us and that we are merely sons and daughters of liberty, fighting for their preservation so that our country and our posterity may receive the blessings our forefathers intended.
Sincerely,
Craig Myers
Concerned Oregonians Read More......
Our view of the Constitution determines the success of our constitutional republic. Increasing attacks on the U.S. Constitution and our many state constitutions, remind us of what we are trying to conserve. Our republic was initiated by, "We the people", as the preamble declares, and it is "We" who must protect it. As the Declaration of Independence states, ...governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." This is why our grassroots campaign for government accountability is mobilizing.
Three points:
- Can we view the Constitution as an à la carte menu of options?
- Why is it important for social and fiscal conservatives to understand, respect, and cooperate with each other?
- A social conservative perspective on the Constitution
Point 1: Can we view the Constitution as an à la carte menu of options?
a. Liberals consider it a "living document" subject to revision.
b. Can inalienable rights be subject to such interpretation?
The focus of the Constitution is to provide the greatest possible liberty for all Americans.
Our founding fathers assumed that rights such as liberty are accompanied with duties and conditions. The Constitution is a contract between Americans and their government describing the rights and privileges of each.
Every political relationship expresses the value system or worldview of the citizens. The foundation of our value system has always been our moral and religious convictions. Among these is the conviction that our rights were given by our Creator, not by men, and are therefore inalienable.
The Declaration states, "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..."
The United States had the first Constitutional Republic in the history of the world. Its foundation was biblical, and its citizens were predominantly Christians. Our republic has largely succeeded, while hundreds of attempts to imitate our system have failed. As our founding fathers repeatedly said,it is not the system of government alone, but also the morality and religion of its citizens that are critical to the success of a constitutional republic.
Liberal elites treat our Constitution as evolving set of values and ideas, merely governing man's relationship with man, and not subject to any higher authority than himself. Wherever this secularization has succeeded, the result has been the same. The Greek, Roman, and all modern utopian ideas of secular state power result in a state run by elites which extend their power and restrict individual liberty. This is the experience of socialist and communist republics.
When our liberal leaders and activist judges treat our Constitution as a living document, the inevitable result is the dismantling of our inalienable rights. The populist excuse for this is that newly discovered rights are being created for special interest groups. However, as George Washington and other founders warned, this always comes at the expense of the general welfare and the principle of equal justice.
The preamble of our Constitution states: "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." As we have seen in recent decades, the secular worldview has diminished rather than enhanced every one of the goals established in the preamble. Undermining, rather than promoting the general welfare of all American citizens is a prime example.
Viewing the Constitution as an à la carte menu of options, is like tearing it in half. Ignoring the moral and biblical foundation only leads to its destruction. We cannot preserve the intended benefits of it while violating its foundational principles. That is why this is the strategy of the liberal elites.
Point 2: Why is it important for social and fiscal conservatives to understand, respect, and cooperate with each other?
A. Without such cooperation, can we succeed in elections aimed at conserving our constitutional freedoms?
In Oregon, to succeed with a ballot measure or elect a candidate to statewide office requires a million votes. Neither the social nor fiscal conservatives have such support if they do not act together.
Even though these groups may disagree on a number of issues, they must recognize that the only way to preserve our cherished economic freedoms is through a strong alliance.
Despite their differences, the principles expressed in the preamble to our Constitution must take precedence over all else. Though fiscal conservatives may agree only 70% of the time with social conservatives, the preservation of those freedoms that we all hold dear truly hang upon this coalition. (See the Disclaimer Page on the CO website)
Point 3: A social conservative perspective on the Constitution.
As historically understood, the Constitution is a coherent reflection of biblical teaching on the nature of man, and his relationships with God and his fellow man. (See below) The constitutions of all 50 U.S. states, either in the preamble or body, explicitly recognize or express gratitude to the Almighty God described in scripture.
The US Constitution presumes self-government by its citizens, which requires self-control. This in turn demands general adherence to the eternal laws of liberty and rules of conduct found in the 10 Commandments. The Declaration of Independence expressed it as, "..appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions..."
The Constitution and our other founding documents were written and signed by 250 remarkable men, 95% of whom were devout Christians from various Orthodox denominations. Their writings address the issues faced by every generation including today's. They frequently stated that the morality of America's people would determine the success of our constitutional republic. (See below)
Ultimately, it is not the government that protects the Constitution for the sake of the people. It is the job of the people to protect the Constitution from decay through their moral values, civic virtue, and participation. The nature and quality of our relationships with our fellow citizens results from our relationship with God and our accountability to him.
The notion of government accountability itself stems from our own accountability to God. Our Constitutional freedoms will naturally decay, as we neglect our relationship with the author of those freedoms. This is expressed in the Declaration of Independence as, "...a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence."
Conclusion:
For conservatives to work successfully together, we must understand our differences and recognize that our similarities are far greater. If we ignore the basis of our constitution, it is tempting to try to cherry pick which of our foundational principles to support based on their popularity. This pretends that some moral issues are merely matters of personal preference and have no broader political or eternal importance.
Yet we are now hurtling toward European style socialism because we as a nation have forgotten that it is "In God we trust" not man and man's wisdom. Our view of the Constitution and its biblical foundation is determining the success of our republic.
All 50 U.S. state preambles
& Quotes from Founding Fathers
& Quotes from Founding Fathers
Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.
Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...
California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom...
Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe...
Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences...
Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...
Georgia 1777, Preamble.
We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...
Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We , the people of Hawaii , Grateful for Divine Guidance ... Establish this Constitution.
Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the St ate of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.
Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...
Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity .. And imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction...
Michigan 1908, Preamble
We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution.
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:
Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri 1845, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness . Establish this Constitution...
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution ...
Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution.
Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution...
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty...
New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those...
North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We , the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common.
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this...
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2 All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences...
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance...
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing...
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties ...
Tennessee 1796, Art.XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...
Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas , acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man...
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI... Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other...
Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility...
Wyoming 1890, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming , grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution...
William Penn
"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."
The following are a few Declarations of Founding Fathers and Early Statesmen.....This list is by no means exhaustive; many other Founders could be included, and even with those who appear below, many additional quotes could be included.
John Adams
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; JUDGE; DIPLOMAT; ONE OF TWO SIGNERS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.
Without religion, this world would be something not fit to be mentioned in polite company: I mean hell.
Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. . . . What a Eutopia - what a Paradise would this region be!
Samuel Adams
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; "FATHER OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION"; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS
I conceive we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world . . . that the confusions that are and have been among the nations may be overruled by the promoting and speedily bringing in the holy and happy period when the kingdoms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and the people willingly bow to the scepter of Him who is the Prince of Peace.
Elias Boudinot
PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; SIGNED THE PEACE TREATY TO END THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION; FIRST ATTORNEY ADMITTED TO THE U. S. SUPREME COURT BAR; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; DIRECTOR OF THE U. S. MINT
Let us enter on this important business under the idea that we are Christians on whom the eyes of the world are now turned... [L]et us earnestly call and beseech Him, for Christ's sake, to preside in our councils. . . . We can only depend on the all powerful influence of the Spirit of God, Whose Divine aid and assistance it becomes us as a Christian people most devoutly to implore. Therefore I move that some minister of the Gospel be requested to attend this Congress every morning . . . in order to open the meeting with prayer.
Congress, 1854
The great, vital, and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrines and the divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Congress, U. S. House Judiciary Committee, 1854
In this age, there can be no substitute for Christianity... That was the religion of the founders of the republic and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants.
John Dickinson
SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA; GOVERNOR OF DELAWARE; GENERAL IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
[Governments] could not give the rights essential to happiness... We claim them from a higher source: from the King of kings, and Lord of all the earth.
Benjamin Franklin
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION; DIPLOMAT; PRINTER; SCIENTIST; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA
As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and His religion as He left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see.
Alexander Hamilton
REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; AUTHOR OF THE FEDERALIST PAPERS; SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
Hamilton's untimely death halted the formation of a religious society he had proposed. He suggested that it be named the Christian Constitutional Society, and listed two goals for its formation: first, the support of the Christian religion; and second, the support of the Constitution of the United States. This organization was to have numerous clubs throughout each state which would meet regularly and work to elect to office those who reflected the goals of the Christian Constitutional Society.
John Hancock
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS
Sensible of the importance of Christian piety and virtue to the order and happiness of a state, I cannot but earnestly commend to you every measure for their support and encouragement.
Patrick Henry
REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; LEGISLATOR; "THE VOICE OF LIBERTY"; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA
Righteousness alone can exalt America as a nation. Whoever thou art, remember this; and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself, and encourage it in others.
The great pillars of all government and of social life [are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible.
John Jay
PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; DIPLOMAT; AUTHOR OF THE FEDERALIST PAPERS; ORIGINAL CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE U. S. SUPREME COURT; GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK
Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.
Thomas Jefferson
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; DIPLOMAT; GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA; SECRETARY OF STATE; THIRD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
The practice of morality being necessary for the well being of society, He [God] has taken care to impress its precepts so indelibly on our hearts that they shall not be effaced by the subtleties of our brain. We all agree in the obligation of the moral principles of Jesus and nowhere will they be found delivered in greater purity than in His discourses.
God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are a gift from God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever.
Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God.
James Madison
SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; AUTHOR OF THE FEDERALIST PAPERS; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; SECRETARY OF STATE; FOURTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
We have staked the whole of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.
Benjamin Rush
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; SURGEON GENERAL OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; "FATHER OF AMERICAN MEDICINE"; TREASURER OF THE U. S. MINT; "FATHER OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION"
I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am as satisfied that it is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament.
[T]he only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government is the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible.
George Washington
JUDGE; MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY; PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION; FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; "FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY"
You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are.
While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.
Daniel Webster
U. S. SENATOR; SECRETARY OF STATE; "DEFENDER OF THE CONSTITUTION"
[T]he Christian religion - its general principles - must ever be regarded among us as the foundation of civil society.
Whatever makes men good Christians, makes them good citizens.
[T]o the free and universal reading of the Bible... men [are] much indebted for right views of civil liberty.
William Pitt - the Younger
Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves.
Imagine what a blessing it would be if our legislature or Congress truly respected our constitutions. If a majority of such leaders were in office, we would be enjoying a new birth of freedom in this country! Therefore, let all freedom loving prople be charitable, united, and harmonious in our dealings with each other and promote those expressions of conservative values which we share. Remember that these ideas did not originate with any of us and that we are merely sons and daughters of liberty, fighting for their preservation so that our country and our posterity may receive the blessings our forefathers intended.
Sincerely,
Craig Myers
Concerned Oregonians Read More......
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Piracy: History & what to do about it today
WHAT TO DO ABOUT PIRACY?
By Mackubin Thomas Owens
Mackubin T. Owens is a Senior Fellow of FPRI, editor of Orbis, and Associate Dean of Academics for Electives and Directed Research and Professor of National Security Affairs at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island.
Piracy, a scourge that had been stamped out in the 19th century, still flourishes in those Hobbesian areas of the world where order and the "rule of law" do not exist. The seizure of a U.S.-flagged vessel, the Maersk Alabama, earlier this month and the subsequent rescue of the ship's captain by the U.S. Navy has alerted Americans to the fact that Somalia and its coast is such an area. Ever since the collapse of the Somali government in 1991, it has been a particularly stark example of what is now called a "failed state."
According to statistics provided by the International Maritime Bureau, there were 293 incidents of piracy or armed robbery in 2008, of which 130 occurred off the coast of Somalia and in the nearby Gulf of Aden. Of these, about 50 were successful. With the exception of the United States (in the Maersk Alabama incident) and the French, most governments, shipping companies, and insurers have opted to pay ransoms amounting to millions of dollars to free crews and vessels.
What is to be done? One school of thought argues that we should do little or nothing because the cost of stamping out piracy again is too high. They point out that some 21,000 ships transit the Gulf of Aden every year and maintain that 50 successful pirate attacks doesn't really constitute much of a threat, certainly not one worth expending the resources necessary to eliminate it. Ideas on how we might do include arming crews or providing specialized armed detachments. As Derek Reveron, my Naval War College colleague, observes, the costs of providing security teams aboard merchant vessels or arming crews and training them to defend the ship probably exceed the costs of paying ransom for the rare ship taken.
In addition, Reveron argues, piracy in this part of the world isn't an American problem. He contends that piracy is an annoyance, but other than offending our sense of freedom of the seas, it doesn't for the most part affect American shipping. Thus focusing on piracy is an example of the tail wagging the strategic dog. He argues that the Europeans and Asians, who are quick to demand U.S. leadership on the one hand and criticize the United States for its actions on the other, ought to be responsible for dealing with pirates here.
But others point out that piracy is a threat to a peaceful, commercial "liberal world order." For instance, the threat of piracy has a dampening effect on commerce, raising insurance rates and other costs of transporting goods by sea. Such increases in the cost of commerce are not good any time, but especially during a recession.
Experience seems to indicate that a "liberal world order" does not arise spontaneously as the result of some global "invisible hand" but requires the actions of a powerful state willing and able to provide the world with the "collective goods" of economic stability and international security. Today, the United States is the only state able to provide either of these beyond its own territory, especially on the great commons" of the sea. Thus, according to this view, the United States today must lead the other maritime commercial states in an effort to end piracy, just as Great Britain did during the 19th century.
But there are major practical problems with doing so. The first is the vast sea area, about four times the size of Texas, in which the Somali pirates operate. Patrolling an area with about 1300 nautical miles of coastline requires a huge commitment of naval resources. In fact, at any one time, the U.S. 5th Fleet has 5-10 ships in the area. That commitment is complemented by both an EU naval force and a NATO fleet. Several other countries, including China, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia, have provided naval assets for anti-piracy operations in the area or will soon do so. But
the area is simply too large for a continuous naval presence sufficient to deter or defeat the pirates.
Then there is the political economy of Somali piracy, which has created a network that provides intelligence, sanctuary, funding, and the "mother ships" that provide the pirates with the "reach" they need for their depredations. Additionally, the pirates have demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt to changing circumstances, avoiding the Somali coast in order to thwart anti-piracy patrols, docking at ports in other countries to refuel and lay on supplies.
But the elimination of piracy is more a question of will than of resources per se. Piracy (along with the slave trade) was crushed in the 19th century when the states of Europe, rather than tolerating the practice as they had done in the 17th and 18th centuries, decided to take action. The effort was led by Great Britain, with the Royal Navy as the primary instrument. What made the actions successful was the determination of Great Britain and others to attack the source of piracy. The Royal Navy in particular not only captured and sank pirate ships, but also attacked pirate sanctuaries, destroying their bases.
In the 19th century, the United States also played a role in ending the piratical forays of the Barbary States of North Africa. This is one of the reasons why it has been nearly two centuries since pirates last attempted to seize a vessel flying the American flag.
After losing the protection of Great Britain as a result of America's Declaration of Independence, American ships were preyed upon by the Barbary States--Algiers, Tunis, Morocco, and Tripoli (today's Libya). Like the Europeans during the same period (and most maritime states today), the Americans deemed the cost of military action too high and opted to pay "tribute" to the Barbary States. But the demands for these bribes kept growing while the seizure of U.S. ships only increased.
Congress authorized the construction of several frigates and President Thomas Jefferson dispatched them in 1801 for "policing actions" in the Mediterranean after the pasha of Tripoli declared war on the United States. During the next several years, the fledgling American Navy bombarded the harbors of Algiers, Morocco, and Tunis or threatened them with bombardment. As a result of these actions, these states agreed to cease cooperating with Tripoli. But the pasha remained defiant.
In 1804, a naval force under Captain Stephen Decatur boldly sailed into Tripoli harbor, where he set fire to the captured USS Philadelphia, later rescuing its crew, bombarding the fortified town, and boarding the pasha's own fleet where it lay at anchor. In April 1805, Captain William Eaton led an expedition consisting of U.S. Marines, mercenaries, and Arab rebels across many miles of desert to take Tripoli's second city, Derna, by surprise, largely ending the depredations of the Barbary pirates against U.S. ships in the Mediterranean.
To adopt such an approach to piracy today, however, would require a return to a distinction in the traditional understanding of international law, one that did not extend legal protections to individuals who do not deserve them.
This distinction was first made by the Romans and subsequently incorporated into international law by way of medieval and early modern European jurisprudence, e.g. writings on the law of nations by such authors as Hugo Grotius and Emer de Vattel.
The Romans distinguished between bellum, war against legitimus hostis, a legitimate enemy, and guerra, war against latrunculi--pirates, robbers, brigands, and outlaws- -"the common enemies of mankind." The former, bellum, became the standard for interstate conflict, and it is here that the Geneva Conventions and other legal protections were meant to apply. They do not apply to the latter, Guerra-- indeed, punishment for latrunculi traditionally has been summary execution, although the extreme punishment was not always exacted. The point i that until recently, no international code has extended legal protection to pirates.
As Grotius wrote in Mare Librum (The Free Sea), "all peoples or their princes in common can punish pirates and others, who commit derelicts on the sea against the law of nations."
And more forcefully, Vattel wrote in his 1738 treatise, The Law of Nations, that legitimate and formal warfare must be carefully distinguished from those illegitimate or informal wars, or rather predatory expeditions, undertaken, either without lawful authority, or without apparent cause, as likewise without the usual formalities, and solely with a view to plunder."
Once this distinction is revived, it opens the way for the only real way to stamp out piracy, as was done in the 19th century: the use of force to wipe out the pirate lairs. Under the old understanding of international law, a sovereign state has the right to strike the territory of another if that state is not able to curtail the activities of latrunculi.
As John Locke understood, pirates are in a "state of nature" relative to political society. And political society has the right to defend itself against such individuals:
Most of President James Monroe's cabinet, especially Secretary of War John Calhoun, wanted Jackson's head, but Secretary of State John Quincy Adams came to Jackson's defense. He contended that the United States should not apologize for Jackson's preemptive expedition but should insist that Spain either garrison Florida with enough forces to prevent marauders from entering the United States or "cede to the United States a province, which is in fact a derelict, open to the occupancy of every enemy, civilized or savage, of the United States, and serving no other earthly purpose than as a post of annoyance to them." As Adams had written earlier, it was his opinion "that the marauding parties ought to be broken up immediately." As John Gaddis has observed, Adams believed that the United States "could no more entrust [its] security to the cooperation of enfeebled neighboring states than to the restraint of agents controlled, as a result, by no state."
Unfortunately, we have permitted legalism and moralism to twist our understanding of the "rule of law" into something that Grotius, Vattel, Locke, or the Founders would no longer recognize. For instance, European navies have been advised to avoid capturing Somali pirates since under the European Human Rights Act, any pirate taken into custody would be entitled to claim refugee status in a European state, with attendant legal rights and protections.
Americans must understand that if we really wish to root out piracy today, we must be willing to take strong steps. But these steps will require us to change the current mindset, which does not distinguish between war against legitimate enemies and war against "the common enemies of mankind," which include not only pirates but also terrorists.
Copyright Foreign Policy Research Institute http://www.fpri.org - You may forward this essay as you like provided that it is sent in its entirety and attributed to FPRI, provided that you send it in its entirety.
(H/t: John H. Detweiler)
"We used to hang pirates from the yard arm." --JHD Read More......
By Mackubin Thomas Owens
Mackubin T. Owens is a Senior Fellow of FPRI, editor of Orbis, and Associate Dean of Academics for Electives and Directed Research and Professor of National Security Affairs at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island.
Piracy, a scourge that had been stamped out in the 19th century, still flourishes in those Hobbesian areas of the world where order and the "rule of law" do not exist. The seizure of a U.S.-flagged vessel, the Maersk Alabama, earlier this month and the subsequent rescue of the ship's captain by the U.S. Navy has alerted Americans to the fact that Somalia and its coast is such an area. Ever since the collapse of the Somali government in 1991, it has been a particularly stark example of what is now called a "failed state."
According to statistics provided by the International Maritime Bureau, there were 293 incidents of piracy or armed robbery in 2008, of which 130 occurred off the coast of Somalia and in the nearby Gulf of Aden. Of these, about 50 were successful. With the exception of the United States (in the Maersk Alabama incident) and the French, most governments, shipping companies, and insurers have opted to pay ransoms amounting to millions of dollars to free crews and vessels.
What is to be done? One school of thought argues that we should do little or nothing because the cost of stamping out piracy again is too high. They point out that some 21,000 ships transit the Gulf of Aden every year and maintain that 50 successful pirate attacks doesn't really constitute much of a threat, certainly not one worth expending the resources necessary to eliminate it. Ideas on how we might do include arming crews or providing specialized armed detachments. As Derek Reveron, my Naval War College colleague, observes, the costs of providing security teams aboard merchant vessels or arming crews and training them to defend the ship probably exceed the costs of paying ransom for the rare ship taken.
In addition, Reveron argues, piracy in this part of the world isn't an American problem. He contends that piracy is an annoyance, but other than offending our sense of freedom of the seas, it doesn't for the most part affect American shipping. Thus focusing on piracy is an example of the tail wagging the strategic dog. He argues that the Europeans and Asians, who are quick to demand U.S. leadership on the one hand and criticize the United States for its actions on the other, ought to be responsible for dealing with pirates here.
But others point out that piracy is a threat to a peaceful, commercial "liberal world order." For instance, the threat of piracy has a dampening effect on commerce, raising insurance rates and other costs of transporting goods by sea. Such increases in the cost of commerce are not good any time, but especially during a recession.
Experience seems to indicate that a "liberal world order" does not arise spontaneously as the result of some global "invisible hand" but requires the actions of a powerful state willing and able to provide the world with the "collective goods" of economic stability and international security. Today, the United States is the only state able to provide either of these beyond its own territory, especially on the great commons" of the sea. Thus, according to this view, the United States today must lead the other maritime commercial states in an effort to end piracy, just as Great Britain did during the 19th century.
But there are major practical problems with doing so. The first is the vast sea area, about four times the size of Texas, in which the Somali pirates operate. Patrolling an area with about 1300 nautical miles of coastline requires a huge commitment of naval resources. In fact, at any one time, the U.S. 5th Fleet has 5-10 ships in the area. That commitment is complemented by both an EU naval force and a NATO fleet. Several other countries, including China, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia, have provided naval assets for anti-piracy operations in the area or will soon do so. But
the area is simply too large for a continuous naval presence sufficient to deter or defeat the pirates.
Then there is the political economy of Somali piracy, which has created a network that provides intelligence, sanctuary, funding, and the "mother ships" that provide the pirates with the "reach" they need for their depredations. Additionally, the pirates have demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt to changing circumstances, avoiding the Somali coast in order to thwart anti-piracy patrols, docking at ports in other countries to refuel and lay on supplies.
But the elimination of piracy is more a question of will than of resources per se. Piracy (along with the slave trade) was crushed in the 19th century when the states of Europe, rather than tolerating the practice as they had done in the 17th and 18th centuries, decided to take action. The effort was led by Great Britain, with the Royal Navy as the primary instrument. What made the actions successful was the determination of Great Britain and others to attack the source of piracy. The Royal Navy in particular not only captured and sank pirate ships, but also attacked pirate sanctuaries, destroying their bases.
In the 19th century, the United States also played a role in ending the piratical forays of the Barbary States of North Africa. This is one of the reasons why it has been nearly two centuries since pirates last attempted to seize a vessel flying the American flag.
After losing the protection of Great Britain as a result of America's Declaration of Independence, American ships were preyed upon by the Barbary States--Algiers, Tunis, Morocco, and Tripoli (today's Libya). Like the Europeans during the same period (and most maritime states today), the Americans deemed the cost of military action too high and opted to pay "tribute" to the Barbary States. But the demands for these bribes kept growing while the seizure of U.S. ships only increased.
Congress authorized the construction of several frigates and President Thomas Jefferson dispatched them in 1801 for "policing actions" in the Mediterranean after the pasha of Tripoli declared war on the United States. During the next several years, the fledgling American Navy bombarded the harbors of Algiers, Morocco, and Tunis or threatened them with bombardment. As a result of these actions, these states agreed to cease cooperating with Tripoli. But the pasha remained defiant.
In 1804, a naval force under Captain Stephen Decatur boldly sailed into Tripoli harbor, where he set fire to the captured USS Philadelphia, later rescuing its crew, bombarding the fortified town, and boarding the pasha's own fleet where it lay at anchor. In April 1805, Captain William Eaton led an expedition consisting of U.S. Marines, mercenaries, and Arab rebels across many miles of desert to take Tripoli's second city, Derna, by surprise, largely ending the depredations of the Barbary pirates against U.S. ships in the Mediterranean.
To adopt such an approach to piracy today, however, would require a return to a distinction in the traditional understanding of international law, one that did not extend legal protections to individuals who do not deserve them.
This distinction was first made by the Romans and subsequently incorporated into international law by way of medieval and early modern European jurisprudence, e.g. writings on the law of nations by such authors as Hugo Grotius and Emer de Vattel.
The Romans distinguished between bellum, war against legitimus hostis, a legitimate enemy, and guerra, war against latrunculi--pirates, robbers, brigands, and outlaws- -"the common enemies of mankind." The former, bellum, became the standard for interstate conflict, and it is here that the Geneva Conventions and other legal protections were meant to apply. They do not apply to the latter, Guerra-- indeed, punishment for latrunculi traditionally has been summary execution, although the extreme punishment was not always exacted. The point i that until recently, no international code has extended legal protection to pirates.
As Grotius wrote in Mare Librum (The Free Sea), "all peoples or their princes in common can punish pirates and others, who commit derelicts on the sea against the law of nations."
And more forcefully, Vattel wrote in his 1738 treatise, The Law of Nations, that legitimate and formal warfare must be carefully distinguished from those illegitimate or informal wars, or rather predatory expeditions, undertaken, either without lawful authority, or without apparent cause, as likewise without the usual formalities, and solely with a view to plunder."
Once this distinction is revived, it opens the way for the only real way to stamp out piracy, as was done in the 19th century: the use of force to wipe out the pirate lairs. Under the old understanding of international law, a sovereign state has the right to strike the territory of another if that state is not able to curtail the activities of latrunculi.
As John Locke understood, pirates are in a "state of nature" relative to political society. And political society has the right to defend itself against such individuals:
"That, he who has suffered the damage has a right to demand in his own name, and he alone can remit: the damnified person has this power of appropriating to himself the goods or service of the offender, by right of self-preservation, as every man has a power to punish the crime, to prevent its being committed again, by the right he has of preserving all mankind, and doing all reasonable things he can in order to that end: and thus it is, that every man, in the state of nature, has a power to kill a murderer, both to deter others from doing the like injury, which no reparation can compensate, by the example of the punishment that attends it from everybody, and also to secure men from the attempts of a criminal, who having renounced reason, the common rule and measure God hath given to mankind, hath, by the unjust violence and laughter he hath committed upon one, declared war against all mankind, and therefore may be destroyed as a lyon or a tyger, one of those wild savage beasts, with whom men can have no society nor security: and upon this is grounded that great law of nature, Who so sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed."The United States acted in accord with this understanding in the early 19th century. In response to raids from Spanish Florida by Creeks, Seminoles, and escaped slaves, General Andrew Jackson, acting on the basis of questionable authority, invaded Florida, not only attacking and burning Seminole villages but also capturing a Spanish fort at St. Marks. He also executed two British citizens whom he accused of aiding the marauders.
Most of President James Monroe's cabinet, especially Secretary of War John Calhoun, wanted Jackson's head, but Secretary of State John Quincy Adams came to Jackson's defense. He contended that the United States should not apologize for Jackson's preemptive expedition but should insist that Spain either garrison Florida with enough forces to prevent marauders from entering the United States or "cede to the United States a province, which is in fact a derelict, open to the occupancy of every enemy, civilized or savage, of the United States, and serving no other earthly purpose than as a post of annoyance to them." As Adams had written earlier, it was his opinion "that the marauding parties ought to be broken up immediately." As John Gaddis has observed, Adams believed that the United States "could no more entrust [its] security to the cooperation of enfeebled neighboring states than to the restraint of agents controlled, as a result, by no state."
Unfortunately, we have permitted legalism and moralism to twist our understanding of the "rule of law" into something that Grotius, Vattel, Locke, or the Founders would no longer recognize. For instance, European navies have been advised to avoid capturing Somali pirates since under the European Human Rights Act, any pirate taken into custody would be entitled to claim refugee status in a European state, with attendant legal rights and protections.
Americans must understand that if we really wish to root out piracy today, we must be willing to take strong steps. But these steps will require us to change the current mindset, which does not distinguish between war against legitimate enemies and war against "the common enemies of mankind," which include not only pirates but also terrorists.
Copyright Foreign Policy Research Institute http://www.fpri.org - You may forward this essay as you like provided that it is sent in its entirety and attributed to FPRI, provided that you send it in its entirety.
(H/t: John H. Detweiler)
"We used to hang pirates from the yard arm." --JHD Read More......
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