Did You Know This About the Constitution?

Posted on by September 10, 2016

Who was Gouverneur Morris?

Was he a Governor of some State or Colony? What did he do that I should even know who he was?

No, that’s not a misspelling. That’s how he spelled his name—Gouverneur. And he pronounced it “Goo-ver-newer”.

constitutionNo, he was not a Governor at the time. He was one of the important men attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1787. He was one of the important men, at that Convention, such as James Madison, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin. read more

The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem

Posted on by September 9, 2016

800px-Mtchoirandorchestra_ConferenceCenter_(cropped)I am a long time football fan and a patriot. I love to watch football games, NFL, Colleges, even some high school. I also love our country. The Pledge of Allegiance is special to me. We said it every morning while standing in our classrooms, hands over our hearts, facing the flag, in elementary school. Then somewhat less in high school.

It was important to sing the national anthem in assemblies, plays, and especially prior to sporting events. Red Skelton made patriotism even more widespread with his recording of him reciting the pledge and explaining what it meant to him. read more

Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

Posted on by September 8, 2016

ThomasJeffersonWe (my wife and I) were recently on a trip to Utah to see some old friends. We saw them and had great memories and tales to tell. On the way back I suggested we should go the other route home which would take us trough Monticello, Utah. They, the Utahns, pronounce the name of their city “mont a sell oh,” unlike Thomas Jefferson, who said he liked to pronounce the name of his home the Italian way: Mont a chell o.

Well, we decided because of time not to go that way. But some day I would like to visit that city and ask someone why they chose that different pronunciation. read more

Benjamin Franklin’s Wit and Wisdom

Posted on by September 7, 2016

Ben Franklin thumb pictureBen Franklin is known not only as a Founding Father and Inventor, but also for his abundant Wit and Wisdom.

We still repeat many of his original sayings today.

For example: “The way to wealth . . . depends chiefly on two words, industry and frugality: that is waste neither time nor money.”

And a more famous one: “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”

So, having quoted those two, I’m not going to waste any time, I’m going right to bed!

Americans Must Vote

Posted on by September 6, 2016

constitutionThe Declaration of Independence together with the United States Constitution created a government never before seen by man on this earth. It is a government of the people and by the people. The people have a mandate to chose their own leaders. To vote!

This election is about who will sit on the Supreme Court, as much as it is about who will be President of the United States. After all, Supreme Court Justices are appointed for life—no elections, no impeachments. A President presides for 4 years, or perhaps 8. Justices may serve for 10, 20 or 30 years. For life, or until they choose to retire, as did Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. read more

Founding Fathers

Posted on by September 5, 2016

Founding Fathers coverHere are just a few words I think you should be familiar with. Are You?

Founding—those who take the first steps in building.
Fathers—to make oneself the founder, producer, or author of.
Uncommon—not ordinarily encountered, unsusual.
Heroes—exhibiting or marked by courage and daring.
Colonists—member or inhabitant of a colony.
Colony—a body of people living in a new territory but retaining ties with the parent state.
Farmers—a person who cultivates land or crops or raises livestock.
Mechanics—a manual worker or machinist.
Statesman—one versed in the principles or art of government.
Representative—standing or acting for another.
Vote—to cause to be cast for or against a proposal.
Monarchy—individual rule or absolute sovereignty by a single person.
Democracy—government by the people especially rule of the majority.
Republic—a government in which the supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law. read more

Adams, Jefferson, Hamilton and Burr

Posted on by September 4, 2016

hith-alexander-hamilton-EBoy, that was an eye-opening account of “Legends and Lies” by Bill O’Reilly tonight. It was on TV. Pictured was the death of President George Washington, the election between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, which was decided in the House, and the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.

As you will recall from your High School history class, Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in the duel. Scholars still debate whether or not Hamilton had purposely aimed high miss Burr or if he just got off a bad shot. I am inclined to believe the first. read more

James and Dolley Madison

Posted on by September 3, 2016

Dolley MadisonDid you know that Dolley Madison was a widow with two children before she married James Madison? That’s right, Dolley had met and married John Todd, a lawyer, who was like Dolley, also a Quaker. After their marriage they had two children together.

Then there was the year of the yellow fever epidemic which nearly drove the government out of Philadelphia. Dolley and her two kids left John in Philly while they went out to “the country” to be safe from the disease. John, a lawyer, stayed behind to help his parents, and the residents of the city with their well-being. He wrote many wills. read more

Old Constitution or New Constitution

Posted on by September 2, 2016

constitutionMany new students of our form of government seem to think they have a better idea. We should try more direct democracy, or perhaps a modern socialism, or even communism would work better.

I’ve got a consideration for everyone who wonders about this. Our Founding Fathers were so concerned about their new government they made world governments a serious study. They studied Greece, Rome, and even Israel. They knew about Monarchies and dictatorships. James Madison in particular made it a serious study. How do governments operate and how do they eventually work. read more

James Madison, The Littlest Big Man of the Constitution

Posted on by September 1, 2016

JamesMadisonThe man known as “The Father of the Constitution”, James Madison, was huge in history, but he was small on the scene. His friends said he “was not much bigger than a half a bar of soap!” He said he was “about 5’6” while others have described him as 5’2” or thereabouts.

But all admit he was a scholar. Madison has been hailed as the prime creator of the U.S. Constitution, but he rejected such praise, saying: “You give me credit to which I have no claim, calling me THE writer of the Constitution of the U. S. This was not like the fabled Goddess of Wisdom, the offspring of a single brain. It ought to be regarded as the work of many heads and hands.” read more