Citizens Amend the Constitution

constitutionThere is something I just can’t understand—at all! Yesterday in my blog I gave some little bit of background about our U.S. Constitution. I mentioned that our Constitution has been amended only 17 times since the original Bill of Rights was adopted. Seventeen times since December 15, 1791. That’s more than 225 years.

But two of those amendments came in 1913. What happened in 1913 that allowed those two amendments to be approved? Woodrow Wilson was president and started the “progressive” movement. Which shortly died out for a while, but it’s back now—with a vengeance. Just look, we have our first openly socialist candidate. read more

The U. S. Constitution and Its Amendments

constitutionThere has been much talk in the recent political arena about protecting the Constitution. There hasn’t been much talk about the Constitution itself and what it says or means. I sometimes wonder how much politicians, Senators, Representatives, Judges and even citizens really know about the Constitution. But it does make for a good sound bite.

When I think about the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1987, I am amazed that it even got ratified. There was much debate and disagreement. The room at Independence Hall was locked and the windows closed so the people wouldn’t see the contention in the debates. (Think of the televised debates today!) read more

James Madison’s War

JamesMadisonWe discussed the War of 1812 just a few blogs ago. This was sometimes referred to as Madison’s war. It occurred during Madison’s second term as President, and the U.S. won, again. We later adopted the Star Spangled Banner as our national anthym. I hope you enjoyed the information.

Also during Madison’s second term a new word emerged in our vocabulary. Elbridge Gerry was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and was Madison’s Vice President. Gerry helped Congress redistrict, or carve up the voting districts of a State to help insure the proper candidate would be elected. His opponents all complained. They pointed out that the new districts weren’t symmetrical. They had the shapes of slithering salamanders. Yuck! read more

Benjamin Franklin an Inspired Manager

Ben Franklin thumb pictureYou hear a lot of good things about Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. But usually you don’t equate him with being a good manager. Just look at his success with the printing business from which he retired in his fifties.

He was such a great manager that he not only succeeded and retired early, he helped others get started in the business. He told his followers to seek inspiration ahead of imitation. It worked for him!

Here’s what he said in his autobiography:

“Having emerg’d from the Poverty & Obscurity in which I was born and bred, to a state of Affluence & some degree of Reputation in the World (what an understatement—he was more well known that even George Washington throughout the world!), and having gone so far thro’ Life with a considerable Share of Felicity, the conducting Means I made use of, which, with the blessing of God, so well succeeded, my posterity may like to know, as they may find some of them suitable to their own Situations, & therefore fit to be imitated.” read more

When Was the War of 1812?

JamesMadisonAs funny as it may seem, one of the questions that I asked the Senior Advanced Placement Government class when I was a guest instructor for an hour, was “When was the War of 1812?”

There were some confused faces in the classroom. What was that war all about? Who started it? Who won? When? They finally did come to the conclusion that the War of 1812 was actually in 1812, but they really didn’t know much about it.

That’s not unusual, I’m told. Sometimes referred to as Madison’s War, it was declared in June of 1812 at President James Madison’s request. Congress declared war because the British had incited the Indians to fight against the U.S., they had interfered with American merchants and had actually forced some American sailors into service for the British! read more

Republicanism and The Trial of Christ

constitutionI know it’s a little bit early yet, but Easter is fast approaching. I have sometimes been asked why I have written my books on totally different subjects. Well, the short answer is my background is in law, therefore the Trial of Jesus Christ became a very real matter of interest to me.

I lived outside of the country for a while which imbued in me a spirit of patriotism. Then when I attended a conference in Philadelphia, in 1976, the Bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence my interest in the Founding Fathers grew by leaps and bounds. I gave many presentations about my heroes, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, John Adams, and James Madison, to the point where people in my audiences began to ask for me to write a book. So I did. read more

Hamilton, Washington, and Princeton

hith-alexander-hamilton-EIn the last few blogs, I have focused a little on Washington and the Battle of Trenton. The miraculous battle was immortalized by that painting of Luetze of Washington crossing the Delaware. You’ll remember that in that battle Alexander Hamilton was one of the young soldiers who helped create the victory.

What is often missed is that Washington didn’t stop there with that one decisive victory at that most important time in history. He decided on another stunning foray against the British who were camped at Princeton, New Jersey. read more

Politeness in Politics Epitomized by Washington

GeorgeWashingtonGeorge Washington could teach all our politicians a thing or two—of course they’d have to listen. George was taught penmanship by a mentor or tutor when he was still quite young. His teacher taught him how to write in beautiful script which was plain and easy to read. George had good penmanship throughout his life.

But the tutor taught him something more by using his method to teach fluid writing. He would pronounce certain maxims or sayings that became a basis for good character. These maxims had to be written over and over again while George could perfect his writing ability. To the satisfaction of his tutor. read more

James Monroe and Alexander Hamilton at Trenton

monroeI would like to remind you of the acts of two of the other great American heroes of the Revolution who took part in that battle. The Battle of Trenton.

At the age of 18 James Monroe was a lieutenant in the division of soldiers which transferred the canon across the Delaware River in that dangerous journey. He was the leader which attacked the Garrison of Hessian recruits camped in the dormitory at the end of the main street. It undid the composure of those soldiers to the point that they all surrendered. read more

George Washington and the Battle of Trenton

washington crossing the delawareMany know of the miraculous march on the British stronghold at Trenton on Christmas night, 1776. You have most likely seen the beautiful painting by Emanuel Leutze in 1851, depicting the crossing of the Delaware River to stealthily approach the Hessian soldiers who were camped there.

Although technically that painting is not truly accurate, we love the beauty of the scene. However, Washington never would have stood in such a precarious position in the boat while attempting to cross a river with the ice floes and in the dark of night. It was December after all. Also at that date no official American flag existed as depicted in the painting. read more