Category Archives: Government

Martha Washington at Valley Forge

Posted on by December 15, 2015

Dolley_MadisonMost people know that George Washington spent the winter of 1777-8, with his troops at Valley Forge. But did you know that Martha Washington joined him there for a time?

She was driven in a carriage by one of her aides and saw miles of the filth, the dead horses, open latrines, and the appalling condition of the soldiers and their camps.

She was escorted through to the hospital which was not much more than a barn which had been made into a system of cots and straw to hold the injured soldiers. She was able to help some of the soldiers who were in dire straits. read more

Character and George Washington

Posted on by December 14, 2015

Landsdowne painting“Character is like the foundation of a house—it is below the surface.” –Anonymous

But isn’t that so true. The real and true character is below the surface, it is unseen except in the mannerisms, attitude, and language of the beholder. It cannot be faked or put aside, but is constant. It becomes a part of a person’s being.

The dictionary describes Character as: “the aggregate of features and traits that form the apparent individual nature of some person or thing.” (Websters Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary, page 247). read more

The Daughters of the American Revolution

Posted on by December 11, 2015

constitutionToday I was honored as the special guest speaker at the monthly meeting of The Daughters of the American Revolution. It was real privilege to present to them a little about our Founding Father Benjamin Franklin.

The ladies were invited to bring their husbands, and so we were happy so have some gentlemen there as well. I found the group to be well educated about our country’s revolution, and to be a most attentive and riveted audience.

In the discussion there seemed to be some confusion about the difference between the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. It was soon cleared up. read more

Thomas Jefferson as President

Posted on by December 10, 2015

ThomasJeffersonIn watching some of the political debates and even interviews lately, I couldn’t help but think of Thomas Jefferson’s most helpful statement:

“Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.”

Having said that it is interesting to think that Thomas Jefferson would have a most difficult time being elected as President today. Why? He was not a very good speaker! He was a magnificent and awe-inspiring writer to be sure. See the Declaration of Independence for example. read more

Washington Kept His Promise

Posted on by December 8, 2015

GW Rules“Undertake not what you cannot Perform but be Careful to keep your Promise.”

I’m sure that George Washington must have thought often of this Rule he learned in his youth, when he struggled with his soldiers in the nearly 7 years of the Revolutionary War.

When he was first elected by Congress as the Commander in Chief of the newly united American armies, I don’t think he could have fully understood the troubles and distresses they would have to endure for the next several years.

The victory at Dorchester Heights, was a great beginning. But the battles of New York nearly destroyed the whole army, and except for miraculous happenings even George Washington would have been killed. read more

Natural Law and the Declaration of Independence

Posted on by December 6, 2015

445192825_011af775a5_mPeople were beginning to talk about the Colonies becoming independent from Great Britain. Unfair treatment of the colonists without giving them any representation in the British body which deliberated the laws, caused many to rebel, rise up, take to the streets, and, yes revolt.

The colonies sent leaders to represent them in a Continental Congress at Philadelphia. At the 2nd Continental Congress the representatives decided to put independence to a vote. A committee was formed to draft a Declaration of Independence should one be necessary. That committee was Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and a young lawyer named Thomas Jefferson, who was chosen to write the first draft of such a document. read more

George Washington and America

Posted on by December 2, 2015

GeorgeWashingtonOh, how I love the words of George Washington. Indeed he was the Indispensible Man in the creation of the United States of America. I so wish we would heed more of his words of caution and warning. His first inaugural address and his Farewell Address are especially full of great advice and even predictions.

It’s my opinion that these two public addresses should be studied in the public schools and heeded by Congress, not to mention the Courts. But, unfortunately that’s not likely to happen. read more

O’Reilly’s “Killing Jesus”

Posted on by November 29, 2015

Illgegal Trial of Christ coverIn 2014 one of my friends recommended that I should read “Killing Jesus” by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard. This particular friend said: “I think they must have used your book ‘The Illegal Trial of Christ” as a reference, because much of what they write sound like what you explained in your book!”

I had already read O’Reilly and Dugard’s books “Killing Lincoln” and “Killing Kennedy” and even “Killing Patton”. I particularly enjoyed “Killing Lincoln” and so had intended to read “Killing Jesus.” read more

Thanks to the Founding Fathers

Posted on by November 25, 2015

Founding Fathers coverHappy Thanksgiving. As I was writing my report yesterday about how thankful I am for learning about the Illegal Trial of Christ, it occurred to me that I wouldn’t have ever written that book if the distributor for my book “Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes” hadn’t known that I had given several presentations about that trial. The distributor knew me well.

When Mel Gibson’s movie “The Passion” came out and was so successful, my distributor called me and said they wanted me to put my material about the trial of Christ into a book. And because of current interest, they wanted it NOW! read more

Blessings and Trials

Posted on by November 24, 2015

Illgegal Trial of Christ coverWhen I was first asked, as a young lawyer, to give a presentation to a church group about the Trial of Christ from a lawyer’s standpoint, I was somewhat flabbergasted. My response was that they didn’t teach a course about that in law school.

But I told the group that I would try to educate myself enough to make a passable presentation! They gave me 3 months to prepare.

I began to read books and articles to increase my understanding of the history of the times, the geography of the areas involved, and the laws and rules connected with that trial. I learned a lot. My library on the subject has increased substantially. It all became much more interesting to me, and I hope, to others as I made my talks or lectures. With maps and pictures, nevertheless. read more