Category Archives: history

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

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

Liberty or Dry Paint?

Posted on by December 5, 2015

Ben FranklinNot long ago I heard a quote that made me stop and think a little more closely about life itself. It went something like this:

“Tell a man there are trillions of stars in the universe, and he’ll believe you. Tell him there’s wet paint on the wall, and he’ll touch it just to be sure!”

That reminded me of another quote by Benjamin Franklin, I don’t know why, maybe I just had to reach out and touch it?

“They that can give up an essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” read more

Was Benjamin Franklin Perfect?

Posted on by December 3, 2015

Ben Franklin thumb pictureOK, I realize I have written about Benjamin Franklin quite a few times in the past several weeks. It just occurs to me from time to time that he was fabulously successful in all he did. Benjamin Franklin began a project in his youth because he wanted to become as fine, good, and yes, even as perfect as he could be. He called it his Project for Moral Perfection. He wrote about it in his autobiography, which, of course you have read.

He somehow knew as a youth that his decisions were very important. The choices he would make in life—his education, his marriage, his career, and his service to others would be important. Extremely so. He was then very attentive and even cautious about his resolutions. He resolved to become as perfect as he possibly could. 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

Benjamin Franklin and Humility

Posted on by December 1, 2015

Ben Franklin thumb pictureEarly in his life, Benjamin Franklin planned for himself a project for becoming as nearly perfect as a man could become. He originally had 12 characteristics he wanted to improve upon but was soon compelled to add another.

“My list of virtues contained at first but twelve; but a Quaker friend having kindly informed me that I was generally thought proud; that my pride show’d itself frequently in conversation; that I was not content with being in the right when discussing any point but was overbearing, and rather insolent, of which he convinc’d me by mentioning several instances; I determined endeavoring to cure myself of this vice or folly among the rest, and I added humility to my list.” read more

DON’T WORRY—BE HAPPY!

Posted on by November 30, 2015

Ben Franklin“We are all here for a spell; get all the laughs you can.” –Will Rogers

“With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh, I should die.” –Abraham Lincoln

“The human race has only one really effective weapon and that is laughter.” –Mark Twain

“One of the best things people can have up their sleeves is a funny bone!
–Richard L. Weaver, II (who?)

“Oh, I worry over this thing, and I worry over that
But I notice when the atmosphere has cleared,
That the bad luck I had looked for didn’t come and knock me flat.
And I didn’t have the trouble that I feared. 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

Guard Your Liberty

Posted on by November 27, 2015

PatrickHenryYou, of course, know of the speech Patrick Henry gave which ended with the words: “Give me liberty or give me death!” And then he pretended to plunge a dagger into his breast.

But have you heard these words which Patrick Henry spoke?

“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined.”

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