Our Country

If only he were as proud of the country that elected him…

Obama Video on his Moslem Beliefs

Two weeks ago or so I had the honor of seeing what not many Americans get to see – a brand new American. Not someone who born into our little club but somebody who moved here from afar and made the choice as an adult that she wanted to become an American. Her name is Kathi Tucker.

Kathi has lived in America since she was a little girl. Not many knew that she wasn’t ‘one of us…’ She had dual citizenship – she was a citizen of Great Britain and South Africa. The latter of the two led my then young daughters to ask why Kathi isn’t black…

I honestly think every American should have the opportunity to witness the process people go through to become an American by choice, rather than birth. It gives you a whole new perspective and respect for those that choose to become a citizen of the greatest nation on earth (admittedly biased opinion…). It’s not a sudden process, it takes years. In Kathi’s case she was here on pretty much a lifelong visa so it wasn’t something she had to do – she could’ve stayed here just fine as she was. Now imagine yourself – you decide you want to become a citizen of a country like the USA – would you have the patience to wait years? To have the Department of Homeland Security monitor your whereabouts, fingerprint you, renew your ‘permit’ to be here, then go through an interview process as well as a test to become a citizen? Do you think you’d pass? I had to look up the answers to some of the questions Kathi had to know about our current government as well as our history.

So September 23rd I stood in line behind the metal detector with Kathi and 40 other immigrants and their families, all being screened one last time before we entered the room – finally! – and waited. I like to tell people now after that wait that I know what it was like to be at Ellis Island, I’m sure it was quite similar. I mean they made me turn my iPhone off and everything!

From there you wait for the head of the local INS office to come in. Families sit along the wall, waiting, nervously talking, there’s a quiet excitement in the air. Finally it starts – the director recognized that in the 40 people seated before us over 22 countries from around the world were represented! I sat in a room that was a literal melting pot. There was a speech about the process, about becoming an American, about what they were about to do. The oath of allegiance they take to swear their loyalty to the United States of America left NO gray area. Part of the oath is a complete renouncing of your citizenship to your former nationality: “to renounce and abjure absolutely and entirely all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which the applicant was before a subject or citizen.” Powerful words huh? We sang the Star Spangled Banner. We all said the Pledge of Allegiance. They called the new citizens up one by one and gave them the certificate that from that moment forward gave them all the rights and responsibilities we born-to-the-club Americans take for granted. Huge smiles as each person picked up their certificate and shook the director’s hand. Proud families snapping pictures. They played a video of President Obama welcoming them to their new country and new citizenship. They played a video set to Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American” that showed people from coast to coast. And proud families and friends left with the 40 newest Americans in the country. It was really cool!

So if you’re so inclined, perhaps you’d like to welcome one of America’s newest citizens – Kathi Tucker. I’m of course helping her learn the language and how to drive on the right side of the road. She’s already taken to complaining as we Americans love to do, her first complaint as an American citizen was that she was hungry so we set out for her to experience American cuisine… I’m slowly getting used to being married to an American. I like to tell people I married her so I could stay in this country but apparently I was going to be able to anyway so that gesture was wasted…

Here’s some photos of pre-American Kathi, becoming-American Kathi and post-becoming an American Kathi Tucker.

Meaning of Flag Draped Coffin

All Americans should be given this lesson. Those who think that America is an arrogant nation should really reconsider that thought. Our founding fathers used GOD’s word and teachings to establish our Great Nation and I think it’s high time Americans get re-educated about this Nation’s history. Pass it along and be proud of the country we live in and even more proud of those who serve to protect our “GOD GIVEN” rights and freedoms.

I hope you take the time to read this….. To understand what the flag draped coffin really means….. Here is how to understand the flag that laid upon it and is surrendered to so many widows and widowers.

Do you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776?

Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the United States of America Flag 13 times? You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we learn something new every day!

The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life.

The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.

The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world.

The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance
The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.”

The 6th fold is for where people’s hearts lie. It is with their heart that They pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States Of America , and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their country and their flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of their republic.

The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.

The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.

The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of their country since they were first born.

The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.

The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding them of their nations motto, “In God We Trust.”

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy today.

There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning. In the future, you’ll see flags folded and now you will know why.

Share this with the children you love and all others who love what is referred to, the symbol of ” Liberty and Freedom.”
MAYBE THE SUPREME COURT SHOULD READ THIS EXPLANATION BEFORE THEY RENDER THEIR DECISION ON THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. FORWARD IT; MAYBE SOMEONE WITH THE NECESSARY POWER, OR POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL INFLUENCE, WILL GET IT TO THEM.

IN THE MEANTIME, MAY GOD PROTECT US ALWAYS.
ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL

12. CEO’s are now playing miniature golf.

11. I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.

10. I went to buy a toaster oven and they gave me a bank.

9 Hotwheels and Matchbox car companies are now trading higher than GM in the stock market.

8. Obama met with small businesses – GE, Pfizer, Chrysler, Citigroup and GM, to discuss the Stimulus Package.

7. McDonalds is selling the 1/4 ouncer.

6. People in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and are learning their children’s names.

5. The most highly-paid job is now jury duty.

4. People in Africa are donating money to Americans. Mothers in Ethiopia are telling their kids, “finish your plate; do you know how many kids are starving in America?”

3. Motel Six won’t leave the lights on.

2. The Mafia is laying off judges.

And my most favorite indicator of all.



1. If the bank returns your check marked as “insufficient funds,” you have to call them and ask if they meant you or them.

‘A
government big
enough
to
give you everything you
want,
is strong enough to
take everything you have.’

Thomas
Jefferson

It’s absolutely time we hold our senators and congressman – the people we have elected and who have created unto themselves a good ole boys and girls club of extravagance and excess – to the same laws, standards and rights and responsibilities they hold us working class to. I have written my legislators to ask if they will be holding themselves to the health reform they are forcing upon us – care to guess what their answers are after you read through all their reasoning why this should only apply to us and how their own special benefit package is something beyond their control…

Subject: Awesome Idea

Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution:

“Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States”.

For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that Congress members could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they didn’t pay into Social Security, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform that is being considered…in all of its’ forms. Somehow, that doesn’t seem logical. We do not have an elite that is above the law. I truly don’t care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self- serving must stop. This is a good way to do that. It is an idea whose time has come.

Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution:

“Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States”.

Each person contact a minimum of Twenty people on their Address list and in turn ask each of those to do likewise. Then in three days, all people in The United States of America will have the Message. This is one proposal that really should be passed around.