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Vote Obama for Cook County Surveyor

Look deep in the eyes of a man and you can tell what truth if any is in his heart - My Apache Grandfather...Gosheven

Turn It Off – Sunday Thought For The Day by Mychal Massie

The following was written for August 23, 2015, "Our Daily Bread" by Cindy Hess Kasper.
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When our kids were young, we took a trip to northern Wisconsin to visit my grandparents. They didn't get very good reception on their television, but TV wasn't much of a priority with them. After I had seen our son Scott fiddling with the TV set for a while, he asked with frustration, "What do you do if you can get only one channel and you don't like what's on that one?"

"Try turning it off, " I said with a smile. Not exactly the advice he was hoping for. It's even more difficult to do now, especially when there are so many devices that entertain, inform, and distract us.

Sometimes we do need to just turn it all off and rest our minds for a little while; we simply need to "unplug." Jesus often drew aside for a time—especially when He wanted to take time to pray (Matt. 14:13). He encouraged the disciples to step away as well—even for a brief time (Mark 6:31). That kind of solitude and time for reflection is beneficial for each of us. In those moments we are able to draw near to God.

Follow the example and wisdom of Christ. Get away by yourself and "rest a while." It will be good for your body, mind, and spirit.

Lord, help me to seek those things which are from above. I want to turn off all that distracts me and draw near to You.

Share this prayer from our Facebook page with your friends. facebook.com/ourdailybread

Turning down the volume of life allows you to listen carefully to God.

INSIGHT:
Mark 6 is a pivotal chapter in this gospel account. It begins with the people of Jesus' hometown of Nazareth rejecting Him (vv. 1-6). This experience is compounded by the death of John the Baptist (vv. 14-29)—a person Jesus loved and honored (Matt. 11:1-11; 14:1-13). These moments of difficulty, however, did not impede Jesus' continuing work. The chapter concludes with two of His most notable miracles: His feeding of the multitude (vv. 30-44) and His walking on water (vv. 45-56). Great heartache and power combine to make this chapter so strategic in Mark's gospel. Bill Crowder

READ: Mark 6:30-32
30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.

31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.              http://mychal-massie.com/premium/turn-it-off-sunday-thought-for-the-day/

Elitists v. Patriots by Roseann Salanitri

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The root causes of our approaching national demise may be many but most could have been averted had any branch of government honored their oaths of office to preserve and protect our Constitution. While classrooms across America teach that the Constitution is archaic and no longer adequate for a modern people, its preamble sets the stage for an equality between "We the People" and those in government that was unique when it was first penned and remains unique to this very day. The concept of those that govern do so by the consent of the governed that is expressed in our Constitution was first set forth in our Declaration of Independence. It states: "Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." This principle of equality is also set forth in the New Testament (Romans 2:11 and Acts 10:34) that tell us God is not a respecter of persons. It is this very principle of establishing true equality among our citizens that was designed to curtail the emergence of a ruling class in our Constitutional Republic. And – it is this principle of equality that is under assault and has unleashed a pandemic of elitists' attitudes cloaked in anesthetizing speeches that sound good to the ear but mean nothing when analyzed by the brain.

If it can be argued that America has undergone a soft coup de tat that empowered a ruling class of global cabalists, it can also be argued that the popularity of the GOPs non-establishment presidential candidates represents the beginnings of a soft counter-coup. Whether or not this soft counter-coup will prevail rests upon the ability of We the People to resist the propaganda that will most certainly bombard the airwaves over the 2016 election cycle. And the people's resistance will in turn rest on their ability to stay informed of the facts and not be swayed by some of the most effective spinmeisters the world has ever known. Once again, there are several Bible verses that tell us we are to be informed, and not being informed will result in our demise (Hosea 4:6; Job 36:12; Prov. 5:23 and 10:21). This ability to separate fact from the fictional spin will be especially challenged by the $100,000,000 Jeb Bush has raised to date, the deep pockets of the Clinton Foundation, and wealthy, power-crazed men like George Soros. In this war between the establishment cabalists and the patriots, the battle strategies will not be designed around tanks or nuclear warheads. They will be cloaked in political speak and cunning phrases that can fool even the most ardent constitutionalist – if possible.

But how does America decode the disingenuous speak of the career politician from the true American patriot? They look for the facts and identify the double standards.

For example, politicians who hold the citizenry to one standard but exempt themselves from the same standard, i.e.:

The swift investigation and sentencing of General Petraeus for compromising classified information with his biographer and girlfriend, resulting in a $100,000 fine, two years of probation, and forcing the General to retire. Compare this to Hillary Clinton's email scandals, currently revealing over 300 security issues in just a small sampling of her recovered emails. Perhaps General Petraeus should have considered running for the presidency instead of resigning.

On the subject of emails, elite NY firefighter and U.S. Marine Corp. Forces Reserve Major Jason Brezler is facing a less than honorable discharge for emailing a single classified report in a desperate effort to save the lives of three marines who were in danger. Brezler is being prosecuted (or should I say persecuted?) for breaking security protocol by sending classified information over an insecure line. Once again, compare this to the situation with Hillary Clinton, who conducted all national security communications over an insecure line.

Of course there is Attorney General Eric Holder's refusal to produce documents requested during a congressional investigation regarding the "Fast and Furious" scandal and claiming "executive privilege", which is the administration's way of saying they are above the law. Can you imagine what would happen to you if you so defied a congressional investigation?

Let's not forget that Congress is not bound by the Security and Exchange Commission's regulations and laws regarding insider trading. Martha Stewart certainly wasn't able to claim an exemption for something far more trivial

While on the subject of Congress, consider ObamaCare – a health care debacle that was seriously opposed by the American people and passed by congress without so much as these elitists having the decency to even bother reading it. Then, after it is passed, what do they do? They exempt themselves and their staffs from living under the same laws they have pressed upon us.

What about all the second amendment infringements that state legislators and governors have passed, arguing that guns are the fault of the rise in violent crimes around the country? How many of these legislators pack heat to protect their families and themselves but deny us the same protection?

Or what about the re-election of John Boehner as Speaker of the House after a reported 60% of Republican voters urged their representatives to vote against Boehner? With the exception of 25 congressmen who listened to the wishes of their constituents, it is reasonable to ask if the other members of the House of Representatives really "derive their just powers from the consent of the governed?

Of course I could probably fill a library with books written to document the unfulfilled campaign promises by elected politicians – like the revocation of ObamaCare and the securing of our borders. But I could fill even more libraries with books documenting the unconstitutional decisions rendered by our judges. In my home state of New Jersey alone, decisions that boldly proclaim that the judges understand that their decision is unconstitutional but will rule adversely anyway are mind-boggling.

The list of double-standards could go on and on but most reading this will already be aware of many additional items that qualify. The point is that America has enabled the emergence of these elitists. However, there is good news. America seems to be waking up. The double-talk of Jeb Bush regarding his stance on Common Core didn't score him any polling points with the public. Although his answer was well-rehearsed and well-crafted, its disingenuousness did not escape the eyes of the now alert public. The identifiable pattern continues with the full-of- himself Governor Chris Christie, who in the past has redefined sin, explains away NJ's troubles as resting on the shoulders of a Democratic legislature, and defends his record of violating the Fourth Amendment, as he sees fit of course. This behavior is to be expected from the ruling class elitists whose actions prove that they believe they are above the law and the public is too stupid to look beyond their talking points. (Many thanks to Donald Trump for restoring the word "stupid" to our vernacular.)

The so-called phenomenon of Donald Trump, Dr. Carson, and Carly Fiorina may not be a phenomenon at all. It may just be the longed-for evidence that the sleeping giant once known as the silent majority is no longer swallowing the sweet-talking lies of career politicians. But the battle for the heart and soul of America is far from over. And if my analysis is correct, we can expect a smear campaign launched against all of the would-be citizen representatives – the likes of which we have never seen before. In this case, skeletons will not just emerge from the candidates' closets, they will be conjured up and paid for by the once all-powerful ruling class. So my advice, America: don't fall for it. It's time to rally the troops and circle the wagons. The elitist cabal will not go down without a fight. Are you up to the challenge?

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Do Our Voices Count? by Mychal Massie

Quoting journalist Lewis Lapham, Attorney John W. Whitehead of the Rutherford Institute, wrote: "The shaping of the will of Congress and the choosing of the American president has become a privilege reserved to the country's equestrian classes, a.k.a. the 20 [percent] of the population that holds 93 [percent] of the wealth, the happy few who run the corporations and the banks, own and operate the news and entertainment media, compose the laws and govern the universities, control the philanthropic foundations, the policy institutes..." (Don't Be Fooled by the Political Game: The Illusion of Freedom in America; 8/10/15)

Whitehead went on to say: "Being a citizen in the American corporate state is much like playing against a stacked deck – you're always going to lose."
Some may view Whitehead's treatise as an attack on the America we love. I however view his argument as frighteningly accurate. And nowhere is it more transpicuous than in the election process, specifically the current presidential election process.

It's not an accident that it costs north of a billion dollars for a candidate to mount a run for president. That fact alone limits public participation and marginalizes the input of We the People. Specific to that point how many have felt that their voices do not matter? How many feel that regardless of the number of phone calls and emails to those who promised that if elected they would serve you – that attending to the interests of We the People is furthest thing from their minds?

Our founding fathers never intended for the president to be approachable only to those who can pay $500,000 to have dinners with them; or that a donation of $100,000 will get you a night's stay in the Lincoln Bedroom. How many of you can afford to attend a $35,000 per plate dinner? How many small business owners can afford to by a table for a minimum of $20,000 at Capitol Hill political events?

Sure, it is nice to think oneself a player because for a $2,000 donation candidates acknowledge you, but acknowledging someone and doing the bidding of We the People are not remotely synonymous.

The selection of candidates suitable to the establishment of both either Party is a closed process with only the illusion that we play a part. The GOP/RNC routinely destroy candidates We the People want in favor of their "pets." Recall what the Republican Party did to Republican Congressman Allen West. Recall what Karl Rove and the RNC minions did to Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachmann, Herman Cain, and are now attempting to do to Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.

If We the People had a say in what is taking place – they would involve us in the process start to finish. As it is, we the People are expected to send money and vote as we are told.

We are barraged with the damnable campaign heterodoxy that a Conservative cannot win the Presidency – only a moderate can because Conservatives are too divisive and the country needs someone who can form a consensus.

And of course as fortune (for the party elites) would have it the candidate(s) able to bring about consensus just happen to be the one they are promoting.

This too is a lie; regardless of the drivel those like Frank Luntz pedal, consensus is the prolegomenon that precedes our being shortchanged yet again. Well spoke the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher when she said: "Consensus [is] the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values, and policies in search of something in which no one believes, but to which no one objects; the process of avoiding the very issues that have to be solved, merely because you cannot get agreement on the way ahead. What great cause would have been fought and won under the banner [of] I stand for consensus?"

"Consensus" succinctly stated means the establishment gets what they want and We the People get shafted.

Whitehead argued that there is today little to no difference between the Republican Party and Democrat Party.

Only blind ideologues and/or those unaware of how inside the beltway machinations work would disagree.

Unlike Whitehead however, I contend that we are not helpless, but that we are craven and easily led. As a collective We the People have lost our ability to discern outright lies from the mellifluous lips of elapids more subtle than the one who visited Eve in the Garden.

Until We the People understand we cannot fear losing if we want to win, the establishment will rule. Losing in the short run to secure our future in the long run is a not defeat. Even if the boogieman of the day wins, it is better to have that happen than to hold our noses and allow Rove, et al to force candidates upon us.

I would also remind everyone that money doesn't outspend votes. Which means, the enemy can spend whatever they want, but if we vote en masse for our candidate, their money buys them defeat.

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The Diagnosis?

Leonardo DiCaprio

A long way from the Titanic.....but....if you love histor as I do, this piece which tells the story of Hugh Glass looks pretty damn riveting.  I cannot wait for it to open in December.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRfj1VCg16Y

Your earliest sense of independence

I'm talking waaaaay back.  Do you remember the first thing you were allowed to do yourself as a kid?  I do.    Growing up on a farm in southern Maine.....I remember my mother allowing me to go way out back in the fields with my dog......alone.  Just me, my dog, and a peanutbutter and jelly sandwich I made and put in a paper bag. 
It was early Spring, snow still hugged the tree line...but what an adventure for my dog and I.  Reaching the back field, examining the ground as we went, I remember reaching the trees, turning around and noting just how small the farm looked in the distance.
I chose a spot between two hickory trees on a small hill and, sat down to eat my sandwich.  Of course, my ever attentive friend had parked themself next to me, and I was obligated to share......
Lost in the reverie of my new found freedom, I remember sitting there and drinking in the quiet and the blue, blue sky.......I was lost in daydreaming.......and, it wasn't long before I heard the voice of my mother, calling me from the back side of the barn telling me to come in.  Too soon I thought but, the experience whetted an appetite that I suppose stands to this day.
So many places I wish to explore....

What do you remember?

Artists of the period

Realists, Nationalism, and Romanticism .......I find it hard, as a complete neophyte to understand it all.  I only know what I see that pulls me to it.  What wonderful periods to see thought transformed to art.  I find it to be so interesting......what must have flown from the mind to the brush....add some that intrigue you.

Frits Thaulow


Hans Gude


Konstantin Romanov


Konstantin Romanov


John William Waterhouse

That's All Brother

Pretty incredible story.  A matter of inches.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32apTprDnLI

Debate Wasn’t First Time Megyn Kelly Maliciously Attacked by Mychal Massie

Please Support The Daily Rant. Liberals Will Hate You For It. They Apparently Hate Everything American.Donate $1                                                                                                                                                                                                 I have no respect for people who attempt to tug on the heartstrings of the public after they are exposed for as virulent and toxic hypocrites. Few better exemplify justification for said contempt than the FoxNews blond-from-a-bottle program host Megyn Kelly.

In the aftermath of the harsh rebukes Kelly has received, she is now trying to convince people she was just doing her "yob." And she is telling us same in such a way as to solicit sympathy. Well, she'll get no sympathy from me but she will get my disdain because I've witnessed Kelly play this game before. I've witnessed her disrespect people before and then when she is criticized for it, she cried "oh poor little me."

Her despicable portrayal of a debate moderator should be a required 100 level college course pursuant to how debate moderators should not behave.

Kelly's kind doesn't grasp the contempt that We the People have for her pathetically biased attempt to hatchet Donald Trump. Her defense was: "I will continue doing my job without fear or favor." She went on to say that she wouldn't apologize for asking "tough but fair" questions and that she is moving on from the debate.

Therein lies the craven wretchedness of her kind. They do their best to smear and embarrass but when they are caught and/or challenged they feign hurt and hide behind the very thing that they least embody, i.e., professionalism.

If Kelly had asked "tough but fair" questions she wouldn't have been assailed en masse by those viewing the faux debate. Rather, it is precisely because she was ugly and unfair that the cacophony of public condemnation of both she and FoxNews has been so demonstrable.

That said, Kelly was at least partially truthful. She did do her "job," and she did it "without fear" but it sure wasn't done without "favor." As I wrote in my piece "What Trump Could Have Asked Megyn Kelly" (mychal-massie.com; 8/10/15) and in my other piece "FoxNews: Unfair and Unbalanced" (mychal-massie.com; 8/11/15) Kelly and her FoxNews counterparts were doing exactly as she and they had been instructed. They had been instructed to take out Trump and it was with that anticipation that Rupert Murdoch, the principle owner of FoxNews was quick to acknowledge, "mission accomplished" immediately after the debate.

As I wrote in my aforementioned articles, Kelly herself had boasted just hours before the debate that she was going o make history because one of the presidential candidates would have their ambitions crushed as a result of the debate and be forced to withdraw. Was that her function as debate moderator? I think not.

But Kelly has a history of whining and attempting to hide behind the "just doing my job" line after her unprofessional behavior. As I previously wrote she tried: "To laugh off the heat she was taking for comments she made about Santa being white and Jesus being white. Her ignorance notwithstanding pursuant to Jesus who was a Jew, she tried to play it off that she has single-handedly caused a firestorm over the issue of Santa's skin color." (Megyn Kelly's Phony Boo-Hoo Moment; 12/19/13)

In that instance Kelly claimed the primary causal factors for the public outcry was that FoxNews has a big target on its back. The real problem is that FoxNews is comprised of so-called journalists like her. I could write a novella pursuant to my thoughts on the azimuth between Kelly's over-inflated self-importance and reality, but I'm of the opinion that people have already discerned that about her.

Kelly tried to hide behind a pathetic attempt at pretending to not support Jehmu Greene, the crown princess of Negro racists. But Kelly and FoxNews gave Greene a complete pass when she spewed her racist epithets at Tucker Carlson on live television because Carlson was besting her in debate. FoxNews not only gave Greene a pass but they increased her number of appearances on Fox programming. (See: Is Jehmu Greene Worth It To Megyn Kelly and FoxNews; 7/19/12)

Now, once again after Kelly has behaved poorly she attempts to blanket herself in a shroud of self-accredited importance by claiming she is a target born out of disdain because she and Fox are such big players.

I would like to ask the egotistical Kelly if FoxNews and if she specifically were the victims of having a target on their/her back when she was ridiculed for lashing out at Tea Party icon Joe the Plumber, after she fallaciously attacked him for an article he did not write.

From her television perch she railed that Joe was a racist and more for writing an article titled "America Needs A White Republican President." But as I pointed out above, Joe did not write the article he simply posted it on his website. Talk show host and author Kevin Jackson wrote the article. And even more importantly Kevin Jackson is black. Does anyone remember Kelly apologizing to Joe for making a national spectacle out of him?

Of course not, after all according to her she was just doing her "yob man." And she expects to be taken as a competent and serious journalist?

The truth is that Kelly is a nobody from nowhere who has prostituted her looks and sleazy behavior into a seven-figure salary. But she doesn't have the class or character to understand how a person in her position should behave.

Kelly doesn't deserve sympathy – she deserves our harshest condemnation because she has repeatedly proven herself unworthy of our trust or respect.

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