That's failed VP candidate and current Virginia senator Tim Kaine, democrat, during a recent <senate foreign relations hearing>.
They were assessing nominees for various positions in the Trump administration.
One of the nominees is a man named Riley Barnes, who in his statement to the committee said this:
“We are a nation founded on a powerful principle, and that powerful principle is that all men are created equal, because our rights come from God our Creator – not from our laws, not from our governments.”
Intelligent folk might recognize that from the 2nd paragraph of <The Declaration Of Independence>.
Hardly a controversial statement here in America, right?
It elucidates the principles upon which our country is founded.
Enter genius level senator Kaine - who by the way, hails from the same state as Thomas Jefferson, author of our Declaration Of Indpendence.
Kaine replied:
"The notion that rights don’t come from laws and don’t come from the government, but come from the Creator... that’s what the Iranian government believes...the statement that our rights do not come from our laws or our governments is extremely troubling."
Reading Kaine's response puts me in mind of God's question to Job:
"Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?"
- Job 38:2
That Kaine is an ignoramus is self-evident, and yes, I chose that term specifically because it's the same one Jefferson used when he penned:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness..."
Self-evident: intuitively obvious to even the most casual observer.
Unless, apparently, you're a democrat:
- the party of slavery in the 1800's - it was republican president Abraham Lincoln who freed the slaves;
- the party of segregation in the 1900's - it was a democrat who proclaimed <segregation now, segregation tomorrow, and segregation forever>; it was a democrat who <barred black students from a white high school>; and it was the democrats who <opposed the 1960's voting rights act>;
- the party of abortion today - 83% of democrats are pro-abortion.
All those beliefs stand in direct opposition to our founding.
Why?
To be ok with killing babies in utero, you must believe they're less than human, so it's fine for you to deprive them of the God given right to Life.
The same is true with slavery, because you're affirming they do not have a God given right to Liberty.
And also with segregation when you deprive them of the God given right to the Pursuit of Happiness.
So back to the essence of my original query:
Do you trust this democrat senator?
Or his party?
With anything?
In the "Exciting News" department, Karen found our next house:
It's a humble dwelling, only 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, but it's nicely appointed.
Lots of windows and who doesn't like spiral staircases, right?
Furnishings need an upgrade but it's an inviting open concept.
Best feature?
Comes with a little land in a pleasant setting...about 40 acres or so.
And you do have your own private beach, so that's a plus.
That's it tucked away in a beautiful wooded setting:
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| the shaded red line area is where we have to cut down the trees...why live on the shore when you can't see the water? |
And I surmise from the listing it comes with its own bumble bee.
Now if I can just remember where I left that cool million...
...we'll be on our way.
It's gotta be around here somewhere.
I was just getting ready to tee off on #5 on Ryan's Hickory Links the other day.
It's one of 2 holes with a water hazard:
The other one is #6, which comes back the other way:
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| gonna hafta talk to management about keeping non-players off the greens |
Anyway, I've got my lofting iron in hand, focusing on a smooth swing and making solid contact so I don't drop it in the drink, when I hear something behind me.
Turned around and saw this guy staring at me.
"Hey," I said in my best New York accent, "what are you looking at?
"I'm golfin' here!"
He just kept munching on some leaves, then eventually wandered down into the woods.
Kids these days.
It's time for everyone's fave, the HGU.
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| it's been awhile since we've seen these guys |
This was the last of my "3 day summer weekends"; it's how I take much of my vacation time since Karen and I prefer "staycations" to traveling...and I get to walk 9 early on Monday mornings.
After this week it's back to 5 day work weeks and publishing this blog on the weekends; whatever hickory golf is left in this rapidly disappearing season will be on a catch as catch can basis.
Mr. Moon was there to greet me when I teed off...
After a good drive to kick off the round, I foozled my 2nd shot and ended up with a double bogey, so right away I'm down 1.
Righted the ship through 6, however, going bogey, bogey, par, bogey, par, and that was the match, 4 and 3.
7 is unplayable at that time of the morning...sun is directly in your eyes and you truly can't see a thing.
So with the match won, I retreated to the far edges of the fairway seeking shade from which to hit, and treated it as practice.
8 is a par 5 with an elevated tee and had my best drive of the morning, 200 yards straight away, followed by a decent short spoon to here:
40 yards from the green but managed a solid strike with my lofter which easily cleared the water, and then just as easily cleared the green.
Chalking it up to adrenaline, I found it in the weeds and forced an awkward hit onto the green and watched it roll off the other side.
3 to get down from there, so my 2nd double bogey.
Salvaged 9 with a bogey on the way out and thought how lovely to spend this crisp September morning...
...with my hickories on the links.
September is so delightful, if only it would hang around for the next 3 or 4 months!
Let's 23 Skidoo, shall we?
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| Larry sent me some shots of the moon rising over the lake. I think this is my favorite due to the blue sky contrasting with the dark woods... |
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| ...but gotta love the spooky vibes of this one, too. |
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| another pic of our meandering buck |
An early fall stroll through some of Karen's garden spots...
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| always a good idea |
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| the hares hiding out with the peacock |
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| black eyed susans hanging on for the time being |
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| dreaming of summer days |
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| rose of sharon still doing well |
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| the hollyhocks staged a late season comeback |
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| Rusty the frog and whatever those puffy purple things are, chillin' by the pond |
One of my grandsons is getting married next month, so Karen put us back on a diet.
Don't know why, really...I thought I looked pretty good...
...though it's possible I could be wrong.
I think I've done pretty well so far...
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| IOU's are perfectly legal tender as ruled in Wimpy v Geezil, Sweethaven, 1935 |
...though I will admit it hasn't been perfect.
Hopefully I'll pass muster for my grandson's upcoming nuptials.
More importantly, I pray he'll do his best to follow God's command to every husband:
"Husbands, love your wives even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it..."
- Ephesians 5:25
It's the pathway to a happy union.
later, mcm fans...
