Letter to the President, Constitutional Convention, 1787

 This letter, written by Benjamin Franklin while at the Constitutional Convention upon our Nations' birth, was to implore the President to reinstate prayer to the official proceedings:

Mr. President,

The small progress we have made after 4 or 5 weeks close attendance and continual reasonings with each other---our different sentiments on almost every question, several of the last producing as many noes as ays, is methinks a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the Human Understanding. We indeed seem to feel our own want of political wisdom, since we have been running about in search of it. We have gone  back to ancient history for models of government, and examined the different forms of those Republics which having been formed with the seeds of their own dissolution now no longer exist. And we have viewed Modern States all round Europe, but find none of their constitutions suitable to our circumstances.

In this situation of this Assembly groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine Protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance.

I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth---that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that " except the Lord build they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall be become a reproach and a bye word down to future age. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human Wisdom, and leave it to chance, war, and conquest.

I therefore beg leave to move---that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and it's blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that service. 

 

 

Our Country was formed with Gods grace, and with all thanks voiced in unison to Him for his many blessings bestowed on this Nation.

Let our hearts continue to be open to Him and to trust and follow his guiding hand that he will see us through the darkest of times seemingly at hand.

 

-Ian Carroll

September 6, 2022

Houston, Texas, 

United States of America

Some Wisdom from Denzel Washington

 At a recent event, Denzel Washington paused to answer a few questions and had the following exchange with an entertainment reporter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwnNrr9RO2Y

 

(transcribed by katykarter)

Reporter: there's been a lot of buzz about fake news lately. You were the subject of some fake news recently

Denzel: Oh, yea. What did they say? I'm running for president or something...what did they say?

(reporter speaks off mic) Oh, yea that I'd switched sides or support...yea yea...

Reporter: What do you make of all this fake news, does it affect you?

Denzel: "If you don't read the news, you are uninformed. If you read the news you are misinformed" 

Reporter: Hmm so what do you do?

Denzel: That's a great question. What is the long-term effect of too much information? One of the effects is the need to be first. Not even to be true anymore. So what a responsibility you all have (glancing around at the reporters). To be...to tell the truth. Not just to be first but to tell the truth. We live in a society now of it's just first, who cares just get it out there. We don't care who it hurts, we don't care who we destroy, we don't care if it's true. Just say it, sell it. Anything you practice you'll get good at. Including BS. 

In another interview, Denzel cuts right to the heart of the matter in our struggling society. 

Reporter: For black people in particular, do you think we can truly make change as things are right now?

Denzel: Well, it starts in the home. You know, if the father is not in the home the boy will find a father in the streets. Yeah. I saw it in my generation and every generation before me and every one since. It starts in the home. You know, if the streets raise you then the judge becomes your mother and prison becomes your home. 

"My wife has a saying, To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did"

-katykarter

Mark Levin reminds us of what is actually a good thing and what is utter garbage

 A recent Twitter post from Mark R. Levin @marklevinshow

 

(transcribed as published)

"AND here come the corrupt media, celebrating Biden's "legacy-defining wins"; and the rest of the media sing in chorus. Ignore the horrific state of the southern  border; ignore the massive increase in violent crime; 

Ignore the unimaginable debt, recession, inflation, and energy prices; ignore the war on the Supreme Court, separation of powers, the electoral college, and the equal application of the law; ignore the destruction of women's sports;

Ignore the sexualizing of kindergartners; etc., etc. As for Biden's "legacy-defining wins," his appalling surrender in Afghanistan has resulted in the empowerment and rise of al-Qaeda; his appeasement of Iran has resulted in that murderous regime developing nuclear technology.

His cowardice in the face of Red China's provocations throughout the world has imperiled our ally Taiwan; and his failure to provide the right arms to Ukraine before it was invaded by Russia has cost tens of thousands of Ukrainians their lives; etc. etc.

Subsidizing big-tech oligarchs with billions in taxpayer dollars, further bankrupting the country, raising taxes in a recession, and hiring 87,000 new IRS auditors, among other things, are NOT "wins" for the country.

AP is a propaganda machine for the Left and the Democrats, like most of the corrupt corporatist media."

Known as "The Great One" by his peers at the highest level of Conservative Talk Radio, Mark has the ear of powerful and patriotic citizens and their best interests at heart. One of my favorites, you can continue to hear his show on nationally syndicated networks and is a constant contributor to Fox News and a frequent guest on other Conservative outlets. He is also the champion of the Hillsdale College and other Conservative institutions. 

-katykarter

 

The Seige at Azovstal in the Ukraine-Russia War

 

   

 

 Russian Objectives

 

In the 60+ days of fighting in Ukraine, Russian troops have been seen concentrating on several objectives along the way-  some, such as the attempt to take control of the capital Kyiv have been repelled by fierce defense of their home territory by Ukrainian regular military and their combat partners the militias of their regions, the Azov Battalion and the Pocket Army fielded by Ukrainian Billionaires. These militia's have received training from US and other Western Advisors, training on military equipment recently sent to Ukraine from the United States and some European countries. Now Russian objectives seem to liquify into holding territory gained in the eastern region known as the Donbas; the Donetsk and Dnipro regions. Military pundits seem to think a land-corridor to the Crimea is the objective, which would include conquering the large industrial city of Mariupol which is on the Southern coast at the Black Sea. 

  For weeks, Russian armor accompanied by infantry and air support have driven the defending battalions from all corners of Mariupol except one: the Azovstal Steelworks Factory. Up to 2000 Ukrainian fighters are reported to be there, along with 1000 militia and several hundred civilians.

Additional recent Russian objectives also include bombing and missile attacks on railway and other transportation hubs to halt the import of Western arms pouring into the country.  

 

Humanitarian Mission

 

A UN Humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine said "101 people, women elderly and children were rescued from the bunkers under the Azovstal steelworks", however 24 hours later that was walked back by Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko from the city of Zaporizhzhia Tuesday where the evacuees were scheduled to be transported. 

They haven't made it yet and it may take a while. Russian occupying forces allow the evacuees to pass through checkpoints only after complying with stringent documentation and interviews/interrogations according to humanitarian reports. 

 

 

 

 getty images

 

 

The massive Soviet-era steelworks plant is the last hold out for Ukrainian militia in the area, they have retreated to the labyrinth of underground tunnels originally constructed in 1933 under Joseph Stalin.

 

reuters

 

 

 Medieval Siege

 

This fortress in a city is owned by Ukrainian billionaire Rinat Akhmetov, whose company Metinvest also owns the nearby Illich Steel and Ironworks and is suing the Russian Federation for damages sustained during the war. Akhmetov is a majority owner of Shakhtar Donetsk, a Ukrainian professional soccer team who are presently playing in exile. 

Akhmetov assumed the mantle of president of the FC upon the assassination of the previous owner, Oleksander Bragin on October 15, 1995 who's bombing also killed 4 body guards and would have killed Akhmetov had he not been late due to traffic delays.

 

Ukrainian President Zelensky has instituted anti-Oligarch laws in their legislature, as a large swath of their country is controlled by these private armies. Their ranks are filled with eager young fighters mostly from Ukraine who wish to enact strict nationalistic laws for the sake of their country's "purity".  

In 2014-15, severe civil unrest was the result of pro-Russian leaders being replaced by Ukrainian loyal regime who sought to destroy the opposition bloc. Pro-Russian forces and their supporters were forced underground when components of the Azov Battalion were unleashed on an Odessa Government building (and elsewhere) in 2015 which was sealed with people inside and burned, killing everyone who were perceived to support the pro-Russian sentiment. 

 

A contest of two Bad Guys?

 

The Azov Battalion and other militias are the subject of Russian President Putin's dismay in Ukraine, groups he denigrates as "death squads" and "bandits". 

It seems Putin may have the upper hand in the coming days with regards to finally taking control of all Mariupol and routing the "Nazi-militias" from their holes beneath the massive steelworks. But it will be a highly dangerous endeavor to physically remove all the fighters as the catacombs are said to be extensive. Ukrainian fighters and politicians alike worry the defensive positions may be fortified enough that a chemical weapons attack may be seen as the only alternative to win this battle. 

News last week heralded a call for help from the fighters below the Azovstal, for food, water and ammo which all are running low. With their supply lines cut, how long can the fighters hold out? It remains to be seen, but rest assured the civilians in their midst will be exploited for their maximum value, to gain breaks in the shelling and the assault Russia is administering daily.  Several have been evacuated from the steel plant, but haven't at the time of this writing been accounted for at any UN or Red Cross locations.

On a wall in the shattered remains of the coastal city, this message has been painted:

 

"Nothing Can Be Fixed Here. God, Unleash Fire!"

 

 

 

 

CivCompNet editor Ian Carroll aka katykarter
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 -katykarter

Corruption? What Corruption?

 

 

 

 

Within a corrupt administration this 'culture' is invisible to the participants from top to bottom. How can this be, you say? Where black and white is only shades of gray, and right and wrong are up for debate and personal experience. In our society, it seems the same corruption is at work. Bad is good, right is wrong and vice versa. What's good is called "sick" and what's bad is called "misunderstood" or "prejudiced".

But this culture of corruption finds it's way to the highest levels as this article delineates. When the top man is self-centered and greedy, the second-to-the-top is also looking out only for themself also. All of their support apparatus is infected with this malady to democracy. 

Not to mention, it is easily infiltrate-able.

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/secret-service-employees-suspended-federal-agent-impostors/

 

 

 

-katykarter

From GRID: Should there be No-Fly Zones over Ukraine enforced by NATO?

Recently there have been calls for a no-fly zone, most insistently and daily from Ukraine's leadership, President Zelensky or his advisers and/or supporters. There are significant risks though, as you will find out upon reading the article below or remembering recent history.

https://www.grid.news/story/global/2022/03/09/what-is-a-no-fly-zone-why-ukraine-wants-one-and-why-nato-is-refusing/

 

 from GRID:

 Perhaps the political scientist Seva Gunitsky put it best when he wrote on Twitter recently, “the people calling for a no-fly zone should explicitly say they are willing to risk nuclear war and the people calling for backing off should explicitly say they are willing to tolerate war crimes. there is no moral high ground for anyone here.”- Seva Gunitsky, Political Scientist

$400 MILLION-Worth of Luxury Cars Go UP IN FLAMES

HNY and a look back

 

Happy New Year and may it be a prosperous time for you. Many crucial issues will cross into the new year with us, unresolved, their battles looming.

The following is a post from 2020 and well illustrates the Civ Comp mentality. It also demonstrates the need for properly educated youth, We can't trust such a precious commodity to be poisoned and grow up to poison a new generation any longer. 

 

 

posted by katykarter

September 21, 2020

 

BLM or Black Lives Matter?

As a term of awareness, I'm all for it. There is plenty of evidence that black lives are not afforded the same value as others. As with all statistics, it is not absolute and the actual amount seems to only be measurable through crime statistics. When protests pop up following local police shootings, the frustration is that another life has been unfairly taken for little if any reason at all. People who go forward with this mind-set and ideology are brainwashed and misled. 

 

Their message is fair, let black lives matter as much as all others. I get that. Unfortunately their movement towards social justice is marred by their acceptance of all the negative trappings that come along with any Marxist, Socialist or Communist organized action like BLM. The legitimate protesters, who are there in person to lend weight to this request of their fellow citizens don't want looting, Don't want more killings of blacks or any other race. Again, MOST don't want their cause to be consumed by this 'other' movement.

There is a subterfuge at work here. BLM is attaching itself to these protests until the blacks in America shun the violence and divisive tactics. But the American Black isn't much interested in politics, or public service or participating in citizen activism. They are almost exactly like all other racial lines in this country: they just want to be left alone. They love their lives as they live, no not satisfied completely but just like all of us, they are unwilling to give up their lives. What they see as injustice is unfortunately the outcome of the attitudes the black community have kept up through the years. Perhaps I understand this penchant to remain unincorporated or independent...or maybe I really don't. 

If the solution to this problem is our collective unification, the blacks will have to come towards the center just as all others are willing to do. I can't speak for the actions of our forefathers and mothers. 

 

For generations, the vile evil of slavery went on and the rich and privileged didn't have to be faced with it. When the nation began, still most didn't have to face it, but they knew it went on and they hated it. But to break ranks and speak up about it...alone...didn't make sense. Until later generations saw the atrocity and their parents' silence and private hatred, and decided to speak more freely about abolishion. But it was slow to take hold. Until another generation decided that enough was enough. And changes were made. But private contempt still remained: blacks were second class citizens as did the belief in the lie that they could never be a first class citizen. 

 

The rich were the upper class, then middle class which was closer to the lower working class. Then came second class, or the poor. Generations were now coming up in the black households who hadn't experienced actual slavery but were part of a wide, overlarge black poverty population. Attitudes within schools and churches began to change with the wider believed principle that blacks were entitled to the American dream.  Gradually, never suddenly, attitudes change, generations pass. A lie that was once widely believed has since been debunked, and those who once believed the lie are dead and gone. 

 

Move Forward 

We are here now and senses need to be soothed. We can do it, it's the first step to healing. Lend your ear and your heart: both Black and White. This will be the foundation our country will use to repel the evil of Socialism, Communism and Anarchy. We must believe in ourselves and our countrymen. 

The ultimate purpose of this page and platform is to remind everyone who takes a moment to read, that we can have our quiet, prosperous, peaceful communities back and reclaim our streets from the forces of crime and anarchy because it starts with the one thing we affect directly: Our own homes. 

 

It starts in the Home

We need to teach what is right and how to act with respect and love of our neighbors, our parents and our teachers. Teachers need the most help because the sad state of the childrens' moral compass today contributes so strongly to the anarchic mentality so many young people have today. This redefinition of social behavior will result in peaceful classrooms and accelerated learning while at school. Believe me when I say, our focus on improving the state of our national public education system needs to match the Left's focus which has been dominating school board rooms and teacher's lounges for decades.  

 

-katykarter

Russia v NATO: Historical Stalemate becomes Current Threat

 

 

 

 

 

As the very public figure of the historical Russia, Present resident President Vladimir Putin has challenged expansion of NATO towards his country. As a lone operator in the East, east of Europe, and farther east than any allies, though these are solely the former Soviet Union states that broke away when the USSR broke up in the early 90's, Putin and Russia see themselves as being surrounded and threatened by NATO in contrast to a perceived promise made back in the 90's when the US' SecState James Baker and Russia's premeir Mikhail Gorbachev were meeting and negotiating terms. 

 

 

 

 

Probably the most important facet of these negotiations was the fate of Germany who'd been split into East and West after WW2, both geographically and ideologically and was now reunifying after the collapse of the USSR who had been propping up East Germany. 

 

 

 

 

Ever the paranoid statesman,("It's not paranoid if they really are about to invade"),  Putin continues to use the threat of the eastward expansion of NATO to warn that it's security was being stripped and no buffer would protect Russia from a closely supported invasion from NATO forces.

 

 

 

 

In 1997 there was another agreement, although it was signed by Yeltsin it allowed NATO to expand to countries Russia once considered under it's security purview. Putin and other leaders from Russia have criticized it as allowing military hardware "at our borders".  

 

 

 

 

During a Russia/US summit in Helsinki in 1997, Yeltsin agreed to receive "sort of a bribe" ($4B USD) to allow NATO to expand as it sees fit, but to have it's nonbinding opinion heard at the negotiating table. Clearly agreeing to receive the "sort of a bribe", now Boris Yeltsin had negotiated away any opposition Russia might be lawfully awarded in the future regarding NATO expansion.

 

 

 

 

2014 Putin directed Russian forces to seize the Crimean peninsula and Russia annexed the former Ukrainian territory. It was a move everyone understood as Russia's means to maintain that buffer. Crimea was a longtime strategic asset of Moscow. Their submarine fleet was manufactured and based on the Black Sea. Bad relations with Ukraine worried Russian war planners and the surprise invasion  shored up Russia's buffer zone.  

 

 

 

 

Now Putin wants a do over of the 1997 agreements. The former Russian premiers had all been lured by the promise of payouts to cede their strategic blocs. But not Vladimir. He will, in his well known fashion, turn the tables and possibly require large USD  payouts not to invade Ukraine while being accommodated at the negotiating table with regards to which missile defense system may or may not be deployed there.  

Boris Yeltsin 

Premier of Russian Federation 1991-99

Mikhail Gorbachev 

Soviet GS Communist Party, 1985-91

Vladimir Putin

Russian President, 2012-Present

Prime Minister 1999-2012

 

-katykarter

 

 

Tucker: Biden has enabled this ongoing assault