Christmas Eve - Salvation of the American Revolution

 "Desperate diseases require Desperate Remedies."  George Washington, December 20, 1776.

Christmas Eve was the day in which the fate of world turned - not only because of the Messiah - but because of the masterstroke effected by George Washington in 1776.  The enlistments for the Continental Army were about to expire on December 31  - in effect the American Army would dissolve of its own accord. Although the British had taken up winter quarters, Washington had no doubt that once his army disappeared, that the British would simply cross the Delaware and occupy the American capital.

Washington would not sit idle. Instead, on Christmas Eve he crossed the all but frozen Delaware River with 2400 Continental troops, and a masterstroke was made. Only 2 Americans injured when they took the 900 Hessians captive the at Battle of Trenton.  

Cornwallis, who until then thought the war about to end, was about to sail home. Instead, he had to retrieve his baggage from the ship and resumed command. 

Nicholas Cresswell, a British loyalist reported the astounding effect: 

"The news is confirmed. The minds of the people are much altered. A few days ago they had given up the cause for lost. Their late successes have turned the scale and now they are all liberty made again. Their Recruiting parties could not get a man (except he bought him from his master) no longer since than last week, and now the men are coming in by companies. Confound the turncoat scoundrels and cowardly Hessians together. This has given them new spirits, got the fresh succors and will prolong the War, perhaps for two years. They have recovered their antic and it will not an easy matter to throw them into that confusion again. Volunteer Companies are collecting in every County on the Continent and in a few months the rascals will be stronger than ever." 

The Revolution was saved, and so was freedom.  Merry Christmas indeed!

For more, visit Patriot Week and America's Survival Guide.

Freedom of Thought - Battleground of Liberty

"He who endeavors to control the mind by force is a tyrant, and he who submits is a slave." Robert G. Ingersoll.

Although Ingersoll's definition is not complete, it certainly captures a large swath of tyranny and slavery.   History is replete with tyrants who not only compelled action by terror and brutality, but conformity of thought. Pol Pot, Mao, and Stalin are just a few.

When must always be on our to defend liberty against those who want to control what we think - the very essence of liberty.  Freedom is lost not only by the bayonet, but in the most important battlefield, the mind.  Never submit.

For more on freedom, visit Patriot Week and America's Survival Guide.

History, the Key to Freedom

"A study of the history of opinion is a necessary preliminary to the emancipation of the mind." John Maynard Keynes.

Although Keynes was an economist, his observation that the study of history - of opinion and otherwise - is  the key to freedom was dead-on.  When people blithely accept what is, and do not understand the past, they are likely to be trapped in a mentality of complacency.  Understanding the past - as well as current events - is indispensable to ensuring liberty today and in the future.

That is why Patriot Week is so important - it enables us to understand the foundation of our liberty, and how to preserve today and the in future.  See also America's Survival Guide for more insights.

In the end, liberty or tyranny.

“I have sworn upon the alter of God, eternal hostility to against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” Thomas Jefferson.

In the end, America stands for freedom, and we need to commit to it.  In the end, what makes America unique is our dedication to liberty.  In the end, we either follow Jefferson, or go down the path of tyranny.  Choose.

For more, visit America's Survival Guide and Patriot Week.

"Liberty means responsibility. That's why most men dread it." George Bernard Shaw.

Shaws quote seems counter-intuitive - why would men and women fear liberty? Because then they are responsible - and accountable - for their actions.  It is much easy to lay back and have others tell you what to do - and if something goes wrong, you can always blame those in charge who made you do it.  Of course, this also breeds complacency, sloth, and mushy thinking - and that leads to dependency and paternalism, which in turn leads to tyranny.

Liberty is not meant to be easy, but it is the only way to enable all of us to reach our true potential and to enjoy our unalienable rights.

For more on liberty, visit Patriot Week and America's Survival Guide.

The Time Has Come to Do What Is Right

"On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' And Vanity comes alone and asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But Conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position, that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because his conscience tells him it is right." Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today Martin Luther King, Jr.'s words still resonate strongly. Too often it seems our political class listens to the siren calls of Cowardice, Expediency, and Vanity.  But it is only Conscience that will save us.

For more on Martin Luther King, Jr., visit Patriot Week and America's Survival Guide.

A Day of Infamy - Keeping Freedom Alive Then and Now

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed the nation after the Japanese sneak attack at our naval base at Pearl Harbor:

Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. . . .
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

FDR's steely determination to defend America and our way of life rallied the nation.  Roosevelt and the nation did not shy away from confronting the enemy and treating war as war.  Soon the war would be fought and expanded across the entire globe, with the survival of freedom literally at stake.  In four years Japan and Germany would be brought to their knees by the resolve, blood, and treasure of the America.

Today we should honor those brave men and women who laid down their lives so that we might be free.  And let us not stain their sacrifice by blithely losing our freedoms and liberties to ignorance and disdain for our founding First Principles.  Unfortunately, we are on the brink of doing just that.  Its time to put first things first, including knowing our history and Constitution, and making sure that our children and grandchildren will live up in the free country the "greatest generation" fought for.

For more on preserving America, check out Patriot Week and America's Survival Guide.