While I’m certainly proud to have been a cowboy (once a cowboy, always a cowboy), my abiding love of our country is the driving force behind my motivation to serve, as I did in the military, and as I now seek elected office. Your support in that endeavor is graciously and sincerely appreciated.
Archives for September 2009
True Faith and Allegiance
This oath is very similar to the oath that military officers take to which he/she solemnly swears (or affirms) that he/she will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that he/she will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that he/she takes this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that he/she will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God.
The oath of office above is virtually identical to the oath of office taken by Senators, Congressmen and Congresswomen, as well the President of the United States. In each case, the individual swears to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that he/she will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. Again, very similar to the oath of enlistment.
However, note the responsibilities the enlisted service member is charged to uphold in addition to supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States. The enlisted man or woman swears to obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over him/her, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
What that means to me is that we are to rely on the sound judgment of those officers above us – military, Congressional, or Executive – to discern right from wrong and communicate that to their subordinates.
Notice that the oath of office, versus the oath of enlistment, does not prescribe obedience to the President of the United States, but does require the officer or officeholder to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”
Implicit in this oath is that the officer (or office holder) should discern those orders which would be morally questionable or would put the Constitution of the United States in peril. By deliberately obeying an order that is morally questionable or would put the Constitution of the United States in peril, the officer is not bearing true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States.
All that to say this: I believe the Constitution is in peril and we need officers – office holders – who “will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.” We need leadership that we can trust to discern right from wrong, communicate that to those they represent, and stand for the right – whether it’s popular or not, politically correct or incorrect.
The day I entered the U.S. Army – January 2, 1985 – I swore an oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”
My oath has no expiration date.
The Silence Is Deafening
Still interested in shutting down Gitmo and bringing the jihadists to American soil? This story may well change your mind.
Still no word from the administration and the silence is deafening.
“A Republic…If You Can Keep It”
Democracy sounds great, but our founding fathers had something better in mind. This video puts it in perspective.
Here’s hoping we can keep it.
My thanks to Facebook Friend Mark Martin for finding this video.
The Importance of Agriculture
The importance of agriculture to Arkansas’ economy cannot be overstated, that being the state’s number one industry. This is particularly true in Arkansas’ First Congressional District. Farmers want to know they have leadership in Washington they can count on to do just that – lead. Not just in word, but in deed – helping to create workable solutions to address the substantial challenges facing today’s farmer.
I derive my livelihood directly from agriculture, as do many citizens of the First District, and it is vitally important that our leadership in Washington take a hands on approach in protecting our industry. So where do I stand on the issues? Following are some links to columns I wrote that were published in Northeast Arkansas Business Today which should provide some insight as to where I stand on farm policy.
Why Farmers Are Losing the PR War
“Step Two” is Step One in Anti-U.S. Ag Assault
Business Acumen Will Save the American Farmer
Bear in mind that these columns were written around four years ago, so a lot has changed. However, there are a couple (Why Farmers Are Losing the PR War and “Step Two” is Step One in Anti-U.S. Ag Assault) that were somewhat prophetic.
Read them yourself and you be the judge.
Out With the Old, In With the New
However, the commentary on the late Jack Kemp, while unfortunate and certainly unnecessary, is truly indicative of the total lack of honor, integrity and moral courage of Democrat Arlen Specter.
Here’s the story:
What’s Rainbow Stew?
I’ve never eaten Rainbow Stew, but it sure sounds good to me. I’ve always been a huge Merle Haggard fan and loved the song since I was a kid, and the older I get, the more I realize that Merle was way ahead of his time when he penned this one.
Sounds like some pretty good ideas to me.
Most of us know what Bubble Up is, but if you’ve never sampled rainbow stew, click HERE for the recipe.