Mormonism: Part I

This excerpt was taken from Mormon.org, the LDS website:
"The commandments of God have been restored through revelation from God to the Prophet Joseph Smith and other prophets. You can know for yourself that these things are true by asking Heavenly Father in prayer."

Excerpt from the "restored commandments" of Mormonism:
Follow the Prophet: God reveals the truths necessary for salvation through prophets and apostles. The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a living prophet.

However, the Bible says, "Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart." ~Jeremiah 14:14

"Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD." ~Jeremiah 23:16

"I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied." ~Jeremiah 23:21

"Behold, I [am] against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith." ~Jeremiah 23: 31

Greatest American IV

The last of the polls has begun, and it looks like we have a clear winner!

Feel free to discuss the polling.

Shattered Union

Here's an interesting future scenario from a modern-day video game.

The game features the former states splitting into six factions, with the European Union controlling Washington, D.C.

Upon destroying all other factions, the player is sent into a final war with Russia in Alaska.

Might we see some of this come to fruition? Maybe; many of the elements seem plausible.

On a side note, notice how the Governor of California in the game looks exactly like Anderson Cooper.

Governmental Blunders: Economic Woes

Where did the Government go wrong?

Governmental Blunder #103: Disregard For Constitution

Governmental Blunder #3,027: Substitution Of Money For Worthless Paper Currency

Governmental Blunder #11,001: More Disregard For Constitution

Governmental Blunder #21,535: Creation Of Federal Reserve System

Governmental Blunder #27,232: Even More Disregard For Constitution

Governmental Blunder #32,384: Practical Elimination Of Free Market System

Governmental Blunder #36,657: Still More Disregard For Constitution

Governmental Blunder #42,856: Nonsensical And Expensive Foreign Wars

Governmental Blunder #44,364: Still Couldn't Care Less About That Old Constitution

Governmental Blunder #49,735: Use Of Tax Money To Fund Lost Causes

Governmental Blunder #50,000: Use Of Constitution As Tinder For White House Fireplace

You can see that this is an incomplete list of Governmental Blunders; there are only so many hours in a day.

Blog Name Change

Don't be alarmed! The only thing that has changed is the official name of my blog; it has almost always been named "The Ideations of a Jayhawker", but I decided to go ahead and make it official.

We will now continue your regular programming...

Samuel Clemens: A Man Beyond His Time

"When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years."

"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."

"In the beginning of a change the patriot is a scarce man and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him for then it costs nothing to be a patriot."

"The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin."

"No country can be well governed unless its citizens as a body keep religiously before their minds that they are the guardians of the law and that the law officers are only the machinery for its execution, nothing more."

"My kind of loyalty was to one's country, not to its institutions or its officeholders. The country is the real thing, the substantial thing, the eternal thing; it is the thing to watch over, and care for, and be loyal to; institutions are extraneous, they are its mere clothing, and clothing can wear out, become ragged, cease to be comfortable, cease to protect the body from winter, disease, and death."

"For in a Republic, who is "the country?" Is it the Government which is for the moment in the saddle? Why, the Government is merely a servant -- merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them."

"No man's life, liberty, or property are safe while the congress is in session."

"Fleas can be taught nearly anything that a Congressman can."

"Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself."

"The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin."

"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society."

The Gadsden Flag Competition: A Little Reminder

Just to make sure we don't get to many rejects, I would like to reiterate the style of song I'm looking for in this competition.

If your entry is along the lines of lyrics only, write it as a poem with a refrain.

If your entry is along the lines of a tune only, write it as a fanfare or an easily hummed tune. Consider America, the Beautiful, or God Save the South as inspiration. "Country Western" or "Rock" songs aren't the idea for this competition.

While it may appeal to some, America, the Beautiful doesn't sound too great as a drum solo, so keep it traditional.

As I've said before, there are many songs either directly or indirectly about the Gadsden Flag that don't properly respect or honor the flag as an American symbol. I want someone to produce a song that does the Rattler Flag justice.

Don't be shy; enter as many songs with as many alterations as you want.

Good luck!

Alaskan Independence: Part II: The Party

I highly support the Alaskan Independence Party. If ever I go to live in Alaska, I will most certainly join them. They are closely affilitated with the Constitution Party, which would certainly suffice as my party of choice, should I remain a Continental.

To be honest, the website best speaks for itself, so here are the links to the Alaskan Independence Party platform, stance on the issues, and stated goals.

Give Unto Caesar: A Disscussion of Christ's Teachings

"Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk."

The Pharisees were a very strict Jewish faction, and are now existing under the name of "Rabbinic Judaism". Their purpose is to unify, compile, and adhere to the law of Moses. (But, that's another article.)

"And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any [man]: for thou regardest not the person of men."

"Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?"
Please note the wording of the question: "Is it lawful..."

"But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?"

"Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny."

"And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?"

"They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."

"When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way."

Jesus was asked if it is lawful to pay taxes. His response, in my opinion, meant "yes, only if that's the law". It would be silly for a person to pay taxes not required of them, and equally stupid to break the law by not paying what is due.

In America, we retain the right to protest an unfair law, or if it's an un-Constitutional law, to refuse it.
The Constitution is the law that supercedes all other laws in the U.S.; God's law supercedes all laws everywhere.


"And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King." ~Luke 23:2

Comments are welcome; discussion is encouraged.

Greatest American Poll III

The last poll, concerning the philosophy of government, has ended.

The tally now stands: Patrick Henry, 4; a tie stands for second place between John Adams and George Washington, each receiving 1 point.

Comments for the benefit of discussion are welcome.