Nevada Range War

                Good news came about the standoff in Nevada between the Bureau of Land Management and the Bundy Ranch.  An announcement was made that the federal officers would pull out because the situation had become too dangerous for their employees and the public.

The decision was apparently made after information came out that a company backed by Communist China wanted the land for a renewable energy farm.

                I was seriously wondering if the U.S. Government was moving towards another disastrous showdown with American citizens.  It did not sound good to me to hear that more than 200 federal officers converged near a ranch located in Buckerville, Nevada.  The federal officers were there to enforce a mandate that Cliven Bundy remove his cattle from federal lands; they began to round up his cattle to sell them.  The forced cattle roundup was causing concern for many people besides the Bundy family.  Elected officials in several states weighed in, and militia members began to mobilize in support of their fellow Americans. 

                I could not help thinking about what happened at Ruby Ridge, Idaho, and Waco, Texas, when the Government used power against American citizens.  Randy Weaver and his family, plus his friend Kevin Harris, were living at Ruby Ridge in northern Idaho.  Federal officers laid siege to the property and caused a deadly confrontation in 1992.  The confrontation ended with the death of Weaver’s wife Vicki, their son Sammy, and Deputy U.S. Marshal William Francis Degan.

                “At the subsequent federal criminal trial of Weaver and Harris, Weaver’s attorney Gerry Spence made accusations of `criminal wrongdoing’ against every agency involved in the incident:  the FBI, USMS, the Bureau of Alcohol, tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for Idaho.  At the completion of the trial, the Department of Justice’s Office of Professional Responsibility formed a Ruby Ridge Task Force to investigate Spence’s charges.  The 1994 Task Force report was released in redacted form by Lexis Counsel Connect and raised questions about the conduct and policy of all the agencies.

                “Public outcry over Ruby Ridge and the subsequent Waco siege involving many of the same agencies and even the same personnel fueled the widening of the militia movement.  To answer public questions about Ruby Ridge, the Senate Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Government Information held a total of 14 days of hearings between September 6 and October 19, 1995, and subsequently issued a report calling for reforms in federal law enforcement to prevent a repeat of Ruby Ridge and to restore public confidence in federal law enforcement.”

                The Waco, Texas, siege or massacre took place at a compound owned by the religious group Branch Davidians.  Federal and Texas state law enforcement and military officers laid siege at the compound from February 28 until April 19, 1993.  The Branch Davidians sect separated from the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1955 and was led by David Koresh  They lived at Mount Carmel Center ranch in Elk, Texas, about nine miles east-northeast of Waco. 

                “The group was suspected of weapons violations and a search and arrest warrant was obtained by the U.S. federal agency Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).  The incident began when the ATF attempted to raid the ranch.  An intense gun battle erupted, resulting in the deaths of four agents and six Branch Davidians.  Upon the ATF’s failure to raid the compound, a siege was initiated by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the standoff lasting 51 days.  Eventually, the FBI launched an assault and initiated a tear gas attack in an attempt to force the Branch Davidians out.  During the attack, a fire engulfed Mount Carmel Center, and 76 men, women, and children, including David Koresh, died.

                “Much dispute remains as to the actual events of the siege.  A particular controversy ensued over the origin of the fire; a government investigation concluded in 2000 that sect members themselves had started the fire.  The events at Waco were cited as the primary motivation for the perpetrators of the Oklahoma City bombing that took place exactly two years later in 1995.”

                Monica Morrell wrote an article suggesting that the Nevada problem could be about water rights.  Her article sheds even more light on why the government went after Bundy’s cattle. 

                “Bunkerville in Nevada is ensconced between the Virgin River and the main road, Riverside Road.  The Virgin River is a tributary to Lake Mead.  The river, along with other sources, discharges into Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States.  Both the Virgin River and Lake Mead are part of the Colorado River Basin.  In fact, Lake Mead is considered to be the largest surface water collection for the Colorado River.  Whoever controls the water controls the vast wealth that is distributed to a network of states at a crucial time during a water shortage?

                Doug Hagmann was so concerned about what might happen at the Bundy ranch that he called for the governor to send out the National Guard to protect the people.  “The current critical nature of the crisis cannot be understated.  In alleged response to a 20-year-old battle over `illegal cattle grazing,’ along with a more recent claim related to ostensibly protecting the allegedly endangered desert tortoise, the federal Bureau of Land Management has been dispatched to the Bundy ranch.  Do not be fooled by the innocuous sounding name of this federal agency, however, as the deployment now consists of some 200 heavily armed federal troops, transported by military troop carriers and equipped with sniper rifles and other military armaments.  It is an army by any other name.  [Obama’s civilian army?]

                “Meanwhile, in response to this show of force, armed members of patriotic militias are rallying around the Bundy ranch en masse to protect the rights of a rancher and his family.  Clearly, the lines of battle are being drawn.  Patriots and militias appear to be preparing to square off against this federal army who are present in numbers undeniably disproportionate to any perceived or actual threat.

                “As the scene of the battle begins to take form, the situation is needlessly and recklessly being permitted to escalate in words and deeds.  Today, Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins threatened the patriotic militia members rallying around the Bundys by publicly stating that those planning to travel to Nevada in their support `better have funeral plans.’  Clearly, these are fighting words and an obvious escalation to an already volatile situation.

                “As those words were being spoken, snipers equipped with high powered rifles with scopes continued to train their weapons on American citizens.  As that threat now begins to reverberate throughout the nation, federal troops are getting into position to launch whatever offensive that is being planned by federal bureaucrats, merely waiting for the `go’ signal.  The situation is deadly and deadly serious.”

                Judi McLeod shared information about other ranchers in Nevada and how the federal government treated them.  It sounds to me like the Bundy family has a right to believe the government is coming after them!

                Americans remember the results of force at Ruby Ridge and Waco.  I thought the range war might be the “crisis” the Obama Administration has been waiting for, the one they have been planning for, and preparing for with all their regulations.  Americans are fed up with their power grabs and are stressed by the economic situation of the nation.  I thought the fuse might be lit in Nevada but am relieved to hear the Government has backed off – for now.  Was this a test to see if Americans would stand up to their Government in spite of the odds against them? 

                There are still many questions about what happened in Nevada and why.  The Blaze did a story about seven questions people are asking.  There are probably many more.  The big question in my mind is whether or not the U.S. Government was right in using force in Nevada or are we just getting paranoid because of the many strange happenings in our nation.

Harry Reid and the Koch Brothers

                Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has declared war on the Koch brothers and continues to attack them.  In fact, Senator Reid and other Democrats have been attacking the Koch brothers for more than four years with lies, lies, and more lies.  One of the lies Senator Reid told about the Koch brothers is that they do not pay any corporate taxes.  Senator Reid’s lie may sound somewhat familiar to you because he falsely accused Mitt Romney of not paying his taxes.  It appears that the Senator does not know the truth from a lie!

                What would cause the esteemed Senator Reid to hate the Koch brothers so much?  It appears that the Koch brothers, who have been involved in many charitable organizations, have decided to get involved with politics.  They are not only donating their considerable wealth to politics, but they are supporting conservative and libertarian causes!  Thus, they have incurred the wrath of Senator Reid.

                Here are a few important facts about these terrible Koch brothers.  The Koch family has made donations to “conservative and libertarian policy and advocacy groups in the United States, including think tanks like the Heritage Foundation and the Cato Institute, and more recently Americans for Prosperity.  Americans for Prosperity and Freedom Works are organizations with links to both the Kochs and the Tea Party movement.”

                The Koch brothers are sons of Fred C. Koch (1900-1967) and Mary Robinson Koch (1907-1990). Fred was a “chemical engineer and entrepreneur who founded the oil refinery firm that later became Koch Industries”; he was also a founding member of the John Birch Society.  The couple had four sons:  Frederick R. Koch (born in 1933; collector), Charles G. Koch (born 1935; Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Koch Industries), David H. Koch (born 1940; Executive Vice President of Koch Industries), and William Koch (born 1940; businessman, sailor, and collector). 

                The Koch family controls Koch Industries, “the second largest privately owned company in the United States.”  The company was started by Fred C. Koch who “developed a new cracking method for the refinement of heavy oil into gasoline.  Koch Industries annual revenues have been `estimated to be one hundred billion dollars.’  Charles and David, the two brothers still with Koch Industries, are affiliated with the Koch family foundations.

                “The Koch family foundations are a related group of non-profit organizations that began with the establishment of the Fred and Mary Koch Foundation in 1953, and now include the Charles Koch Foundation, the David H. Koch Charitable Foundation and the Koch Cultural Trust.  The organizations collectively have a stated goal of `advancing liberty and freedom’ through the support of various causes which `further social progress and sustainable prosperity.’”

                Doug Ross posted a comic-book-type article entitled “The Koch Ness Monster” illustrated by Biff Spackle.  This article explains in pictures and words that numerous wealthy people are donating to Democrats – just as the Koch brothers donate to Republicans.  The article is done in such a way that any “low information voter can understand.”  

                Apparently, the Koch brothers and/or Koch Industries grew tired of being demonized by Democrats because Charles Koch wrote an op-ed piece to those who are attacking his character.  He began his article:  “I have devoted most of my life to understanding the principles that enable people to improve their lives.  It is those principles – the principles of a free society – that have shaped my life, my family, our company and America itself.

                “Unfortunately, the fundamental concepts of dignity, respect, equality before the law and personal freedom are under attack by the nation’s own government.  That’s why, if we want to restore a free society and create greater well-being and opportunity for all Americans, we have no choice but to fight for those principles.  I have been doing so for more than 50 years, primarily through education efforts.  It was only in the past decade that I realized the need to also engage in the political process.

                “A truly free society is based on a vision of respect for people and what they value.  In a truly free society, any business that disrespects its customers will fail, and deserves to do so.  The same should be true of any government that disrespects its citizens.  The central belief and fatal conceit of the current administration is that you are incapable of running your own life, but those in power are capable of running it for you.  This is the essence of big government and collectivism.

                “More than 200 years ago, Thomas Jefferson warned that this could happen.  `The natural progress of things,’ Jefferson wrote, `is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.’  He knew that no government could possibly run citizens’ lives for the better.  The more government tries to control, the greater the disaster, as shown by the current health-care debacle.  Collectivists (those who stand for government control of the means of production and how people live their lives) promise heaven but deliver hell.  For them, the promised end justifies the means.

                “Instead of encouraging free and open debate, collectivists strive to discredit and intimidate opponents.  They engage in character assassination.  (I should know, as the almost daily target of their attacks.)  This is the approach that Arthur Schopenhauer described in the 19^th century, that Saul Alinsky famously advocated in the 20^th, and that so many despots have infamously practiced.  Such tactics are the antithesis of what is required for a free society – and a telltale sign that the collectivists do not have good answers.

                “Rather than try to understand my vision for a free society or accurately report the facts about Koch Industries, our critics would have you believe we’re `un-American’ and trying to `rig the system,’ that we’re against `environmental protection’ or eager to `end workplace safety standards.’  These falsehoods remind me of the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan’s observation, `Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.’  Here are some facts about my philosophy and our company….”

                The second half of Mr. Koch’s piece details the number of employees working for his company, the number of products they make, the number of jobs they create elsewhere, their business practices, etc.  The entire article is very interesting and informative.  I recommend that you read it IF you are really interested in knowing more about Koch Industries.

                I am grateful that Mr. Koch spoke out against the bullying tactics of Senator Reid and other Democrats.  I am grateful that he took the fight to them.  I hope that more conservatives and Republicans will stand up to the bullies who are using such awful tactics for political gain.  I am grateful that the Koch brothers are willing and able to use their vast wealth to spread the conservative/libertarian side of the debate.  I hope they will continue to fund the fight against the progressives who currently have control of our government.

William Tecumseh Sherman

                William Tecumseh Sherman was born in Lancaster, Ohio, on February 8, 1820.  Twenty years later he graduated from West Point and began his service in the U.S. Army. 

                We know of Sherman because of his service during the Civil War.  He was appointed in May 1861 as a colonel of the 13^th Infantry; as such, he led a brigade at the Battle of Bull Run.  He was promoted to brigadier general and took part in the capture of Vicksburg.  Sherman became commander of the Division of the Mississippi in March 1864. 

                Commanding about one hundred thousand troops, General Sherman swept through Georgia.  He captured Atlanta and continued on to Savannah.  He commanded his troops to destroy everything of military value in their path; his strategy proved very effective even though it caused much bitterness.  He and his troops then turned northward on their way through North and South Carolina; they forced Confederate General Joseph Johnston to surrender in April 1865.

                Sherman became the commanding General of the Army in 1869 and served in that position until 1883.  When proposed as a possible Republican presidential candidate in 1884, Sherman declared:  “If nominated I will not accept.  If elected, I will not serve.”

                When General Sherman retired from the Army, he became the manager of a banking house in San Francisco.  He passed away on February 14, 1891.

Right to be Secure

                The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday comes from the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution:  “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects….”  This provision of the Constitution guarantees privacy to the American people in all areas of their lives.  This provision is under serious threat, particularly by Obama Administration and all its scandals.

                W. Cleon Skousen stated, “it will be immediately apparent that in our own day, many of these rights of privacy have been seriously impaired.  This has resulted almost entirely from the unauthorized invasion of the home, the business, and the private papers of the individual citizens by governmental agencies either enforcing federal regulations or collecting federal taxes under the Sixteenth Amendment.

                “Until the famous Barlow case, inspectors from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) were intruding into private plants and businesses without warrants to see if they could find violations of safety or health regulations.

                “The extent to which the Internal Revenue Service has invaded the privacy of citizens to make certain each is paying his or her fair share is a matter of great concern through the entire country.  However, the major fault is with the law rather than the IRS.  The collection of direct taxes, such as income taxes, is impossible without virtually wiping out the guarantees set forth in the Fourth Amendment.”  (See The Making of America –The Substance and Meaning of the Constitution, pp. 701-702.)

                Gerald V. Bradley of The Heritage Foundation explained, “The Fourth Amendment is the most prolific source of constitutional litigation in American history, particularly with application to the states after its incorporation through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.  Mapp v. Ohio (1961).  Its reach is indescribably broad:  every one of the millions of arrests made annually is a Fourth Amendment event.  So too is every search of every person or private area by a public official, whether a police officer, schoolteacher, probation officer, airport security agent, or corner crossing guard.  The Fourth Amendment is the constitutional sentry whenever someone’s privacy is diminished by a governmental search or seizure.  It protects a person’s `legitimate expectation of privacy.”  Katz v. United States (1967)….” (See The Heritage Guide to the Constitution, pp. 323-324.)

The Atonement

                We lived in heaven a long time ago with our Heavenly Father and Elder Brother, Jesus Christ.  While we were there our Father presented His plan for the happiness of His children.  His plan of happiness contained three great pillars:  the Creation, the Fall of Adam and Eve, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  These pillars support the narrow path we must take from the time we enter this life through mortal birth until we walk back into the presence of God.  All three pillars are necessary in our lives. 

                Elder Russell M. Nelson spoke about these pillars in the October 1996 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:  “Before we can comprehend the Atonement of Christ, however, we must first understand the Fall of Adam.  And before we can understand the Fall of Adam, we must first understand the Creation.  These three crucial components of the plan of salvation relate to each other.  [See Alma 18:34-39; Mormon 9:12; Doctrine and Covenants 20:17-24.]

                Elder Nelson explained that Adam and Eve were created in the Garden of Eden “in the image of God, with bodies of flesh and bone.” They were “not yet mortal” and therefore could not grow old or die or have children.  This was a “paradisiacal creation” that “required a significant change” before they could have children.

                An ancient American prophet named Lehi taught “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25).  According to Elder Nelson, the Fall “constituted the mortal creation and brought about the required changes in their bodies, including the circulation of blood and other modifications as well.  They were now able to have children.  They and their posterity also became subject to injury, disease, and death.  And a loving Creator blessed them with healing power by which the life and functions of precious physical bodies could be preserved….”

                “Even though our Creator endowed us with this incredible [healing] power, He consigned a counterbalancing gift to our bodies.  It is the blessing of aging, with visible reminders that we are mortal beings destined one day to leave this `frail existence.’  Our bodies change every day.  As we grow older, our broad chests and narrow waists have a tendency to trade places.  We get wrinkles, lose color in our hair … to remind us that we are mortal children of God, with a `manufacturer’s guarantee’ that we shall not be stranded upon the earth forever.  Were it not for the Fall, our physicians, beauticians, and morticians would all be unemployed.”

                Elder Nelson explained that Adam and Eve were taught to worship God and to sacrifice their “firstlings of their flocks” as an offering to God.  “They were further instructed that `the life of the flesh is in the blood…. For it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul’ [Lev. 17:11].  Probation, procreation, and aging were all components of – and physical death was essential to – God’s `plan of happiness’ [Alma 42:8].

                “But mortal life, glorious as it is, was never the ultimate objective of God’s plan.  Life and death here on planet Earth were merely means to an end – not the end for which we were sent.”

                Now that we have discussed the Creation and the Fall, we are ready to discuss the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  The Apostle Paul said, “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). 

                Elder Nelson taught, “The Atonement of Jesus Christ became the immortal creation.  He volunteered to answer the ends of a law previously transgressed.  And by the shedding of His blood, His and our physical bodies could become perfected.  They could again function without blood, just as Adam’s and Eve’s did in their paradisiacal form.  Paul taught that `flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; … this mortal must put on immortality’ [1 Corinthians 15:50-53].”

                The word atonement means at-one-ment or to become one with another.  Even though the New Testament uses the word atonement only, the Old Testament has many references to it; most of these references have to do with animal sacrifice.  Elder Nelson explained that in order for a sacrifice to be acceptable it had to meet several considerations:  (1) the animal must be a firstling of the flock, without blemish, (2) the life of the animal must be sacrificed by the shedding of its blood, (3) the death must occur without breaking any bones, (4) one animal could be sacrificed as a vicarious act for another.

                “The Atonement of Christ fulfilled these prototypes of the Old Testament.  He was the firstborn Lamb of God, without blemish.  His sacrifice occurred by the shedding of blood.  No bones of His body were broken – noteworthy in that both malefactors crucified with the Lord had their legs broken.  And His was a vicarious sacrifice for others.

                “While the words atone or atonement, in any of their forms, appear only once in the King James translation of the New Testament, they appear 35 times in the Book of Mormon.  As another testament of Jesus Christ, it sheds precious light on His Atonement, as do the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.  Latter-day revelation has added much to our biblical base of understanding.”

                Even though the practice of atonement in Old Testament times was finite – had an ending – it was symbolic of the infinite Atonement of Christ – was without end.  “It was also infinite in that all humankind would be saved from never-ending death.  It was infinite in terms of His immense suffering.  It was infinite in time, putting an end to the preceding prototype of animal sacrifice.  It was infinite in scope – it was to be done once for all.  And the mercy of the Atonement extends not only to an infinite number of people, but also to an infinite number of worlds created by Him.  It was infinite beyond any human scale of measurement or mortal comprehension.

                “Jesus was the only one who could offer such an infinite atonement, since He was born of a mortal mother and an immortal Father.  Because of that unique birthright, Jesus was an infinite Being.”

                After discussing the actual ordeal of the Atonement – the Savior suffered much greater pain than any mortal could bear – he concluded:  “The Creation required the Fall.  The Fall required the Atonement.  The Atonement enabled the purpose of the Creation to be accomplished.  Eternal life, made possible by the Atonement, is the supreme purpose of the Creation.  To phrase that statement in its negative form, if families were not sealed in holy temples, the whole earth would be utterly wasted.”  [See Doctrine and Covenants 2:3; 138:48.]

                “The purposes of the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement all converge on the sacred work done in temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The earth was created and the Church was restored to make possible the sealing of wife to husband, children to parents, families to progenitors, worlds without end.

                “This is the great latter-day work of which we are a part.  That is why we have missionaries; that is why we have temples – to bring the fullest blessings of the Atonement to faithful children of God.  That is why we respond to our own calls from the Lord.  When we comprehend His voluntary Atonement, any sense of sacrifice on our part becomes completely overshadowed by a profound sense of gratitude for the privilege of serving Him….”

                As we commemorate the Atonement of Christ and celebrate His Resurrection, I hope we remember that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.  He did for each one of us something that we could not do for ourselves.  Without His Atonement, Adam and Eve and all  their posterity would be consigned to everlasting darkness and sin.  I am grateful to know of the Savior and all that He did for me.  How many drops of precious blood did He spill for my sins?  I may never know the number, but I can live my life in such a way that fewer drops are required!

Sow Seeds of Happiness

                Families, communities, and nations can be strengthened if we listen and learn from the Greatest Generation.  These wonderful aged loved ones had many experiences that most of us have not, and they can teach us how to survive in the coming rough times.  One lesson we can learn from them is to look on the bright side of life and be grateful for what we have.

                I read the following story about an older woman written by an unknown author.  I believe it depicts exactly the attitude of so many members of the Greatest Generation.  She shares beautiful thoughts and gives awesome counsel.

                The 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with her hair fashionably coifed and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.  Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.

                After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready.  As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window.  “I love it,” she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

                “Mrs. Jones, you haven’t seen the room … just wait.”

                “That doesn’t have anything to do with it,” she replied.  “Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time.  Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged; it’s how I arrange my mind.  I already decided to love it.  It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up.  I have a choice:  I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.  Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away, just for this time in my life.”

                She went on to explain, “Old age is like a bank account, you withdraw from what you’ve put in.  So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories.  Thank you for your part in filling my memory bank.  I am still depositing.”

And with a smile, she said:  “Remember the five simple rules to be happy:  1) Free your heart from hatred, 2) Free your mind from worries,

3) Live simply, 4) Give more, and 5) Expect less.

                I would enjoy caring for a person with such a beautiful attitude.  I know that we can determine whether or not we will be happy or not.  I know that the responsibility to have a good attitude is mine alone, and I cannot blame anyone or anything else for it.  We can strengthen our families, communities, and nations by sowing the seeds of happiness in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

Remembering the Iron Lady

                On this Freedom Friday we remember the Iron Lady with great fondness.  Why?  Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of Great Britain, was tough but ladylike.  When she came to office, Great Britain was described as being the “sick man of Europe”; but under her leadership her nation regained its status as an economic power.  How did the Iron Lady accomplish such a feat?  She “implemented conservative policies that emphasized individual liberty and economic freedom” and “lifted a nation ravaged by Socialism off its deathbed, restoring Britain’s prosperity and self-confidence.”

                Lady Thatcher was fearless as she stood shoulder to shoulder with President Ronald Reagan in defending freedom and opposing Socialism and Communism.  She refused to show any weakness to the enemy because “dictators can be deterred, they can be crushed – but they can never be appeased.”

                In a describing herself, Lady Thatcher said, “I am an undiluted admirer of American values and the American dream, and I believe they will continue to inspire not just the people of the United States but millions upon millions across the face of the globe.”

                The Iron Lady understood well that conservative principles are capable of turning a nation in a completely different direction.  She knew that limited government, low taxation, and individual responsibility, coupled with strong leadership and political courage, can make a nation strong.  The world lost a great leader when Lady Thatcher passed to a better world on April 8, 2013, at age 87.  Those who understand her greatness will always remember the Iron Lady.

                America needs strong capable leaders, both men and women, who have the same type of courage and leadership that Lady Thatcher demonstrated.  As we move toward the mid-term election of 2014 and the presidential election of 2016, may we seek and find leaders like Margaret Thatcher.  This is the type of leaders we need in order to keep our nation free.