Nationalism: The Opium of Confused Conservatives by James Ronald Kennedy & Walter Donald Kennedy No doubt but that the title of this article will initially be rather infuriating to many conservatives. albion gold This is because too many Americans today equate nationalism with patriotism. These words do not carry the same meaning and when applied to national politics they produce very different results as it relates to the preservation of personal liberty, limited government, and respect for the constitution. The inability of conservatives to distinguish between nationalism and patriotism was driven home recently when a local DJ on WWL (“Rush Radio” New Orleans) morning program made a vicious attack on Representative Ron Paul. The DJ accused a Ron Paul supporter of being “lead around by the nose” by CNN! The insulting manner in which Ron Paul’s supporter was handled would be understandable if the DJ was a liberal/progressive/socialist but the DJ claims to be a true blue conservative whose main interest is to find a Republican presidential candidate who will be able to defeat Obama. albion silver The DJ’s main complaint against Ron Paul is that he was an isolationist who wants America to retreat back within our borders and leave the rest of the world alone, thereby allowing extremists to ultimately destroy ancient cities and civilizations in the mid-east—without America’s footprint all over the world, according to this logic, evil will triumph and be free to do horrible things to lands, cities, and people far away. This DJ views America as a force for “good,” ready to compel others to abide by our dictates or else suffer the military consequences. buy albion gold While it might be relatively easy to define “force” it becomes more problematic to define “good.” The DJ’s definition of “good” would most likely be radically different from Obama’s definition, whose definition would be different from John McCain’s definition, whose definition would be different from Sarah Palin’s definition etc, etc., etc. Chaussures ASICS Gel Glorify pour Femme Using the DJ’s standard America would be a force for good all over the world but the definition of good would have to change every time America changed presidents or the control of Congress or maybe even every time the Federal Supreme Court changed! Nationalism celebrates force; it frolics in force; international status is nurtured and grows with force. Force expands the nation’s control over its own people every time it is successfully applied to an enemy; therefore pure nationalists seek enemies to destroy. buy albion silver Nationalism looks beyond the nation’s borders for opportunities to expand the nation’s influence—be it economic, ideological, commercial and/or military influence or, when the opportunity allows, not just influence but absolute control. Notice that this new “nation of force” will ultimately look and act more like an empire than a simple nation. Patriotism, on the other hand, is local; it looks inward to a community with local traditions. asics lyte 3 blu uomo Patriots see the nation as a means to protect local communities that compose the nation. cheap albion gold Patriots are members of local communities and their primary desire is simply to be “let alone.” Patriots view people residing outside of the nation’s borders as possible trading partners in which they can engage in voluntary exchange—an exchange in which both sides gain. Curry Due Bambini Patriots rally to the flag to defend the nation because the nation is necessary to preserve and defend local communities. Whereas nationalists need and ardently seek to create and expand a strong centralized supreme and ultimately oppressive national government. Patriots, on the other hand, seek to create and maintain local self-government that allows for maximum liberty (i.e. minimum taxation, regulation, etc.) for we the people at home in our local communities. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Jerseys buy albion gold This sense of “minding our own business” or being “let alone” can be seen in John Adam’s warning that America should “… not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy.”; or Thomas Jefferson’s admonishment that America seeks to be “… friends with all nations—entangling alliances with none.”; or George Washington’s advice to avoid “foreign entanglements”. new balance 997 on sale Nationalists, DJs and others, seek to paint this traditional American view as somehow being un-American. adidas yeezy boost 350 v2 damskie The truth is that personal liberty, limited government, and a constitutional republic cannot exist when nationalists make up the nation’s ruling elite. Nationalists will use any means that will allow them to consolidate power—thereby taking power/control away from “we the people” at the local level and transferring it to the centralized, nationalist, (big) government. College Jerseys At this point one can almost hear the nationalists howling, “How would you isolationists deal with the 9/11 attack on America?” First, we are not isolationists—we want to engage in voluntary exchange/commerce with people all over the world. We have no desire to build a wall around America in order to shut ourselves off from the world. Nationalists use the term “isolationists” the same way PC liberals use the word “racists”—they both use their magic words to shut down civil discourse because they have no logical argument. Secondly, we knew who attacked us on 9/11, we knew where their headquarters were and we knew what country was providing them aid and comfort. An ultimatum should have been given—“Hand over the leaders and all of their followers in your country within 48 hours or else.” The “or else” would consist of a mushroom cloud over the training camps and every military and terrorist instillation in the country. nike air max 95 homme Nationalists would argue that we could not afford to do such a thing but according to nationalists we could afford thousands of American soldiers dead and wounded (soldiers drawn primarily from mid to lower income families) and costing a trillion dollars at a time when families in our local communities are suffering from a failing economy. Utah Utes Jerseys cheap albion silver All it would take is one example and no other country would allow such organizations to operate in their country! But one quick and overwhelming strike would not serve the primary purpose of nationalists—to increase the national footprint around the world while restricting liberty at home—all in the name of national security! This is a warning to all conservatives who believe in the primacy of personal liberty, limited government and constitutionalism. Nationalists of both political parties never allow a crisis to pass—they know how to rattle the saber in order to rally patriots around the flag and then convince limited government conservatives to “violate the free market in order to save it” or to surrender just a little privacy in order to be more secure. nike pas cher Yet each year the free market is less free, more regulated and less able to grow a productive, jobs producing, economy; government has its hand deeper in our pockets (and now even in other private personal places); and the only thing that is secure is the system of supreme federalism that provides nationalists ruling elites of both political parties with almost unlimited perks, privileges, and power—all paid for by an increasingly oppressed and once free people. cheap albion gold After the unfortunate close of the War for Southern Independence, General Robert E.

My new CD is on CD Baby and is a collection of acoustic songs (and a tune or tow) related to America’s Civil War. NMD

scarpe nike air force nere prezzo Cheap Nike Trainers UK albion gold One can obtain the tunes on iTunes or on CD Baby. Bart Starr Packers Jerseys New Balance 997.5 mujer new balance shop firenze cheap albion silver The CD Baby link is here: [caption id=”attachment_1199″ align=”alignnone” width=”300″ caption=”My CD cover,

Often a movie will lead me to the book it is based on. goedkoop nike air max 2017 cheap albion gold This happened when I saw Door in the Floor (2004). new balance 996 homme buy albion gold It was based on John Irving’s novel, A Widow for One Year (1998). Donne Scarpe Air Jordan 4 As usual, one should never judge a book by its movie. New Balance 990 damskie buy albion gold The movie was good–actually very good–but the novel, which I read this week, was fantastic. John Elway Jerseys buy albion silver The Ballantine edition had an excellent reader’s guide with an interview from which I gained insights into fiction writing. Nike Roshe One In the study guide’s interview, Henry Ginsberg points out that Irving is known to be a defender of the nineteenth century novel. When I noticed the Table of Contents and the titled chapters, I thought about how I like that 19th Century technique. Adidas NMD Heren nike tn homme cheap albion gold It’s a stylistic tool that works well for me as a reader. Canotta Brooklyn Nets I probably overuse epigraphs for my chapters, which I think would have the same effect as a good chapter title. Womens Air More Uptempo This was a novel with fiction writers as characters. chaussures nike pas cher Andre Johnson Irving’s character constructs are powerful and part of what makes the novel’s plot work so well. asics gel kinsei 5 mujer cheap albion silver I do believe that if you are a writer, this novel will inspire, rattle, and perhaps terrify you a bit as Irving takes you deep into the lives, styles, and souls of these writers. Arkansas Razorbacks Jerseys albion gold The numerous themes of the novel are evocative and intense. Colin Kaepernick Jersey The study guide’s questions are excellent writing and discussion prompts on marriage, humiliation, the writer and writing, change, and photographs as symbols and talismans. Canotte NCAA Here are just a few of my favorite quotations that I underlined: “It was the sound of a typewriter–the sound of storytelling” (19) “He used to say that darkness was his (Ted Cole’s) favorite color” ( 21) “Brave means that you accept what happens to you–you just try to make the best of it” 130). Air Jordan Future “There are few things as seemingly untouched by the real world as a child asleep” (151) “But one must never not write a certain kind of novel out of fear of what the reaction will be” (318) “[H]e wasn’t a bad boy–just an ordinary one” (377) “If you’re a writer, the problem is that when you try to call a halt to thinking about your novel-in-progress, your imagination still keeps going; you can’t shut it off” (380) “It was for children that one wanted heaven . AJ McCarron Alabama Jersey

albion silver .

A live recording of Johnny O’Neal’s song “The Jerry Springer Song” is now available on CD Baby. Asics Aoldes Those who knew Johnny will remember this song he wrote. Maglie Boston Celtics It is a hoot! It will be on iTunes and Amazon soon. fjallraven kanken Share it with your friends and post it on your page.

In August, I was a presenter at the Laredo Book Festival and I met Mona D. adidas nmd hombre cheap albion silver Sizer. Cleveland Cavaliers cheap albion gold We were presenting on the same panel and as she talked I realized that I was in the presence of someone who really knew how to write nonfiction. adidas superstar pas cher belgique albion silver She has written at least 35 books, she is articulate, bright, and has a wonderful style of writing. nike dunk 2007 buy albion gold I obtained her book, The King Ranch Story: Truth and Myth (Republic of Texas Press), thinking of how it might be a useful book, as I often present programs on Texas history at schools, libraries, and festivals on Texas history. asics gel quantum 180 uomo I began my study by scanning the histories of the great Texas ranches of Goodnight, Loving, and King, but picked up this book and I couldn’t put it down. cheap albion gold I underestimated the quality of Sizer’s writing and the impact this book would have on me. New Balance 998 męskie I appreciate an author who teaches me things–and Sizer added vocabulary, historical facts, and cultural insights that can only enrich my school programs and my appreciation of the story of Texas. nike air max 2017 femme grise buy albion gold She weaves the people, history, myths, and legends associated with the King Ranch and the Rio Grande Valley with such skill that the reader will want to know more and see for him or herself the places she writes about. New Balance 530 męskie albion gold Having grown up in South Texas, Sizer knows the land she writes of.

buy albion silver After I read her book, I realized how much I still had to learn about Texas. Nike Air Force 180 Mid I was born in Texas, I love Texas, and I admire writers who can capture the soul, mystery, and truth of my beloved state like Sizer has done. If you want to hear a fascinating but little told story of Texas, you need to read her book.

The Legend of Why the Sun Cries . . . by Rickey E Pittman It is said by those who heard the tales from the old men and women of Celtic lands, who heard the story first from those who had memories of the Druids and even Arthur’s sword, it is said that on those late summer afternoons, when the sun is still shining hot and strong and rain drops fall from the blue sky, fall warm on your skin, it is said that if you sit in a quiet place of rocks and trees and if you shut your eyes, you’ll hear a harp’s melody, soft and sad and sweet as a harper using golden strings. cheap albion silver The harper is no less than Thomas the Rhymer, bold and gifted and impulsive, and a man who had a heart as passionate as his music. He had journeyed to Wales, into the mountains of Snowdonia, to perform for particular noble and to create a song by which the occasion would always be remembered. His daughter was a young lady , named Aleena, with eyes blue and wild and golden hair who heard him. She clung to every note, to every word of his verse. hogan scarpes italia Thomas watched her close her eyes and echo-whisper the lines of the poem. nike air max thea blanc strass He ended the song and began another. nike air max pas cher albion gold The music shifted from praising the king to extolling Aleena’s beauty. He wove the words he found in the well of his heart and declared his love for her. nike air max 2017 goedkoop He sang stanza after stanza. buy albion silver It seemed he could not stop and sang for the rest of the night. Danny Amendola Jersey When the meal was finished, the young maiden rose, looked at Thomas, then at a stairwell. He nodded, laid down his harp, and followed her. There in the stairwell, they kissed and declared their love. Rod Carew Jersey Thomas spoke to her father and he gave the couple their blessing. Oh, those were times of such music! Thomas’ heart swelled with new melodies for his new love. He envisioned a life with her, she traveling with him as he won the world with his harp and verse. This would require money, for though Thomas could easily bear the hardships of the road, he would not inflict that lifestyle on his new bride. cheap albion gold Thomas vowed to enter and win a harp competition, some say it was in Cardiff, others say it was in Ireland, and return for her with prize money in hand. Months went by, but Thomas never returned. Aleena was sick with worry. These were not happy days in Wales. Longshanks’ armies invaded to crush Llewellyn’s rebellion as he had the rebellion of the Scots. Those nobles who weren’t killed, were taken captive and sold into slavery. Aleena was one of them. When Thomas finally returned, he found Aleena’s home burned to the ground, and the land of Wales filled with death, hunger, and lamentation for those slain and missing.

He slung his harp on his shoulder and trudged back to Scotland. As you know, he was seduced by the faerie queen and vanished from the land for seven years. Oh, there were many adventures there and it was there he was given “the tongue that could not lie.” The queen of the faeries took him to Belenus, the sun-god of the Celts. albion silver The sun god asked Thomas, “Have you ever been in love?” Thomas said, “Yes. buy albion gold So in love that I was lost. cheap albion gold So in love that I felt I would never need another muse. But she was taken from me.” “Tell me her story in a song, harper.” Thomas sat on a stone. tilted the harp against his left shoulder, brushed the strings of his clarsach with his left hand, and began. In a minor key, he told the sun-god the story of Aleena, his love for her, the plans they had, his returning to find her gone, and he knew gone forever. He told of how his heart had cracked, and how he had fallen into despair, and become almost mad with grief. When he was finished, the sun-god’s palace in the Otherworld was silent. Joe Montana Jerseys Belenus leaned forward, covered his face with hands and wept, and the sun-god’s tears fell through the Otherworld to the earth. buy albion gold It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, and that was the first time mortals had ever seen rain fall when the sun was shining.

And today, when those warm teardrops touch your cheek like a kiss, and you look up into that bright sky, know that it only means the sun-god has once again remembered the sad story of Aleena and Thomas and he weeps again. And if you close your eyes and listen closely, you’ll hear the sad notes of a harp. nike air jordan 11 mujer And that my friends, is why the sun cries . . .

Those of us who enjoyed the Treme series on HBO, heard the series close with this song by Steve Earle. new balance 373 bleu orange buy albion silver I had to transcribe the song by ear, and some of Earle’s phrases are hard to decipher, so if you can correct any of the phrases, I would appreciate it. nike tn pas cher cheap albion gold Just email me at rickeyp@bayou.com or leave a comment. albion gold I placed a question mark by the lines I wondered about. Goedkope Nike Air Max schoenen buy albion gold Here is a YouTube link where you can hear the song yourself. Women Air Jordan 12 cheap albion gold (Thanks to Matt for his corrections!) “This City” by Steve Earle This city won’t wash away This city won’t ever drown Blood in the water and hell to pay Sky tear open and pain rain down.

Doesn’t matter, let come what may I ain’t ever going to leave this town This city won’t wash away This city wont’ ever drown.

cheap albion silver Ain’t the river or the wind to blame As everybody around here knows.

buy albion gold Nothing holding back Pontchatrain Except a prayer and a promise’s ghost This town’s digging our graves In solid marble above the ground Maybe our bones will wash away This city won’t ever drown This city won’t ever die Just as long as our heart be strong Like a second line stepping high Raising hell as we roll along Gentilly to Vieux Carre Lower 9, Central City, Uptown Singing Jockamo fee nané This city won’t ever drown. goedkoop nike air max 2016 albion silver Don’t matter cause there ain’t no way I’m ever going to leave this town.

Here are the lyrics of a new song I’ve written, one I hope to include on my next music CD, cheap albion gold which Jed Marum has agree to produce for me. nike lebron 13 pas cher The CD will either be a collection of originals, or a Scots-Irish CD, Air Max 87 with a few extra originals on it. Anyway, here are the lyrics to my new song, albion silver “Just a Photograph.” Every night I look at your picture Every night I sing you a song, cheap albion gold Every night I kiss your memory It seems to move the night along They say a picture’s worth at least a thousand words A picture holds the truth, adidas ultra boost even if it’s blurred, There’s two people in every photo They say the camera never lies This photo reminds me of our story, And how I loved those sad green eyes. nike air presto hombre albion gold I think love’s always in color, buy albion gold It’s seldom in black and white, Capturing secrets of our secrets, Clear in day but fading at night, We’ll keep all those scenes In the scrapbook of our heart Posed or improvised Models for love’s art This photo captured you forever, cheap albion silver A portrait painted by the sun Layers of our past and present, Before it all came undone. buy albion gold I guess we frame all our memories Like photos behind fragile glass Then hang them on our heart walls, Hoping that they’ll always last. The photos may one day be faded May be torn or may be lost, cheap albion silver I know it’s just a picture Taken years ago, But that’s how I’ll always remember you, hogan scarpes shop A green-eyed girl that I loved so. This picture was developed In the darkroom of our hearts A mirror of our memory Life and love divided into parts It was a time when we were happy, Nike Air Max Shoes UK A time when we had souls, Seen in love’s incandescent prism, buy albion silver On stage as if a tableau, comprar mochilas kanken Our love flickered into existence, And even now,

I had a great time at the North Texas Irish Festival. cheap albion silver Still on the road–La Isla Restaurant in Arlington Tomorrow at 7:00, albion silver then Prairie Vista Middle School Friday.