Animal Farm

I need to re-read Animal Farm by George Orwell. It is a book about talking animals: pigs, horses, that sort of thing. But, it is not a sweet children's book. It is a brilliant cautionary tale about how the pigs on the farm convince the other animals that all of them should overthrow their cruel overlords and then become equal animals. Of course, by the end of the book, the pigs have taken over (which was their intention all along) and they tell the others that all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.

The founding father's of the United States recognized the danger in allowing power to be focused in one entity, thereby they reasoned out three branches of government to check and balance each other. They also asserted and believed that the true power of the government was inherent in the voice of a free and informed electorate--the voice of the people. They feared "big government," and the propensity of human nature towards power and avarice. They set a fixed scale of responsibility with the federal government carrying little or no obligation.:

Following is the fixed scale of responsibility as seen by the founders:

The first and foremost level of responsibility is with the individual himself
the second level is the family
then the church
next the community
finally the county
and, in a disaster or emergency, the state.

Under no circumstance is the federal government to become involved in public welfare.

The founders felt it would corrupt the government and also the poor. (the poor would feel obliged to vote for the leaders who took care of them).  No Constitutional authority exists for the federal government to participate in charity or welfare.

[as stated in The 5000 year Leap by W. Cleon Skousen]

Wake up Americans. Become informed. Many of the animals in Animal Farm were content to be told what to do by the pigs. Many thought the pigs smarter. Some of the animals were lazy or thought things would always go on as they had in the past. And, sadly, most of the animals thought the pigs had their best interests at heart.

Perhaps it's time for us all to re-read Animal Farm.

At a Loss for Words

It is a sad state of affairs when a writer is at a loss for words. It usually means that the inspiration has dried up, or there are no adequate words to express either the beauty of a place or the  horror of a situation.

Recently I have been at a loss for words, and so I struggle to bring my thoughts together to finish this post. The words bumping around in my brain are harsh and filled with pain. Those words are hard to share because I want the world to be kind, lovely, and peaceful, and it is not. So, to compensate I go to my safe place of travel, and family, and puppy dogs. Is there any question why so many people right now are hooked on watching cats on Youtube? Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with watching sweet cuddly cats, but I think it's the equivalent of sticking one's head in the sand.

The world is a mess right now. And, yes yes, I know, it's been a mess for thousands of years, but I am living in this mess, and it breaks my heart. I am a student of history, so I am well aware of the depravities of Rome, the horrors of the Inquisition, and the atrocities of Communist leaders like Mao and Stalin. Please! Wake up and be aware that between 58 and 70 million Chinese perished from execution, torture, starvation, and suicide during Mao's 27 year reign. Wake up! There is evil. There is right and wrong. There is a standard, and that standard is not set by Washington DC, or you and me, or Hollywood, or some philosophical think tank.

So...here come the words. Evil is pouring in on every side and there's only one way to combat it--personal rightness. Stop being abusive, lying, cheating, being unchaste, watching pornography, taking drugs, being a drunk, being selfish, ignoring the poor and the needy. Stop taking a hand out if you don't need it. Get to work. Stop complaining. Stop being proud and thinking yourself better than your neighbor.

Light is the only way to combat darkness. If you aren't in the light you encourage darkness. If you hate the evil taking place in Syria where thousands of innocent people are suffering--where families are blown apart and children are gassed, you must ask yourself, are my actions allowing evil to increase? If my personal rightness were stronger would I be able to push back some of that darkness?

It is the one idea that gives me hope. Personal rightness is something over which I have control. It is something over which you have control. My dad used to say, "If you aren't part of the solution, you're part of the problem."

If you aren't part of the light, you're part of the darkness.

Wake up!

How's that for words?

I am a Republican Mormon Woman

In order for a person not to have contempt prior to investigation one must know the facts.

1. I am a Republican. If you want to understand the reason why, you need to read the Republican platform, and the book "The 5000 Year Leap." You must also understand that I was raised by a father who had polio when he was a young boy, and despite his disabilities would never think of taking a cent from the government. As my dad saw it, here were the levels of responsibility for taking care of someone who was truly in need of help. The person should take care of themselves as far as possible, then the family should step in, next the church or local community should help, and if all those backups fail then State welfare should take a look. Never, never, never should the Federal government become the giver of welfare. Never. It causes dependency which the politicians can then manipulate for a vote.

2. I am a Mormon. If you want to understand the reason why, you should look into the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, read the Book of Mormon (at least some portion of it), get to know some good Mormon people, and browse around on the web site--mormon.org.

3. I am a woman. If you want to understand the reason why, I don't think you'll find an answer. But, you can get to know me and find out how I feel about being a woman and the responsibilities I've chosen to take on to try and make the world a better place.

Words of Wisdom for Today

Since listening to our politicians for the last many months, I think that most could use a few gems of wisdom from America's sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln.

"Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another, but let him work diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built."

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life."

"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts."

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."

Thanks, Honest Abe!

Education

A place where members of a republic need to be ever vigilant is in the realm of education, for what goes into the heads of our young people becomes the policy of later years. And to argue that the parents have the main sway in their children's preceptions, does not hold true into the years of high school and higher education. We know that one of the chief jobs of young people is to rebel against the "old-fashioned" teachings of Mom and Dad.

Here's an example. For several decades the concept was taught in history classes that the founding fathers of this republic were severely flawed individuals with no moral character or concern for all the people who lived or would live under the flag of the United States. I remember being taught these ideas in my high school civics and history classes. At home, I was taught that the founders were wise men of conscience who worked hard to establish a set of laws that would keep fallible leaders in check and allow for amendments which could be used to correct oversights. The battle lines were drawn, and for several years I found myself bitterly opposed to any thought my parents held about this country.

Luckily, as I matured, I learned to do my own independent reading and research, and I came to know that those who founded this country were truly remarkable individuals.

Let's not be complacent. It shouldn't matter if we have children in school or not; we should know the curriculum and what's being taught whether it be history, sex education, or science. Remember, those students will grow up to be our leaders.

Note: please study the Cultural Revolution in China, and Mao Tse-tung's thoughts on education and his use of young people as Red Guards.

Good and Evil?

A government of the people, by the people, and for the people must take into account the duel inclinations of human nature. Within each person is the pull of good and evil. When enacting laws to govern a populace, these opposites of human nature must be recognized. It should also be noted that, in a Republic, since we choose men and women to represent us, we must be vigilant in assessing their leaning.

Aristotle told of this duality in the story of the white dog and the black dog.

A man came across another man walking two dogs, each on their own leash. One dog was white and the other black. Both were straining against their ropes in an attempt to be in the lead. The one man asked the dog owner, "Which one wins?" The dog owner answered, "The one I feed the most."

We should continually ask ourselves if our laws encourage the best qualities of human nature and fairly punish the meaner propensities. So too, we should be watching our elected leaders to see which dog is in the lead.

Natural Law

Within the Declaration of Independence are these words, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Natural law means laws that govern men that are God given, not man given. As stated by Sir William Blackstone in his book Commentaries on the Laws of England: "And these [great natural rights] may be reduced to three principal or primary articles: the right of personal security; the right of personal liberty; and the right of private property; because as there is no other known method of compulsion, or of abridging man's natural free will, but by an infringement or diminution of one or other of these important rights, the preservation of these, inviolate, may justly be said to include the preservation of our civil immunities in their largest and most extensive sense."

In order to have a dialogue about government, and especially the government established for America, the principle of Natural Law must be acknowledged and approached in the discussion.

Living under Tyranny

When the founders of this country were debating the principles by which we would be governed, the first premise on which they agreed was that there would be no king. They knew what it was like to live under a tyrannical monarch. They also knew from study and analysis of the ages, how Ruler's Law did not normally work out well for people in the "realm." That's the problem; the people are the property of the king and therefore have no say in their lives. They do not have inalienable rights given them from God, they only have the rights issued by the king, and what the king gives--the king can take away.

Ah, but what if the king is wise, kind, and generous? What if the monarch treats his subjects with fairness and concern? Have you ever, in studying the annuals of history, run across such a benevolent dictator?

Isn't there a saying that "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely?" Something about the basic human psyche makes it nearly impossible for one person to possess huge amounts of money without greed, or be given unlimited power without despotism.

The Founders did not want a king, nor did they want a government behaving like a monarch.

Two Extremes

There are two extremes of rule, on one side of the scale is tyranny, and on the other side, anarchy. Tyranny is when a ruler rules absolutely, and anarchy is where there is no rule.

Most people are more comfortable with a set of rules somewhere in the middle; a place where people rule with checks and balances. Enough government to protect, but not oppress.

Where would one find the most freedom?

Ground work

People want the same things: freedom, prosperity, and peace.

My husband and I traveled through China several years ago, and out side a small village near the Yangtze River was a Buddhist shrine called, The City of Ghosts. It is 800 years old and filled with amazing statuary of ghosts and demons. To cross into the city we had to walk over one of three bridges: the bridge of a long and healthy life, the bridge of wealth, or the bridge of peace. If you could cross the bridge in three long strides the gods would grant your wish.

The point being is that these have been longings of the human heart in all times, with all people, in all places.

If we can start with this premise, then we can build a structure to analyze government in its relationship with these desires, without falling into the trap of political parties, or narrow thinking. Hopefully we can have a dialogue.

A Political Starting Point

Political conversations often end up in who's right, not what's right.

The USA in 2012

It's a new year and an election year, and although I find myself excited about the opportunity of new chances, I'm also discouraged by the battle ahead to take back the wheel of the Presidency, and steer our country in a different direction. The present President was elected on the unidentified premise of "change" with no one but his insiders really understanding what that meant.
Change?
I would ask friends and family who were supporting Obama to explain his platform and what he stood for, and they would parrot back, "Change!"
"Well, what does that mean?" I'd ask them.
"Change!" they'd insist.
"Yes, but what does that mean? Change to what...from what?"
"Change from the terrible old ways!"
"Can you be more specific? What of the old ways don't you like, and what does this presidential candidate plan to put in its place?"
Most would look at me blankly. They didn't have a clue because the plans were never clearly outlined. If Obama had come out during the campaign and stated that once in office he would bail out failing banks and companies, increase the size and scope of government, cram a universal health care plan down our throats, plunge us into inexcusable debt, and put hundreds of thousands of people out of work, I doubt that he would have been elected.
But, sadly his nebulous campaign rhetoric worked on the numbers needed to place him in the highest job in the land where, within a short time, his unconstitutional vision of America sprouted. He is attempting to fundamentally change this country from a free enterprise system of production and a Representative form of government to a more Socialistic model. This is not conjecture as he has stated on several occasions that he would rather do without Congress, and has proven this by doing end runs around them with Executive Orders, thereby thumbing his nose at the idea of checks and balances so fundamental to our Republic.
During the next few months I will be setting out some basic ideas about the Constitution of the United States, and how, over-the-years, we've lost much of its original intent. I will also share my feelings about the miracle and majesty of this country.
I hope you'll join me in a discussion of these important principles.

3-2-1 2012

Three days until 2012 and I wish everyone a Happy New Year!
My New Year's resolutions are doable. I will eat more apples, eat less sugar, live one day at a time, and write a bit more often in my blog.
May 2012 be a year of laughter, love, and learning!

Christmas Snow

I'm sitting in my office watching the steel gray sky spit little bits of snow. I keep repeating "snow, snow, snow!" I want big fat flakes and at least six inches on the ground. Does that sound nuts?

Actually Christmas snow is magical, especially if you don't have to drive around in it. Of course, I grew up in Lake Tahoe, where it wasn't unusual to get five feet in one snow storm. I love it when the dreary bland ground is covered in a blanket of soft puffy white--it's dazzling. And it's the height of contentment to sit by the window, watching the dancing snowflakes, and sipping a warm cup of hot chocolate.

Many of my friends, who live in warmer climes, don't understand the fascination, but I guarantee that they would be mesmerised by the magic of diamond ice crystals glittering the dark night. We all become children with Christmas snow.

Snow, snow, snow!

It's December

It's December. Halloween and Thanksgiving have passed and we're on to Christmas. I haven't posted for awhile...sorry. I've been caught up in the chaos of kitchen remodeling, business travel, and researching for my next book. And, I tend to get lost in the process when I'm researching.


Jonathan Hawaii Napela is the subject matter for my next book of historical fiction. He was one of the first converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from the Sandwich Islands in the 1850's. He was a prominent Hawaiian who helped George Q. Cannon translate the Book of Mormon into the Hawaiian language. He also helped establish the gathering place settlement at Laie, where the Mormon temple now sits, along with the Polynesian Cultural Center, and the BYU Hawaii campus.
Brother Napela traveled to Salt Lake City in 1869. He met with President Brigham Young, renewed his friendship with Brother Cannon, and became the first Hawaiian to be endowed in the Endowment House.

There are many other amazing accomplishments concerning Jonathan Napela, but you'll just have to wait for the book.

It's December, and I should be focused on getting my house back in order, trimming the Christmas tree, and hanging stockings, but I find myself thinking of green islands in an azure sea. I suppose that's the wonder and curse of being a writer; one tends to live with their head in the clouds.

Freedom

"A nation of well-informed men (and women) who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins."

Benjamin Franklin

You may think that the two images and the quote by Benjamin Franklin have no connection, when indeed they do.

My novel, "Letters in the Jade Dragon Box" has just been sent to press. It tells the story of a family and a nation torn apart under the cruel dictatorship of Mao Tse-tung and the CCP. (Chinese Communist Party)

The tyranny which enslaved China from 1949 to 1976 (and beyond) came because the people were weary of chaos and war, and in their weakened state the words of the Communists sounded good to their ears. Because of their ignorance of the Communist's agenda, the people handed over their freedom to a flawed system and, on the most part, self-seeking despots.

The false system was legitimized by the media and the artists who were forced to only show the CCP in a glorified light. An example is the representation of the soldiers in the snow during the Long March. They are smiling and happy to be walking thousands of miles for Chairman Mao--happy to be dying by the thousands as only about 1,000 of the 10,000 men who began the Long March actually made it to journey's end.

In China there are still large pictures of Mao Tse-tung hung in public places. Many still revere him, although between 58 to 70 million Chinese died during his reign from hunger, imprisonment, torture, execution, or suicide.

In ignorance the Chinese people were enslaved. May we as Americans never find ourselves in such a place.

Stand up for Israel

This morning me, my husband, and a group of friends watched the Glenn Beck "Restoring Courage" broadcast from Jerusalem. The message was powerful and poignant. It made me ponder about courage and personal responsibility. What am I giving to the world, or to my neighbor for that matter?

I've made a commitment to enhance a quality I already possess--a quality which can always use a little evaluating and polishing. I'm starting small. I have pledged to be more kind.

"The highest form of wisdom is kindness."
The Talmud

The China Book and Liberty

The China book is finished and off to my editor. It was a difficult book to write, not because of the extensive research, or the shortened duration of time to get it done, but because of the subject matter. I became quite sick at heart because of what the Chinese people had to suffer at the hands of Mao Tse-tung. He was not a nice person. I used many first hand autobiographical book sources in my research, and their stories were wrenching. I also spoke to several people whose families escaped from mainland China when the Communists took over. They went to Hong Kong and Taiwan, and they were very candid in their feelings of Chairman Mao and the devastation he brought to the country they love.

Therefore, it amazes me that anyone would say they admire Mao Tse-tung. All one has to do is a little bit of research to discover he is not a man to use as a role model for anything. Of course, even in America, there are people with strong yearnings for a Socialist/Communist government who admire the brutality of Marx and Engles' philosophy. And it is brutal. You look at any leader and administration who has twisted their government into a Communist regime and it is always done through terror, torture, and brutality.

I am so grateful that I live in the United States of America. I thank divine Providence that this country of America was founded on principles of law and liberty. I honor the Founding Fathers for their deep investigation of all types of government which enabled them to forge such a miraculous document--the Constitution of the United States.

I ask that you think long and hard about where "we the people" want to guide this country in the coming crucial years. We still have the amazing ability to choose. Let's not lose it through apathy.

Focus

There are times when my mind functions well. I feel calm and organized. Other times? Not so much. Such has been the case the last couple of months. My mind has lacked focus. I've been working on my next novel on Mao Tse-tung and the Cultural Revolution, and have had to force myself to focus on researching and writing. Historical tidbits are the life blood of a historical novel and normally I have the discipline to endure the hours of reading, outlining, and refining necessary to get the historical events into the story. This time it's been tough. I think part of the problem was the subject matter. Mao was a despicable person and his reign from 1949-1976 was one of suffering and sorrow for the people of China. I became mentally and emotionally exhausted.

I think the other (and more poignant) reason for lack of focus was the personal grief I was experiencing as the first anniversary of our son's death drew near. We had been told by others who had lost children that the first anniversary was difficult. Without question. As we went through March and April and into May I felt my mind wandering and my heart sorrowing. I didn't want to deal with the everyday demands of life (laundry, grocery shopping, cooking) let alone writing a book, or fostering friendships. It was a tough time.

I'm better now. My hubby, daughter, and myself have a deep love for each other. We also have good friends that rallied around us, and a strong faith in God. With all this, we survived the horrendous time.

I also learned to be gentle with myself. There are going to be times when, for one reason or another, I'm not going to be able to be focused, and it's okay. Sometimes forcing focus in one direction keeps us from seeing a new vista.

Reverence For a Power Greater Then Yourself

There is a Jewish proverb which states: "If God lived on earth, people would break his windows."

I agree. Even though there are bastions of faith and goodness, I often hear a lot of vitriol slung at God. "If there is a God, why does he let bad stuff happen?" or, "God is really mean, cause look at all the terrible things that have been done in His name." or, "God must really get a kick out of watching us suffer."

I am here to state that God is good. I am one of those who believe that there are opposing forces in the world--good and evil, and often the atrocities and sadness in the world are caused by that evil force. God is so good that he allows man free agency, even though His heart breaks with some of man's brutal choices.

When I think of God, I see kindness and forbearance. I also see that He has a deep respect for us. He allows us the freedom to figure things out, to stand up against injustice, to be less selfish, to reach out to others in need, to ease suffering, to bring joy to the world. If we see injustice or evil in the world, perhaps God intends for us to do something about it.