GBTV - Where the Truth Lives

Election Season 2014

And it has brought us to this trainwreck called ObamaCare and we have bankrupted our kids and grandkids!

We are now headed into the 2014 Election Season and common sense and conservatism are on the rise. Please stand-up and be counted!

Reading Collusion: How the Media Stole the 2012 Election is a great place to start!

The Founding Father's Real Reason for the Second Amendment

And remember the words of Thomas Jefferson "The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." See Video of Suzanna Gratia-Hupp’s Congressional Testimony: What the Second Amendment is REALLY For, below (u-tube HERE).

The Leaders Are Here... Palin, Cruz, Lee, Paul, Chaffetz....

T'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

Can You Really Still Believe That None of These People Would Have Done a Better Job???

Bloggers' Rights at EFF

SIGN THE PETITION TODAY...

Monday, December 31, 2012

The Truth About The Fiscal Cliff In Simple Terms

FISCAL CLIFF, OH NOES!!

By: AJ  -  Cross-Posted at the NoisyRoom

Many either don’t know what the “fiscal cliff” is, or believe this problem is something that it’s not.

Although America ’s economic crisis is not rocket science, the media and politicians have done a good job of keeping the truth hidden so that our focus isn’t on the real problem. After all, if we, the people, understood the real problem, we would demand that they fix it and we are smart enough to know the real fix that’s needed.

To prevent this from happening, politicians and media conjured up this catchy phrase called “the fiscal cliff.” Then they established a narrative that gave us a false target to blame – the so-called “rich.”

In other words, keeping the people’s attention on class warfare directs our anger and rhetoric onto the false target they’ve fed us and off of ‘what’ and ‘who’ created the problem in the first place. This distracts us from formulating and voicing the real solution to the true problem.

So, what is the real problem that created this crisis?

In a nut shell, our elected politicians have continued to spend trillions more in the past four years than taxpayers have given them. Thus, they have brought America ’s economy to the point of near collapse. It’s that simple.

Three of the broader consequences of what they’ve done are:

  • For the first time in the history of our nation, America ’s credit rating has been downgraded – twice.
  • Our national debt now exceeds its yearly gross domestic product (GDP).
  • The value of the dollar continues to decline, which makes prices rise on the things we need and want (i.e. inflation).

Right now on Capitol Hill, politicians claim to have a deal in the works whereby they will:

“…raise the tax rates on family income over $450,000 and individual income over $400,000 from 35 percent to 39.6 percent, the same level as under former President Bill Clinton. Also, estates would be taxed at 40 percent after the first $5 million for an individual and $10 million for a couple, up from 35 percent to 40 percent. Unemployment benefits would be extended for one year.”

While politicians and media are in lock-step focusing everyone’s attention on whom the government can take more money from, who realizes that this simply allows the politicians to continue to spend trillions more at our expense?

Taking more money from the people will result in less growth of the economy, which leads to greater loss of jobs, which leads to increasing the number of people plunged into poverty.

For those buying into the class warfare narrative, know that you are supporting your own demise. How so? The trickle down effect most people don’t realize is that, whether you’re a car mechanic, a retailer, a construction worker, a car dealership, a waiter, a grocery store cashier, etc., these businesses are negatively impacted when customers have less money to spend; therefore, employers will have less income with which to pay employees. Jobs will be eliminated and some businesses will have to shut down altogether.

It’s not rocket science, it is economic reality.

So let’s cut through the political spin, false narratives and diversions and give you the simple truth about the economic crisis and the real solution, which can be found in a “real world” example of what people have to do when they’ve created this same kind of financial mess for themselves.

This might be a helpful way to explain it to family and friends who aren’t aware.

We already know that when a person, family or business continues to spend a lot more than they take in, eventually they find themselves in pretty serious financial trouble. Why? Because they’ve amassed an unsustainable amount of debt that they cannot realistically repay. (Same goes for a country, and that’s exactly what our politicians have done.)

Think of a family that takes home $50,000 a year. If they spend 25% more than they take in each year (say they’re spending $62,500 each year even though they only bring home $50,000 a year), after four years, they’ve accumulated $50,000 in new debt, plus interest, which they owe to creditors.

What happens to this family? Interest on the debt continues to accrue, their FICO score (credit rating) declines and their creditors warn that action will be taken against them to recover what is owed.

The family now has to solve the financial mess they created for themselves.

If they’re serious about solving the problem, what’s one of the first things they have to do? Cut spending.

In addition to cutting their spending down to what they take in ($50K/year), they’ll cut even more spending so they can begin to pay off the debt and interest they racked up.

In most cases, when creditors start receiving regular monthly payments on the debt, things will stabilize as long as the family continues to pay. It becomes apparent to creditors that the family has created a budget that reduces spending and frees up money to start paying down their debt.

When we look at the typical things this family will cut, first to go are luxury purchases, trips, gifts, costly entertainment/hobbies, sending money overseas… basically, non-essentials that they couldn’t afford to be spending on in the first place. Next might be things like having meals at home instead of eating out at restaurants, sack lunches for the kids instead of the daily school cafeteria expense, trading in the fancier car for one that’s half the cost, driving less, using less in utilities, etc.

If that’s not enough, they may start selling non-essential possessions/assets to raise more cash to pay toward their debt. Taking on another job would be good, but in this Obama-economy it’s probably not a realistic possibility. Some families may even need to downsize their residence; move to a two-bedroom apartment instead of maintaining the cost of the four-bedroom home they’ve been renting.

Bottom line is the family has to cut their spending “with a chainsaw,” as Jim Roger’s said when referring to what the government needs to do to solve the financial mess they created for our country.

But politicians refuse to cut spending. They want to continue spending trillions more than they take from us each year.

What is their solution?

  • Create a faux fight over how much MORE they will take from us so they can keep over-spending.
  • Keep spinning it as class warfare to give us a false ‘target’ to blame.
  • Keep us fighting among ourselves as we get behind one of the political party’s ‘plans’ (so that we’re actually rooting for their solutions to take MORE from hard-working taxpayers).
  • Divert our attention away from the real problem and the politicians who actually created the problem.
  • Remain blind to the fact that politicians want to perpetuate the problem, not solve it.

Insidiously brilliant, isn’t it? It is masterful propaganda and it’s what they always do.

Investopedia explains what will happen if politicians don’t act, but don’t forget that all the ‘expirations,’ sequestration and triggers were put in place/enacted by them.

“If Congress and President Obama do not act to avert this perfect storm of legislative changes, America will, in the media’s terms, “fall over the cliff.” Among other things, it will mean a tax increase the size of which has not been seen by Americans in 60 years.”

So you see, it is our elected politicians who set the stage for this crisis in order to dupe the American people and carry out the political theater now on display so they can get away with taking more from taxpayers, continue the massive over-spending and avert the possibility of torches and pitchforks outside the Capitol.

When these politicians conclude this round of theater, American’s will unwittingly breathe a sigh of relief that they reached a ‘deal’ and saved us.

In reality, the cold hard truth is that we, the taxpayers, continue to serve at the feet of these politicians. As long as they can take more from us – and they surely can – that’s exactly what they’ll continue to do until we have no more for them to take.

The truth about the fiscal cliff, in simple terms, is that the President and Congress deliberately created the economic crisis our country faces. Their massive spending is intentional and, clearly, it hasn’t helped us; it has hurt us. Their intention all along was to continue to take more and more from the people, thereby increasing their power and wealth – and extinguishing ours. How better to expand the ranks of the poor, further de-industrialize America and destroy, from within, a once-great and prosperous nation?

After all, isn’t that what the Progressives’ hundred-year journey to institute “social justice” in America, from both sides of the aisle, has been all about? Of course it has.

Tyranny comes when the people of a nation can no longer do what they did when they were free. Are we there yet?

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Related and Latest Updates:

Senate Approves Fiscal Cliff Legislation 

Details of tentative deal averting 'fiscal cliff'

Officials: White House & GOP reach deal

“Tax The Rich” Thrown Out In Socialist France – “It’s Unfair”

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Happy New Year 2013!

Take a moment to enjoy the beautiful photographic ride and the accompanying words: HERE.  <--

At the end of the year it has become a journalistic tradition to recap the year's top stories, to recall the highlights and low points of the months and to remember those who have left us.  It is also a time to look forward with hope… This year that reach for hope and improvement seems more difficult than at anytime in my memory.

“It's Auld Lang Syne time again. Robert Burns is credited with "collecting" the lyrics for the old Scots' drinking and dancing ballad that's become a traditional part of New Year festivities. The most memorable verses: "Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?" and the chorus, "For auld Lang Syne, my dear, for auld Lang Syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld Lang Syne," are oft' described as reminders of "the good old times" amidst new beginnings. That's a tough task this year. Saying goodbye to 2012 won't be hard. But looking forward with hope for a better year in 2013 is a real challenge!”  … Oliver North

Happy New Year!  

Watch 2013 Times Square Ball drop live online

Friday, December 28, 2012

Alert: Sen. Diane Feinstein releases gun ban summary for 2013

Senator Diane Feinstein of California released her agenda for gun control on her official senatorial website. Here are the Senator’s words committing to a sweeping ban on guns:

Daily Caller: In January, Senator Feinstein will introduce a bill to stop the sale, transfer, importation and manufacturing of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition feeding devises.

Summary of 2013 legislation

Following is a summary of the 2013 legislation:

  • Bans the sale, transfer, importation, or manufacturing of:
    • 120 specifically-named firearms
    • Certain other semiautomatic rifles, handguns, shotguns that can accept a detachable magazine and have one military characteristic
    • Semiautomatic rifles and handguns with a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds
  • Strengthens the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban and various state bans by:
    • Moving from a 2-characteristic test to a 1-characteristic test
    • Eliminating the easy-to-remove bayonet mounts and flash suppressors from the characteristics test
    • Banning firearms with “thumbhole stocks” and “bullet buttons” to address attempts to “work around” prior bans
  • Bans large-capacity ammunition feeding devices capable of accepting more than 10 rounds.
  • Protects legitimate hunters and the rights of existing gun owners by:
    • Grandfathering weapons legally possessed on the date of enactment
    • Exempting over 900 specifically-named weapons used for hunting or sporting purposes and
    • Exempting antique, manually-operated, and permanently disabled weapons
    • Requires that grandfathered weapons be registered under the National Firearms Act, to include:
    • Background check of owner and any transferee;

    • Type and serial number of the firearm;

    • Positive identification, including photograph and fingerprint;

    • Certification from local law enforcement of identity and that possession would not violate State or local law; and

    • Dedicated funding for ATF to implement registration

    A pdf of the bill summary is available here.

      To receive updates on this legislation, click here

Related:

A primer on gun myths for the liberals you know

Gutfeld rips paper publishing gun owners addresses: Makes non-gun owners 'the easiest marks'

John Bolton: Gun control a top goal of Obama 2nd Term

Gun Control Ignorance

Jew Without a Gun

Gun Restrictions Have Always Bred Defiance, Black Markets

An opinion on gun control

Gun Control Move Is Political Theater – Here’s Proof

A Silly Anti-Gunnite Argument On Second Amendment Rights That Needs Dismissing

Gun Control is Genocide – documentary by Mike Adams

Stampeding Gun Control Through Crisis

How To Beat UN Gun Control

Obama Seeks US Congressional Ratification of UN Global Gun Control Treaty

New Documents Suggest Gun Control Agenda Behind Fast and Furious Scandal

Global gun control law pushed by Clinton – Updated

It Isn’t About the Guns… It Is About Control… Controlling You!

Gun Control?

Why Do They Want Us Disarmed?

Video:  Suzanna Gratia Hupp explains meaning of 2nd Amendment!

Columbine Remembered — What a great speech!

Video: Father Of 9 Year Old Murder Victim In Tucson Does Not Want Restrictions Of Freedoms!

Chicago: 446 school age children shot so far this year with strongest gun laws in country – media silent

Former FBI Informant Says: Obama Will Destroy America Once He Has All The Guns… as Details of False Flag and Conspiracy in Connecticut Shooting Appear

The Council Has Spoken!! This Week’s Watcher’s Council Results – 12/28/12

The Watcher’s Council

The Council has spoken, the votes have been cast and the results are in for this week’s Watcher’s Council match-up.

With the headlines going to the Fiscal Cliff and the Left’s attack on the Second Amendment, not many people are really looking at foreign policy too closely these days. Mrs. Clinton’s fortuitous concussion and subsequent inability to testify, even took the Benghazi debacle off the radar, at least for now.

Another debacle in the making that no one’s focusing on is the Obama Administration’s handling of the civil war in Syria, where as this week’s winner, Joshuapundit’s, A Game Change In Syria reveals, the war is approaching a climax as President Obama and his team assist yet another radical Muslim Brotherhood and Salafist regime to power. Here’s a slice:

The situation in the Syrian insurgency has changed in an interesting way.

We started out with the Obama administration actually supporting Bashir Assad – remember Secretary of State Hillary Clinton referring to Assad as a ‘reformer’ and Senator John Kerry shilling for U.S. aid to him?

The next twist in the road was the Obama administration supporting the insurgents, consisting of the Syrian National Council(SNC) and the Syrian Free Army, a group put together at the insistence of President Obama’s closest friend among foreign leaders, Tayyip Erdogan and the Islamist Turkish government. The U.S. government has been supplying them with arms and some training via Turkey and Jordan while Qatar and the Saudis have been supplying most of the funding.

Of course, the problem is that the SNC and the Syrian Free Army are controlled in their entirety by the Muslim Brotherhood and other Salafists, some of them outright al-Qaeda affiliates like Jabhat al-Nusra. Apparently this troubling fact just came to light in Washington.

So the next step was to put together yet another insurgent group of Syrian ‘moderates’ to back, the Syrian Opposition Coalition,(SOC)and the associated Joint Military Council because, in President Obama’s words, it was “now inclusive enough, is reflective and representative enough of the Syrian population, that we consider them the legitimate representative of the Syrian people in opposition to the Assad regime.”

Except that there are just a few problems. Mere details.

This new coalition, formed in Qatar is only two thirds composed of members of the Muslim Brotherhood or their affiliates.

The leader of the SOC is one Ahmed Mouaz al-Khatib, former imam of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, and – wait for it – a religious cleric closely allied to the Damascus branch of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Another troubling detail is that the SOC and their affiliated Joint Military Council are mostly located outside Syria, and it has few boots on the ground if any, let alone weapons. Thanks to the Obama Administration,it is the Syrian National Council and the Syrian Free Army who have the fighters and the weaponry, some of it reportedly taken from deposed Libyan leader Moamar Khaddaffi’s armories, although that part of the sordid Libyan story has yet to be proven conclusively. If that’s what actually went down, I suppose we could call it Fast and Furious, Middle East style.

As you might guess, the SNC and the Syrian Free Army aren’t taking kindly to a bunch of ferenghi in DC and the EU dumping them and telling them whom represents the resistance and whom doesn’t, especially when it’s been them doing the fighting and dying against Assad’s forces.

The ace in the hole for the newly formed and recognized Syrian Opposition Coalition is that they’re going to be the main recipient and control point of Western economic aid. That ought to buy them a seat at the table.

But let’s not make the mistake that this is going to end up with a moderate, pro-western government.

The SOC is just as anti-western, just as anti-Israel and almost as Islamist as the SNC.They will almost certainly come together and deal to put together a sharia governed Islamist state.

In our non-Council category, the winner was Larry Corriea’s piece in Monster Hunter Nation, An opinion on gun control, submitted by The Noisy Room. No less than four Council members originally nominated this superb piece as their non-Council selection this week. It’s a superb examination of the entire issue written by someone who actually knows what he’s talking about and anyone who is actually interested in that so-called ‘national conversation’ should read it.

Okay, here are this week’s full results. Gay Patriot and The Independent Sentinel were unable to vote this week and both would normally be subject to the mandatory 2/3 vote penalty. But hey, it’s Christmas…

Council Winners

Non-Council Winners

Honorable Mentions

See you next week! Don’t forget to tune in on Monday AM for this week’s Watcher’s Forum, as the Council and their invited special guests take apart one of the provocative issues of the day with short takes and weigh in… don’t you dare miss it. And don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter… ’cause we’re cool like that!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Ronald Reagan Christmas Address (video)

The War on Christmas (and religion) verses the Spirit of Christmas Series at AskMarion – 24
Ronald Reagan’s Christmas Address (video), as delivered to the nation December 23, 1981 - 31 years ago this week:

“Like the National Christmas Tree, our nation is a living, growing thing- planted in rich American soil.

Only our devoted care can bring it to full flower…”

In a world of political correctness and Christmas culture wars, Reagan’s national address is almost unbelievable! It is a breath of fresh Christmas air! What happened to the politicians like him who are not afraid to hold fast to the Christian faith despite what others think or say? No wonder almost everyone loved him, even if they didn’t agree with his politics. Ronald Reagan inspired people in a positive way!!

President Ronald Reagan’s Christmas Address 12/23/81

Video: Ronald Reagan Christmas Address (12/23/81)

Related:

Simpler Times – A Groetzmeier Christmas

Remembering the Military and Christmastime

Christmas Lights

The Best Christmas Gifts

Santa Photos… Often Yesterday’s Oooops Are Tomorrow’s Treasures!

The Best Part of the Christmas Season – Love, Charity, and Kindness

Christmas for Pet PeopleWatch Glenn Beck’s Emotional Tribute To His Dog, Victor

American Traditions

War on Christmas is Part of the Overall War on Religion… a Move Toward a ‘New Age’ – a NWO with a One World Religion and Often From Within Churches

Adopt a Pet This Christmas… Or Give Someone a New Friend for Christmas (or Hanukah)!

Christmas Baking

NewsWeek and Jon Stewart Decree the War on Christmas is Over…

Carolling… or Caroling and Christmas Music

Nativity – The Reason for the Season‘Glory of Christmas’ begins final season at Crystal Cathedral (2008 to 2009)

Christmas Trees

Hanukkah, Hanukah, Chanukah

European Markets or Christkindlmarkts Capture the Christmas Spirit

St. Nickolas Day

So Where Is the War on Christmas Coming From? – A Worthwhile Read!

Best Holiday Movie Classics – A Merry Christmas From Hollywood

God Rest Ye Merry Merchants – Christmas: An American Holiday and Tradition to Love and Preserve

Advent – The Season of Anticipation and Hope

The War on Christmas verses the Spirit of Christmas Series at AskMarion – with comments from Ben Stein

Red Kettles & Bell Ringers

Atheists intimidate Santa Monica into eliminating Nativity… And So the War on Christmas and Freedom of Religion ContinuesChurches Thwart Nativity Ban By Putting Up Living Displays In Santa Monica

Black Friday Holiday Shopping Kick-off Overshadows True Meaning of Christmas

What Movies in History Best Captures the Spirit of Thanksgiving?

“Holidays Are Great and Fun To Share With Our Pets, As Long As We Avoid the No-No Foods”Animal Nativity

Christianity & Gun Owners in the Crosshairs: Chilling Tactic Exposed

How Should Christians Respond to Atheist ‘Hatred’ & the War on Christmas? This Priest Has Some Advice

The Need For A Christian Worldview of Freedom And Economics

Obama Administration’s War on Religion

BECK GOES GLOBAL, MEETS WITH CATHOLIC CLERGY & INTERNATIONAL TEA PARTY LEADERS IN ROME

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Simpler Times - A Groetzmeier Christmas

The War on Christmas (and religion) verses the Spirit of Christmas Series at AskMarion – 23

The 1950’s and early 1960’s were simpler times allowing holidays, family traditions and church to take their full and proper place in the hearts and minds of children, leaving fond and enduring memories for a lifetime.

Although we had a small extended family that we would see for an American style Christmas Day Dinner of ham or turkey and fixings (from which I still make my Grandmother’s (Oma’s) meat stuffing to this day), when we were young, holidays for us were primarily built around our small nuclear family… first the three of us, then four of us after a couple years in America and ultimately the five of us.

December 24th and 25th are obviously special days for Christians and for Christian children of all ages as well as for most children in America and the western world, no matter what their faith. The traditions and heritage wrapped around those days and the Christmas Season have been interwoven into the fabric of the United States and a good part of the world. Yet each family and person has their own special memories and traditions attached to that festive season. And so it was with us. Our parents tried to combine their old world ways and traditions with the new ones of this land we now called home plus those of their European Catholic upbringing.

Putting lights up on the outside of your house was something that wasn’t done in Germany and Austria before we left there, but going to see the lighted houses in the evening after dinner was a new tradition we all enjoyed and that we built into our Christmas Holiday ritual. By the mid to late 1950’s the displays of lights and other decorations had reached their zenith having become bigger and greater every year. Whole neighborhoods would decorate in themes while others would compete between neighbors. Some neighborhoods had such spectacular decorations that there would be lines of cars for blocks or more just to drive past the houses or to find parking to walk the neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods were even sponsored like one of the favorites in the Los Angeles area where each home had Disney displays; agreeing to take part yearly was part of the real estate agreement when purchasing a house there.

A few miles from our house was an oversized corner lot with a ranch style home that went all out. It had seemingly endless lights everywhere, moving elves and reindeer, a playhouse turned into Santa’s workshop and a huge sleigh filled with wrapped presents. There were two large pine trees dripping with painted glass globes and other shaped ornaments, icicles and branches thick with snow. You could hear the Christmas music at least a block away and Santa would be out every night for the entire month between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve to talk to the children after which Mrs. Santa handed out candy canes to all who came by. It really was something to see and we never tired of going by there, throughout the season, year after year. It was always part of our last light viewing tour each Christmas Season.

Most children think their memories and their parents were the greatest, as it should be. But I have to say that my parents did an amazing job of making the holidays, especially Christmas, and other traditions like yearly vacations spots and trips to amusement parks something very very special… much more magical than I hear in recounts from others or than I managed to create with my own children, even though I tried.

My father worked for Pacific Bell, part of the largest utility company in America at the time before the government broke it up, and my mother was a stay at home mom, like most moms in those days. On Christmas Eve my father would always come home from work early after a half day. Traditionally half of the employees would work a half day, but were paid in full, which consisted primarily of a company paid Christmas party on Christmas Eve and the other half would work half day on New Year’s Eve. People with children usually got Christmas Eve off and the young and single people tended to want New Year’s Eve.

By the time our dad got home, we were all more than anxious for the Christmas Festivities to begin. We, the kids, would have wrapped our gifts for our parents and put them under the tree; the only packages that were ever set under the live Christmas tree in our living room before Christmas Eve when Santa came. It wasn’t until sometime in the 1960’s that artificial trees popped up, and by the mid-60’s a few of the modernists were putting up silver trees made out of the same material that tinsel is made of, usually decorated with all one color round ornaments and using a color wheel to light the tree instead of strings of lights. We only ever knew one family that had one. In fact they were the only people we ever knew, growing up, that had a fake tree. We preferred the stories of trees with real candles, homemade and traditional ornaments with meaning told from our parents’ upbringing over the idea of a futuristic Christmas.

Going to get our Christmas tree was always a family event, as were most Christmas related activities, but since we were city kids we did go to a tree lot which was attached to a nursery and garden shop covered with a permanent canopy in aviary fashion. Once inside the sounds and smells of Christmas were everywhere. They played non-stop carols and had somehow piped in the smell of gingerbread. Yet we were almost overcome with the smell of fresh wreaths and rows of trees which seemed to go on forever and we always seemed to look at each and every one of them in our size range before choosing; in the ultimate search for the perfect tree. About the time I turned ten or eleven, flocked trees became popular; for a few years some were even flocked in pink and light blue. We always got an unflocked Noble that our father had to trim down after we got home, because somehow it always ended up being just a bit too tall for the room. And each year on our way to the register to pay for the tree, we got to pick one new ornament from the racks where they had them individually displayed. Years later, after I was already out of the house, the family made it out to the wild a few times to actually chop down a tree, like my parents did in the old country.

Getting a tree and putting it up several weeks before Christmas was one of the changes that our folks made. In Germany, the Christ Child (das Christkindl) comes on Christmas Eve and brings the tree already decorated for the children to see for the first time the next morning. In Austria, the family put it up, but not on until Christmas Eve Day. In Germany and Austria, Santa (St. Nicholas) comes on December 6th and brings slippers, fruit, nuts and candy. In the country areas he often brings a dark character with him, der Krampus, who threatens to take the bad children and stick them into his sack, or he leaves them just a lump of coal. My dad grew up after World War I in a small town in Austria without a father. They got lots of snow and used cross country skis to get to school. Many of the women raised four, five , six or more children on their own with very little money or help after losing their husbands in the war. My father said he remembered more than once, knowing of a pre-teenage boy that was giving his mother a hard time that was picked up by the Krampus and taken on a scary ski ride at night in a big sack. Those are among the traditions and memories my parents left behind, but kept alive by telling stories of their childhood and having an Advent Calendar that included a story or telling of a memory with each day’s opening.

One of our favorite stories was always about the Kaufladen. It was a homemade store or kiosk type set-up made completely out of wood for my mother and her sister to play store. It was made with dozens of small apothecary type drawers that were filled every year with new dried beans, peas and lentils, candies, and other items that they could sell taking turns being the merchant and the customer. It actually survived and went on to our cousins in Germany.

Getting the tree and decorating it was always a special day. Although my parents left pretty much everything behind when we moved here after having already lost virtually everything they had from their childhoods during the destruction of the war (WWII), they managed to pick up some European style decorations here and there that were interspersed between those purchased here primarily at Sears and Roebuck. I remember going to a German store or special exhibit a couple of times that had handmade wooden and glass German ornaments; each crafted and painted by hand, so they were special, but not cookie cutter perfect like those that came out of the boxes here. I remember buying a little skier and a couple brightly colored mushrooms. They were always my favorites. In Germany many people still put real candles on their trees or the spritzers, where the colored water bubbles in the middle of each light; both only impressions in my memory from the stories my parents told.

As we decorated we would play both German and English Christmas carols on my parents hi-fi on vinyl singles or 45’s, as they were called, that you constantly had to change. We sang along enthusiastically to White Christmas by Bing Crosby and Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer by Gene Autry, the singing cowboy, as well as to Silent Night and O Tannenbaum in both English and German. My mom always had a batch of her homemade spiked egg nog made-up that we were allowed a sip of and there were always a few special German chocolates and marzipan piglets, cookies, and stolen from the German butcher shop. And some years there were goodies out from our Aunt Lisbeth and family in Frechen, Germany, like Printen or Speculatius plus a fresh homemade batch of American style chocolate chip and sugar cookies. My dad would have a variety of shelled nuts out, that always included walnuts, that he would open for us with his nutcracker. There would also always be a platter of figs and dates, persimmons, pomegranates, tangerines and some type of fruit cake or bread, which he and his brothers and sister considered special treats as they grew up. Those were the days of the strings of lights that would not work if one or more were burned out, so sometimes it could be a huge project just to get the lights working. And after all the ornaments and garland were hung, the tinsel would go on last one strand at a time, so it would shine and sparkle without unsightly lumps scattered about the tree. We always had a big star as the topper with a spot in the middle for a light. Placing the topper was Daddy’s job. Tinsel duty and later supervision as we became older and helped to put it on, was Mom’s. We would end the day with a light German style meal and then go for a light viewing drive after dinner, as we would several more times during the season and one last time on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Eve we would all be dressed up a bit more than usual for dinner. And dinner would always be traditional German or Austrian fare. Many years it was a variety of sausages: Bratwurst, Weisswurst, and Blutwurst, mashed potatoes and red and white cabbage (rot kohl and sauerkraut) or cucumbers in vinegar and oil. Some years it would be Weiner Schnitzel with white asparagus instead of the sausages and kraut. We kids, of course, would be squirming around in our seats, much too excited to eat.

As soon as we were done eating, my father would say, “How about we get into the car and go look at the lights one last time? And who knows, maybe Santa will stop by while we are gone?” …same exact words every year, even when we were teenagers. At the last minute, as we were putting on our sweaters, my mom would say, “You know, maybe I won’t go and get this kitchen cleaned up?” We would always protest and Dad would say, “Yah Maria, that is probably a good idea and we won’t be gone long anyway!”

We would pile into the car. I would get to sit in front because I was the oldest and we would head out. We would basically take a tour of our favorite lighted houses, which normally ended way too soon for us. But on Christmas Eve, it always seemed like we were gone forever, even though I’m sure it wasn’t nearly long enough for Santa! ;-)

We would get back and run to the back door where we entered from the garage. My mom would be changed from what she was wearing at dinner, have the kitchen completely cleaned up and as we entered the kitchen we’d all be asking, “Was he here? Was he here?” She would always respond with, “No I don’t think so. I didn’t hear a thing in there!” We lived in a small two bedroom duplex until I was a junior in high school and she certainly would have heard!! We would open the sliding door into the living room and in that short span of a time it had been transformed into what seemed to us like Santa’s workshop: packages everywhere, with at least one or more items that had to be assembled ready to go, platters of homemade goodies and goodies sent from Europe with Christmas Carols playing in the background. To us it was a miracle!! And now looking back it was even more of a miracle than we realized, that our mom could have done all of that in such a short time! My sister and I tried to duplicate all of that with our kids and pass those traditions along. And with two of us playing Santa and usually not having a whole kitchen to clean, we were barely able to get it done! And then there is the question of where was all that stored before that night in that little place?!?

Our parents wrapped every pair of socks and we loved every gift (no electronics). After all, we had spent months leafing through the Sears Christmas Wishbook Catalog hoping and making out our lists and letters to Santa. By the time we were through unwrapping and sampling the goodies it seemed like there was barely enough time to put on our new outfits, that were part of our gifts, and head to mid-night mass where we met up with family friends whose kids were all wearing their newly unwrapped Christmas outfits.

Both our parents grew up poor in a one parent home between World War 1 and World War II and although their parents did their best, their childhoods were tough and their Christmases and holidays were scant with gifts so they went out of their way to make ours extra special.

My mother grew up living in a small apartment with just her mother, until she remarried, above the town movie theatre where she fell asleep listening to the soundtrack seep up through the floorboards. She had a doll with a porcelain face and a real hair wig. Each year the doll would get a new head for Christmas because every year our mother would take the doll downstairs to play with other kids from the neighborhood and invariably she would allow someone to hold the doll after endless prompting, and the next thing she knew someone would drop and break her, after which the doll (one of her main gifts) was put away for the next Christmas.

By the time we got home from church it was always very late so after another look at our stash we all went to bed and everybody could get up as early or as late as they wanted to play with and organize their gifts. Then by noon or so we’d head off to Oma and Opa’s (Grandma and Grandpa’s) each year for Christmas dinner with our cousins and family until they moved up North. After that our mom would fix a Christmas goose at home each year since we had turkey for Thanksgiving.

Now that my kids and nieces and nephews are grown and my Christmas experience is made up of generations of tradition and varied experiences intertwined, I realize that those growing up years and then the ‘early years’ with my own children and nieces and nephews, who are all about the same age, were the best and are the years that come to mind first when Christmas and Christmas Eve are mentioned. I am grateful for the love my parents put into those holidays and other special events and occasions, and although I tried my best to pass on those special traditions and create new ones along side them, I can only say, “Thanks, Mom and Dad, I wish I could have done as well…”

By Marion Groetzmeier Algier from her book in progress (Working title: The Groeztmeiers) – Posted at Ask Marion

That was then… And this is now:

The Digital Story of the Nativity - Video: The Digital Story of the Nativity  and Video: The History of Christmas Tree Lights on the Internet

Plus NORAD Tracks Santa on Christmas Eve

Updated: Friday, 24 Dec 2010, 9:26 AM MST
Published : Friday, 24 Dec 2010, 9:23 AM MST

For more than 50 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa’s flight.

The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement for children to call Santa misprinted the telephone number. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief’s operations “hotline.” The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born. LINK: NORAD tracks Santa on Facebook

In 1958, the governments of Canada and the United States created a bi-national air defense command for North America called the North American Aerospace Defense Command, also known as NORAD, which then took on the tradition of tracking Santa.

Since that time, NORAD men, women, family and friends have selflessly volunteered their time to personally respond to phone calls and emails from children all around the world. In addition, we now track Santa using the internet. Millions of people who want to know Santa’s whereabouts now visit the NORAD Tracks Santa website.

Finally, media from all over the world rely on NORAD as a trusted source to provide updates on Santa’s journey.

This Christmas eve, you can also join NORAD to track Santa’s flight from your phone. On December 24th, open Google Maps for mobile and do a search for “Santa” to see his latest location.

LINK: Welcome to NORAD Tracks Santa

Related:

Remembering the Military and Christmastime

Christmas Lights

The Best Christmas Gifts

Santa Photos… Often Yesterday’s Oooops Are Tomorrow’s Treasures!

The Best Part of the Christmas Season – Love, Charity, and Kindness

Christmas for Pet PeopleWatch Glenn Beck’s Emotional Tribute To His Dog, Victor

American Traditions 

War on Christmas is Part of the Overall War on Religion… a Move Toward a ‘New Age’ – a NWO with a One World Religion and Often From Within Churches

Adopt a Pet This Christmas… Or Give Someone a New Friend for Christmas (or Hanukah)!

Christmas Baking

NewsWeek and Jon Stewart Decree the War on Christmas is Over…

Carolling… or Caroling and Christmas Music

Nativity – The Reason for the Season‘Glory of Christmas’ begins final season at Crystal Cathedral (2008 to 2009)

Christmas Trees

Hanukkah, Hanukah, Chanukah

European Markets or Christkindlmarkts Capture the Christmas Spirit

St. Nickolas Day

So Where Is the War on Christmas Coming From? – A Worthwhile Read!

Best Holiday Movie Classics – A Merry Christmas From Hollywood

God Rest Ye Merry Merchants – Christmas: An American Holiday and Tradition to Love and Preserve

Advent – The Season of Anticipation and Hope

The War on Christmas verses the Spirit of Christmas Series at AskMarion – with comments from Ben Stein

Red Kettles & Bell Ringers

Atheists intimidate Santa Monica into eliminating Nativity… And So the War on Christmas and Freedom of Religion ContinuesChurches Thwart Nativity Ban By Putting Up Living Displays In Santa Monica

Black Friday Holiday Shopping Kick-off Overshadows True Meaning of Christmas

What Movies in History Best Captures the Spirit of Thanksgiving?

“Holidays Are Great and Fun To Share With Our Pets, As Long As We Avoid the No-No Foods”Animal Nativity

Christianity & Gun Owners in the Crosshairs: Chilling Tactic Exposed

How Should Christians Respond to Atheist ‘Hatred’ & the War on Christmas? This Priest Has Some Advice

The Need For A Christian Worldview of Freedom And Economics

BECK GOES GLOBAL, MEETS WITH CATHOLIC CLERGY & INTERNATIONAL TEA PARTY LEADERS IN ROME

Obama Administration’s War on Religion

101 Creative House Decorating Ideas for the Christmas Season

No Christmas for Millions od American Families in 2011

Merry Christmas! : Celebrating America’s Greatest Holiday

A great book on Losing Our Religion by atheist S. E. Cupp, who says she is he perfect person for this book because she has no dog in the hunt, takes on the all too often avoided question and discussion of religion in America…

The Battle for Christmas & The War on Christmas

The Snow Angel

The Reason For the Season

The Council Has Spoken!! This Week’s Watcher’s Council Results

JoshuaPundit on Dec 21 2012

The Council Has Spoken!: Alea iacta est…the Council has spoken, the votes have been cast, and the results are in for this week’s Watcher’s Council match up.

This week’s contest ended up in a tie, between Joshuapundit’s The Newtown School Shooting And What It Should Tell Us, a theme many on the Council chose to look at this week and The Right Planet’s Talking Past Each Other, an interesting look at the left/right divide in America based on psychological types.

In accordance with our by-laws, any time there’s a tie between The Watcher and one of the other members. I happily make way for the latter, in this case, The Right Planet’s excellent look at the state of discourse in America, Talking Past Each Other. Here’s a slice:

He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not , shun him for he is a fool
He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, Teach him that he should learn
He who knows, and knows not that he knows, Wake him for he is asleep
He who knows, and knows that he knows, Follow him for he is is a leader

Exasperation is how I would describe the feelings I have right now regarding the reelection of Barack Hussein Obama, but I refuse to give into hopelessness and despair. I’m in this for the long haul. Although it may be tempting to pick up my ball and go home, I would rather make the other poor bastard pick his ball up and go home—even if it is a long, hard slog.

Yesterday, as usual, I listened to my favorite conservative talk show personalities—folks like Rush Limbaugh, Dana Loesch and local radio host Greg Garrison—for their take on the reelection of Barack Obama and what it means for “moving forward.” I also talked to family members and friends to get their views as well. If there’s one common consensus as to what went wrong for the GOP from the people I listened and talked to yesterday, I think Rush Limbaugh summed it up best: “It’s just very difficult to defeat Santa Claus.” People love free stuff. Well, I think greed and selfishness is a huge part of the problem in modern-day society. But it appears to me that there are a myriad of reasons why Obama is back at the helm again, in addition to a culture that demands instant gratification and cradle-to-grave entitlements.

I’ve believed for a very long time that liberals and conservatives seem to talk past each other. In psychology, the concept of personality types is a very important one—meaning: certain personality types are more prone to base their decision-making solely on intuition and feelings, as opposed to other personality types who may base their choices solely on cold, hard facts and logic—devoid of much emotion. In a nutshell, I’m referring to the touchy-feely type, for lack of a better term, versus the cold, calculating type. The point here is that it’s not that either personality type is wrong per se, but that they are simply different personality types who communicate in very different ways. What is required for two different personality types to communicate effectively is the need for the differing personality types to understand each other’s language.

A hypothetical example: it may be more effective to communicate with a touchy-feely personality type with pictures, song or dance, as opposed to handing them a field manual or spreadsheet. Conversely, the touchy-feely type may find communication is vastly improved with the cold, calculating type by avoiding the song & dance—just the facts, M’am.

Once again, from a purely psychological perspective, it’s not that either personality type is necessarily wrong—just different. Naturally, when communication breaks down between two disparate personality types conflict will ensue. I’m of the opinion that more touchy-feely types are attracted to the left-side of the political spectrum (democrat), while the more calculating types are attracted to the right-side politically (republican), thus the constant conflict between liberals and conservatives.

In our non-Council category, the winner was Ben Stein with G-d Help Us submitted by The Razor. It’s a masterful piece that looks at why some evil in this world becomes a major news story while other evil is simply conveniently ignored. Do read it.

OK, here are this week’s full results:

Council Winners
Non-Council Winners

Honorable Mentions

See you next week! Don’t forget to tune in on Monday AM for this week’s Watcher’s Forum, as the Council and their invited guests take apart one of the provocative issues of the day and weigh in…don’t you dare miss it. And don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter..’cause we’re cool like that!

Friday, December 21, 2012

Christmas Lights

The War on Christmas (and religion) verses the Spirit of Christmas Series at AskMarion – 21

Going to view Christmas lights was one of my favorite activities as a child.  It is a fun Christmas season activity for the whole family that only costs the price of a little gas and in some areas you can just walk your neighborhood.  But many people are doing some, if not all, their viewing online; not only in the United States, but all over the world:

Video: The History of Christmas Tree Lights on the Internet

Video:  World’s best Christmas light display to music

This house in Darboy,WI decorates each year to help support Make A Wish Foundation

Video:  Beautiful! Medellin Colombia Christmas lights

And if your are going to do your light viewing from the computer verses driving around town to the actual homes and areas with displays then you might as well whip some goodies to enjoy while surfing the Internet for your Christmas light viewing, like:

Chocolate Covered Cherries

chocolate covered cherries

Let the whole family help make these taste tempters.

  • 2 (10-ounce) jars maraschino cherries with stems
  • 1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips

  1. Drain cherries; discard juice or use for another purpose. Put cherries on paper towels to drain 100 percent.
  2. Put chocolate chips in a saucepan with a heavy bottom. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat.
  3. Dip cherries into chocolate; swirl to coat completely. Place on baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Refrigerate until set.

Note: If desired, dip some of the cherries in melted white chocolate chips instead of the semisweet chips.

    Makes about 5 dozen

    But especially if you have children, squeeze in at least one or two evenings for light viewing as a family, if you can.

Related:

The Best Christmas Gifts

Santa Photos… Often Yesterday’s Oooops Are Tomorrow’s Treasures!

The Best Part of the Christmas Season – Love, Charity, and Kindness

Christmas for Pet PeopleWatch Glenn Beck’s Emotional Tribute To His Dog, Victor

American Traditions

War on Christmas is Part of the Overall War on Religion… a Move Toward a ‘New Age’ – a NWO with a One World Religion and Often From Within Churches

Adopt a Pet This Christmas… Or Give Someone a New Friend for Christmas (or Hanukah)!

Christmas Baking

NewsWeek and Jon Stewart Decree the War on Christmas is Over…

Carolling… or Caroling and Christmas Music

Nativity – The Reason for the Season‘Glory of Christmas’ begins final season at Crystal Cathedral (2008 to 2009)

Christmas Trees

Hanukkah, Hanukah, Chanukah

European Markets or Christkindlmarkts Capture the Christmas Spirit

St. Nickolas Day

So Where Is the War on Christmas Coming From? – A Worthwhile Read!

Best Holiday Movie Classics – A Merry Christmas From Hollywood

God Rest Ye Merry Merchants – Christmas: An American Holiday and Tradition to Love and Preserve

Advent – The Season of Anticipation and Hope

The War on Christmas verses the Spirit of Christmas Series at AskMarion – with comments from Ben Stein

Red Kettles & Bell Ringers

Atheists intimidate Santa Monica into eliminating Nativity… And So the War on Christmas and Freedom of Religion ContinuesChurches Thwart Nativity Ban By Putting Up Living Displays In Santa Monica

Black Friday Holiday Shopping Kick-off Overshadows True Meaning of Christmas

What Movies in History Best Captures the Spirit of Thanksgiving?

“Holidays Are Great and Fun To Share With Our Pets, As Long As We Avoid the No-No Foods”Animal Nativity

Christianity & Gun Owners in the Crosshairs: Chilling Tactic Exposed

How Should Christians Respond to Atheist ‘Hatred’ & the War on Christmas? This Priest Has Some Advice

The Need For A Christian Worldview of Freedom And Economics

BECK GOES GLOBAL, MEETS WITH CATHOLIC CLERGY & INTERNATIONAL TEA PARTY LEADERS IN ROME

101 Creative House Decorating Ideas for the Christmas Season

No Christmas for Millions od American Families in 2011  -  2012 will be even worse

Obama Administration’s War on Religion