Archive for February, 2007


Happy Birthday Abraham Lincoln!

Filed under: Current Events by Allen Scott — Leave a comment
February 12, 2007
Abraham Lincoln, three-quarter length portrait...
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Vindicating Lincoln: Defending the Politics of Our Greatest President

While Lincoln is usually portrayed bearded, he first grew a beard in 1860 at the suggestion of 11-year-old Grace Bedell

Today I would like to say thank you and happy birthday to one of the greatest Presidents these United States have seen. Had it not been for the efforts and foresight of President Lincoln we would not be the United States for the south had seceded and were fighting with the north to keep it that way over the issue of slavery.

By the time Lincoln took office, the Confederacy was an established fact, and no leaders of the insurrection proposed rejoining the Union on any terms. No compromise was found because no compromise was possible. Lincoln perhaps could have allowed the southern states to secede, and some Republicans recommended that. However, conservative Democratic nationalists, such as Jeremiah S. Black, Joseph Holt, and Edwin M. Stanton had taken control of Buchanan’s cabinet around January 1, 1861, and refused to accept secession. Lincoln and nearly all Republican leaders adopted this nationalistic position by March 1861: the Union could not be broken. However, Lincoln being a strict follower of the constitution, would not take any action against the South unless the Unionists themselves were attacked first. It finally happened in April 1861.

What a novel idea a political party that believed in the Constitution of the United States and honored it. Perhaps we need another Abraham to keep covenant with the people?

Just like Abraham of the bible who held to the commandments of God Abraham Lincoln believed in the rule of law and held steadfast against great opposition to keep the unity of these United States. Thank you President Abraham Lincoln. I am so thankful for your tenacity and unwavering spirit during a time of great distress wrought upon this nation. What the British were unable to do we the people were fast dividing and conquering ourselves. Had it not been for you and Divine intervention I believe this young nation would have ceased to exist shortly after being born.

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Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Filed under: Current Events, Eagle Views, Insights on Scripture by Allen Scott — Leave a comment
February 11, 2007

“Dream as if you’ll live forever…Live as if you’ll die today”. Elvis, Marilyn, Bogie and James Dean share their common tales in this classic Diner scene painted by Helnwein.

Anna Nicole Smith 1967-2007
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This week Anna Nicole Smith has entered the diner on the “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”. She joins with those whose shining stars where quickly snuffed out at the prime of their lives and perhaps their careers. All had chosen similar paths into this abyss of loneliness and dispare. Though some could say they ought to be admired for their great success, I would have to wonder if, given the chance to do over again, they would trade it all for one moment of freedom from this their glass prison?

This Helnwein picture is a parody of the more famous Edward Hopper’s painting “Nighthawks”. In it we see the lives of lonely souls played out against the stark blackness of a New York City Street. Encased in glass and put on display before passersby and onlookers who see them as surreal yet; to those trapped inside this glass diner, they are all too human.

Smith could best be expressed in the words from the title of the soon to be published ‘tell-all’ entitled “Train Wreck: Anna Nicole Smith Unauthorized”. The silver screen is busting with celebrity train wrecks like Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears and the Simpson sisters – we simply shake our heads and cluck our tongues as we walk by.

Perhaps its time we take a moment and pause, stop star gazing and start feeling the pain of those heading for the “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”. Instead of being onlookers and passersby maybe it is time we stop, look, and listen to what these broken hearts are trying to say. Somebody should consider reaching out a helping hand to heal and to save.
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America Through the Eyes of Abraham Lincoln

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February 10, 2007

Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address

March 4, 1865
Fellow countrymen: At this second appearing to take the oath of the presidential office, there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement, somewhat in detail, of a course to be pursued, seemed fitting and proper.
Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself; and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it–all sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war–seeking to dissolve the Union, and divide effects, by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came. View full article »

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Pressing on Toward the Mark

Filed under: Eagle Views, Insights on Scripture by Allen Scott — Leave a comment
February 4, 2007

Philippians 3:9-14 (KJV) 9 (King James Version) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Olympian Misses the Mark:

 
 
 
Matt Emmons of the United States shoots at wrong target, finishes eighth. (Douglas C. Pizac — AP)

 

Matt Emmons was just focusing on staying calm. He wishes he had been more concerned with where he was shooting.

Emmons fired at the wrong target on his final shot, a simple mistake that cost the American a commanding lead in the 50-meter three-position rifle final and ruined his chance for a second gold medal.

Ahead after nine shots and needing only to get near the bull’s-eye to win, Emmons fired at the target in Lane 3 while he was shooting in Lane 2. He had cross-fired — an extremely rare mistake in elite competition — and received a score of zero. That dropped Emmons to eighth place at 1,257.4 points and lifted Jia Zhanbo of China to the gold at 1,264.5.

“On that shot, I was just worrying about calming myself down and just breaking a good shot, and so I didn’t even look at the number,” said Emmons, 23. “I probably should have. I will from now on.”

A trained Olympian yet he missed the mark. How many countless hours has Matt spent practicing, taking shot after shot to perfect his craft? How many times as he shot at a target aiming for the bulls eye? But in the one moment that it matter the most his misplaced aim cost him a second gold medal in the Olympics. His shot was good enough to have earned an 8.1 had he hit the right target but instead it earned him no credit at all.

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Fly Like An Eagle If You Dare!

Filed under: Current Events by Allen Scott — Leave a comment
February 3, 2007

img6CANBERRA, Feb 2 (Reuters Life!) – Britain’s top female paraglider has cheated death after being attacked by a pair of “screeching” wild eagles while competition flying in Australia.

Nicky Moss, 38, watched terrified as two huge birds began tearing into her parachute canopy, one becoming tangled in her lines and clawing at her head 2,500 meters (8,200 ft) in the air.

“I heard screeching behind me and a eagle flew down and attacked me, swooping down and bouncing into the side of my wing with its claws,” Moss told Reuters on Friday.

“Then another one appeared and together they launched a sustained attack on my glider, tearing at the wing.”
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