“The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.”
—John F. Kennedy
Yesterday, July 3, was Julian Assange’s fifty-second birthday and fifth year in Belmarsh. He faces the harrowing prospect of extradition to a supermax prison in the country whose war crimes he exposed—the America that is a traitorous facsimile of the nation it once was.
Assange may be sentenced to 175 years for fulfilling the spirit of these words from Thomas Jefferson:
“Educate and inform the whole mass of the people.… They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.”
I dedicated my poem “Ode to a Whistleblower” to Julian and his recently departed friend, the heroic whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, whose dying wish was to see his friend liberated:
Yes, it was under Trump's watch that Assange was indicted. In a 2022 interview, Daniel Ellsberg stated the following about Trump and Biden pursuing prosecution of Julian:
“It’s obviously unconstitutional, which of course doesn’t slow down Trump, and it is outrageous that Biden has continued to pursue that prosecution. He should have withdrawn the appeal Trump made for extradition of Julian, for prosecution. Biden could just drop it any time, he could do it the next hour.… Obama had considered indicting Julian, but had backed off for that very reason, that if they went after Julian on those grounds, they would have no excuse for not going after the New York Times. And they didn’t want to take that on, in part because the New York Times is extremely useful to them, to successive administrations. It basically supports the empire, and doesn’t object to endless amounts of money for so-called defense. It’s a very useful outlet for them, even though it occasionally prints things they would rather not have out.…
“Biden, when he was vice president, at the very beginning, in 2010, called Julian Assange a high-tech terrorist, which is absurd. He is very much against leaks, and actually all presidents get very angry at leaks that they don’t want out, but they recoil from the prospect of clearly unconstitutional action. Trump didn’t, and Biden should have, but he hasn’t so far. It’s still not too late for him to correct that, but I don’t expect that he will. He shows so much animus toward Julian, that I don’t expect it.” (https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/in-edicola/articoli/2022/03/22/daniel-ellsberg-it-is-outrageous-that-biden-has-continued-to-pursue-julian-assanges-prosecution/6533299/)
I’m just finishing Jim Garrison’s “On the Trail of the Assassins.” In it he surmised that it was a small number of ant-communists who coordinated the coup d’etat, murdering our elected president. But he then correctly, in my opinion, states that after it was done, everyone else jumped in with both feet becoming accessories after the fact. I was born in the late 50s. The realization that I’ve been lied to my whole life by the rotten, powerful few in the government, the press & the military industrial complex was a gut blow. My fervent prayer is that we can rip off the scab covering this festering rot and make our country that shining city on the hill. But it will have to start with us. Our leaders are all complicit, all of them. RFK Jr. may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I believe his unvarnished view of events is truth telling our nation really needs done now.
Thank you Margaret for writing & sharing your wonderful poems with us! I pray you will have the opportunity to write an ode to our victory over tyranny.
I was born in the early 50’s and I felt the same way. I was devastated by the knowledge that a government I had always assumed was for the people had not been my whole life. I should have wised up sooner as I never bought the lone assassin of JFK but I never thought it was done by our own government. The tearing down of the curtain that hid it all was hard to swallow, but it needed to be done. The “people” that made this country are still “we the”, no matter what is being force fed us. I hang onto that.
I remember that horrible day vividly; in high school. Announcement over the intercom. Shock. School dismissed. Driving myself home. Scared. Wanting my mom. Home. Wondering if Russians were attacking us.
(We were raised on bomb shelter drills).
A wound that never healed. But gashed open more widely to learn we were/are lied to.
Read Coffee & Covid for today! Childers doesn’t sugar coat, but always points us to hope.
I hear you, Kathleen. If threats did come -- and they certainly may have -- they likely came against not Trump himself, but against his wife or Baron -- or his other children. Every man has his price. For many, I think that price is their wife and family.
Absolutely correct, Ingrid. He is being punished for exposing the crimes of the guilty. See the article I wrote about Assange and Ellsberg following my poem for more details:
Thank you, Margaret, for your tribute to Julian Assange, and the quotes of Jefferson. One quote, in particular, caught my attention. “Educate and inform the whole mass of the people.… They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.” and it goes along with the thoughts of your poem, albeit a bit juxtaposed.
My granddaughter, 27 and a recent Magna Cum Laude graduate from a University here in Colorado, expressed to a group of us, gathered at my daughter's house after the ceremony, "Well you know that 20th century history is just mans' opinion.... fabricated, right?" Then she began reeling off examples of the bilge her esteemed professors filled her malleable brain with, going against and arguing with pretty much everything entire generations have been taught since the country's birth. Most of the "audience" there were her classmates and nodded obediently. I was appalled.... and greatly saddened.
Magnify this episode by how many graduates from our wonderful "temples" of higher learning there are these days, and it's not surprising to see reactions likened to the ones in the Times article. I believe the oldest was 30? This dumb down creep has been happening since my kids were in school.... 1980's. The Bill Ayers and Saul Alinsky, radicals from the '60's, have proved very successful in their attempt to bring this country down. The communists know that if they can demoralize and indoctrinate a couple of generations of children, they've got it made. We have been asleep in this country for far too long and it's time to us wake up and get busy. The Founders knew what they were talking about, just as God did when He gave us the rules to live by. We chose to disobey and I'm thinking there is a massive shaking of heads in Heaven.
Thank you for your kind words and astute observations, MsReid! Coincidentally, I came across that Thomas Jefferson quote this morning and almost used it in the piece I just published (https://margaretannaalice.substack.com/p/you-cannot-break-us).
What is to be made of the Pentagon Papers release (1971?) and the conscience of Daniel Ellsberg who was manipulated by Anti-War (Marxists) to reveal some of the dark work within our Gvt/Military in SE Asia 1945-1967? A hero of anti-Nixon Leftists, yet truthful admission is superior to concealment and manipulation
Seats F1 and F2 in Huntsville AL yesterday! I was reluctant to go see it bc as I’ve gotten older, stories like this just haunt me for days afterwards. But this was a well-told story that concludes with hope. While I did think about it for the rest of the day as I prepared food for today’s celebration of freedom, I used the images of that movie to pray as I worked. Go see the movie!
Seats L7, L8, L9, L10, L11 in Brandon, Florida at 9:15pm July 3rd. When we pulled up to the theater one of our guests said, "This is a pretty significant film we're seeing tonight, it's 5 years old and finally being shown." He was correct. It was worth it, too! Walking back out to the car we all spoke with other movie goers. We had all clapped at the end of the movie. Glad God allows light to shine in this present darkness, because evil needs to be seen, as filthy as it is, so it can be destroyed. Pray for the children who are their slaves. Pray for their captors to be revealed. Pray sexual slavery becomes eradicated. Our very lives need to heed this call.
If you ever wanna meet for coffee or something let me know. I might have a way to trade info not out in the open so we can try to connect. If not, it’s all good. 😉
Angel Studios may be the only Hollywood entertainment company that is NOT promoting Satan's agenda. I'm encouraged to know that Angel can find professional staff in that slime pit of a town who are eager to work with them.
Absolutely! I am encouraged too. People want to see good storytelling movies without all the explicit violence and sex. Please! Leave something to our imaginations! Did you stay and listen to Jim Caviezel’s message at the end of the movie? I didn’t realize this movie was made 5 years ago!!
Perhaps these workers are the faithful remnant--those Hwooders who refused the injection, thus lost their income but kept their lives (another meaning of 'livelihood'?
Have you really examined His Only Son...even the title is a lie. The movie was confusing in its presentation even with a black lamb in the thicket....just saying....again another business arises that uses Christianity as a front, I may be wrong, but word has traveled around that Ballard is not who he wants us to think he is. Lin Woods says psy ops.
Tim Ballard is absolutely who he says he is. This is not a “psy-op” and I have no idea why anyone would try to throw that lie at someone who literally has been to hell and back doing what we, in our cozy homes and lives, can’t or won’t do to rescue children from lives of horror.
Also, Angel studios does not make a lot of these movies, they release other filmmakers work using their distribution, so they did not make His Only Son. (Which I agree - i saw it and thought it was very strange.)
I started that interview when I went to bed last night and was awake through the duration. Normally, I fall asleep within 10 min. when I'm listening to a talking video. It was riveting and inspiring and extremely heart-rending. The passion of Tim Ballard and Jim Caveizel is sincere and palpable. I bought tickets for myself and a friend to see it on Saturday
This interview/conversation was so good. Looking forward to more productions from Angel and these godly men. They make me thankful to be alive to witness this revolutionary work. Praise God
Jaci, you should listen to Jordan Peterson's recent interview of Jim Ballard on Peterson's podcast and then decide for yourself. Or....maybe you are planted in these comments as a psyops yourself. See how that works.
I had the same feeling going into the theater, even on the way there. I felt it was important to share the experience in the community however, so i went. It was so well done though!
I will post more here once the list of speakers is finalized for the PUP event. It looks like there will be around 20 speakers. Topics include Freedom/Constitution, Education, New World Order, Election Integrity, and Medical.
Two ticket options are available for the PUP event: Ticket for the PUP event or a Ticket for the PUP event with CME (3 credits). There are also tickets available for the Meet and Greet after the PUP event (these tickets do not include the PUP event itself; the PUP event is a separate charge).
I'm like you, but I have not gone to see the movie even though I bought 2 tickets. It's really too horrific. That level of evil just seems impossible. How can it be that there is such demand for this? How can there be that many evil people? It breaks my heart.
And sadly, it makes me more than a little angry at God. Why can't he just wipe them out? An unanswerable question. Perhaps more importantly, what can I do to help?
Pray and keep HOPE alive! We HAVE hope. The movie handles the subject of child sexual trafficking very respectfully, you need not avoid this movie entirely. I too, was fearful of watching it, but came away glad I did take the time to see it. The desire to put this film out there is far more important than we realize. Tim Tebow's Foundation lays out the ugly statics.... American, the #1 purveyors of this evil! The insatiable appetites of pedophiles will not prevail! We are called to PROTECT our children from all harm. We should be protecting ALL children, not just our own! Meanwhile, this administration has orchestrated an open border that allows the sexual trafficking of children and adults! This administration has LOST 85k children who came over our border and many have been passed on to pedophile rings throughout this country! 85k CHILDREN! And Mayorkas looks the other way...
I don't think Mayorkas looks the other way. I think he looks right at it, and there is probably a dark reason he looks right at it and does not stop it.
Saw it in Daytona on July 3rd. No marquee at the theatre and the movie was delayed 10 minutes by something. Not a peep during the movie and all of us walked out quietly, solemn. Personally, I was angry and determined to help. Got on O.U.R. and signed up for a monthly donation. I kept thinking about how in the world did we, as a country, become so corrupt and allowing of this to happen right under our noses? Then I thought of God and the end game mentioned in Jeff's post here. I came to a peace...with a fire in my belly to try to help fix things more and more. That's what our country is truly about. Let's do this!
So far they have surpassed 1.1 million tickets sold. Theaters are selling out. Our showing was sold out. A little tiny theater in a small town in Oregon who didn’t have it scheduled to show- is now adding show times! We need to keep moving this needle!
The message at the end also said the movie was made 5 years ago but was pushed away for release over and over until now. I bet I know who was behind that.
I thought they did an amazing job of going right up to the line but not crossing it for viewers. Tasteful, as you said. The acting was superb and the truth telling second to none.
I am someone who gets haunted by images that I can't forget. Is this done in a way I could watch and learn without it becoming vicariously traumatic? Also, would you recommend the movie for a teen?
Like I said, they get up to the line without crossing it for the viewer. Honestly it’s mild compared to what some have been exposed to with media and Hollywood. It’s hard to watch because we “know” what is happening. But visually (IMO) it’s not traumatic. Emotionally it is. The images that haunt are of the kids faces. Which should haunt us.
As for a teen. I can’t answer that. It would depend probably on how much the teen knows about the subject, I think. If it is new information maybe not. Not without some foundation, IMO. I probably would’ve not taken my kid when he was a teen. He’s 26 now and was the first one to lose it and get wrecked 10 min into the movie. He’s more sensitive having a special needs sister. I would probably recommend seeing it first and then deciding. 🤷♀️ Hope that helps.
All of my friends are going and we bought out the showing. I didn’t even have a chance to get my own seats in that first showing, so me, my BF and the rest of our friends are on the next. Bringing all of my colleagues and their wives too! 🇺🇸🤜🏼💥🤛🏼
Seats H11 and H12 in Boca Raton, FL yesterday. We sat in our seats ready to be visually horrified. We weren’t but we were saddened by the evil and greed that pervades the world. It has its purpose; we were supposed to feel that sadness and despise the greed that brought our children to this end. But we must know that through that evil God will show His Glory in the end. One takeaway from the movie is the line “God told me what to do; I couldn’t turn my back on it.”
Seats H14 & 15 charleston SC. It was so powerful!! That movie moved me to tears. I’m glad they got away from the creepy men going towards the kids because I was perilously close to puking in my popcorn bucket and I could tell those around me weren’t faring much better. That’s incredibly hard content to watch. I know we need to though. Jim Caveziel was outstanding. He’s a hero and the real life agent Ballard is an American treasure. What he did to find those kids, wow! Such a powerful movie. I pray he’s right and this movie changes the world! We can stamp this out! It’s achievable, but it will take all of us!
THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS!!! While seeing the movie is a GREAT step, it should ONLY BE THE BEGINNING of our partnership in TIM BALLARD'S great undertaking. As he said in one of his many interviews, the US is the biggest consumer of child rape videos... :( :( :( WHAT MONSTERS do that to children, and what BIGGER MONSTERS watch a child being RAPED as entertainment???? DO NOT BE MISTAKEN, WE WILL BE CALLED INTO ACCOUNT, AFTER BEING INFORMED.... WHAT DID WE DO TO CHANGE THESE HORRORS????
I’m spending the Fourth of July seeing the sound of freedom and spending the next few hours brainstorming with a friend of mine who has been planning the construction of an aftercare for these kids for about a year now. He has the money. I am going to help with advice, regarding medical and psychological practitioners to utilize. I especially am concerned with the kind of medical care they’re going to get, considering that some medical care could be worse than the slavery trauma that they’ve been through pray for the project and for all the aftercare places that are already in existence
You may already be aware of this but in your research you may wish to reach out to Phoenix Dream Center for tips. There are a few Dream Centers (LA, St. Louis, Denver...) in our nation and they are funded (I believe) by donations. They support those who want to get out of human trafficking and kids who age out of foster care. Out here in Phoenix it's in an old Embassy Suites hotel--they can only take in the amount of people they can fit and serve. From that point, the person must have the will and they are given mentors in areas such as finance, career, education, etc. Brian Steele is the CEO of the Phoenix Dream Center. Wishing you the best!
I highly recommend you connect with Dr Katherine Welch at gorelentless.org. Katherine worked for twenty years serving vulnerable and exploited people internationally, the last ten years focused specifically on the intersection of health and human trafficking. She has worked with organizations to develop extensive, trauma-informed protocols for health and medical care for the victims as well as the staff of the care organizations.
Seats E4 & E5...I’m speechless. And the post-credits message...There are more people in slavery TODAY in the US then there were when slavery was legal. I’ll be researching how I can help.
I see America, and, actually, life as a whole, as a case of: We aren’t where we want to be, but we ain’t where we were. There is ALWAYS room for improvement, in both our personal and national/political lives, which we should strive for, always, but which should not keep us from acknowledging genuine improvement and progress when and where it happens. As I get older, I appreciate America, warts and all, more and more. That appreciation in no way diminishes many shameful stains on our original stated ideals, nor the more recent abominations of government surveillance, coercion, censorship, etc. But American for me, its greatness, lies in its people, not the perverted denizens of the government machinery….and that greatness is, in many ways, truly unique.
All of my great-grandparents, 3 of my grandparents, one of my parents, and my wife, were all born outside of the USA, and each and every one of them was, and is, deeply grateful for the safe harbor and opportunity which they found here.
God bless America, and god bless you Jeff, for all you do, and all you stand for!
Great post! 😍 I share your feelings and am also a child, grandchild, great grandchild and spouse of immigrants ❤️ Most from very humble circumstances and all of whom offered their children and grandchildren endless opportunities thanks to their courage and hard work ❤️
Surprisingly, me, being the dry-humored, in-control person that I am, began to cry as I read the end of your piece today, Jeff. The rally to have hope and the promises of God in Revelation was a tear jerker for me this morning. Thank you for a great start of this day!
Dearest Jeff and the C&C crew: as a Conservative JEIWSH woman , I read this stack every day! Please don’t disrespect us of the Jewish faith by writing our words improperly in lower case. I would never disrespect my Christian brothers and sisters thusly. Do we have work to do in our Jewish community? Absolutely! But I will never give up on this glorious country that is rooted in the bible given to the Jews by Hashem. Thank you for your writings, please don’t ever forget your readers are well represented across the spectrum! G!d bless these United States and it’s people!
Some people's tradition respect Him by not spelling the entire name. May God bless us all who remain faithful to Judeo-Christian values and morality.. and may God also bless Islamic Americans who join us in fighting off satan's agenda on us and our children. It is time that all those of Abrahamic faith unite in purpose! 🙏 🇺🇸
Actually, I just realized that you must have "Fixed!" "jewish". So why then did you not do the same with 'jews". I am both Jewish and a Jew. Please explain the distinction?
I’m a little slow here. Not wanting to disrespect, I’m wondering what you mean. Which words were written improperly in lower case? Obviously Jeff knew, but then he’s very smart😉
Words, words, words. Here we go again. They are just words and on paper or digitally expressed. They are but a breath in time. It is what it’s in our hearts that all people should focus on. Everything turns to dust but our spirits go on forever.
I find all of it alarming, and indicative of the thinnest skin possible. To the point that one would be offended if someone spelt God, or didn't capitalize Jew. So fuvk all your pronouns, and your thin skin. Sorry, Jeff, but some people are actually looking to be offended. That offends me. My pronouns are geez and fvck. Call me either.
If we were robots it would be quite easy to shield ourselves against harm or healing from the words of others. Human beings are creatures of emotion and what a flat world it would be without them.
And some words are outright lies and in no way representative of reality.
A person cannot really control their initial emotional response. But they can control how they react. Harm or healing comes from the reaction, not the initial response. I can be hurt, but unharmed.
You’re right, of course. They can and do. It’s just that people can choose to be offended or not. We’re taught to love one another and part of that is accepting each other for what we are. “Most” people would rather not hurt another person intentionally. I am that person. But I think we take ourselves too seriously and is where an unintended slight causes pain.
He does know better - and corrected his inadvertent error. He is always very gracious about admitting any errors. I'm always amazed he can put out so much content in such a short amount of time, with so few errors!
I agree with you Peace. But his correction was only for the word Jewish. He left Jews uncapitalized. Beth's post spoke of both words. Like Beth, I am not triggered or angry. I'm just curious as to the distinction. I am both a Jew and am Jewish.
BEAUTIFUL!!!!! You have a gift, and thank you for sharing with us. Rev 21. One day all will be made perfect and we will walk with the King, the one true God! One day, all of this- and the grieving we have right now on all levels- will be wiped away. HERE’S TO THE MIGHTY, COURAGEOUS REMNANT! ❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸
It's telling how the people in the NYT's article, when faced with something they don't like, choose to hate or destroy it rather than improve it. It's more telling that it's their country. Remember, there are people trying to break us down to the most inane personality blocks like sexual preferences, race, obscure political opinions because the less people are united regardless of the aforementioned characteristics the more they can control you. Don't let them do it. Happy 4th everyone!
I don't 'not celebrate' July 4th, but it is no longer what it once was to me.
I honor the past of what we once were, but do not, will not, can not honor what we are now, a nation that proudly and aggressively promotes and celebrates degeneracy and lawlessness. I have hope for the future, but I also doubt that that future will be one that has what we currently recognize as America in it.
I served my country in combat, and in law enforcement. I gave the best years of my life and sacrificed my body willingly. But over time the veils were lifted from my eyes by the actions of the very government that I had pledged to defend, and that is a broken promise that can never be remade, never be made whole again. I will resist the government, but I still love the country, and what it once stood for.
For ME, it is now longer a day of celebration, but one for remembrance of what was, and the hope of what may be...
Great post signcut. My only quibble is where you say you pledged to defend the government. You actually pledged to defend the Constitution. The further we get from our founding, the farther apart those two entities drift. In our youth few of us understand the distinction. As the veil you mentioned is lifted and we see more clearly, we see why they want wide eyed youth rather than aged wisdom in the ranks.
God bless you for the sacrifices and efforts you made.
You are correct, of course. I was trying to say (poorly) is that I was defending the government that was supposed to be upholding the Constitution. 'I' knew what I meant, but did not say it clearly; unfortunately, not the most uncommon occurrence... :/
No worries signcut, you’re a good American who did what he felt was his duty. The shame is on the scoundrels who would take advantage of an honorable young man to carry out their own scurrilous wishes. I cringe when I hear pundits talk about our servicemen and women “defending our freedom”. What a bunch of propagandist garbage. We haven’t had a hostile foreign army on American soil in 208 years. Our uniformed people are being used . . Used for purposes that have nothing to do with our freedom. Loyal and honorable people taken advantage of for often nefarious purposes.
Five years ago I would have punched someone for saying what I just wrote. The veils have indeed fallen from our eyes. Your honesty in admitting such is at least as honorable as your service.
I started doubting in the late 90s, but found ways to rationalize it, until I couldn't any more. I don't know if any in higher positions realize how resolute people become when they find out how they've been lied to, and at what cost...
There are no perfect times, but the general situation was objectively better in many ways in years past than it is today. Thats all relative, of course; the 2000s may have been better than now, but not as good as the 80s. The same with the 80s and the 60s, or the 60s and the 40s.
What we have created is really something of an abomination when looked at from a distance. The only reason that those who knew something better aren't completely repulsed is incrementalism; we have simply gotten used to the gradual changes as they became the 'new normal' (to use a recent catchphrase). If it were more sudden, there would have been a lot more resistance, just as the overreach of Pride is seeing now.
I think Jeff's post is a call to all of us who haven't broken that promise.
I feel some of your anger and grief. Our Constitution is a contract with us stating God has granted us certain non-negotiable rights, governments are instituted among men to secure these rights; they given at our consent. Somewhere, somehow, the government violated the contract and are enslaving us.
We're still worth fighting for. That same document goes on to lay out one course of action for a remedy. There's always hope!
Thank you for your service signcut. Most ‘real’ Americans are exactly where you are. We celebrate our families and each other, along with the American ideals of freedom! Several years ago, my husband said he didn’t want to fly the flag anymore because of our political leadership, but I disagreed with him on that because we shouldn’t let those who would destroy this country win the battle to dictate who and what we are as a nation. We need to stand together and stand proud! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
The silver lining, signcut, is that you know more truth now than you did before. I spent my career in the military, and I share some of your feelings, but my oath hasn't expired; nor has yours. It's better to know now what we didn't know then, so we can fight the true fight, not the one we thought was taking place.
I have to mentally separate out the criminal cabal at the center of those current issues with "America." I don't think they represent America. I think the founding documents and the spirit in which they were conceived are the true America, and those both still exist. That's what I celebrate on this holiday. It's not about the current (quite literal) perversion and slander of the country's good name, but about the kernel of truth that still exists. Let's hope it's at least 1/3 of us who still understand what this place represents and how this country is supposed to operate so that we can turn this around. I believe there are more of us than we think.
It is a Time of Sorrows. Nothing is what it is put out to be. And I doubt much of which existed in old Colonial America or in the first decades of the United States can be restored. I could write much, much more on the bitterness of it all, but my purpose here is to simply wish you the best, the best which for you can possibly be amid a state of falseness and abject degeneration.
One of our first flags was the Appeal to Heaven. That is where our dependency remains. Past, present and future.
Thank you for perspective and wisdom. God bless the work you are doing and may He open the ears and hearts of those that hear the truth. And we shall be free indeed…
Keep on keeping on!!! You are continuing to be light and truth for so many of us “ Patriotic, freedom loving Americans “ who are grateful for your words of wisdom and factual letters !!!! I just want you to know that there was no dearth of patriotic displays of celebrating Independence Day eve where I am this wonderful holiday!!! Fireworks and American flags everywhere you look!!! Enjoy today and every day, and keep on keeping on!!!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
The year they didn’t have the large fireworks displays in our area was the year I saw and heard THE most spectacular displays in every neighborhood. It was a constant stream of lights and sounds of our freedom. Everywhere you looked fireworks were in the air. I was so choked up driving around and seeing it. When they decided it wasn’t “safe” for us to have the large displays, like we are stupid children that they think we are, the people in our area created their own displays and proudly sent a message that we will not be controlled. We will not be silenced!
Thank you Jeff for the light you bring, however small it seems sometimes, but it is a light that shines in the darkness and perhaps can only be seen in the darkness. All light converges together in day, but a tiny light is so bright at night. Don’t underestimate the tremendous effect you have had in our country. Your tiny spark has started an inferno that is spreading. I can feel it in my bones that this country’s heart has begun to beat again.
Happy 4th everyone! Take courage! The battle has only begun, but we fight on God’s side and He will give us victory in the end!
I love you too Jeff. And for reminding us of “whose” we are…Gods children. We just need to act
Iike it. And also for the pep talk to keep us looking forward and inspired.
And every adult and older teen should go see “Sound of Freedom”. I didn’t want to go. Such a terrifying subject but we need to stare this evil down. Not allow it to take another child or adult.
Going today with a friend who’s starting in aftercare. I’m gonna try to help him find medical practitioners who will treat these kids properly if you know what I mean.
God bless hm and also you for helping him. I can’t begin to imagine…..and I’m sure there are many right under our noses dealing with the after effects.
It's a difficult subject. A mature 14, 15, 16 yr old would probably be ok watching it. But it will also open their eyes to this despicable evil. And that simply means, their innocence will be bombarded with more and more "grown up" details... as in, it is a dark, dark world in many places... and we all need more of Jesus.
Well said. We need to protect our children including their thoughts. They will be adults soon enough. They did a great job showing the evil without showing the evil in this movie. This movie is for parents and grandparents.
“The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.”
—John F. Kennedy
Yesterday, July 3, was Julian Assange’s fifty-second birthday and fifth year in Belmarsh. He faces the harrowing prospect of extradition to a supermax prison in the country whose war crimes he exposed—the America that is a traitorous facsimile of the nation it once was.
Assange may be sentenced to 175 years for fulfilling the spirit of these words from Thomas Jefferson:
“Educate and inform the whole mass of the people.… They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.”
I dedicated my poem “Ode to a Whistleblower” to Julian and his recently departed friend, the heroic whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, whose dying wish was to see his friend liberated:
• “Ode to a Whistleblower” (https://margaretannaalice.substack.com/p/ode-to-a-whistleblower)
In the spirit of Independence Day, let us raise our voices in the growing chorus to #FreeAssange. As I write in my poem:
“We will trill your truth.
We will warble your song.
We will whistle your secret
to the world, until there are
too many of us to silence.”
I blame Trump for not pardoning Assange.
Yes, it was under Trump's watch that Assange was indicted. In a 2022 interview, Daniel Ellsberg stated the following about Trump and Biden pursuing prosecution of Julian:
“It’s obviously unconstitutional, which of course doesn’t slow down Trump, and it is outrageous that Biden has continued to pursue that prosecution. He should have withdrawn the appeal Trump made for extradition of Julian, for prosecution. Biden could just drop it any time, he could do it the next hour.… Obama had considered indicting Julian, but had backed off for that very reason, that if they went after Julian on those grounds, they would have no excuse for not going after the New York Times. And they didn’t want to take that on, in part because the New York Times is extremely useful to them, to successive administrations. It basically supports the empire, and doesn’t object to endless amounts of money for so-called defense. It’s a very useful outlet for them, even though it occasionally prints things they would rather not have out.…
“Biden, when he was vice president, at the very beginning, in 2010, called Julian Assange a high-tech terrorist, which is absurd. He is very much against leaks, and actually all presidents get very angry at leaks that they don’t want out, but they recoil from the prospect of clearly unconstitutional action. Trump didn’t, and Biden should have, but he hasn’t so far. It’s still not too late for him to correct that, but I don’t expect that he will. He shows so much animus toward Julian, that I don’t expect it.” (https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/in-edicola/articoli/2022/03/22/daniel-ellsberg-it-is-outrageous-that-biden-has-continued-to-pursue-julian-assanges-prosecution/6533299/)
I’m just finishing Jim Garrison’s “On the Trail of the Assassins.” In it he surmised that it was a small number of ant-communists who coordinated the coup d’etat, murdering our elected president. But he then correctly, in my opinion, states that after it was done, everyone else jumped in with both feet becoming accessories after the fact. I was born in the late 50s. The realization that I’ve been lied to my whole life by the rotten, powerful few in the government, the press & the military industrial complex was a gut blow. My fervent prayer is that we can rip off the scab covering this festering rot and make our country that shining city on the hill. But it will have to start with us. Our leaders are all complicit, all of them. RFK Jr. may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I believe his unvarnished view of events is truth telling our nation really needs done now.
Thank you Margaret for writing & sharing your wonderful poems with us! I pray you will have the opportunity to write an ode to our victory over tyranny.
I was born in the early 50’s and I felt the same way. I was devastated by the knowledge that a government I had always assumed was for the people had not been my whole life. I should have wised up sooner as I never bought the lone assassin of JFK but I never thought it was done by our own government. The tearing down of the curtain that hid it all was hard to swallow, but it needed to be done. The “people” that made this country are still “we the”, no matter what is being force fed us. I hang onto that.
I remember that horrible day vividly; in high school. Announcement over the intercom. Shock. School dismissed. Driving myself home. Scared. Wanting my mom. Home. Wondering if Russians were attacking us.
(We were raised on bomb shelter drills).
A wound that never healed. But gashed open more widely to learn we were/are lied to.
Read Coffee & Covid for today! Childers doesn’t sugar coat, but always points us to hope.
I told myself the mob did it. Now I know the mob is employed by some very bad apples in our government.
Thank you for the book recommendation, Karen, and I join you in praying that I will one day have the privilege of writing that ode!
Assange like Snowden....became little birds in even smaller cages.
The road to their Personal sanity was bound to be wretched and punitive.
How long could you survive being trapped like this?
This piece speaks to your question. https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/get-busy-living-or-get-busy-dying-quote-analysis-from-shawshank-redemption-by-stephen-king/
Roger that Martin! Git bizzy livin....or livin will pass you by.
As in Bye Bye.
I'm already there. I'm the happiest healthiest guy I know.
Not long.
No, it is not forgivable.
For goodness sake, he was President of the United States.
I hear you, Kathleen. If threats did come -- and they certainly may have -- they likely came against not Trump himself, but against his wife or Baron -- or his other children. Every man has his price. For many, I think that price is their wife and family.
Trump was never shy about being a big mouth and stating his opinion.
The best disinfectant is sunlight.
Threaten my family, I am not going to keep my big mouth shut.
Name names.
Who said what? Who inferred what?
Get a grip.
Who was gonna threaten him?
Obama?
Biden?
I still don't understand why Assange is prisoned. What has he done wrong, other than discover govt sins. He should be lauded as a hero.
It is a crime of the highest order to make known your ruler's crimes.
Well stated.
Emperor's clothes...
What did the J6 do wrong? It is pure tyranny
Absolutely correct, Ingrid. He is being punished for exposing the crimes of the guilty. See the article I wrote about Assange and Ellsberg following my poem for more details:
• “A Tale of Two Truth-Tellers: Daniel Ellsberg & Julian Assange” (https://margaretannaalice.substack.com/i/125317987/a-tale-of-two-truth-tellers-daniel-ellsberg-and-julian-assange)
Thank you, Margaret, for your tribute to Julian Assange, and the quotes of Jefferson. One quote, in particular, caught my attention. “Educate and inform the whole mass of the people.… They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.” and it goes along with the thoughts of your poem, albeit a bit juxtaposed.
My granddaughter, 27 and a recent Magna Cum Laude graduate from a University here in Colorado, expressed to a group of us, gathered at my daughter's house after the ceremony, "Well you know that 20th century history is just mans' opinion.... fabricated, right?" Then she began reeling off examples of the bilge her esteemed professors filled her malleable brain with, going against and arguing with pretty much everything entire generations have been taught since the country's birth. Most of the "audience" there were her classmates and nodded obediently. I was appalled.... and greatly saddened.
Magnify this episode by how many graduates from our wonderful "temples" of higher learning there are these days, and it's not surprising to see reactions likened to the ones in the Times article. I believe the oldest was 30? This dumb down creep has been happening since my kids were in school.... 1980's. The Bill Ayers and Saul Alinsky, radicals from the '60's, have proved very successful in their attempt to bring this country down. The communists know that if they can demoralize and indoctrinate a couple of generations of children, they've got it made. We have been asleep in this country for far too long and it's time to us wake up and get busy. The Founders knew what they were talking about, just as God did when He gave us the rules to live by. We chose to disobey and I'm thinking there is a massive shaking of heads in Heaven.
Thank you for your kind words and astute observations, MsReid! Coincidentally, I came across that Thomas Jefferson quote this morning and almost used it in the piece I just published (https://margaretannaalice.substack.com/p/you-cannot-break-us).
Margaret Anna Alice ...we will... 💥🇺🇸👏🏻💗💥🇺🇸👏🏻💗💥🇺🇸👏🏻💗💥🇺🇸👏🏻💗💥🇺🇸👏🏻
What is to be made of the Pentagon Papers release (1971?) and the conscience of Daniel Ellsberg who was manipulated by Anti-War (Marxists) to reveal some of the dark work within our Gvt/Military in SE Asia 1945-1967? A hero of anti-Nixon Leftists, yet truthful admission is superior to concealment and manipulation
Seats E1, E2, E3, E4. 6:30pm. July 3, 2023
Sound of Freedom
Wow. Wrecked in the first 10 minutes. Exposure the rest of the way.
This movie is but a small step in the right direction. We all know it’s going on. We all know it goes on in other countries. Third world countries.
When?
When will it be exposed on American soil?
When will the truth come out here?
How long O Lord must the children wait for the Sound of Freedom?
How long O Lord must we wait for justice?
Seats F1 and F2 in Huntsville AL yesterday! I was reluctant to go see it bc as I’ve gotten older, stories like this just haunt me for days afterwards. But this was a well-told story that concludes with hope. While I did think about it for the rest of the day as I prepared food for today’s celebration of freedom, I used the images of that movie to pray as I worked. Go see the movie!
Seats L7, L8, L9, L10, L11 in Brandon, Florida at 9:15pm July 3rd. When we pulled up to the theater one of our guests said, "This is a pretty significant film we're seeing tonight, it's 5 years old and finally being shown." He was correct. It was worth it, too! Walking back out to the car we all spoke with other movie goers. We had all clapped at the end of the movie. Glad God allows light to shine in this present darkness, because evil needs to be seen, as filthy as it is, so it can be destroyed. Pray for the children who are their slaves. Pray for their captors to be revealed. Pray sexual slavery becomes eradicated. Our very lives need to heed this call.
This present darkness! 🎯
Didn’t realize you were in my neck of the woods!!
🤝👐🙏🏼🙌
If you ever wanna meet for coffee or something let me know. I might have a way to trade info not out in the open so we can try to connect. If not, it’s all good. 😉
We're here visiting our youngest daughter for the 4th. Heading back up to Hogtown tomorrow or I'd take you up on it!
What is this movie everyone is talking about. Is this the trafficking's of humans? that I have seen advertised on Angel tv?
The Sound of Freedom.
http://angel.com/freedom
Angel Studios may be the only Hollywood entertainment company that is NOT promoting Satan's agenda. I'm encouraged to know that Angel can find professional staff in that slime pit of a town who are eager to work with them.
Absolutely! I am encouraged too. People want to see good storytelling movies without all the explicit violence and sex. Please! Leave something to our imaginations! Did you stay and listen to Jim Caviezel’s message at the end of the movie? I didn’t realize this movie was made 5 years ago!!
Sad to see people exciting before the message, Jim Caviezel's heart was revealed in that message. Spread the word, see the movie!🙏
No one left in my theater. We all waited for his message. It was very well done. Everyone needs to see it.
Perhaps these workers are the faithful remnant--those Hwooders who refused the injection, thus lost their income but kept their lives (another meaning of 'livelihood'?
Have you really examined His Only Son...even the title is a lie. The movie was confusing in its presentation even with a black lamb in the thicket....just saying....again another business arises that uses Christianity as a front, I may be wrong, but word has traveled around that Ballard is not who he wants us to think he is. Lin Woods says psy ops.
Tim Ballard is absolutely who he says he is. This is not a “psy-op” and I have no idea why anyone would try to throw that lie at someone who literally has been to hell and back doing what we, in our cozy homes and lives, can’t or won’t do to rescue children from lives of horror.
Also, Angel studios does not make a lot of these movies, they release other filmmakers work using their distribution, so they did not make His Only Son. (Which I agree - i saw it and thought it was very strange.)
Watch Jordan Peterson's lengthy, detailed interview with Tim Ballard and Jim Caveizel, which is incredible, and form your own opinion.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=rTBGNEliczc&feature=share
I started that interview when I went to bed last night and was awake through the duration. Normally, I fall asleep within 10 min. when I'm listening to a talking video. It was riveting and inspiring and extremely heart-rending. The passion of Tim Ballard and Jim Caveizel is sincere and palpable. I bought tickets for myself and a friend to see it on Saturday
This interview/conversation was so good. Looking forward to more productions from Angel and these godly men. They make me thankful to be alive to witness this revolutionary work. Praise God
Jaci, you should listen to Jordan Peterson's recent interview of Jim Ballard on Peterson's podcast and then decide for yourself. Or....maybe you are planted in these comments as a psyops yourself. See how that works.
I would very much like to see proof of this, rather than Lin Woods' words, which have been empty many times.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=rTBGNEliczc&feature=share
I had the same feeling going into the theater, even on the way there. I felt it was important to share the experience in the community however, so i went. It was so well done though!
God's children are NOT for sale!
Hello from Gurley, AL. I'm seeing it on Sunday.
Saw it yesterday. Excellent. Very profound and moving. The theater clapped at the end. A must see.
Katrina.....Here's some info about a group in Huntsville, AL and Birmingham, AL.
This group is hosting a BIG event on Sunday, September 17th called PUP ( Patriots Unite and Push).
Focusonamerica.us
Click on red arrow at top of page to see videos from meetings.
Facebook
https://m.facebook.com/FocusAmerica
I'm in Huntsville too. I have never been so thankful to be in Alabama as I have the last 3 years or so.
Please check out Focus on America.
Thank you for this information!
I will post more here once the list of speakers is finalized for the PUP event. It looks like there will be around 20 speakers. Topics include Freedom/Constitution, Education, New World Order, Election Integrity, and Medical.
Tickets are available now for the PUP (Patriots Unite and Push) event in Huntsville, AL on September 17th. The keynote speaker is James O'Keefe.
For more info, to purchase tickets, and to see the list of the other speakers:
https://www.focusonamerica.us/event-details
Two ticket options are available for the PUP event: Ticket for the PUP event or a Ticket for the PUP event with CME (3 credits). There are also tickets available for the Meet and Greet after the PUP event (these tickets do not include the PUP event itself; the PUP event is a separate charge).
Tickets for tomorrow. Rapid City, SD finally bowed to the pressure and is showing the movie in two theaters!
Excellent news!
I'm like you, but I have not gone to see the movie even though I bought 2 tickets. It's really too horrific. That level of evil just seems impossible. How can it be that there is such demand for this? How can there be that many evil people? It breaks my heart.
And sadly, it makes me more than a little angry at God. Why can't he just wipe them out? An unanswerable question. Perhaps more importantly, what can I do to help?
Pray and keep HOPE alive! We HAVE hope. The movie handles the subject of child sexual trafficking very respectfully, you need not avoid this movie entirely. I too, was fearful of watching it, but came away glad I did take the time to see it. The desire to put this film out there is far more important than we realize. Tim Tebow's Foundation lays out the ugly statics.... American, the #1 purveyors of this evil! The insatiable appetites of pedophiles will not prevail! We are called to PROTECT our children from all harm. We should be protecting ALL children, not just our own! Meanwhile, this administration has orchestrated an open border that allows the sexual trafficking of children and adults! This administration has LOST 85k children who came over our border and many have been passed on to pedophile rings throughout this country! 85k CHILDREN! And Mayorkas looks the other way...
I don't think Mayorkas looks the other way. I think he looks right at it, and there is probably a dark reason he looks right at it and does not stop it.
You are correct. He is one of them.
it was actually a really well made movie...i though it was great
Saw it in Daytona on July 3rd. No marquee at the theatre and the movie was delayed 10 minutes by something. Not a peep during the movie and all of us walked out quietly, solemn. Personally, I was angry and determined to help. Got on O.U.R. and signed up for a monthly donation. I kept thinking about how in the world did we, as a country, become so corrupt and allowing of this to happen right under our noses? Then I thought of God and the end game mentioned in Jeff's post here. I came to a peace...with a fire in my belly to try to help fix things more and more. That's what our country is truly about. Let's do this!
God's children are not for sale!
Please stop advertising here.
Report the bot. I already did.
I have, thanks. Everywhere lately.
This bot infected my timeline too. It's following me or smth.
They’ve been posting on a number of substacks and under different names.
yeah. i removed a few from my timeline. one is jen, i think kim was the other.
Hubby and I saw it yesterday, seats E3 and E4 in our theater in TX. It was pretty full even at matinee showing! Such a powerful film. 🙏
Here is a link to Tim Ballard’s site. You can make a one time donation or becoming a monthly supporter.
https://ourrescue.org/
So far they have surpassed 1.1 million tickets sold. Theaters are selling out. Our showing was sold out. A little tiny theater in a small town in Oregon who didn’t have it scheduled to show- is now adding show times! We need to keep moving this needle!
Where in Oregon? I’m in salem
Are there showings available in Salem somewhere? The little town is south of Salem about half hour.
Our theater was full today!
The message at the end also said the movie was made 5 years ago but was pushed away for release over and over until now. I bet I know who was behind that.
disney
Saw the film yesterday- must see. Here is why the 5 year delay in releasing it: https://www.deseret.com/utah/2023/5/12/23717081/davis-county-attorneys-office-closes-investigation-into-operation-underground-railroad
Jeff should multiply Operation Underground Railroad
Here us the active link to Ballard's Underground Railroad endeavor. A multiply to them would be awesome!
https://ourrescue.org/
Yeah. Lots of shows sold out here too.
We are going today! With a box of Kleenex.
It's tearful. Yes. But it's also tasteful. And riveting and powerful. The acting is superb.
I thought they did an amazing job of going right up to the line but not crossing it for viewers. Tasteful, as you said. The acting was superb and the truth telling second to none.
I am someone who gets haunted by images that I can't forget. Is this done in a way I could watch and learn without it becoming vicariously traumatic? Also, would you recommend the movie for a teen?
I think you could.
Like I said, they get up to the line without crossing it for the viewer. Honestly it’s mild compared to what some have been exposed to with media and Hollywood. It’s hard to watch because we “know” what is happening. But visually (IMO) it’s not traumatic. Emotionally it is. The images that haunt are of the kids faces. Which should haunt us.
As for a teen. I can’t answer that. It would depend probably on how much the teen knows about the subject, I think. If it is new information maybe not. Not without some foundation, IMO. I probably would’ve not taken my kid when he was a teen. He’s 26 now and was the first one to lose it and get wrecked 10 min into the movie. He’s more sensitive having a special needs sister. I would probably recommend seeing it first and then deciding. 🤷♀️ Hope that helps.
Thank you!
WendeAnne, us, too.
All of my friends are going and we bought out the showing. I didn’t even have a chance to get my own seats in that first showing, so me, my BF and the rest of our friends are on the next. Bringing all of my colleagues and their wives too! 🇺🇸🤜🏼💥🤛🏼
THAT is awesome!!! Great job! 💪🏻
Seat F9 in Hickory, NC yesterday plus 2 seats multiplied in a Santa, Monica, California theatre.
Nice! 💪🏻
Going to see it this afternoon at 3:30 CST. God bless Jim Caviezal.
Heading out to see it this morning with the family.
We're going to see Sound of Freedom today. I am prepared to do much crying.
D1-4 in Omaha. Shocking statistic: more people are enslaved now than at any other time in history.
I did not know this either
Seats H11 and H12 in Boca Raton, FL yesterday. We sat in our seats ready to be visually horrified. We weren’t but we were saddened by the evil and greed that pervades the world. It has its purpose; we were supposed to feel that sadness and despise the greed that brought our children to this end. But we must know that through that evil God will show His Glory in the end. One takeaway from the movie is the line “God told me what to do; I couldn’t turn my back on it.”
Profound statement huh? I pondered that same line over and over since then.
Seats H14 & 15 charleston SC. It was so powerful!! That movie moved me to tears. I’m glad they got away from the creepy men going towards the kids because I was perilously close to puking in my popcorn bucket and I could tell those around me weren’t faring much better. That’s incredibly hard content to watch. I know we need to though. Jim Caveziel was outstanding. He’s a hero and the real life agent Ballard is an American treasure. What he did to find those kids, wow! Such a powerful movie. I pray he’s right and this movie changes the world! We can stamp this out! It’s achievable, but it will take all of us!
Seeing it this Friday with several Truth and Freedom loving Patriots in Northern Virginia (Tysons Corner, row J, 12:40 show)
Going to the sound of freedom is my plan for celebrating Fourth of July!
Sunnydaze...💥🇺🇸👏🏻💗💥🇺🇸👏🏻💗💥🇺🇸👏🏻💗💥🇺🇸👏🏻💗💥🇺🇸👏🏻💗💥🇺🇸👏🏻💗💥
THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS!!! While seeing the movie is a GREAT step, it should ONLY BE THE BEGINNING of our partnership in TIM BALLARD'S great undertaking. As he said in one of his many interviews, the US is the biggest consumer of child rape videos... :( :( :( WHAT MONSTERS do that to children, and what BIGGER MONSTERS watch a child being RAPED as entertainment???? DO NOT BE MISTAKEN, WE WILL BE CALLED INTO ACCOUNT, AFTER BEING INFORMED.... WHAT DID WE DO TO CHANGE THESE HORRORS????
I’m spending the Fourth of July seeing the sound of freedom and spending the next few hours brainstorming with a friend of mine who has been planning the construction of an aftercare for these kids for about a year now. He has the money. I am going to help with advice, regarding medical and psychological practitioners to utilize. I especially am concerned with the kind of medical care they’re going to get, considering that some medical care could be worse than the slavery trauma that they’ve been through pray for the project and for all the aftercare places that are already in existence
🙏🙌
And thank YOU, Jeff, for providing us with a way to support this! Not to mention, for all you do. God bless! Have a fabulous Fourth of July! 🙏🇺🇸
Tim Ballard’s non-profit is working to save them first. Operation Underground Railroad. Then recovery care is important. Can we multiply OUR?
Tim Tebow’s Foundation works with victims - worth reaching out to them
I was just thinking this!!
You may already be aware of this but in your research you may wish to reach out to Phoenix Dream Center for tips. There are a few Dream Centers (LA, St. Louis, Denver...) in our nation and they are funded (I believe) by donations. They support those who want to get out of human trafficking and kids who age out of foster care. Out here in Phoenix it's in an old Embassy Suites hotel--they can only take in the amount of people they can fit and serve. From that point, the person must have the will and they are given mentors in areas such as finance, career, education, etc. Brian Steele is the CEO of the Phoenix Dream Center. Wishing you the best!
Mentors. Ppl who have no record of abuse and abuse the child care system to get access. 😭
Bones, much thanks to you and your friend!
I highly recommend you connect with Dr Katherine Welch at gorelentless.org. Katherine worked for twenty years serving vulnerable and exploited people internationally, the last ten years focused specifically on the intersection of health and human trafficking. She has worked with organizations to develop extensive, trauma-informed protocols for health and medical care for the victims as well as the staff of the care organizations.
HIGHLY recommend.
Wow! God BLESS you both! 🙏❤️
Bones... wow! 💗🇺🇸💗🇺🇸💗🇺🇸💗🇺🇸💗🇺🇸💗💗🇺🇸💗🇺🇸💗🇺🇸💗🇺🇸💗🇺🇸💗
Check with Christine Caine’s organization. They do similar work and will have loads of advice and connections.
Seats E4 & E5...I’m speechless. And the post-credits message...There are more people in slavery TODAY in the US then there were when slavery was legal. I’ll be researching how I can help.
I love this ❤️
God bless you 🙏❤️
I will as well
I see America, and, actually, life as a whole, as a case of: We aren’t where we want to be, but we ain’t where we were. There is ALWAYS room for improvement, in both our personal and national/political lives, which we should strive for, always, but which should not keep us from acknowledging genuine improvement and progress when and where it happens. As I get older, I appreciate America, warts and all, more and more. That appreciation in no way diminishes many shameful stains on our original stated ideals, nor the more recent abominations of government surveillance, coercion, censorship, etc. But American for me, its greatness, lies in its people, not the perverted denizens of the government machinery….and that greatness is, in many ways, truly unique.
All of my great-grandparents, 3 of my grandparents, one of my parents, and my wife, were all born outside of the USA, and each and every one of them was, and is, deeply grateful for the safe harbor and opportunity which they found here.
God bless America, and god bless you Jeff, for all you do, and all you stand for!
Great post! 😍 I share your feelings and am also a child, grandchild, great grandchild and spouse of immigrants ❤️ Most from very humble circumstances and all of whom offered their children and grandchildren endless opportunities thanks to their courage and hard work ❤️
Both sets of my great grandparents were born in Germany.
Joe, we are indeed in trying times. The refuge for millions that America has been is very important to remember. You may appreciate the link in this comment... https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/independence-day-tuesday-july-4th/comment/18098849
Surprisingly, me, being the dry-humored, in-control person that I am, began to cry as I read the end of your piece today, Jeff. The rally to have hope and the promises of God in Revelation was a tear jerker for me this morning. Thank you for a great start of this day!
um...me too...but this reply will self destruct in 10 seconds so there is no record of my admission...
I was in tears too. Even rereading parts I started getting teary eyed all over again!
Same
So glad it wasn’t just me 🥲
Same 🙏🇺🇸🙏
Same here.
Dearest Jeff and the C&C crew: as a Conservative JEIWSH woman , I read this stack every day! Please don’t disrespect us of the Jewish faith by writing our words improperly in lower case. I would never disrespect my Christian brothers and sisters thusly. Do we have work to do in our Jewish community? Absolutely! But I will never give up on this glorious country that is rooted in the bible given to the Jews by Hashem. Thank you for your writings, please don’t ever forget your readers are well represented across the spectrum! G!d bless these United States and it’s people!
An inadvertent error. Fixed! Blessings
And yet, in my zeal to write this I misspelled JEWISH! I obviously need more COFFEE! Blessings back at ya!
And you misspelt God.
Some people's tradition respect Him by not spelling the entire name. May God bless us all who remain faithful to Judeo-Christian values and morality.. and may God also bless Islamic Americans who join us in fighting off satan's agenda on us and our children. It is time that all those of Abrahamic faith unite in purpose! 🙏 🇺🇸
traditional Jews do not write out the name of G!d. Hence the use of an exclamation point in the middle.
I've never seen an exclamation point used, only a dash ->G-d.
Jeff, I am on at 10:19 from Tampa (from this 1st generation Floridian, Ashekenazi Jew.
The "jews" is still uncapitalized ... it has not been "Fixed!" here
Actually, I just realized that you must have "Fixed!" "jewish". So why then did you not do the same with 'jews". I am both Jewish and a Jew. Please explain the distinction?
I’m a little slow here. Not wanting to disrespect, I’m wondering what you mean. Which words were written improperly in lower case? Obviously Jeff knew, but then he’s very smart😉
Just writing Jews and Jewish in lower case.
I wondered what that was about, since Jeff has always used impeccable grammar heretofore.
What is the significance of both writing in lower and upper case? I’m genuinely curious!
Proper names.
So, Jews, or JEWS? I was brought up in a Pentecostal household and no disrespect to God’s chosen people was ever heard.
She meant where it's written 'jews,' no capital letter at all, as in 'Jews.'
Words, words, words. Here we go again. They are just words and on paper or digitally expressed. They are but a breath in time. It is what it’s in our hearts that all people should focus on. Everything turns to dust but our spirits go on forever.
I find all of it alarming, and indicative of the thinnest skin possible. To the point that one would be offended if someone spelt God, or didn't capitalize Jew. So fuvk all your pronouns, and your thin skin. Sorry, Jeff, but some people are actually looking to be offended. That offends me. My pronouns are geez and fvck. Call me either.
Ah…but words can heal or they can harm. They’re quite important actually IMHO.
Words are a representation of reality, and therefore always subordinate to reality. Words can only heal or harm if the recipient allows it.
Totally agree.
If we were robots it would be quite easy to shield ourselves against harm or healing from the words of others. Human beings are creatures of emotion and what a flat world it would be without them.
And some words are outright lies and in no way representative of reality.
Am I debating AI?
A person cannot really control their initial emotional response. But they can control how they react. Harm or healing comes from the reaction, not the initial response. I can be hurt, but unharmed.
Is AI debating AI? Whoa...now I'm freaking...
You’re right, of course. They can and do. It’s just that people can choose to be offended or not. We’re taught to love one another and part of that is accepting each other for what we are. “Most” people would rather not hurt another person intentionally. I am that person. But I think we take ourselves too seriously and is where an unintended slight causes pain.
I Corinthians 10:32. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God…
I completely agree that there are far, far too many delicate snowflakes in this generation, who are in for a rude awakening down the road.
But I did not find the request to, please, capitalize the word Jew to be in anyway unreasonable.
Ditto
I was going to make that comment too, which annoyed me more since he capitalizes lots of words that shouldn't be. He should know better.
He does know better - and corrected his inadvertent error. He is always very gracious about admitting any errors. I'm always amazed he can put out so much content in such a short amount of time, with so few errors!
I agree with you Peace. But his correction was only for the word Jewish. He left Jews uncapitalized. Beth's post spoke of both words. Like Beth, I am not triggered or angry. I'm just curious as to the distinction. I am both a Jew and am Jewish.
He also writes these and researches these in, I’m sure, a very tight timeline. I think a little grace is called for in those instances…
No worries. I’m not angry or triggered as others might be. Just a gentle critique!
BEAUTIFUL!!!!! You have a gift, and thank you for sharing with us. Rev 21. One day all will be made perfect and we will walk with the King, the one true God! One day, all of this- and the grieving we have right now on all levels- will be wiped away. HERE’S TO THE MIGHTY, COURAGEOUS REMNANT! ❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸
A billion likes
It's telling how the people in the NYT's article, when faced with something they don't like, choose to hate or destroy it rather than improve it. It's more telling that it's their country. Remember, there are people trying to break us down to the most inane personality blocks like sexual preferences, race, obscure political opinions because the less people are united regardless of the aforementioned characteristics the more they can control you. Don't let them do it. Happy 4th everyone!
I don't 'not celebrate' July 4th, but it is no longer what it once was to me.
I honor the past of what we once were, but do not, will not, can not honor what we are now, a nation that proudly and aggressively promotes and celebrates degeneracy and lawlessness. I have hope for the future, but I also doubt that that future will be one that has what we currently recognize as America in it.
I served my country in combat, and in law enforcement. I gave the best years of my life and sacrificed my body willingly. But over time the veils were lifted from my eyes by the actions of the very government that I had pledged to defend, and that is a broken promise that can never be remade, never be made whole again. I will resist the government, but I still love the country, and what it once stood for.
For ME, it is now longer a day of celebration, but one for remembrance of what was, and the hope of what may be...
Great post signcut. My only quibble is where you say you pledged to defend the government. You actually pledged to defend the Constitution. The further we get from our founding, the farther apart those two entities drift. In our youth few of us understand the distinction. As the veil you mentioned is lifted and we see more clearly, we see why they want wide eyed youth rather than aged wisdom in the ranks.
God bless you for the sacrifices and efforts you made.
You are correct, of course. I was trying to say (poorly) is that I was defending the government that was supposed to be upholding the Constitution. 'I' knew what I meant, but did not say it clearly; unfortunately, not the most uncommon occurrence... :/
No worries signcut, you’re a good American who did what he felt was his duty. The shame is on the scoundrels who would take advantage of an honorable young man to carry out their own scurrilous wishes. I cringe when I hear pundits talk about our servicemen and women “defending our freedom”. What a bunch of propagandist garbage. We haven’t had a hostile foreign army on American soil in 208 years. Our uniformed people are being used . . Used for purposes that have nothing to do with our freedom. Loyal and honorable people taken advantage of for often nefarious purposes.
Five years ago I would have punched someone for saying what I just wrote. The veils have indeed fallen from our eyes. Your honesty in admitting such is at least as honorable as your service.
Thank you, sir.
I started doubting in the late 90s, but found ways to rationalize it, until I couldn't any more. I don't know if any in higher positions realize how resolute people become when they find out how they've been lied to, and at what cost...
You express a feeling of LOSTALGIA, a word coined by my wife.
I like that...
There are no perfect times, but the general situation was objectively better in many ways in years past than it is today. Thats all relative, of course; the 2000s may have been better than now, but not as good as the 80s. The same with the 80s and the 60s, or the 60s and the 40s.
What we have created is really something of an abomination when looked at from a distance. The only reason that those who knew something better aren't completely repulsed is incrementalism; we have simply gotten used to the gradual changes as they became the 'new normal' (to use a recent catchphrase). If it were more sudden, there would have been a lot more resistance, just as the overreach of Pride is seeing now.
Totally stealing that word from your wife.
I think Jeff's post is a call to all of us who haven't broken that promise.
I feel some of your anger and grief. Our Constitution is a contract with us stating God has granted us certain non-negotiable rights, governments are instituted among men to secure these rights; they given at our consent. Somewhere, somehow, the government violated the contract and are enslaving us.
We're still worth fighting for. That same document goes on to lay out one course of action for a remedy. There's always hope!
Thank you for your service signcut. Most ‘real’ Americans are exactly where you are. We celebrate our families and each other, along with the American ideals of freedom! Several years ago, my husband said he didn’t want to fly the flag anymore because of our political leadership, but I disagreed with him on that because we shouldn’t let those who would destroy this country win the battle to dictate who and what we are as a nation. We need to stand together and stand proud! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
The silver lining, signcut, is that you know more truth now than you did before. I spent my career in the military, and I share some of your feelings, but my oath hasn't expired; nor has yours. It's better to know now what we didn't know then, so we can fight the true fight, not the one we thought was taking place.
"It's better to know now what we didn't know then, so we can fight the true fight, not the one we thought was taking place."
YES. Amen!
I have to mentally separate out the criminal cabal at the center of those current issues with "America." I don't think they represent America. I think the founding documents and the spirit in which they were conceived are the true America, and those both still exist. That's what I celebrate on this holiday. It's not about the current (quite literal) perversion and slander of the country's good name, but about the kernel of truth that still exists. Let's hope it's at least 1/3 of us who still understand what this place represents and how this country is supposed to operate so that we can turn this around. I believe there are more of us than we think.
Thank you for serving our country. My retired army husband has similar views.
Thank you for your service. While we grieve for what has been lost, we also must fight for truth and honor. The faithful remnant will never concede.
Well said, but maybe it should be a day of prayer as in God help America! 🙏 🇺🇸
It is a Time of Sorrows. Nothing is what it is put out to be. And I doubt much of which existed in old Colonial America or in the first decades of the United States can be restored. I could write much, much more on the bitterness of it all, but my purpose here is to simply wish you the best, the best which for you can possibly be amid a state of falseness and abject degeneration.
One of our first flags was the Appeal to Heaven. That is where our dependency remains. Past, present and future.
Thank you for perspective and wisdom. God bless the work you are doing and may He open the ears and hearts of those that hear the truth. And we shall be free indeed…
Dear Jeff,
Keep on keeping on!!! You are continuing to be light and truth for so many of us “ Patriotic, freedom loving Americans “ who are grateful for your words of wisdom and factual letters !!!! I just want you to know that there was no dearth of patriotic displays of celebrating Independence Day eve where I am this wonderful holiday!!! Fireworks and American flags everywhere you look!!! Enjoy today and every day, and keep on keeping on!!!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Happy Independence Day to our favourite freedom-fighting Floridian!
The year they didn’t have the large fireworks displays in our area was the year I saw and heard THE most spectacular displays in every neighborhood. It was a constant stream of lights and sounds of our freedom. Everywhere you looked fireworks were in the air. I was so choked up driving around and seeing it. When they decided it wasn’t “safe” for us to have the large displays, like we are stupid children that they think we are, the people in our area created their own displays and proudly sent a message that we will not be controlled. We will not be silenced!
Thank you Jeff for the light you bring, however small it seems sometimes, but it is a light that shines in the darkness and perhaps can only be seen in the darkness. All light converges together in day, but a tiny light is so bright at night. Don’t underestimate the tremendous effect you have had in our country. Your tiny spark has started an inferno that is spreading. I can feel it in my bones that this country’s heart has begun to beat again.
Happy 4th everyone! Take courage! The battle has only begun, but we fight on God’s side and He will give us victory in the end!
I love you too Jeff. And for reminding us of “whose” we are…Gods children. We just need to act
Iike it. And also for the pep talk to keep us looking forward and inspired.
And every adult and older teen should go see “Sound of Freedom”. I didn’t want to go. Such a terrifying subject but we need to stare this evil down. Not allow it to take another child or adult.
Go see it and tell everyone you know!!
Going today with a friend who’s starting in aftercare. I’m gonna try to help him find medical practitioners who will treat these kids properly if you know what I mean.
God bless hm and also you for helping him. I can’t begin to imagine…..and I’m sure there are many right under our noses dealing with the after effects.
Do you think it would be inappropriate for a teen under 16?
It's a difficult subject. A mature 14, 15, 16 yr old would probably be ok watching it. But it will also open their eyes to this despicable evil. And that simply means, their innocence will be bombarded with more and more "grown up" details... as in, it is a dark, dark world in many places... and we all need more of Jesus.
Thank you. I think I'll wait. Innocence lost can never be regained.
The worldly call innocence naivety for this very reason. God bless you for working to preserve innocence.
Well said. We need to protect our children including their thoughts. They will be adults soon enough. They did a great job showing the evil without showing the evil in this movie. This movie is for parents and grandparents.
I am still too sensitive so sadly I will skip.
True. Thank you!
Happy Independence Day!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Great encouraging words ... Happy Independence Day !! Stand up , be heard !🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸