Soon we will be celebrating New Years Day, 2009. 2008 was a thoroughly difficult and exhausting year for many people on many fronts. The seemingly never ending presidential campaign dragged on for months until Obama's historic victory. Historic gas prices, followed by a financial crisis of the first order. Detroit's Big 3 automakers came to the brink of collapse. For us Detroit Lions fans, the season was simply the greatest, NOT.
What is so wonderful about New Years Day is that it gives hope that the new year will be better than the last. This sense of optimism is perhaps bolstered for many by the President-elect and the new Congress. Only time will tell if that optimism is well placed.
Putting aside the larger picture, New Years Day is always a time to reflect about how we as individuals - and families - can turn a new leaf and improve upon our lives. Take a moment this holiday and see how you can improve on your life and those around you. Happy New Years!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Celebrate the Bill of Rights
(originally published in The Detroit News)
In the cacophony of the recession, the plight of the American automobile industry, perpetual state budget woes and the upcoming presidential inauguration, one could easily be excused for forgetting about today's momentous anniversary. Two hundred and seventeen years ago, the United States ratified the Bill of Rights. It continues to play an indispensable role in our constitutional order, and we should take a moment to celebrate its vibrant role in American life.
Although a Bill of Rights had been a key feature of protecting the rights of Englishmen, the Founding Fathers omitted it when they drafted the Constitution in 1787. This oversight generated heated opposition throughout the colonies as the people debated whether to adopt the new Constitution.
Fearful that a newly formed federal government would oppress the people and trample on the states, the Anti-Federalists clamored for the addition of a Bill of Rights. Thomas Jefferson, writing to James Madison from Paris, wrote that he opposed the adoption of the Constitution without a Bill of Rights. He explained that "a bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no government should refuse, or rest on inference."
Although the new Constitution was ratified over the objections of the Anti-Federalists, most ratifiers understood that the addition of a Bill of Rights would be of the highest priority to the newly established federal government. Madison fulfilled that promise by drafting a dozen amendments to the Constitution -- the first 10 of which were adopted quickly and dubbed the Bill of Rights.
The purpose of the Bill of Rights is to guarantee our unalienable rights from infringement by the federal (and with the adoption of the 14th Amendment) and state governments.
The First Amendment protects the freedoms of religion, speech, press, petition, and association; and bars the establishment of religion. The Second Amendment ensures that the right of the people to keep and bear arms, while the Third Amendment prohibits the quartering of troops in peacetime.
The Fourth Amendment bars unreasonable searches and seizures; the Fifth Amendment prohibits placing a criminal defendant in double jeopardy, self-incrimination and the deprivation of "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." The same amendment requires that any taking of private property by the government be only for "public use" and with "just compensation."
The Sixth Amendment guarantees a speedy and public trial, the right to confront witnesses, and the right to counsel. The Seventh Amendment guarantees a jury trial, while the Eighth prohibits cruel and unusual punishments.
The Ninth Amendment guarantees those rights not otherwise expressly protected in the first eight amendments, while the Tenth reserves all "powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it by the States ... to the States respectively, or to the People."
The Constitution expressly protects the unalienable rights of individuals from government oppression. These protections are integrated into the Constitution, the Supreme Court noted, because the Founders "foresaw that troublous times would arise, when rulers and people would become restive under restraint, and seek by sharp and decisive measures to accomplish ends deemed just and proper; and that principles of constitutional liberty would be in peril, unless established by irreparable law. The history of the world had taught them that what was done in the past might be attempted in the future."
The Founders' wisdom is as powerful today as it was in 1791. Billions of people continue to suffer the infringement of their God-given rights because they have no meaningful Bill of Rights to protect them.
As the Declaration of Independence explained, America was founded on the self-evident first principle that all men and women are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; and the Bill of Rights is intended to protect them. In the course of human history, very few people have had the benefit of a Bill of Rights.
Unfortunately, recent studies reveal that our students, public and policy-makers are woefully ignorant of our Constitution, including the Bill of Rights. We are fools to think we can keep our rights when we are ignorant of them. Let us use today's anniversary to renew our commitment to the Bill of Rights in education and policymaking. Then we will be worthy of the legacy of freedom the Founders bequeathed to us.
For more on our First Principles and how we can better fulfill them, visit:
http://www.americassurvivalguide.com
In the cacophony of the recession, the plight of the American automobile industry, perpetual state budget woes and the upcoming presidential inauguration, one could easily be excused for forgetting about today's momentous anniversary. Two hundred and seventeen years ago, the United States ratified the Bill of Rights. It continues to play an indispensable role in our constitutional order, and we should take a moment to celebrate its vibrant role in American life.
Although a Bill of Rights had been a key feature of protecting the rights of Englishmen, the Founding Fathers omitted it when they drafted the Constitution in 1787. This oversight generated heated opposition throughout the colonies as the people debated whether to adopt the new Constitution.
Fearful that a newly formed federal government would oppress the people and trample on the states, the Anti-Federalists clamored for the addition of a Bill of Rights. Thomas Jefferson, writing to James Madison from Paris, wrote that he opposed the adoption of the Constitution without a Bill of Rights. He explained that "a bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no government should refuse, or rest on inference."
Although the new Constitution was ratified over the objections of the Anti-Federalists, most ratifiers understood that the addition of a Bill of Rights would be of the highest priority to the newly established federal government. Madison fulfilled that promise by drafting a dozen amendments to the Constitution -- the first 10 of which were adopted quickly and dubbed the Bill of Rights.
The purpose of the Bill of Rights is to guarantee our unalienable rights from infringement by the federal (and with the adoption of the 14th Amendment) and state governments.
The First Amendment protects the freedoms of religion, speech, press, petition, and association; and bars the establishment of religion. The Second Amendment ensures that the right of the people to keep and bear arms, while the Third Amendment prohibits the quartering of troops in peacetime.
The Fourth Amendment bars unreasonable searches and seizures; the Fifth Amendment prohibits placing a criminal defendant in double jeopardy, self-incrimination and the deprivation of "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." The same amendment requires that any taking of private property by the government be only for "public use" and with "just compensation."
The Sixth Amendment guarantees a speedy and public trial, the right to confront witnesses, and the right to counsel. The Seventh Amendment guarantees a jury trial, while the Eighth prohibits cruel and unusual punishments.
The Ninth Amendment guarantees those rights not otherwise expressly protected in the first eight amendments, while the Tenth reserves all "powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it by the States ... to the States respectively, or to the People."
The Constitution expressly protects the unalienable rights of individuals from government oppression. These protections are integrated into the Constitution, the Supreme Court noted, because the Founders "foresaw that troublous times would arise, when rulers and people would become restive under restraint, and seek by sharp and decisive measures to accomplish ends deemed just and proper; and that principles of constitutional liberty would be in peril, unless established by irreparable law. The history of the world had taught them that what was done in the past might be attempted in the future."
The Founders' wisdom is as powerful today as it was in 1791. Billions of people continue to suffer the infringement of their God-given rights because they have no meaningful Bill of Rights to protect them.
As the Declaration of Independence explained, America was founded on the self-evident first principle that all men and women are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; and the Bill of Rights is intended to protect them. In the course of human history, very few people have had the benefit of a Bill of Rights.
Unfortunately, recent studies reveal that our students, public and policy-makers are woefully ignorant of our Constitution, including the Bill of Rights. We are fools to think we can keep our rights when we are ignorant of them. Let us use today's anniversary to renew our commitment to the Bill of Rights in education and policymaking. Then we will be worthy of the legacy of freedom the Founders bequeathed to us.
For more on our First Principles and how we can better fulfill them, visit:
http://www.americassurvivalguide.com
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Day of Infamy
Today marks the 67th anniversary of the Japanese sneak attack on the American Naval Base at Pearl Harbor. Over 2,000 American servicemen perished, 5 battleships were sunk, and several other ships were damaged or destroyed.Little did the Japanese (or their allies, the Nazis) realize what they had wrought. The attack in 1941 was begun by Japan, but by 1945 America finished it - by the total unconditional surrender of Japan. The Allies had already defeated Germany when Japan surrendered.What makes this anniversary - and America's victory - special is not the military triump of the United States. Wars have part and parcel of history for as long as man has been man. No, what is important is the victory of America's First Principles: the rule of law, unalienable rights, equality, the Social Compact, and limited government. These First Principles separated America from Japanese imperialism and fascist Germany, and have been the sparked that have revolutionized societies all over the world.
For more, http://americassurvivalguide.com.
For more, http://americassurvivalguide.com.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
THANKSGIVING
ON OCTOBER 3, 1789, PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON PROCLAIMED A NATIONAL DAY OF THANKSGIVING: WHICH WE NEED TO REMEMBER WITH REVERANCE:
WHEREAS IT IS THE DUTY OF ALL NATIONS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROVIDENCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD, TO OBEY HIS WILL, TO BE GRATEFUL FOR HIS BENEFITS, AND TO HUMBLY IMPLORE HIS PROTECTION AND FAVOR . . .
NOW, THEREFORE, I DO RECOMMEND AND ASSIGN THURSDAY, THE TWENTY-SIXTH DAY OF NOVEMBNER NEXT, TO BE DEVOTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THESE UNITED STATES . . .
THAT WE MAY THEN ALL UNITE UNTO HIM OUR SINCERE AND HUMBLE THANKS FOR HIS KIND CARE AND PROTECTION OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY PREVIOUS THEIR BECOMING A NATION; FOR THE SIGNAL AND MANIFOLD MERCIES AND THE FAVORABLE INTERPOSITIONS OF HIS PROVIDENCE IN THE COURSE AND CONCLUSION OF THE LATE WAR;
FOR THE GREAT DEGREE OF TRANQUILITY, UNION, AND PLENTY WHICH WE HAVE SINCE ENJOYED; FOR THE PEACEABLE AND RATIONAL MANNER IN WHICH WE HAVE BEEN ENABLED TO ESTABLISH CONSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT FOR OUR SAFETY AND HAPPINESS, AND PARTICULARLY THE NATIONAL ONE NOW LATELY INSTITUTED; FOR THE CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY WITH WHICH WE ARE BLESSED . . . .
AND ALSO THAT WE MAY THEN UNITE IN MOST HUMBLY OFFERING OUR PRAYERS AND SUPPLICATIONS TO THE GREAT LORD AND RULER OF NATIONS, AND BESEECH HIM TO PARDON OUR NATIONAL AND OTHER TRANSGRESSION . . . TO PROMOTE THE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF THE TRUE RELIGION AND VIRTUE
For more about the importance of our history, visit http://americassurvivalguide.com.
WHEREAS IT IS THE DUTY OF ALL NATIONS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROVIDENCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD, TO OBEY HIS WILL, TO BE GRATEFUL FOR HIS BENEFITS, AND TO HUMBLY IMPLORE HIS PROTECTION AND FAVOR . . .
NOW, THEREFORE, I DO RECOMMEND AND ASSIGN THURSDAY, THE TWENTY-SIXTH DAY OF NOVEMBNER NEXT, TO BE DEVOTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THESE UNITED STATES . . .
THAT WE MAY THEN ALL UNITE UNTO HIM OUR SINCERE AND HUMBLE THANKS FOR HIS KIND CARE AND PROTECTION OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY PREVIOUS THEIR BECOMING A NATION; FOR THE SIGNAL AND MANIFOLD MERCIES AND THE FAVORABLE INTERPOSITIONS OF HIS PROVIDENCE IN THE COURSE AND CONCLUSION OF THE LATE WAR;
FOR THE GREAT DEGREE OF TRANQUILITY, UNION, AND PLENTY WHICH WE HAVE SINCE ENJOYED; FOR THE PEACEABLE AND RATIONAL MANNER IN WHICH WE HAVE BEEN ENABLED TO ESTABLISH CONSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT FOR OUR SAFETY AND HAPPINESS, AND PARTICULARLY THE NATIONAL ONE NOW LATELY INSTITUTED; FOR THE CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY WITH WHICH WE ARE BLESSED . . . .
AND ALSO THAT WE MAY THEN UNITE IN MOST HUMBLY OFFERING OUR PRAYERS AND SUPPLICATIONS TO THE GREAT LORD AND RULER OF NATIONS, AND BESEECH HIM TO PARDON OUR NATIONAL AND OTHER TRANSGRESSION . . . TO PROMOTE THE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF THE TRUE RELIGION AND VIRTUE
For more about the importance of our history, visit http://americassurvivalguide.com.
Monday, November 10, 2008
VETERANS, OUR FREEDOM FIGHTERS
November 11 marks Veterans' Day (historically Armistace Day, on which at 11:11 on 11/11, 1918, the war to end all wars ended). On this day we pay homage to all veterans across America - living and passed - who have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedoms and liberties. Far too often we overlook the sacrfices of those who committed enormous sacrifices on our behalf. Today I salute three veterans with whom I'm especially close:
(1) My grandfather, Steve Maniaci - veteran of WWII who fought, among other battles, the Battle of the Buldge. He barely escaped death several times and was one of the most honest, hardworking, decent, and greatest men I have ever known.
(2) Michael DeBruyn - my (literally) life long dear friend who attended the Naval Academy and spent several years in the Navy - most notably serving on a subs for months at a time. He left big business consulting to teach - now at the Shrine School in Royal Oak.
(3) Greg Reid - a great friend who also joined the navy and served admirably with an Admiral. Most recently he has begun his own investment management company - Symphony Investments (http://www.symphonyinvestmentgroup.com/)
Thanks to you and everyone else who have kept us free!
To learn more about the freedoms our Veterans have protected, visit:
http://www.americassurvivalguide.com/.
(1) My grandfather, Steve Maniaci - veteran of WWII who fought, among other battles, the Battle of the Buldge. He barely escaped death several times and was one of the most honest, hardworking, decent, and greatest men I have ever known.
(2) Michael DeBruyn - my (literally) life long dear friend who attended the Naval Academy and spent several years in the Navy - most notably serving on a subs for months at a time. He left big business consulting to teach - now at the Shrine School in Royal Oak.
(3) Greg Reid - a great friend who also joined the navy and served admirably with an Admiral. Most recently he has begun his own investment management company - Symphony Investments (http://www.symphonyinvestmentgroup.com/)
Thanks to you and everyone else who have kept us free!
To learn more about the freedoms our Veterans have protected, visit:
http://www.americassurvivalguide.com/.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
President Elect Obama - Fulfillment of the American Dream
As the Declaration of Independence proclaims, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal . . . .” Equality is a First Principle of our republic. Of course, in 1776 that First Principles was just as much of an aspiration as a reality.
Regardless of your political perspective, the election of Senator Obama as President has made that aspiration much more a reality. Paraphrasing yesterday’s victor, today we can all be proud – not as Republicans or Democrats, not as those in Blue or Red States – but as Americans, that we have elected a bi-racial man (whose father was a Kenyan who abandoned him when he was a very young boy) President of these great United States.
For more on our First Principles and how we can better fulfill them, visit:
http://www.americassurvivalguide.com/index.php
Regardless of your political perspective, the election of Senator Obama as President has made that aspiration much more a reality. Paraphrasing yesterday’s victor, today we can all be proud – not as Republicans or Democrats, not as those in Blue or Red States – but as Americans, that we have elected a bi-racial man (whose father was a Kenyan who abandoned him when he was a very young boy) President of these great United States.
For more on our First Principles and how we can better fulfill them, visit:
http://www.americassurvivalguide.com/index.php
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Stephen J. Murphy, III, An Exemplar of the Federal Judiciary
Last week I had the privilege to attend the investiture of Stephen J. Murphy, III. After years of waiting, he was appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the US Senate to the federal court of the Eastern District of Michigan. Stephen has been my friend for several years. More importantly, he has been a superb community leader, as an assistant US Attorney, corporate counsel for General Motors, and most recently as the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.
He will bring to the Court the temperment, professionalism, and scholarly approach that this important position demands. He will ensure that the law is interpreted as written, and applied fairly.
A tribute to his qualifications is that his nomination was supported by Michigan's two Democrat US Senators. At his investiture, he had a bi-partisan slate of esteemed speakers, including Senator Carl Levin (D), Governor Jennifer Granholm (D), Congressman Mike Rogers (R), and former Attorney General for the United States Peter Keisler (R).
Stephen, make us proud!
He will bring to the Court the temperment, professionalism, and scholarly approach that this important position demands. He will ensure that the law is interpreted as written, and applied fairly.
A tribute to his qualifications is that his nomination was supported by Michigan's two Democrat US Senators. At his investiture, he had a bi-partisan slate of esteemed speakers, including Senator Carl Levin (D), Governor Jennifer Granholm (D), Congressman Mike Rogers (R), and former Attorney General for the United States Peter Keisler (R).
Stephen, make us proud!
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