Today, I will yield the bulk of comments to a friend from Nashville.  His story reveals how the Empire is willing to be so open in its disregard of any Southern tradition or symbol, while still happy to use young Southerners as cannon-fodder for its military adventurism.

I have always been proud of my time spent as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. I served in the Republic of Vietnam in 1969 and, while I was certainly no "John Wayne" type, I tried to do my duty to the best of my ability and I did bring all of my platoon out of Vietnam alive.

This past summer, the son of a frend of mine was very 'gung ho' about joining the Marines and asked my opinion, which I tried to give as honestly as possible, warts and all. I don't know if my discussions had any influence on him, but he enlisted, completed all of the pre-enlistment tests and physical exams and went to all of the pre-enlistment meetings. To say the least, he was very excited about serving his country in the Corps.

Shortly before he left Nashville for boot camp, he was told he could not serve his country because he had a Confederate Battle Flag tattooed on his shoulder in an area that would be completely covered by a t-shirt, and certainly by his uniform.

When informed of this, I went to the local recruiting station that had processed this young man to see if I were getting the entire story. The recruiter, a staff sergeant, told me, "Yes, sir. The Marine Corps considers the Confederate Flag a 'hate symbol,' but if the young man in question had a state or U.S. flag tattoo, that would be acceptable."

I informed the young sergeant that my family had defended the State of Tennessee (also his home state) against a sadistic invasion under that flag and to call our sacred flag of honour a 'hate symbol was an insult to ALL southerners, but especially to those southereners who had risked or even given their lives in service to the Marine Corps. Southerners had served at Belleau Woods, at Taraw and Iwo Jima, at Inchon and the Chosin Reservoir, and at Khe Sahn and Hue City, but now we are no longer wanted in the politically-correct don't-offend-any-minorities military? (This was just prior to the Fort Hood massacre)

He was polite, even sympathetic, but said the flag policy was a Marine Corps policy from Headquarters Marine Corps and not a local decision. After informing the sergeant that it seemed to me that our military was building a mercenary force of illegal aliens while rejecting native-born Americans in order to have a ready force to turn, without question, on American citizens, I asked the sergeant if he had taken out the trash yet.

He replied that he hadn't.

I then said, "Please add these to the day's garbage," and returned my lieutenant's bars, my gold and silver Marine Corps emblem from my dress blues, my shooting badges and my Vietnam ribbons.

I, like many of you, have always been told, "Once a Marine, always a Marine," and "There are no ex-Marines, only former Marines," but for me that is no longer true.

I was born in the South. I was raised here. I raised my family in the South and some day, God-willing, I hope to be buried in the native soil of our Southern homeland. I have always considered myself a Southerner first, and will remain so, despite any other organization that I may temporarily join.

I will never make a critical remark about a veteran, from any branch of the service, but from now on, I will do everything in my power to discourage any Southern young man, or lady, from becoming a future veteran. I am now an ex-Marine.

Gene Andrews ex-Marine, 1st Lieutenant 3rd Marine division Vietnam

Thank you, Gene, for being a legitimate patriot...one who will stand up and defend his family, his home, and his community.  Thank you for having the priority of being Southern!

May God grant us more such men.  We will then proudly have a free Tennessee Nation.

From Solitude,
David O Jones

Illegal immigration into these united States has become pandemic.  The recent administrations (both Republican and Democratic) in Washington have chosen to turn a blind eye toward the situation, so localities are beginning to take their own action.

This past week, Arizona’s governor Jan Brewer signed into law a bill that supporters said would take handcuffs off police in dealing with illegal immigration in Arizona.  Arizona, by the way, has become a virtual boulevard for human and drug smuggling from Mexico.  There are an estimated 460,000 illegal immigrants in Arizona alone.

In reaction, Arizona congressman Raul Grijalva called on businesses and convention groups to boycott Arizona as a meeting spot.  Raul is running for re-election in Arizona and called for a boycott of his own State?

The Associated Press reported that the American Immigration Lawyers Association announced that it would move its September conference for Scottsdale to another state.  How about moving it to Mexico, boys?  But then again, some of them might not be able to get back across the border legally.

The significant word in dealing with the situation is … illegal.  That means NOT LEGAL.  The Arizona law is directed at people who are BREAKING THE LAW!!  How in the world can that fact not be a factor in people’s thinking.

Kuddos to the Arizona legislature and to their governor Jan Brewer.  May the people of Arizona rise up and call her blessed!  May the illegals quit their whining, rise up, and go home.

When the Empire refuses to act, the sovereign States need to.  The Empire is corrupt, it is bankrupt, it is over-extended militarily, and it is slowly grinding to a halt.  Our elected officials at the state and local levels must begin to exercise their responsibility of interposition.

Interposition is simply the concept of—that “magistrate” which is closer to the people “positions” himself between the people and the unruly magistrate which is further away from the people.  The doctrine of interposition was advocated by Thomas Jefferson and other patriots as a necessary aspect of federalism, whereby a state could prevent the invasion of the reserved powers of state and people by some department of the federal government.  It also applies in the case of a local official preventing a state official from abusing a citizen’s personal or property rights.

When State and local officials actually begin to exercise their legitimate authority, then we will truly have a Free Tennessee.

From Solitude,
David O Jones

I once knew a man who had a pet Chihuahua.  He would always melt in laughter when telling how that little dog would charge the neighbor’s Doberman.  The huge Doberman would charge right back, but as it got to within four or five feet of the Chihuahua would roll over on its back and piss on itself.  The Chihuahua would leave the "field of battle" as the victor, never having had to even nip his antagonist.

Yesterday, the Associated Press reported just such an incident with the Virginia-based Kappa Alpha Order.  It seems that the national executive director of the fraternity has issued a directive to local chapters that they are banned from wearing Confederate uniforms to "Old South" parties and parades.  Revealing a total lack of leadership and integrity, KA’s national executive director, Larry Wiese, rolled over and pissed on himself.

It appears that some seventy alumnae of a racially segregated (black only) sorority were offended by gray uniforms and hooped skirts.  The Chihuahua charged!

Kappa Alpha was founded in 1865 at Washington & Lee University.  The "Lee" part of the university’s name is in honour of Robert E. Lee who revitalized the school after the War for Southern Independence.  And the fraternity refers to General Lee as its "spiritual founder."  Robert E. Lee is the ultimate example of leadership, of integrity, and of Christian faith and virtue!

Southern school…the most respected and revered southern General…seems appropriate to occasionally dress in antebellum attire!

National executive director Weise wrote in his memo:

In today's climate, the Order can ill afford to offend our host institutions and fend off significant negative national press and remain effective at our core mission, which is to aid young men in becoming better community leaders and citizens...

Yes, a most important lesson for future community leaders and citizens to learn is how to be stricken with terror when complaints are made.  Yes, a most important lesson of leadership is knowing how to sacrifice principle on the altar of political-correctnesss.  Yes, a most important lesson for future community leaders and citizens to learn is how to roll over and piss on yourself when confronted with an attack by mental midgets.  The Chihuahua is victorious!

May God save the South from people like Larry Weise.

From Solitude,
David O Jones

At a Town Hall meeting last evening for the Southern National Congress, one gentleman bemoaned the absence of some people he had invited.  He could not understand their lack of motivation to change the political climate under which they suffer.

His is a good question. What is our motivation for activity in various areas of life?  I have worked in various political campaigns and have attended various political workshops.  The list of issues about which people will get upset continues to grow: abortion, prayer in school, crime, immigration, taxes, war, regulations, etc., etc., and etc.  But all politicians know that the one issue which moves people is their own financial well-being.

The “pocket-book” issues are what elect or defeat any candidate.  People generally relate most every issue back to their own personal financial well-being.  The bailout of the Big Bankers has been an issue only when it relates to our personal pocket-book.  Bernie Madoff may have bilked a bunch of people of millions and millions, but he didn’t reach me, so he’s not all that bad a guy.

But there are a few who reach deeper in their psyche for motivation.  I was just looking at some Easter pictures of my granddaughters who live in another State.  It occurred to me that my Blog, my work with home education, my work with the local Chamber of Commerce, and my various political endeavours are about them.

We no longer live in the free society in which I grew up.  There were no sobriety check-points, no metal detectors at the airport, and no antagonistic reactions to speaking out for Christ when I was young.  The Gideons came into the classroom to hand out little New Testaments.  Air travel did not require multiple forms of photo identification, nor removal of shoes, nail clippers, and hair spray.  We were helped by “peace” officers, not harassed by “law enforcement.”

As a Christian, I will always first and foremost serve Christ, but those four little girls deserve to live in a world that has passed away.  I will devote all my life, my talent, and my resources so that they might be able to raise their children in a Free Tennessee.

What is your motivation?  Is it your pocket-book?  Or are you motivated by something deeper?

From Solitude,
David O Jones

On Thursday, 15 April, a Wisconsin U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb, issued an opinion that the law which requires the President to declare a National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional.

Judge Babs wrote that the National Day of Prayer "goes beyond mere 'acknowledgment' of religion because its sole purpose is to encourage all citizens to engage in prayer, an inherently religious exercise that serves no secular function…In this instance, the government has taken sides on a matter that must be left to individual conscience. . .”

I find it interesting (almost humorous) that this opinion was issued on the same day that all within the Empire are expected to bow and “render unto Caesar” the firstfruits of their labour.

The Scripture asks, “Why do the heathen rage?” Standing and shouting into the face of God that He is irrelevant in any “secular function” is an extreme exercise in futility.  When the leadership of a nation denies the Creator, why should we expect His blessing on any of our enterprise?

In yesterday’s worship, the congregation of which I am a member sang the three hundred year old hymn, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty.” The second verse reads:

Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

It amazes me that so many cannot see the hand of God in the blessings bestowed upon these united States over the years.  But the general blessing has ceased, there only remains specific blessing for His people. Of the seven verses of the hymn, our hymnal prints only five, omitting the fifth and sixth. I would enjoy singing the sixth verse.

Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding,
Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,
Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night,
Saints with His mercy surrounding.

We find ourselves with a President who will recognize Moslem holidays, but refuse to issue a call to prayer to the Creator. And Judges back him up. And legislators regularly ignor wisdom and Biblical Law. The Empire is dead.

May Tennesseans affirm their faith in the words of the fourth verse.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

May God save Tennessee and grant us a free Tennessee Nation.

From Solitude,
David O Jones

There arises an occasional challenge as to my “extreme” language of referring to the United States as the Columbian Empire.  A reasoned explanation is here provided.

A nation refers to a group of people who have covenanted together for social order and the protection of their homes, their families, and their society.  The term nation is derived from the same root as nationality or race.  All ancient nations were ethnically oriented.

“State” or “nation-state” is the term which came to be used in Christendom.  Again, states are covenantal units established for common defense.  Militias compose every able-bodied (and armed) man in the state, while armies are trained as professionals in the art of war.  The primary nature of a defensive military is to secure the borders, the shores, the coasts, and the skies from hostile threat or invasion.

Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of these united States refers to militias as well as Armies and a Navy.  The Congress shall have Power…

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions…

The Constitution refers to the use of armed forces to “suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions.”  These are defensive actions, not offensive.  When a nation/state ceases to have a defensive posture and adopts an offensive military agenda, it is empire-building.

In 2009, the Department of Defense admitted to 716 U.S. military bases on foreign soil.  Independent experts place the figure closer to 1000.   The DOD’s latest report sites troops stationed in 148 countries and 11 territories around the world.  This is not a defensive posture!  It is an Empire!

The DOD reports assets of more than 539,000 facilities on more than 5570 sites on approximately 29 million acres.  Its military spending almost equals the rest of the 200 plus countries of the world combined. This is an Empire!

We are way beyond the “repelling invasions” criteria of our Founding Fathers.  We are Medeo-Persia; we are Alexander’s Greece; we are Rome; we are the Columbian Empire!  As all the former empires fell from their own weight, so will ours.

Tennesseans must begin to prepare to rule themselves without the persistent presence of the federal bureaucracy.  Sooner or later we will have the responsibility of establishing the Tennessee Nation.

From Solitude,
David O Jones

A most disturbing indication of where we are as a people is the inclination for most everyone to ask government to fix every problem.  We are all victims who need help.

Those who value individual responsibility and personal accountability are no longer the ones who hold the microphones. Whether it be the “talking heads” of news programs or the advisors, annalists, experts, and politicos which they interview, everyone presents the same question, “What’s the government going to do about it?”

Just watched a video of a “conservative” FOX News commentator challenging a Congressman who wants to repeal ObamaCare. The question was asked, “How are you going to help the millions of uninsured Americans?”

Where in the Constitution does the Empire have the responsibility to take care of us? The only cradle-to-grave security which has ever existed on this continent was chattel slavery. I’m not asking for a comeback of that institution, but it seems that Emperor Obama and his minions do want us all to be slaves to the Empire.

John F. Kennedy’s famous line was, “Ask not what your country can do for you; Ask what you can do for your country!”  Most everyone seems to have it backwards now. Even “conservative” Legislators, Congressmen, and Senators are crawling over one another attempting to come up with a better version of what government can supply.

We need to be praying for men and women who will stand up and say, “I won’t vote to give you anything….But I will vote to make it easier for you to earn it yourself!”

Give me a Free Tennessee where free men in a free society “paddle their own canoe” and do not demand government or society in general to “take care of me.”

From Solitude,
David O Jones

The term interposition has been out of use in everyday language for over a hundred years, but it is making a resurgence.  The use of interposition during the 18th and 19th centuries has been studied in history classes, but most students quickly forget the term after their exams.  Interposition was a quaint term associated with another time, but wholly neglected and useless in modern politics. Until now.

Interposition is the concept of—that “magistrate” which is closer to the people “positions” himself between the people and the unruly magistrate which is further away from the people.

The doctrine of interposition has long legal and religious roots in American history.  The actions of the colonial assemblies in passing resolutions in defiance of the King and Parliament of Great Britain were simply acts of interposition.

Interposition was advocated by Thomas Jefferson and others as a necessary aspect of federalism, whereby a state could prevent the invasion of the reserved powers of state and people by some department of the federal government.  The Kentucky and Virginia Resolves in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts were statements of interposition by those respective State legislatures.

John C. Calhoun of South Carolina on the eve of the War for Southern Independence reasserted interposition in the doctrine of nullification.

The States of Tennessee and Montana have begun a series of legislative interpositions in the form of Tenth Amendment resolutions which are being approved by other state legislatures as well.  Tennessee and Montana have also approved laws which limit the BATFE’s authority on intrastate manufacture and commerce.

Early in the history of these united States, interposition worked.  Even South Carolina’s nullification of the Tariff caused the Congress to back up and reevaluate its position.  But when a few States expressed interposition with articles of secession, Abraham Lincoln (the first President elected by a minority) responded with a massive invasion of those sovereign States and a death toll of hundreds of thousands.

Do our elected representatives at the State and local levels have the resolve to resist acts of force?  Are they ready to meet federal “law enforcers” at the State line or the County line?  Or will they bow to the whims of some judge, cower in the corner and seek forgiveness from the Emperor?

We shall soon see.  Hopefully we have a good number who will stand for a Free Tennessee.

From Solitude,
David O Jones

Over the past half century, I have watched the increasing momentum toward the centralization of money and power in Washington, DC. When people think of “the government,” they rarely think of anything other than the central government.

As the influence of the central government has increased, this land has gradually ceased to be the America my patriot forefathers fought and died for in the 1770s. I can’t say when it died, but the corpse has putrefied. The only region which has a chance of hanging onto the virtues of patriotism is the South.

While the other regions embrace the Columbian Empire, the sovereign States of the South will resist.

Bill Cawthon, a friend and League member from Alabama, has provided some statistics and analysis of the US House vote on ObamaCare.

Every Southern State voted against ObamaCare.  Not only that, in every Southern State the Congressional House delegation voted against this major Health Care Reform by landslide proportions (a classic landslide is 60%). See the complete report here.

Tennessee’s Congressional delegation has four Republicans and five Democrats, yet they voted 6 to 3 against ObamaCare. Review Mr. Cawthon’s report and you will see that Tennessee has little in common with the Empire.

Give me a Free Tennessee!

From Solitude,
David O Jones