The Berkes

So Happy

We're trying to figure out why this child is so darn happy...all the time!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

We've had a lot to be thankful for this year.  One thing that I will always be thankful for is Abraham Lincoln, and his official proclamation making Thanksgiving a national holiday in this great country.

PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S THANKSGIVING DAY PROCLAMATION, OCTOBER 3, 1863.

"The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften the heart which is habitually insensible to the everwatchful providence of almighty God.

"In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and provoke their aggressions, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict; while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

"Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

"No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the most high God, who while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

"It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that, while offering up the ascriptions justly due to him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation, and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.

"In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United Stated States to be affixed."

"Talking"

Getting Ready for Christmas

Dressed up like a candy cane:)

Christmas Hats

Grandma Bobbie sent us Christmas hats!!!!!

Baby Bath

We haven't had any baby bath pics in a while.

The Culture War Is On

Ever since I was a little kid growing up in Amherst, NY I have always hated political correctness.  I had no idea what this term meant when I was growing up in the late 70's/80's.  All I knew was that I couldn't stand people that insisted on saying "happy holidays" so as not to offend a Jew...as there was, and still is, a large Jewish population in western New York.  There is a much larger Catholic and Protestant population up there so I always thought it was normal when someone said merry Christmas to me.  They didn't know that I grew up Jewish.  They weren't trying to offend me.  They believe in Jesus, God and the celebratory nature of Christmas...so they wished me merry Christmas!  It wasn't a big deal.  Now we have an extremely politically correct society where everyone has to tip toe around so no one is offended.  Where kids play sports and they don't keep score because "competition" teaches kids to be too aggressive.  Where schools "pass" kids who are barely literate and they end up in the real world without basic skills.  Where God is slowly, but surely, being taken out of the public square...all in the name of political correctness.  And now the secular-progressives are coming after people of faith because they think we're an ignorant lot, and all we want to do is oppress the minority.

Before I go any further let me say that I think government needs to keep it's nose out of many things in society today.  Government does very few things well.  Let me also say that activist judges are not going to be allowed by the citizens of this great country to impose their will on us...be that liberal or conservative will.  The United States of America is not an oligarchy.  It is a federal constitutional republic with the Constitution being the supreme law of the land.

Since the election of President-Elect Barack Obama, and the vote by the majority of residents in California, Florida and Arizona to ban gay marriage, the culture wars have kicked into high gear.  An elderly woman having the cross smacked out of her hands and the burning of the Bible outside a Mormon church are just the beginning.  Bad things are brewing, and I refuse to sit idly by and watch this happen without saying my piece. 

Here are two sentiments that have my panties in a bunch:

• Equating the plight of African-Americans in this country, and the civil rights movement in general, to gay marriage.  Folks, 70% of blacks in California just voted against gay marriage.  These are the same people that overwhelmingly voted for Obama, but against gay marriage.  Hmmm...it doesn't appear that blacks think gay marriage is a civil right, now does it?
• The secular-progressives are slamming traditional Americans with the so-called "separation of church and state", saying that the majority of Christian/Jewish/Islamic voters in California are discriminating against gays because of religious beliefs.  Jefferson's metaphor, "separation of church and state," has been used in the past 45 years to justify many of the Supreme Court's decisions limiting religious activity, ignoring the fact that he was speaking to reassure a church that they were protected from the federal government (not the other way around), and ignoring the fact that he and the Constitution use "state" to mean only the federal government, not state or local governments. As one's main authority on the Constitution, Jefferson is suspect. He was not involved in the creation of the Constitution or the First Amendment - he was overseas serving as ambassador to France at the time. 

So when a legal proposition is placed on a ballot for the people to vote on, well, the people vote on it.  It doesn't much matter why the majority of citizens in California, Florida and Arizona voted to define marriage between one man and one woman...all that matters is that they did.  Or if it was the other way around, that they didn't. 

But I digress.  I want to speak more about the First Amendment.

In doing a few hours of research on the Interwebs I came across one or two instances (insert my absolute sarcasm here) where this so-called "separation of church and state'' aren't so separate after all.

First, let's start with the exact text of the First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

No where in there does it mention or imply the separation of church and state.  Now, let's take a look at a few examples of how a few of our leaders felt about God, and the inclusion of church services in legislative meetings.  Yes, you read that correctly...church services held inside the Capitol.  Please read the following.  I will have more to say later.

George Washington
He asked God to: "dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation."

Woodrow Wilson
"[The Bible is] the one supreme source of revelation of the meaning of life, the nature of God and spiritual nature, and the needs of men."

John Adams
"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America, to be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival, commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty from one end of the Continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore. You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, the blood, and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration and support and defend these states; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of light and glory; that the end is worth all the means; that posterity will triumph in that day's transaction, even though we shall rue, it, which I trust in God we shall not."

John Quincy Adams
"The Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth and laid the corner stone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity."

William Jefferson Clinton
"Sometimes I think the environment in which we operate is entirely too secular. The fact that we have freedom of religion doesn't mean we need to try to have freedom from religion."

Abraham Lincoln
"...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

and:
"[Both side in the Civil War] read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. 'Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh.' If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said 'the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether'. With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan - to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations."

Rutherford B. Hayes
[Hayes acknowledged that he was] "... Looking for the guidance of that Divine Hand by which the destinies of nations and individuals are shaped."

and:
"I am a firm believer in the Divine teachings, perfect example, and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I believe also in the Holy Scriptures as the revealed Word of God to the world for its enlightenment and salvation."

George H.W. Bush
"And my first act as President is a prayer. I ask you to bow your heads:
Heavenly Father, we bow our heads and thank You for Your love. Accept our
thanks for the peace that yields this day and the shared faith that makes
its continuance likely. Make us strong to do Your work, willing to heed and
hear Your will, and write on our hearts these words: "Use power to help
people." For we are given power not to advance our own purposes, nor to make
a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power,
and it is to serve people. Help us to remember it, Lord. Amen."

Franklin D. Roosevelt
"And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:

"Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.

"Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith. ..."
[much more follows in the original broadcast]

Grover Cleveland
"Above all, I know there is a Supreme Being who rules the affairs of men and whose goodness and mercy have always followed the American people, and I know He will not turn from us now if we humbly and reverently seek His powerful aid."

and:
"And let us not trust to human effort alone, but humbly acknowledging the power and goodness of Almighty God, who presides over the destiny of nations, and who has at all times been revealed in our country's history, let us invoke His aid and His blessings upon our labors."

James Buchanan
"In entering upon this great office I must humbly invoke the God of our fathers for wisdom and firmness to execute its high and responsible duties."

Reserved Seats at Capitol Services
Here is a description, by an early Washington "insider," Margaret Bayard Smith (1778-1844), a writer and social critic and wife of Samuel Harrison Smith, publisher of the National Intelligencer, of Jefferson's attendance at church services in the House of Representatives: "Jefferson during his whole administration was a most regular attendant. The seat he chose the first day sabbath, and the adjoining one, which his private secretary occupied, were ever afterwards by the courtesy of the congregation, left for him."

Adams's Description of a Church Service in the Supreme Court
John Quincy Adams here describes the Reverend James Laurie, pastor of a Presbyterian Church that had settled into the Treasury Building, preaching to an overflow audience in the Supreme Court Chamber, which in 1806 was located on the ground floor of the Capitol.

Church Services in Congress after the Civil War
Charles Boynton (1806-1883) was in 1867 chaplain of the House of Representatives and organizing pastor of the First Congregational Church in Washington, which was trying at that time to build its own sanctuary. In the meantime the church, as Boynton informed potential donors, was holding services "at the Hall of Representatives" where "the audience is the largest in town. . . .nearly 2000 assembled every Sabbath" for services, making the congregation in the House the "largest Protestant Sabbath audience then in the United States." The First Congregational Church met in the House from 1865 to 1868.

From the Library of Congress we learn that as late as 1868 the U.S. House of Representatives held church services in its chambers. Some of these were the largest church gatherings in our country at that time. As the article says:

The House moved to its current location on the south side of the Capitol in 1857. It contained the "largest Protestant Sabbath audience" in the United States when the First Congregational Church of Washington held services there from 1865 to 1868.

Freedom of Religion

As time goes on I am amazed at how secular our society is becoming.  In my opinion there is a direct correlation between the increase of far-left, secular-progressive thought and the breakdown of our society.  And if you don't think our society is breaking down then why don't you pick up a newspaper and read it...look at what's going on in this great country.  Perhaps I'm getting too old and too conservative, but the more I lose my liberty the more pissed off I get.

I will defer to Ron Paul and what he wrote in an article in 2003 regarding the First Amendment and the Establishment Clause:

The notion of a rigid separation between church and state has no basis in either the text of the Constitution or the writings of our Founding Fathers. On the contrary, our Founders’ political views were strongly informed by their religious beliefs. Certainly the drafters of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, both replete with references to God, would be aghast at the federal government’s hostility to religion. The establishment clause of the First Amendment was simply intended to forbid the creation of an official state church like the Church of England, not to drive religion out of public life. The Founding Fathers envisioned a robustly Christian yet religiously tolerant America, with churches serving as vital institutions that would eclipse the state in importance. Throughout our nation’s history, churches have done what no government can ever do, namely teach morality and civility. Moral and civil individuals are largely governed by their own sense of right and wrong, and hence have little need for external government. This is the real reason the collectivist Left hates religion: Churches as institutions compete with the state for the people’s allegiance, and many devout people put their faith in God before putting their faith in the state. Knowing this, the secularists wage an ongoing war against religion, chipping away bit by bit at our nation’s Christian heritage. Christmas itself may soon be a casualty of that war.

Baby is 7 months old

Where has the time gone???

 

FIRE!

This is how I roll when there is a fire threat...

Autumn in North Carolina

I.O.U.

I don't think a lot of people understand what's happening in our country with our financial situation. The Republicans and the Democrats like to spend, spend, spend. We are really in some serious trouble with these bailouts. Please take some time to watch this video. It's a 30-minute condensed version of a critically acclaimed documentary put together by the former U.S. Comptroller General. The U.S. Comptroller General is the top accountant in the United States, if you didn't know.

Congrats, President Obama

First of all...I called it at 8:15 (check my Facebook account.)  That's because I'm smart...and I'm decent at math:)

I have to admit that this has been an amazing night.  There is no question that Obama is the least-qualified, most radical candidate for president ever.  But you know what?  It doesn't matter.  I feel that Obama's associations over the last 20 years had more to do with political expediency than anything else.  Our country, the greatest country in the history of the world, has elected an African-American president.  I'm proud of our citizens for looking past race.  Color never had anything to do with my choice for president.  My choice was based on issues, and how I feel the country would do with a liberal in the White House.

The interesting thing about Obama's campaign over the last couple months is that he ran as a center-right candidate.  If you think for one second that's not true then why did he beat us over the head, incessantly, at every chance, that he's cutting taxes for 95% of the middle-class?  That's a center-right position, my friends.  Obama is perhaps the most brilliant politician we've ever seen.  I'm just hoping going forward that President Obama leads this great nation as a center-right politician.  I still believe with either choice tonight that we lost a little bit more of our liberty, but I pray that I'm wrong.

God bless this great country; God bless President Obama.  And whether or not you are a believer in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, you need to read the following scripture.  This is the good news...this is the real truth:

Psalm 146:3-6 (New International Version)

 3 Do not put your trust in princes,
       in mortal men, who cannot save.

 4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
       on that very day their plans come to nothing.

 5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
       whose hope is in the LORD his God,

 6 the Maker of heaven and earth,
       the sea, and everything in them—
       the LORD, who remains faithful forever.