jeffreymark

THE FORGOTTEN PRESIDENT

Yesterday a few of our noble citizens celebrated Richard Nixon birthday. While Watergate eternally stamped a big old W on his political forehead, most Americans fail to recognize Nixon's moral achievements, particularly in the area of civil rights. In August of 1957 Martin Luther King sent this little known letter of gratitude to then Vice President Richard Nixon:

Mr. Richard Nixon, Vice-president The United States of America Washington,D.C.

Dear Mr. Nixon:

30 A% 1957

For several weeks I have been intending to write you, but an extremely busy schedule has stood in my way. First I want to express my sincere appreciation to you for so graciously receiving me and my colleague Rev. Abernathy in your office during the month of June. I will long remember the rich fellowship which we shared together and the fruitful discussion that we had.

Since our meeting together many significant things have happened in the life of our nation, particularly in the realm of civil rights.Just this morning our local paper revealed that the compromised Civil Rights Bill was finally passed by the Senate. After considering all angles I have come to the conclusion that the pres- ent bill is far better than no bill at all. This limited bill still provides districtjudges with power to maintain order and to insist upon compliance with their orders. This could be a powerful incentive in changes in behaviour and attitude. I real- ize that many sincere leaders, both Negro and white, feel that no bill i s better than the present bill, and that since we have waited this long for civil rights legislation we can afford to wait an additional year to get stronger legislation in this area. While I sympathize with this point of view, I feel that civil rights legislation is ur- gent now, and the present limited bill will go a long way to insure it. So it is my hope that the President will not veto the bill.4

It is also my firm conviction that the full effect of the Civil Rights Bill will de- pend in large degree upon the program of a sustained mass movement on the part of Negroes. History has demonstrated that inadequate legislation supported by mass action can accomplish more than adequate legislation which remains un- enforced for the lack of a determined mass movement. This is why I am initiating in the south a crusade for citizenship in which we will seek to get at least two million Negroes registered in the south for the 1960 elections. With the enthusiasm that we hope to kindle and the aid of the Civil Rights Bill this should not be difficult.

Let me say before closing how deeply grateful all people of goodwill are to you for your assiduous labor and dauntless courage in seeking to make the Civil Rights Bill a reality. This has impressed people all across the country, both Negro and white. This is certainly an expression of your devotion to the highest man- dates of the moral law. It is also an expression of your political wisdom. More and more the Negro vote is becoming a decisive factor in national politics. The Negro vote is the balance of power in so many important big states that one almost has to have the Negro vote to win a presidential election.

Again, let me thank you for your hospitality and generosity.You have my prayers and best wishes for the great work that you are doing in making our democracy a living reality.With persons like you occupying such important positions in our na- tion I am sure that we will soon emerge from the bleak and desolate midnight of man’s inhumanity to man to the bright and glittering daybreak of freedom and

justice for all men.
Please extend my best regards to Mrs. [Pat] Nixon and our other friends

around the White House.

Very sincerelyyours,

[signed]

Martin Luther King,Jr., Minister

MLKmlb

P.S.At your earliest convenience I hope you will see your way clear to speak to the President concerning the conference that we discussed. It was a real plea- sure talking with you by telephone the other day 

I find it fascinating indeed that liberals crown fallen leaders such as Clinton and Ted Kennedy, while Republicans have banished their fallen to the achieves of shame. No one dare mention Richard Nixon lest he lose face. A telling thought indeed.  

MORE ON ANDY WILLIAMS

They loved him in England. Here's an outstanding tribute from the BBC.

 

ANDY WILLIAMS RIP

Im going to miss him. In my opinion he's the most outstanding crooner to ever take the stage. Today's young generation may not recognize the name. Here's what I wrote about him at Amazon in relation to his Live Treasures CD:

Those who grew up watching Andy Williams on television know his live performances rate second to none. These treasures from his personal collection represent the epitome of every crooner's effort. In fact, most crooners fit into one of three mass produced styles: pretty boys with sweet voices; operatic with a tinge of the informal; the down on his luck barroom loser who, with graveled voice, begs Joe for one more shot of courage. Andy Williams fits none of these styles. He dwells in a category all his own, far above the standard crooner.
Andy not only sings a song, he interprets it. He swings with "Charade," prays in "Danny Boy," and shouts to the universe when he asks, "Who Can I Turn To?" Andy also reveals to the world why Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson must be taken seriously as song writers. He captures the essence of McCartney's sadness in "Yesterday" and the beauty of a lover's plea in Wilson's "God Only Knows."

Then there's the technique. Andy's singing techniques and style defy comprehension. He never breathes. He moves back and forth from falsetto to natural voice without a crack. His microphone presence keeps the listener mesmerized. Andy needs no sound technician. He personally manipulates the mike to get the sound he desires. He belts out notes and backs off without a hitch. All the while, in Johnny Carson's words, "He makes it look so easy."

Anyone who listens to "Andy Williams Live" will come back to it again and again, each time walking away with a song on their lips, a spring in their step, and a smile on their face.

MAKE A WISH

This photo found at The Daily Beast came with the following caption: RUPEE RUMBLE
INDIAN POLICE OFFICERS DETAIN A BHARATIYA JANATA YUVA MORCHA (BJYM) ACTIVIST DURING A PROTEST.
It's the pic of the week.

 

THINKING ABOUT OBAMA'S AMERICA 2016

Saw the movie Obama's America: 2016 yesterday. Two observations: 

(1) Before we elected Obama we knew about his nefarious American influencers. William Ayers, Roberto Unger, and Rev.Wright-all socialist/communists, who believed in forced collectivism through a central authority. 

(2) Winston Churchill spoke for a small minority of English who wanted the English government to stop Hitler and refuse any negotiations with him. What did Churchill know and when did he know it? He was one of the few to read Hitler's Mein Kampf (James Murphy Translation) . In it Hitler delivered his political philosophy to us on a silver platter, but few paid attention. In 1995 Obama authored a little known book called Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance . The book tells us who Obama is and describes the shaping of his anti colonial political compass. Crown republished Dreams From My Father in Jan. 2007. I'm not suggesting in any fashion that Obama resembles Hitler. Yet, we could have known who he was and why he makes certain unorthodox decisions if we had only paid attention.

A GORME BIRTHDAY

(Belated birthday note; repost from 2008)

Picture yourself out watering your yard when the new next door neighbor saunters up. You introduce yourselves to each other and you think, "She sure seems like a nice lady." Every once in a while she knocks on your door and declares that her little boy threw his ball over the fence for the umpteenth time, could you please go get it. You don't mind because she exhibits such a sweet disposition. One evening you turn on the Tonight Show. Glaring at you from the screen stands a sort of familiar face. You look over at your wife a bit puzzled asking, "Honey, where have I seen that lady before?" The Mrs. responds, "She sure looks a lot like our next door neighbor Eydie Gorme." After gawking at her for a moment or two you realize that this same mother next door took on a night job singing. And man can she sing. Yes indeed, she's Eydie Gorme alright.

Edith Gormezano, born August 16, 1931 to Jewish immigrant parents, was the youngest of three children. Edith
(Eydie) grew up speaking both English and Spanish. She discovered early on that she loved singing, and by the ripe old age of three made her debut on the radio. During her formative years Eydie discovered several venues in which to display her talent. In addition, her fluency in Spanish landed her various job as a translator. Over a period of approximately two years Gorme sang with various bands including Tex Beneke. Her momentous break came in 1953 when Steve Allen invited her to become a regular on the Tonight show. There she met singer Steve Lawrence who she later married in 1957. That same year the dynamic singing duo hosted Steve Allen's program as the summer replacement.

Eydie Gorme entered music during the cradle years of Rock n Roll. Her Broadway demeanor threatened to handicap her musical talents from the get go. But, we're talking about Eydie Gorme here-the mother next door who moonlighted and loved it to death. Music connoisseurs had to take note of her effervescent smile and silky smooth voice. You couldn't turn her down. Even though she and husband Steve produced numerous top 40 hits over a period of 5 decades, Eydie Gorme remains the most underrated female vocalist of our times. She exhibits a subtle power that creeps up on you like a kick from a single malt scotch. You listen to her silky smooth, innocent little girl voice, allowing it to bewitch you into pleasantville. Suddenly this serene vocal overpowers you, wrapping around you with its enthralling mystique; enslaving you to the rapturous moment. At the conclusion of the event you inquisitively scratch your head wondering, "You mean to tell me this nice lady turns into a slick seductress during her night job?" Listen below as Eydie Gorme sings on the Tonight Show and see for yourself.(when viewing this piece remember the times-60s with caked on makeup and poor video quality.)

Eydie kills 'em - 1966

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On a personal note, Eydie Gorme represented my parent's music genre. Only senile, one foot in the grave types listened to her, or so I thought. Sometime during my 19th year a metamorphosis occurred. It happened when a smooth song came over the radio and caught my attention. I recall the words repeating over and over again: "eres tu, eres tu," subtly doing a voodoo she do so well-she hypnotized me. Those words "eres tu" declared it was me she loved and I was falling for it. After the song the D.J. shouted, "Eres Tu by Eydie Gorme." The announcement stunned me. I couldn't fathom that someone almost old enough to be my mother made that much of a vocal impact on me. I longed for more. Eydie did not disappoint. The song gave me my fix at approximately the same time everyday for several weeks. No longer would I view this woman as one ready to enter the home. Now she was Eydie Gorme-young, vivacious, and alluring.

Steve and Eydie retired in 2009. I believe someday God may put them on his show in heaven as one of the featured acts. And I hope he allows me the privilege of living next door to Eydie on our street made of gold. She'd make such a nice neighbor. Happy birthday Eydie. Keep on doing that voodoo you do so well.

Here's Eydie's signature song.

Eydie - If He Walked Into My Life

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CONDI RICE SCORES POSITIVE POINTS

Listening to Condi Rice right now at Republican convention. Her voice nervously shakes, but her words ring a victory bell. The essence of her speech so far centers around not only hope discovered in the ticket, but hope the American character offers. Our nation's collective disposition has always been one of hope, leadership, and ingenuity. Condi inspired us to draw from deep down in our own individual wells once again and bring forth that disposition. Good stuff from Condi.  

MORE FROM THE WORLD OF DEMOCRAT WEIRDO LAND

Why does Minnesota elect punch drunk wrestlers and washed up comedians to high offices? This hit home with me today as I read an article that does not surprise me:

But before Franken was a senator he was a writer on the TV show Saturday Night Live. Then, he famously joked about raping CBS reporter Lesley Stahl.

As New York magazine reported in 1995, from a writing session that the reporter sat in on:

Franken: “And, ‘I give the pills to Lesley Stahl. Then, when Lesley’s passed out, I take her to the closet and rape her.’ Or, ‘That’s why you never see Lesley until February.’ Or, ‘When she passes out, I put her in various positions and take pictures of her.’”

With the national conversation now turning to women's issues as a result of the bizarre and offensive comments by Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin over the weekend, it seems a bit odd that Vice President Biden would take the stage with Franken, considering his own lack of sensitivity to the horrors of rape.

Many years ago Americans elected Democrats based on their pragmatic (although sometimes idealistic) approach to mom and pop issues. As the party becomes increasingly liberal they must constantly look for creative ways to keep power. Unfortunately, pragmatism no longer enters the picture. Utopian kooks addicted to emotional highs now run the show with nothing more than empty glitz and glamour. The election of such weirdos is more telling, however, of the American character than of the Democrat party itself.

AS SEEN ON FACEBOOK

He came as soon as he heard. From Instapundit.

THE PRICE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

Freedom, including religious freedom, calls for our best within us. Not long ago Andy Garcia, one of the good guys, starred in a compelling historical drama that posits serious implications for today's debate over religious freedom. John Hanlon over at Patheos offers this synopsis of the film:

"Freedom has no compromise. By its definition, it is absolute." So states General Enrique Gorostieta in the new film For Greater Glory.

The movie centers on the Mexican government's war on the Catholic Church in the early 20th century. The Oscar-nominated Andy Garcia plays General Gorostieta, a renowned military leader who—despite his atheism—agrees to lead the fight for religious freedom. In a recent roundtable interview held to promote the film, Garcia discussed the reasons he made the film, the parallels to his own life, and why it's important for people to fight to protect their freedoms from an overeager government.

CLINT EASTWOOD STILL GOING STRONG AT 82

GREATNESS

Two world class crooners and a hall of fame song writer (Paul Simon).

SOFTLY

As a minister I have seen much too much pain, suffering, and death. As I get older it wears on me. It didn't so much as a young man. Even though most of those who I know that passed on embraced eternal life, they left behind great grief and loneliness. It's human nature to intensely grieve after losing a spouse of 30-50 years. Most of you who know me know I'm a right brained sort of emotional person. Thus, I love music that moves my emotions. Below is a piece by the greatest crooner who ever lived entitled Softly As I leave You. It's about a man who is dying and he says he will go softly before his wife awakens to see him pass on. When you know the background of this song then you may discover its emotional power. To be sure, Andy William's divine voice lends to the song's effects.

ELVIS MEMORIES

In 1968 Elvis left the movies to concentrate more on music and tours. That same year he taped the famed Comeback Special for NBC. His management asked Lubbock native Mac Davis in particular, to write a new song for the event. Davis later told the story of how he felt pressured to meet a 24 hour deadline. So, he stayed up until 3:00 a.m. finally producing this masterpiece that helped launch both he and Elvis back into the limelight.

MARVIN HAMLISCH (RIP)

Broadway musical composer Mavin Hamlisch died on August 6th of this year. He wrote some of the most notable and beautiful songs of the last century. Pieces such as The Entertainer, The Way We Were, and my favorite, Looking Through the Eyes of Love. The song appears as the theme for Ice Castles. Below, Andy Williams, who I consider the most skilled, stylish crooner ever, demonstrates the beauty of this particular song as no one else can do.

MICHELLE OBAMA SELF RIGHTEOUS HEALTH COP

Most who follow the idiocy of liberals knows Michelle Obama wants to guide our eating habits. She even has the audacity to tell Olympians how to eat. Only problem-she pushes for a whole wheat Egg McMuffin. Whole wheat drives up insulin resistance much like sugar and leads to metabolic compromise. The First Lady needs to wise up with the latest on diet and health. She's living in the 1970-80's health paradigm.

PAUL RYAN FITNESS GEEK

Several months ago Paul Ryan appeared on Fox News Weekend with Chris Wallace. The Fox folks made Ryan a birthday cake. He did not eat it claiming he had quit eating sugar long ago. I suspected then Congressman Ryan knew the ends and outs of sugar and fitness. LA Times confirms my intuitive feelings:

Now add Romney’s running mate, Paul Ryan, to the mix. The Republican House budget chairman is a former personal trainer with 6% to 8% body fat, who told CNN he faced a crossroads earlier in his life when he had to chose between a career in government or professional skiing.

Ryan’s workout of choice, at least for a time, is P90X, which he described to Politico as a blend of muscle confusion and cross-training: lots of cardio, pull-ups, push-ups, karate,yoga.

THE COMEBACK (GROWN UP) TEAM

Roger Kimball describes the character of the Democrat party in just a few short sentences while comparing Team Romney/Ryan to the current Presidential leadership. (Or might I say lack thereof)

I’ve been saying for some time now that Romney will beat Obama by a landslide. His choice of Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as a running mate makes me even more confident that Romney will trounce Mr. Hope ’n Change. Ryan is an adult. Unlike Joe Biden, he does not regularly give the impression of having suffered a lobotomy. (Bold mine) Ryan, unlike the entire Democratic establishment, understands that money does not come from the stork. He understands that individual liberty and limited government go together, and, what’s more, he is in favor of individual liberty, which the Democratic establishment certainly is not. He is energetic, articulate, personable, and mature.

Together, Romney and Ryan exude a spirit of competence. Obama and Biden exude a spirit of obliviousness undergirded by viciousness and, increasingly, panic. I know, I know: the polls do not support my judgment that Obama will lose and lose big. But the polls, Kemo Sabe, have been known to err. I feel about most polls the way Lady Bracknell felt about the Court Guides reporting the particulars of Cecily Cardew’s parentage: “I have known strange errors in that publication.”

In my opinion the major character flaw of Democrat leadership lies in their adolescence. That's why so many young people mindlessly vote for these fools. One young man I confronted a few years ago on the subject of Obama, when challenged simply responded, "You just don't understand man." I replied, "What do I not understand?" He retorted, "Obama is going to give us our life back."  I could tell this young man, in the spirit of mob violence, spouted a group think he new nothing about. 

 

THE EVILS OF SUGAR

Thanks to Tom over at Houston Clear Thinkers I have begun to take a new look at health, fitness, and aging. This piece from 60 Minutes reinforces the current research which suggests sugar cause a host of metabolic diseases. 

 

WHY CLASSIC ALBUMS SELL MORE THAN NEW ONES

Instapundit posted this link. I have an answer without reading the article. The new musicians are no damn good and that's that..

COACH K, USA, AND NIGERIA

A few metro-pussies and others accused coach K of running up the score in the USA's Olympic basketball game against Nigeria. The USA won 156 to 73. Can the USA help it if these so called world class Nigerian athletes are a bunch of scrubs?  Former Texas Tech University head football coach and now coach for Washington State, Mike Leach, has an answer for such phenomenon. When accused several years ago of running up the score against the SMU Mustangs Leach simply replied, "There's a way to stop that you know." Coach K should do the same. 

OLD PHILOSOPHIES NEVER DIE

With apologies to General Douglas MacArthur I cautiously observe that "Old philosophies never die. They just become irrelevant." The state of current pop progressiveism appears critical. The philosophy, in this writer's opinion, presents itself to elitists as a sort of religious, secular fundamentalism. When one places self in this narrow mindset to the exclusion of, in their cliched analysis, "open mindedness," one becomes trite and creatively stifled, not to mention delusional as well. Recent foreboding developments in mainstream media circles allude to this phenomenon. Steven Hayward offers some light here:

Think this over for a minute: for-profit media companies are becoming charity cases for their core mission.  Really?  (It is well known that without this highly profitable Kaplan test prep division, the Washington Post company would be losing buckets of money.)  That’s not a business model with a future.

Meanwhile, it will be fun to watch Ford and other liberal foundation pour their money down media ratholes.  Brings to mind a boozy Washington dinner I was at some years ago, where I was somehow seated next to young lady from the National Center for Responsive Philanthropy—the liberal group that had produced a handwringing report deploring the effectiveness of the relatively tiny conservative foundations, chiefly Bradley, Scaife, and Olin—whose total assets didn’t add up to one month’s worth of Ford Foundation grants.  The Left perpetually wonders what secret conspiracy accounts for the superior effectiveness of conservative grantmakers.

My own experiences taught me that fundamentalism, in a religious context, fights conversion. I assume the same holds true with philosophical fundamentalism as well. Conversion presupposes self reflection, and self reflection challenges one's small world; asks that one enlarge this world. That in turn induces insecurity, because change finds us out. We stand on sinking sand or a ship without an anchor. Sometimes fundamentalists view their tenacity as an anchor meant to stabilize the ship. In reality, what is needed is not another anchor, but launching the ship into deeper waters.

As long as progressive fundamentalists refuse to consider alternatives, they will continue on this road to self destruction.  

A FORGOTTEN GREAT SORT OF

We don't hear much from legendary musician Stephen Stills these days. His live performances send grimaces through the crowd because of his declining vocals. He sounds like a stroke victim. No one knows for sure. But, the man can still burn up the guitar. Hopefully Americans will remember his musical genius more than his sad, misled leftism.This is one of his best. 

NO GREATER LOVE THAN THIS...

Jesus once exclaimed,"There is no greater love than this: that a man lay down his life for another. His spirit still lives in hearts all over America as demonstrated through these heartbreaking testimonies. 

LONG READ

This is my Summer of challenge-challenge through difficult reading. Today I started a long arduous read recommended by Asbury Theological NT professor Ben Witherington. The book is entitled God Of The Living: A Biblical Theology.  Here is the publisher's synopsis:

In God of the Living, noted biblical scholars Reinhard Feldmeier and Hermann Spieckermann provide a comprehensive theology of the God of the Christian Bible. A remarkable achievement, God of the Living joins together the very best of Old and New Testament scholarship to craft a comprehensive biblical theology. Feldmeier and Spieckermann wrestle with the whole of scripture to give a definitive and decisive voice to the church's central mission--bearing witness to the living God.

Both historical and systematic, God of the Living explores God's multifaceted, complex, and sometimes contradictory character presented in the scriptures. Yet, whether in wrath or reconciliation, judgment or justification, suffering or salvation, God has given and shares divine life in the person of Jesus Christ. Thus, Feldmeier and Spieckermann uncover God's profound affirmation of human life, as the God of the living--the God of the Bible--finds fulfillment in relation to the living partners of his own creation.