Don't be afraid to walk alone. One of the greatest strengths of Jesus the Christ and your grandfather. Kenneth Keith McClenton, were that they were not ashamed to walk alone in life. Your wife may deny you. Your friends may desert you. Your foes may dance as the grave swallows you. The world may ignore you. You may be placed in darkness when light is avatlable. You may be falsely prosecuted in the realms of personal and public courts of opinion. Be true to you and hold fast to your nature. Don't be afraid to walk alone. Take risks, grsndson. You will not please everyone, even those you deem that which matter. "Risks" refer to the possibility of loss, harm, or an unwelcome outcome, representing uncertainty that can impact objectives, with types including financial, operational, strategic, and compliance risks, managed by identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential negative impacts. Understanding risk involves distinguishing between the risk event (like traffic congestion) and its causes (heavy rain) or effects (being late) to manage it effectively. You have been called to God's Greatness. God's greatness refers to His supreme, infinite, and incomprehensible nature, encompassing His unparalleled power, wisdom, love, and sovereignty over all creation, making Him worthy of ultimate awe and worship, as described across many faith traditions, especially in the Bible's Psalms, where His greatness is called "unsearchable". It means He is greater than any earthly power, with limitless attributes that are revealed through His mighty acts and eternal character, far surpassing human understanding. Many are ashamed tp try to reach it and others are jealous that you are confidant enough to try.
As a toddler, you dream of flying in a heliocopter. Your dreams and visions propel others to live a life worthy of making your dreams and visions come true. That's leadership! You are able to make the small things big. Leadership is the process of influencing a group to achieve a common goal, involving vision, communication, and motivation, with key qualities like integrity, self-awareness, and resilience, while different styles (e.g., transformational, democratic) offer varied approaches to guiding teams, and skills can be developed through personal growth and practice. Effective leaders build trust, foster collaboration, and empower individuals, making leadership accessible to everyone, not just those with formal titles. In the Bible, leadership is fundamentally defined as servant leadership, a model where authority is used to benefit others rather than to exercise power over them. Leadership in the Bible emphasizes servant leadership, where leaders guide by serving and sacrificing (Matthew 20:26-28), not dominating, focusing on faith, humility, and moral character as exemplified by figures like Jesus, Paul, and Nehemiah. True biblical leaders are defined by qualities like selflessness, integrity, and a vision bigger than themselves, serving God and others first, and leading by example in love, purity, and perseverance. "Servant" is Blue Letter Bible Lexicon Strong's G1401 - doulos meaning:
- a slave, bondman, man of servile condition
- a slave
- metaph., one who gives himself up to another's will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men
- devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests
- a servant, attendant
A man who is willing to look down and lift up rather look down and scorn.
I grew up in an age when Blacks thought healing from "inferiority" meant making others feel inferior, especially white, Christian men. Some tried to make the innocent responsible for the "sins of their fathers". "Sins of the father" refers to the concept that a parent's wrongdoings or negative patterns can negatively affect their children and future generations, a theme found in religious texts like the Bible (Exodus 20:5-6) and explored in literature, psychology, and media as intergenerational trauma, where behaviors like addiction or abuse are passed down, impacting family dynamics for years. It's often explained as children inheriting destructive patterns or the consequences of parents' choices, rather than being inherently guilty for their parents' sins, with the cycle sometimes broken through awareness and recovery. Those that shared this mindset were my foes, Black Lives Matter and ANTIFA. Black Lives Matter (BLM) believed "We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and “villages” that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable" and "We foster a queer‐affirming network. When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking, or rather, the belief that all in the world are heterosexual (unless s/he or they disclose otherwise)" and "We are unapologetically Black in our positioning. In affirming that Black Lives Matter, we need not qualify our position. To love and desire freedom and justice for ourselves is a prerequisite for wanting the same for others." In general, people who identify as antifa are known not for what they support, but what they oppose: Fascism, nationalism, far-right ideologies, white supremacy, authoritarianism, racism, homophobia and xenophobia. Some antifa activists also denounce capitalism and the government overall. The BBC's Seriously reported: "Their willingness to use violence marks out Antifa from many other left-wing activists, although the Antifa members we spoke to said they denounce the use of weapons and violent direct action. They said if violence does occur, it’s as a form of self-defence. They also make historical arguments to justify their position. For instance, they ask, what if opponents of the German Nazi Party had been more forceful in their opposition in the 1930s, could World War Two and the Holocaust have been averted?
Antifa have been directly and sometimes physically confronting the far right on the streets and, in some cases, they have been successful in postponing, cutting short or cancelling rallies and speeches up and down America.' Seriously continues. "Traditionally direct street action has been a mostly male domain, but significant numbers of women are members of Antifa groups and have been arrested at counter-demonstrations against the alt-right in California and elsewhere. Female members of Antifa groups told us they view the current administration as being anti-women. They point to White House policies on immigration, affordable health care, abortion rights and voting rights and say they disproportionately affect women and minorities. We spoke with Sunsara Taylor from the Antifa group Refuse Fascism who told us women are motivated to respond to "what hits them".'Based on September 2025 actions, the U.S. administration initiated a government-wide effort to designate "Antifa" as a domestic terrorist organization, while also targeting various organizations, including those associated with 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, as part of a campaign against "left-wing terrorism". This strategy targets groups allegedly engaging in political violence and intimidation. The We the People organization petitioned President Barack Obama's White House Administration to label BLM a domestic terrorist urganization. "Terrorism is defined as "the use of violence and intimidation in pursuit of political aims". This definition is the same definition used to declare ISIS and other groups, as terrorist organizations. Black Lives Matter has earned this title due to its actions in Ferguson, Baltimore, and even at a Bernie Sanders rally, as well as all over the United States and Canada. It is time for the pentagon to be consistent in its actions - and just as they rightfully declared ISIS a terror group, they must declare Black Lives Matter a terror group - on the grounds of principle, integrity, morality, and safety." So much for that petition! Obama was a big BLM supporter. Obama has expressed support for the goals of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, validating their focus on racial injustice and police reform while encouraging, through a Medium post, constructive, non-violent action for change. He has met with BLM leaders at the White House and defended their, according to a 2015 PBS article, right to raise awareness about systemic issues. Your grandfather faced hypocrisy and heresy. Sometimes he walked alone.
While the vast majority of Black Americans align with the Democratic Party, significant, often overlooked segments of the Black community hold conservative views on social issues, values, and, to a lesser extent, economic policy. Although only about 10-15% of Black voters support Republican candidates, upwards of 30-50% of Black Americans may identify with conservative, traditionalist, or moderate principles, particularly regarding family structure, faith, and personal responsibility. In the 1990s, the relationship between the Black Church and conservative politics was multifaceted. While the historical connection between the Black Church and the Democratic Party, particularly due to its role in civil rights activism, remained strong, there was also a noteworthy emergence of Black conservatism during this decade. The roots of Black conservatism date back to earlier movements but gained prominence in the 1990s due to a combination of political shifts and cultural dialogues. This period saw the rise of figures like Thomas Sowell and Clarence Thomas, who became prominent voices advocating for conservative policies within the Black community. Their ideas resonated with some in the Black Church, who began advocating for themes like personal responsibility and economic self-sufficiency. However, this alignment faced significant criticism from more progressive factions within the Black Church. Many believed that a conservative stance neglected crucial social justice issues. Debates about voting for Republican candidates often led to divisions within congregations, separating those who embraced a conservative social agenda from those focused on civil rights and societal inequalities. In summary, while the Black Church maintained its historical connection to liberal politics, the 1990s witnessed a rise in Black conservatism that challenged traditional allegiances and stirred significant dialogue about identity, race, and political strategy within the community. Your grandfather faced hypocrisy and heresy. Sometimes he walked alone.
The Association of Religion Data Archives report., "Progressive Christianity is a trend primarily among North American and other English-speaking Protestant Christians in the late 20th and early 21st centuries characterized by theological diversity, eclectic spirituality, and a strong concern for social justice and related political issues. Related both to the social gospel tradition and the emergence of left-leaning evangelicals in the 1970s, progressive Christians are unique in their openness toward critical Bible scholarship and their embrace of mystery, paradox, and more holistic approaches to spirituality." The ARDA continue, "Sociologist Laura Edles has identified a spectrum of identities within Progressive Christianity, with "self-proclaimed spiritual progressives" like John Spong or Marcus Borg on the far left and "prophetic/progressive evangelicals" like Jim Wallis and Tony Campolo on the far right of the progressive spectrum. Those toward the left end of the spectrum originate from the liberal, mainline branches of Protestantism, espouse more radical theologies and describe themselves primarily in contrast to the conservative religious right, especially regarding their openness to uncertainty and inclusion of diverse viewpoints and lifestyles. Those on the right side of the spectrum tend still to identify as evangelicals theologically, their progressive identity being based instead primarily on their commitment to progressive politics and especially social concern for the poor. Most progressive Christians exist somewhere between these two extremes, however. The Emergent Church, for instance, is a progressive Christian movement which has emerged primarily out of evangelicalism but has since moved significantly toward the left end of the progressive spectrum both theologically and politically." The Black church is actively engaging with the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, viewing it as a modern extension of its historic commitment to social justice, liberation, and civil rights. While embracing the core message, many congregations are adapting, with some integrating BLM messaging into sermons and public actions. Terrence L. Johnson in "Black Lives Matter and the Black Church" writes, "The Black Church as a cultural site plays an important role in shaping the moral vocabulary and cultural signs and symbols many African Americans retrieve as they imagine and pursue social justice, but the Black Church as an institution is clearly waning. To that end, the absence of the African-American clergy from the BLM movement does not translate into the death of the Black Church. Instead, the Black Church remains a counterpublic, a reference point in and through which many people define justice and what it means to be human. The BLM movement is a natural extension of the Black Church’s historical commitment to social transformation, liberation, and justice." They were killing Jesus and raising Karl Marx. Marx viewed Jesus primarily through a materialist lens, analyzing the religious figure as a product of social and economic conditions rather than a divine entity. He famously described Christ as "alienated God and alienated man," arguing that, like money, Christ represents a projected, externalized form of human power and value.
Marx compared Christ to the State, noting: "As Christ is the intermediary unto whom man unburdens all his divinity, all his religious bonds, so the state is the mediator unto which he transfers all his Godlessness, all his human liberty". Marx compared Christ to the State. Marx drew a direct parallel between Christ and money, arguing that both function as intermediaries where "man unburdens all his divinity" or, in the case of the state, "all his Godlessness". BLM is rooted in Marxism. Marx considered religion, including Christianity, as "the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions". Marxism has historically intersected with segments of the progressive Black church through Black Liberation Theology, which integrates Marxist class analysis with Christian faith to combat systemic racism. While some argue this integration helps address oppression, others criticize it as a destructive influence, suggesting it replaces the gospel with secular, ideological, and, at times, anti-religious frameworks. Marxism destroyed the Blach Church and preyed upon the Civil Rights Movement. Marxist and communist organizations, particularly the Communist Party USA, were deeply involved in the US civil rights movement from the 1930s to the 1960s, viewing racial justice as intertwined with anti-capitalist struggle. While some historians argue they helped champion racial equality and defended activists like the Scottsboro Boys, critics argue Marxist ideology was used to radicalize these movements and aimed to dismantle traditional American society. Marxist ideology viewed civil rights struggles as a way to unite the working class and combat capitalism, believing racial prejudice was a tool of the capitalist class. Eugene Gogol in "Marxism and Black Liberation: The Work of Raya Dunayevskaya" writes, "Marxism, which played a role in Black Liberation ideas in the decades immediately after the Russian Revolution, and again during the Civil Rights/Black Power Movements of the 1960s and 1970s, seems to be absent in much of the discourse of Black Lives Matter. Yet, the ideas of Karl Marx keep returning to our world as capitalism experiences crisis upon crisis, and a new generation is interested in exploring the possibilities of socialism, especially as it relates to Black Liberation today. One major problem to overcome in discussing Marxism today is the contradictory history of Marxism post-Marx. This is particularly true of the totalitarian practice of “actually existing socialism” in Stalin’s Russia and Mao’s China as well as the very checkered history of the Communist Party in the United States in regards to the question of Afro-American liberation." Gogol continues, "Denby and Dunayevskaya collaborated on numerous projects in relation to worker and Black struggles. Among their projects was a Black/Red Conference called in Detroit with a Black working class and youth audience. She wanted to listen to the voices of Black youth, women, students and workers, and to present the philosophic ideas of Marxist-Humanist liberation to this audience, which she had been developing in her book, Philosophy and Revolution." I was not a Marxist. I was not a victim seeker. Victimhood refers to a mindset or condition where someone perceives themselves as perpetually wronged, powerless, and controlled by external forces, leading to blaming others and avoiding responsibility, often as a subconscious coping mechanism for trauma or hardship, manifesting as phrases like "It's not my fault" or "Why does this always happen to me?". While genuine victimization is real, a victim mentality (or victim complex) is a psychological pattern involving a chronic need for validation, moral superiority, and a focus on suffering, which can be a learned behavior from difficult backgrounds or a defense against feeling broken. Your grandfather faced hypocrisy and heresy. Sometimes he walked alone.
In my age, the land suffeed economic plight brought on by corperatists seeking profits over patriotism. Corporatists are supporters or practitioners of corporatism, a theory and system where society is organized into functional, state-subordinate groups (like industries or professions) for political representation, aiming for class cooperation over conflict, though historically implemented in authoritarian regimes (like Fascist Italy) and also appearing in democratic models (like Nordic social corporatism). They believe economic and social life should be structured through these organized bodies, merging political and economic power for collective goals, rather than pure free markets or socialism. White flight is described as the movement of white populations to suburbs, primarily driven by racial fear, prejudice, and, starting in the 1940s, the increasing presence of racial minorities in urban neighborhoods. This phenomenon increased de facto racial segregation, reduced the tax base in cities, and left behind areas with concentrated poverty and higher concentrations of minority residents. Globalism refers to the interconnectedness of economies, cultures, and political systems across the world, influenced by trade, technology, and migration. In the context of urban America, globalism has contributed to significant demographic shifts, particularly leading to phenomena such as white flight. White flight describes the trend where white residents move out of urban areas, often in response to increasing diversity and changing demographics. This movement typically occurs as cities become more racially and culturally diverse, with an influx of African American and Latino populations.
Urban Decline: Cities often faced deteriorating infrastructure, reduced investment, and declining services, making them less attractive for remaining residents.
Suburban Growth: More affluent suburban regions saw increased investment, infrastructure, and services, widening the gap between urban and suburban areas.
Racial Tensions: As demographics shifted, racial tensions sometimes increased, complicating community relations and contributing to cycles of division.
The dynamics of globalism have significantly shaped the landscape of urban America, contributing to the escalation of white flight. Understanding this trend requires looking at economic, cultural, and policy-related factors that drove many families to seek new neighborhoods. The consequences of this trend continue to affect urban planning and community relations today. The Democratic Party has navigated, and at times been shaped by, the consequences of shifting demographics, globalization, and ideological changes. I remained a Republican like Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first African American to serve in the U.S. Senate (Mississippi, 1870–1871), Clarence Thomas, second African American to serve on the Supreme Court, and Tim Scott, first Black Republican to serve in both the House (2011) and Senate (2013). Your grandfather faced hypocrisy and heresy. Booker T. Washington was a prominent Republican, aligning with the party of Lincoln, and served as an advisor to Republican Presidents like Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft; his political leanings reflected the era when most African Americans supported the Republicans as the party of emancipation, though his conservative approach to civil rights later drew criticism. Sometimes he walked alone.
I believed in God. Christianity, Conservatism, Capitalism, Rule of Law and Individual Sovereignty. Christianity is the world's largest monotheistic religion, centered on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, whom followers believe is the Son of God and the prophesied Messiah, offering salvation and eternal life through faith and God's grace, with core beliefs including the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and the Bible as its sacred text, comprising the Old and New Testaments, and growing from its 1st-century origins in Judea to encompass diverse branches like Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism globally. Radical Islam is widely considered a significant, and in some contexts existential, threat to Christianity, particularly in specific regions of the world. Radical Islamist groups like Boko Haram, ISIS, and various militias have engaged in violent persecution of Christians in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Reports have indicated that jihadist groups in Nigeria alone killed over 100,000 Christians in the 16 years following 2009. Christians are often targeted for their faith, resulting in destruction of churches and the forced displacement of Christian communities. Radical Islamism is described as a totalitarian movement that often views the Christian West as an enemy, referring to it as the "Great Satan". This ideology often views Christians as "infidels" or second-class citizens to be subjected to Sharia law. Sharia is the divine path or sacred law in Islam, derived from the Quran (god's words) and Sunnah/Hadith (Prophet Muhammad's sayings/actions) to guide Muslims in all aspects of life, from daily rituals and morality to finance and governance, covering both spiritual duties (rights of god) and worldly matters (rights of man). While often associated with strict punishments in some regions (like stoning or amputation), it's a broad moral and legal framework interpreted differently, guiding prayer, charity, family, and business, with modern implementations varying greatly from nation to nation. Congressman Randy Fine (FL-06) announced that Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has introduced the Senate companion to Congressman Fine’s No Sharia Act, legislation prohibiting the application of Sharia law anywhere in the United States. Congressman Keith Self (TX-03), is co-leading the bill on the House side with Congressman Fine. AMEN.
I believed in Conservatism. Conservatism is a political and social philosophy valuing tradition, established institutions, and gradual change, emphasizing order, stability, and existing customs over radical reform, often supporting limited government, free markets, strong defense, and traditional social structures, though its specific policies vary by country and context. It's generally seen as an attitude valuing experience and proven arrangements, resisting sudden shifts and abstract ideologies. "Father of American Conservatism" is most often given to William F. Buckley, Jr. (1925-2008), a pivotal journalist and intellectual who founded National Review, hosted Firing Line, and unified various conservative factions into the modern New Right, shaping its voice and ideology for decades. While some acknowledge other figures like Edwin J. Feulner as foundational, Buckley is widely credited with creating the intellectual framework and public presence of contemporary American conservatism. Russell Kirk wrote of the Ten Principles of Conservatism. He writes, "In essence, the conservative person is simply one who finds the permanent things more pleasing than Chaos and Old Night. (Yet conservatives know, with Burke, that healthy “change is the means of our preservation.”) A people’s historic continuity of experience, says the conservative, offers a guide to policy far better than the abstract designs of coffee-house philosophers. But of course there is more to the conservative persuasion than this general attitude." You can not read minds nor force people to think as you. No matter if you offer wisdom and they folly. Let a fool continue in his folly and wise man walk in his reason. The Library of Congress has Booker Washington's "Atlanta Compromise" on record. He spoke, "To those of my race who depend on bettering their condition in a foreign land or who underestimate the importance of cultivating friendly relations with the southern white man who is their next-door neighbor, I would say, "Cast down your bucket where you are. Cast it down in making friends in every manly way of the people of all races by whom you are surrounded.
To those of the white race who look to the incoming of those of foreign birth and strange tongue and habits for the prosperity of the South, were I permitted I would repeat what I have said to my own race, "Cast down your bucket where you are. Cast it down among the eight millions of Negroes whose habits you know, whose fidelity and love you have tested in days when to have proved treacherous meant the ruin of your firesides. Cast down your bucket among these people who have without strikes and labor wars tilled your fields, cleared your forests, builded your railroads and cities, and brought forth treasures from the bowels of the earth, and helped to make possible this magnificent representation of the progress of the South."
I believed in Capitalism. The Founding Fathers supported the principles of capitalism like private property, free enterprise, and contracts, seeing them as vital for liberty and a strong republic, but they feared extreme wealth inequality and unrestrained corporate power, advocating for broad property ownership to ensure civic virtue, with figures like Hamilton promoting commerce and Jefferson fearing industrial aristocracy, making their views a complex blend of supporting capitalist foundations while worrying about its potential to corrupt republican ideals. They championed private property rights, free trade (though debated), and the pursuit of self-interest as drivers for prosperity, with figures like John Adams emphasizing property as sacred. Many, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, believed extreme wealth concentration threatened democracy, advocating for broad ownership to maintain a virtuous citizenry.
1. “A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned — this is the sum of good government.” – Thomas Jefferson
2. “Government is instituted to protect property of every sort; as well that which lies in the various rights of individuals, as that which the term particularly expresses. This being the end of government, that alone is a just government which impartially secures to every man whatever is his own.” – James Madison
3. “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.” – John Adams
Determining the "best" US President for capitalism depends on whether one defines it as free-market, unregulated enterprise or as a stable, regulated system. Prominent contenders often cited for fostering capitalistic growth include Calvin Coolidge, Ronald Reagan, and Theodore Roosevelt. In my era, President Ronald Reagan and President Donald Trump. All mentioned Presidents were Republican.
Reagan once stated, "The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up." This encapsulates his belief that capitalism provides the opportunity for individuals to achieve their goals through hard work and initiative.
In another remark about the economy, he said, "We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker."
Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, was a staunch advocate of capitalism throughout his political career. He believed that capitalism was the most effective system for promoting individual freedom, economic growth, and prosperity. Trump has often claimed that "capitalism is great, but we have to help our businesses," highlighting his inclination towards intervention.
Trump's approach has led some commentators to suggest that he views the economy in transactional terms, treating the U.S. as if it were a business managed by a single CEO.
I believed in the Rule of Law. The rule of law is a principle where everyone, including rulers, is subject to clear, publicly known, and equally enforced laws, ensuring accountability, transparency, and fairness, upheld by independent courts and accessible justice, forming the bedrock of stable, free societies by preventing arbitrary power. Key elements include legal certainty, no abuse of power, separation of powers, and human rights protection, meaning laws must be consistent, stable, open, and applied without bias. The most conservative legal opinion on the rule of law generally asserts that legal authority and constraints are derived from history, tradition, and the specific character of a political community, rather than abstract, universal principles. This view emphasizes a "government of laws and not of men," where the judiciary's role is to interpret the Constitution according to its original public understanding at the time of enactment. Justices Thomas and Antonin Scalia were my favorites. Gregg Nunziata in “The Conservative Legal Movement Got Everything It Wanted. It Could Lose It All.” wrote, "Richard Nixon—neither a conservative nor a constitutionalist—had the opportunity to reshape the judiciary, with four Supreme Court vacancies occurring during his term. Yet a shambolic process and limited judicial vision yielded multiple failed nominations. And one of the justices he did appoint—Harry Blackmun—wrote the opinion in Roe v. Wade, which established a national abortion policy with little legal justification.
The case demonstrated, conservatives argued, that the court had begun to act like a legislature, subverting the careful constitutional design of separation of powers. The drift of the judiciary into policymaking threatened the rule of law and frustrated America’s promise of self-government.
Against the backdrop of Roe v. Wade and the Watergate scandal, which drove Nixon from office and Republicans to a historic minority in Congress—allowing Jimmy Carter to push the courts even further left—the conservative legal movement began to take shape. Students at leading law schools founded the Federalist Society in 1982. It would become the flagship of legal conservatism, standing for the proposition that “it is emphatically the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be.” A constellation of other libertarian and conservative legal organizations, centers, and advocacy groups followed. And Reagan-era Attorney General Edwin Meese helped popularize the understanding of “originalism” and the related idea of “textualism,” doctrines holding that laws, including the Constitution, have knowable meaning and should be interpreted according to the ordinary public understanding at the time of enactment."
Todd Zywicki in "The Conservative Version of The Rule of Law" wrote, "Establishing the rule of law requires two elements. First, an articulation of the concept that there is a higher law above the government from which the government derives its legitimate authority but which also constrains the exercise of that power. Second, there must be an effective institutional structure for actually enforcing the rule of law's limits on the government in practice.
Three theories have been articulated that can meet these challenges of the rule of law: natural law, social contract theory, and a "conservative" version of the rule of law. This essay focuses on the last. Under the conservative version of the rule of law, both the legitimate authority of the government and constraints upon it are derived from history, tradition, and the particular character of a political community. Rather than the concept of the rule of law emerging as a pre-political concept which is then implemented in practice, under the conservative version of the rule of law, limits are first imposed on the government in practice and only later theorized into principles of constitutionalism. The logic of the conservative version of the rule of law is illustrated through a focus on the ideas of three thinkers: David Hume, Edmund Burke, and Russell Kirk."
The most conservative legal opinion on the rule of law is generally rooted in originalism, textualism, and a "unitary executive" theory, arguing that the law's meaning is fixed at the time of enactment and that the judiciary should not create new rights or policy.
I believed in Individual Sovereignty. "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)" Liberty is in Blue Letter Bible Lexicon Strong's G1657 - eleutheria meaning:
- liberty to do or to omit things having no relationship to salvation
- fancied liberty
- licence, the liberty to do as one pleases
- true liberty is living as we should not as we please
Your grandfather was ostracized by friend and foe for his beliefs and beligerent way I defended them. Some, friend and foe, thought I was mean and aggressive. This caused some, friend and foe, to say they fear me. Literaly kicked out of Black Churches for my beliefs. To be "ostracised" means you are deliberately excluded, shunned, or shut out from a group, society, friendship, or common privileges by others, often by general consent, making you feel like an outcast, and it can cause significant emotional pain. It's a form of social rejection where people act unfriendly and avoid including you in activities, similar to being ignored or banished. They feared my ferocious reaction to things and would exclude me. Friend and foe, some were close to me. They kept me at bay and I walked alone. I fiercely defended me against friend or foe. There was always pressure to change or to fit in. Don't change or fit in then, you're cast out. Pressure to fit in is the urge to act, think, or look like peers to gain acceptance, stemming from an evolutionary need for belonging but often leading to changing your personality, hiding your true self, or engaging in risky behaviors, though it can be managed by finding balance, building self-esteem, and choosing supportive friends. It's a natural human desire, especially strong in youth, but can be overcome by prioritizing authenticity, seeking parental wisdom, and developing resilience. Being cast out by family and friends is a profoundly painful experience of social rejection, often stemming from nonconformity, differing beliefs, or toxic dynamics.
Scripturally, this isolation is viewed as a form of suffering similar to Job’s experience, but also as a potential catalyst for spiritual growth and divine reliance, where God acts as a refuge when human support fails. Being cut off by loved ones causes immense emotional distress, as it violates the foundational expectation of safety and support. Rejection may occur because an individual is considered unconventional or is unwilling to conform to established group norms. In some contexts, it is interpreted as a necessary separation from "toxic" or "evil" influences. The Bible acknowledges that one's worst enemies can be members of their own household. Figures like Job experienced this rejection, feeling forgotten and despised by those closest to them. Rejection may occur because an individual is considered unconventional or is unwilling to conform to established group norms. In some contexts, it is interpreted as a necessary separation from "toxic" or "evil" influences. When forsaken by parents or friends, it is believed that God provides ultimate, steadfast support. While deeply painful, some perspectives view this separation as a divine act of removing individuals from harmful environments to facilitate healing and personal growth. In such cases, the rejection is seen as a means to stop seeking validation from people and instead find it in God. Your grandfather faced hypocrisy and heresy. Sometimes he walked alone.
Walking alone means moving with Christ only. Walking alone with Jesus is an intentional, intimate, and daily spiritual journey of deepening one’s relationship with God, often involving separation from worldly distractions for secret prayer, Bible study, and meditation. While it may feel lonely, it is a purposeful time for spiritual growth, receiving grace, and relying on Christ's constant presence as a guide and protector, even in difficult times. Alone with God is an army. To Hell with relationships, society or the State. When God has me, nothing else matters. Others will feel guilty that you are not part of the group and invite you to belong if you conform to the group.. The answer is NO! Never giveup, never give in, never give over. It's never wise to surrender your Faith or beliefs. Never sellout! Selling out often triggers a complex mix of grief, loss of identity, and emotional exhaustion, similar to losing a part of one's life's work. While it can bring financial relief, it frequently results in feelings of betrayal, guilt, and a loss of control. It is often a bittersweet experience, balancing the satisfaction of success with the sadness of compromising personal or artistic values. It's a betrayal of self. "Selling out" generally refers to compromising one's core values, artistic integrity, or principles for personal gain, usually money or fame. It is a pejorative term used to describe a, often, artist or public figure who abandons their original, authentic style or beliefs to cater to a mainstream audience. It can also mean selling all of a product. Nothing or noone is worth selling out to or for. Nothing or noone!
You will face a Garden of Gethsamanee moment in your life. The Garden of Gethsemane is a significant biblical site at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, known as the place where Jesus prayed in agony before his crucifixion and was subsequently arrested after being betrayed by Judas. The name means "olive press," referencing its former use for pressing oil from olives, and it's a place of deep spiritual meaning in Christianity, symbolizing Jesus's human struggle and submission to God's will. Everyone will say that they will be with you. They will pray with you. You will not be alone. We will give you whatever you need. You can count on me. I just want you to stay awake and pray with me. In the Garden of Gethsemane, the disciples—specifically Peter, James, and John—were instructed by Jesus to keep watch and pray but repeatedly fell asleep due to sorrow and exhaustion. When Jesus was arrested, Peter attacked a servant with a sword before all disciples fled in fear. The primary Bible verses for Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane are Matthew 26:36-46, along with parallel accounts in Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46, and John 18:1. These passages describe Jesus' anguish, his prayer to His Father to let the "cup" (of suffering) pass, His submission to God's will ("not as I will, but as You will"), and finding His disciples asleep, highlighting the "spirit willing, but the flesh weak". "How dare you hold me accountable, Jesus? I thought we were tight! You are so mean. I fear you."
People don't want to be held accountable. People who avoid accountability often do so to protect a fragile ego, self-worth, or to avoid pain, using defense mechanisms like denial, blame-shifting, or rationalization, stemming from deep-seated issues like shame, trauma, perfectionism, entitlement, or personality disorders, rather than simple stubbornness, preventing personal growth and harming relationships. They may perceive criticism as an attack, making it difficult to admit fault, and resort to deflection, making them seem avoidant or difficult to deal with.
Core Reasons for Avoiding Accountability
- Ego Protection: Admitting mistakes feels like an attack on their identity, triggering defense mechanisms to preserve self-worth.
- Fear: Fear of punishment, severe criticism, or perceived failure, often rooted in childhood experiences or trauma.
- Shame & Guilt: Overwhelming feelings of embarrassment or worthlessness when facing their imperfections.
- Perfectionism: The belief that mistakes are catastrophic failures, making it impossible to admit fault.
- Entitlement: A sense of superiority or that rules don't apply to them, often masking insecurity.
- Trauma: A learned response from past abuse or severe punishment for mistakes.
- Personality Disorders: Conditions like Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) or Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) involve a profound lack of regard for others or inability to handle criticism.
Don't try to fix them. Walk on alone if you have to do so. People must be willing to change on their own or move on without you.
There will be false persecutions and prosecutions of you in life. Noone can shield you from this. Jesus faced a false prosecution characterized by fabricated charges, perjured testimony, and illegal proceedings orchestrated by Jewish leaders and Roman authorities who sought His death, despite Roman Governor Pilate's knowledge of His innocence, ultimately leading to His crucifixion under claims of blasphemy and sedition, with Jesus often remaining silent to fulfill prophecy. GotQuestions reports, "The command against making false accusations is one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:16). According to Mosaic Law, someone who accused another person falsely was to receive an ironic punishment: “The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your midst” (Deuteronomy 19:18–19). The Law also specified that the punishment of a false witness was to be carried out without pity (Deuteronomy 19:21); it is a serious thing in God’s eyes to make a false accusation." They conclude, "According to the Mosaic Law, those who falsely accused the Son of God should have been themselves crucified. Instead, Jesus looked down at the soldiers and the rulers who were scoffing at Him and dividing up His clothing, and He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This was an indication that the Mosaic Law had been fulfilled by Jesus’ sacrifice and that a new law of forgiveness and mercy through faith in the Lamb of God was now in place for all who would believe in Him. “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17; cf. 3:16)." Nothing is more crushing than after 30 years of marriage, she says she fears you more than she loves you and have no way of defending yourself.
Grandson, be willing to walk alone. Don't discriminate in deciding. Types of discrimination involve treating someone unfairly due to personal traits like race, gender, age, disability, religion, or sexual orientation, categorized legally as direct (obvious unequal treatment) or indirect (a rule disadvantaging a group) and also including harassment, victimization, and failure to provide reasonable accommodations for disabilities or beliefs. No matter what, be willing to walk alone.
O, yes, buy as much gold and silver that you can.
Gold $4,996.00 Up $39.90 0.8%
Silver $101.88 Up $4.97 5.09%
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