Where Was Obama When Benghazi Burned?

There was much fanfare about George W. Bush remaining seated for a few minutes in a classroom full of elementary school children in Sarasota Florida after the news of the plane flying into the second tower on September 11, 2001. It was conveniently named his “My Pet Goat” moment because he was there to support Laura Bush’s reading initiatives and the class was reading “The Pet Goat.” How dare he sit and finish the book rather than jump up, exit the room, and dash off to Air Force One, or wherever the Secret Service would whisk him away too.

I watched the video. Although many have attempted to portray his reaction to be equivalent to a deer in the headlights, I believe his face was telling. He just received news America was under attack, on our own soil. News like this is never something any American wants to hear. I can only imagine what it was like to get that news as the President of the United States. If you really watch the film, you can see him change demeanors instantly. He went from a happy man to a very serious one in a split second. He had to make a decision to dart from the room, scaring the children and potentially leading the nation to panic, or he could remain calm, finish up this moment with the children, then quietly kick into military mode as soon as he exited the room. President Bush knew he was being filmed. He knew his reaction could set the tone for our nation’s reaction to the attack. He chose the latter option.

The children who were in that classroom were interviewed years later. They were glad he reacted as he did.

"I don't remember the story we were reading — was it about pigs?" says Williams, 16. "But I'll always remember watching his face turn red. He got really serious all of a sudden. But I was clueless. I was just 7. I'm just glad he didn't get up and leave, because then I would have been more scared and confused." Chantal Guerrero, 16, agrees. Even today, she's grateful that Bush regained his composure and stayed with the students until The Pet Goat was finished. "I think the President was trying to keep us from finding out," says Guerrero, "so we all wouldn't freak out."

I remember sitting up in my bed as I watched the news, horrified for our nation and scared for what else would happen that day. I agree with these children, I am glad President Bush chose calm over panic. What we experienced as a nation that day was beyond horrific. But, because our leader was calm – angry, terrified, shocked, heartbroken at the loss of American life, but calm – America followed his lead.

Today, a little irony is on the table. Four Americans were killed when Benghazi burned. Details for the whereabouts of our President are hazy. We are told this point is irrelevant. But how our leaders react is very important. It helps shape the reaction of the nation. All we really know is talking points were altered and the narrative, and reaction, was crafted around a false story. When the truth began to trickle out about our leadership's reaction, mistrust set in.

It has been almost nine months since Ambassador Stephens and three other Americans were killed at the attack on our compound in Benghazi. The fact we still do not really know where our President was during this time, or what he was doing is disturbing. The fact the press has not been very interested in finding out is more disturbing.

It is time for the President’s whereabouts to be made public. It is time for the United States to control the fire rather than fan the flames.

An Opponent or an Enemy?

For the past few years there has been a tone in America that troubles me. I remember the comment that struck me and put this concern in my heart. I remember who said it.

 

For me, this comment changed the tone, and changed the game. This comment told me I was no longer an opponent who differed on policy views. This comment told me I was the enemy.

But how had I become the enemy in my own country?

I have voted in every Presidential election from the moment I was eligible, but I never really participated in the political process, that is, until Rick Santelli called for a modern day Tea Party on the trading floor during a CNBC newscast. I listened to his statement a couple of times and my ears perked up.

I voted for George W. Bush twice, but I was angry about the bailouts. I was angry our government was providing what I viewed as a route to not only bailout large corporations, but also a path to cover sins of politicians from decades past. I believe the crash happened because of bad laws and regulations put in place over the past decade. I believe the crash happened because of politicians using tax dollars to buy votes.

Furthermore, I was angry at the new administration that promised hope then created, defended, and forced a program likely to bankrupt our nation down our throats. I was angry at a new administration that promised hope to turn the economy around, but did little to address the issues.

So, I loaded up my kids, and headed to Washington, DC to peacefully voice my dissent on the lawn of our capitol at a Tea Party rally. I was joined by thousands of Americans – polite, calm, but passionate Americans from all races and socioeconomic groups. I was there. There were no swastikas or other offensive things there. Had there been, I would not have taken part in the rally.

It was clear, Rick Santelli felt the same way, along with hundreds of thousands of Americans just like me. But Pelosi’s comments, placed all of us as enemies of the state. We were not American’s, we were Nazish. The most disheartening thing about this to me was no one called her on it. Democrats would just say, “Well, Republicans bash Democrats all the time.”

Yes, I have heard Republicans say things about Democrats, but I call them out. I encourage my fellow Republicans to dissent about policy, but not get personal. I do not view Democrats as the enemy. I view Democrats as people who have different views on policy.

But Pelosi’s comments did more than just hit me personally. I believe it changed the tone of our nation. As much as I try to remain focused on a difference of opinion on policy, it is difficult to debate Democrats knowing the highest leaders of our country named me an enemy.

It is not surprising that three years later, we are told the IRS targeted conservative groups, specifically ones with “tea party”, “patriots”, or “9/12” in the name. Sure, we had heard rumblings about this by the Tea Party leaders and Republican Congressmen they petitioned. In early 2012, the IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman, received letters from members of Congress asking about potential targeting. His reply to the House Ways and Means subcommittee, “There's absolutely no targeting. This is the kind of back and forth that happens to people" who apply for tax-exempt status. However, an investigation into this targeting by an inspector general for the Treasury included information that “On Jan, 25, 2012, the criteria for flagging suspect groups was changed to, "political action type organizations involved in limiting/expanding Government, educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights, social economic reform/movement.”

Coming to understand the IG’s report would contradict what Shulman said to the Congressional subcommittee, a plan was formed to ask Lois Lerner, head of the IRS division that oversees tax-exempt organizations, about the targeting at a dinner. Their hope – just like Pelosi’s comments about American’s participating in the modern day Tea Party being equal to Nazi’s fell on deaf ears, this information would too.

Since I heard Pelosi’s comments, I have felt more alienated in my own country than ever before. “Republican” is no longer a title of an opponent, or someone who has different views on policy. It is the name of the foe. And, the only way to beat the foe is to annihilate them. To learn the IRS is being used to help with this annihilation is more than disturbing.

It is little consolation the fears of Tea Party members were well founded. It is little consolation we are also seeing truth to the ruthlessness of this administration through the targeting of James Rosen for doing his job – report the news.

The consolation will come when Democrats recognize the tactics of Pelosi, Obama, and their loyalists as un-American and distance themselves from these types of practices. The consolation will come with we return our nation to Americans who are sometimes opponents, not enemies.

By SB

© BiGWand. All rights reserved.

To Honor and Remember

By the end of the 19^th Century, Memorial Day was celebrated throughout the United States as a day to remember fallen heroes. President Lyndon Johnson and Congress officially recognized Waterloo, N.Y. as the birthplace of Memorial day. On May 5, 1966, the community held a ceremony to honor local heroes who had fought in the Civil War. After World War I, this day was altered to honor Americans who died in combat during any war where the US played a role. In 1971, Congress made the last Monday in May the official day to hold Memorial Day and it was named a national holiday.

Today, Americans will gather around the country to honor those who have served our nation throughout the centuries. There will be parades and celebrations; remembrance and tears; reflection and prayers. There will be images crossing our television screens of our bravest that currently face dangers most of us only see in movies. They are fighting a new kind of war – a war with undetermined boundaries, no clear rules of engagement, and an enemy who adapts to their surroundings and believes those who do not think like them deserve death.

Americans have been killed and maimed by people they thought were friendly, devices hidden in the ground, and most recently, by bombs in backpacks on our own soil. There is no clear end to the war being waged by terrorists. But we find comfort knowing our military is ever diligent and on the alert to keep us as safe as possible. We find comfort knowing there are men and women called to duty and make sacrifices so we can enjoy freedom.

So today, take a moment and think of America’s finest – the men and women who gave everything, the men and women who continue to give everything. Stop them to say Thank You, open a door for them before they open it for you, buy them a cup of coffee, and say a prayer for them and their family. Take a moment to acknowledge their sacrifice. Take a moment to enjoy the freedoms they are called to protect.

By SB

© 2013 BiGWand. All rights reserved.

GOP 101: Pleading the Fifth

Amendment V of the United States Constitution

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

The Fifth Amendment is an extremely important piece of the Constitution. It covers guidelines for grand juries, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and due process. It also allows for the military to process any criminal behavior through the military system, rather than through a regular court of law.

Grand Jury

A grand jury is made up of American citizens, usually 12-23, who sit on the panel for a specific amount time. The grand jury’s function is to decide if there is probable cause for a trail; this jury does not decide guilt or sentences. The prosecutor presents evidence of the case, and the jury decides if a trial is necessary. If a person is testifying at a grand jury hearing, their attorney is not allowed to be present.

Double Jeopardy

The Fifth Amendment also protects citizens against being tried for the same offense twice if there is an acquittal or conviction. For example, a person charged with manslaughter of another person cannot be tried for the same offense twice, but can be charged with another offense, say possession of narcotics. However, an individual can be charged again from another jurisdiction or court (ex. state vs. federal) without violating the double jeopardy clause.

Due Process

The Fifth Amendment protects an individual from having to testify against him or herself. We call this Pleading the Fifth. This protection is extremely important because it gives a person the ability to remain silent, rather than incriminate him or herself unwillingly.

Imminent Domain

This provision protects Americans from the government confiscating their property without just compensation. But it goes further in that the government cannot just knock on your door and say they need your property. One of the most controversial rulings on Imminent Domain by the Supreme Court is Kelo vs. New London. In this ruling, the determination that economic development gave reason for a local government to take possession of property was justified. Since then, many states and local jurisdictions have tightened laws to protect against this ruling.

This is a brief overview of the Fifth Amendment. It is important today because we recently witnessed Lois Lerner, the head of the tax-exempt organizations division of the IRS, plead the fifth when testifying before Congress during hearings on why the IRS targeted conservative groups from 2010 to 2012. Ms. Lerner gave a brief opening statement of her innocence. Then, when asked a question by Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), she refused to answer based on her Fifth Amendment rights. The debate of whether or not she waived her Fifth Amendment right by making an opening statement claiming innocence and broadly speaking to the situation is now at the center of attention.

Paul Rothstein, a law professor at Georgetown University, in an interview with Politico stated, ““In that situation, when you voluntarily open up the subject they want to inquire in to, and it’s all in the same proceeding, that does result in a court criminal case … that would be a waiver.”

There will be great debates on the Fifth Amendment by political pundits over the next couple of weeks. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, and if Ms. Lerner is recalled to answer questions before Congress in the near future.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/darrell-issa-irs-lois-lerner-91755_Page2.html#ixzz2UD5Z60HJ

By SB

© 2013 BiGWand. All rights reserved.

 

Deceit Will Be Uprooted

Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero?
    Why do you boast all day long,
    you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
² You who practice deceit,
    your tongue plots destruction;
    it is like a sharpened razor.
³ You love evil rather than good,
    falsehood rather than speaking the truth.^[c]
4 You love every harmful word,
    you deceitful tongue!

⁵ Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin:
    He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent;
    he will uproot you from the land of the living.
⁶ The righteous will see and fear;
    they will laugh at you, saying,
⁷ “Here now is the man
    who did not make God his stronghold
but trusted in his great wealth
    and grew strong by destroying others!”

Psalm 52: 1-7

A politician will always have supporters and dissenters. A politician will always have to address issues raised by opponents. A politician will always have to tell the truth, or try to deflect from the truth by spinning the narrative.

Last week, it seems we began to see the spin of a narrative to cover truth. Actually, it seems we have seen this spin since September 12, 2012.

The Obama Administration attempted to portray an attack on an American consulate in Libya as part of a spontaneous demonstration. After finally hearing from those on the ground in the region, seven months after the attack, the fact there was never any discussion about a video spurring a spontaneous demonstration that led to four American deaths came to light. There was also a lack of response to request for additional security prior to the attack.

Right when hearings were finally being held with these top officials in Libya, the fact the IRS had targeted conservative groups who had applied for tax-exempt status was announced. President Obama claimed his knowledge of this event came with news reports. However, we have since found out White House counsel, Kathryn Ruemmler, knew about this weeks ago. Did she really fail to tell the President about this revelation and allow him to learn about these events on the news? That is hard to believe.

We then find out the DOJ obtained phone records for Associated Press reporters without the proper warrants. The claim that national security was a factor is not holding up as the details emerge. And to top this off, a reporter for Fox News was named as a co-conspirator in order for the DOJ to obtain warrants for his private emails – co-conspirator for doing his job! 

We are hearing facts of these events are irrelevant, are not scandalous. We need to move along instead of popping popcorn.

But no matter the spin, the truth is underneath. And as Psalm 52 illustrates, God has the ability to “pluck” and “uproot” deceit.

This Psalm speaks to a tough dose of reality the White House occupants should heed – if you practice deceit and plot destruction, the truth will come to the surface. The deceit will be plucked and a man, who trusts great wealth and grows strong by destroying others, will be exposed by truth.

By SB

© 2013 BiGWand. All rights reserved.

 

Virginians on a Mission

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Virginians on a Mission

We leave no one behind convoy

Regina Reams Prigg and a team of Navy Seals and wounded warriors will be traveling to Oklahoma on Friday, May 24, 2013, to help with aide, clean up, and animal transport. She is loading up her truck and horse trailer to take supplies to distribute to those in need. via PayPal @ MrsPrigg@aol.com. ALL proceeds will go for diesel to get there and to come back and for whatever the folks and animals in OK need....

Drop off location in Powhatan, Virginia:

Elam Animal Hospital

1403 Anderson Hwy

Powhatan, VA 23139

Downtown Richmond:

The Richard D.

Obenshain Center
115 E. Grace Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Cash donations:

Four Seasons Restaurant

3867 Old Buckingham Road
Powhatan, VA 23139

OR

via PayPal

@MrsPrigg@aol.com

Items needed:

Gallon & half gallon Ziploc bags

Personal items:

Bar soap

Shampoo

Toothbrushes

Toothpaste

Washcloths

Hand towels

Moist wipes

Toilet paper

Chap stick

Body lotion

Pet supplies:

Small bags of cat & dog food

Small cans with pop tops of cat & dog food

Used towels or blankets

Cat litter

Disposable food bowls

Collars

Leashes

General items:

Bottled water

Gatorade

Peanut butter crackers

Trail mix

Medical supplies:

Gauze

Medical tape

Ointments

Clothes

If you send clothes, please place individual, gently used outfits into a gallon Ziploc bag and note the size on the bag.

Praying for MOORE

I spent much of yesterday watching the news as I worked. I remember the moment the tornado came onto the screen. I sat and watched as it tore through the small town of Oklahoma. You could see the sparks fly when power lines went down and buildings were hit. It was clear from the debris coming out of the air the devastation would be tragic. But, it was not clear how tragic it actually was for the citizens of Moore.

I am from Texas and the fear of a tornado ripping through a town is something I experienced on more than one occasion. I know the drill – when you think a tornado is coming your way, get to the safest area of the house like a closet under the stairs, or the bathtub with a mattress covering your body. I have seen destruction from tornadoes tearing through Galveston and Houston when hurricanes passed overhead. However, I do not think I have ever seen destruction like what we are seeing in Moore. I can only imagine what the reality is in person.

I think of the children and teachers who used the drill to get into the hallway I practiced so often in elementary school.

I think of the teachers who understood how helpless they were when the walls began to rip away, but remained with their students to comfort them and likely used their bodies as a shield from blowing debris.

I think of the families who will identify their loved one who did not make it out of the rubble.

I think of our nation and how tragedy brings us together as Americans, if even for a moment.

I think of a God who knows our grief and will comfort those who are hurting.

We will most certainly get more news about Moore’s great loss throughout the day. We will try to help, but most Americans only have the ability to offer up prayers. But those prayers are so important.

In October we prayed for New Jersey and New York. In December we prayed for Newtown. In April we prayed for Boston and West. Our prayers did not go unnoticed by God, or the families affected by these tragedies.

Today we pray for Moore. 

Since I cannot get to Oklahoma to help, I will pray for MORE hope for survivors… MORE grace… MORE peace… MORE understanding… MORE strength… and MORE protection for the residents of MOORE and Oklahoma.

By SB

© 2013 BiGWand. All rights reserved.

Oh by the way…did I mention the convention?

So here we are, after the VA Republican convention, and wow, it was inspiring, exciting and exhausting. Delegates from all over the Commonwealth of Virginia traveled to the Capital city of Richmond to elect candidates to run in the Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General races in November.  

It was...

Inspiring because over 8000 delegates came to be a part of the political process of picking our leaders that started in Virginia over 200 years ago by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, both Virginians.

Exciting because after months of campaigning, we finally get to see who wins and who we will support moving forward. 

Exhausting because the process went on for over 10 hours. The winning candidates must get over 50% of the weighted vote. The Lt. Governor race began with 7 candidates. After an epic four votes, the candidate was selected.

People were there to have a say in who potentially runs our government.  There were Republicans, Tea Party members and Libertarians all under one tent, literally.  We might not agree on every issue, but that's okay.  It was like a family reunion and the Fourth of July all at the same time. 

Many folks, unlike myself, have been involved in the process for many years and can tell you the exact year they became involved and who was running.  There was an abundance of old war stories and memories everywhere you turned.  For others, it was their first time – all patriots.

The aftermath of the convention is this, we have our Republican candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General. The work has just begun. They will travel the Commonwealth speaking about conservative principles and why their way of governing would be better for Virginia. We will work behind the scenes from a local level, our unit level, to get these candidates elected…and I thought I was tired after the convention.

We, in this country, are truly blessed we have the opportunity to have a say in our government.  Many have fought for us to have that right.  I hope if you are someone that has become one of those who feels they can't make a difference, I am here to say you can.  

Are you unhappy with our leaders?  Get involved.  

Get your family and friends involved.

Learn about the process.  

Be the solution.

Written by KW

© 2013 BiGWand. All rights reserved.

It’s Virginia Republican Convention Time!

The Virginia Republican Convention will be held Saturday, May 18, 2013 in downtown Richmond.

BiGWand™ is excited to attend our first convention where candidates who will represent the Republican Party in the General Election for Lt. Governor and Attorney General will be selected.

How it works:

·  Convention delegates come from all over Virginia. Each County Unit is allowed one delegate per 250 Republican votes in the last General Election.

·  Potential delegates file with their local County Unit and a vote to accept them as delegates is taken at city and county mass meetings.

·  The unit chairman submits the delegates for certification.

·  Candidates will have a moment to speak before the vote is taken.

·  If there are more than two candidates, there may be more than one ballot process to determine the Republican Candidate.

So, who is running and who are they?

We will hit some highlights the candidates have listed about their records throughout the election cycle.

*Candidates listed in alphabetical order by contest.

Governor

Ken Cuccinelli

• Served in VA Senate from 2002-2010
• Sworn in as AG in 2010
• Has fought for low regulation, low taxes, constitutional rights, property rights, protection of life, and free markets.
• Has proposed a jobs plan to help the economic growth here in Virginia.

Lt. Governor

Jeannemarie Davis

• Elected to VA House of Delegates in 1997
• Elected to VA Senate in 2003
• Sponsor of Voter ID bill that became law in July of 2000
• Served on Senate committees including the Privileges and Elections Committee, the Transportation Committee, the General Laws and Technology Committee, Rules Committee.
• Accepted a Cabinet level position with Governor Bob McDonnell, Virginia Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

EW Jackson

• Former Marine
• Retired Attorney
• Founder of Exodus Faith Ministries
• Chairs Conservative Emergency Task Force
• Author of “Ten Commandments to an Extraordinary Life” and America the Beautiful”

Scott Lingamfelter

• A decorated Army Colonel. Retired after 28 years of service
• Elected to VA House of Delegates in 2001
• Member of many committees including House Appropriations Committee, Education Committee, Military and Public Safety Committee
• Fought for repeal of one-gun-a-month restriction targeting lawful gun owners
• Introduced “Boneta Bill” to protect the agricultural industry from over reaching regulations
• Supports audits of government agencies to find waste and abuse

Steve Martin

• VA Senator for the 11^th District since 1994
• Served in House of Delegates from 1987 to 1994
• Serves on many committees including the Education and Health Committee, Local Government Committee, Commerce and Labor Committee, Rules Committee, Privileges and Elections Committee
• 100% voting records from American Conservative Union and Virginia Chamber of Commerce

Pete Snyder

• Entrepreneur in the communications field
• Fox News Contributor
• Chair of Victory 2012
• Supporter of limited government, free markets, Second Amendment rights
• Serves on Marketing Board for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Board of Trustees of Cushing Academy and the Board of Visitors for the College of William and Mary

Corey Stewart

• Chairman-at-large of Prince William Board of Supervisors
• Turned over more than 4500 criminal illegal immigrants to ICE
• Crime rate has dropped 35 percent in Prince William County
• Cut $143 million from county budget
• Eliminated 320 government positions

Susan Stimpson

• Chairman of Stafford County Board of Supervisors
• Executive Committees of the Potomac Rappahannock Transit Authority and VRE
• Economic Development Committee, Chairman and member 2010 to present
• Cut taxes in Stafford County three years in a row
• Balanced the budget
• Reduced personnel to 2004 levels
• Eliminated small business tax

Attorney General

Rob Bell

• Member of the House of Delegates since 2002
• Former prosecutor who fought over 2,400 cases
• Serves on committees including Courts of Justice Committee, Commerce and Labor Committee, Health Welfare and Institutions Committee
• Fought to crack down on drunk driving in Virginia, improve school safety, ensure property rights, support right-to-work legislation, and overhaul Virginia’s mental health commitment laws
• Voted to eliminate Virginia death tax and opposed card check legislation

Mark Obenshain

• Elected to VA Senate in 2003
• Serves on many committees including the Privileges and Elections Committee, Courts of Justice Committee, Rules Committee, Commerce and Labor Committee, and the Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee
• Attorney in the Harrisonburg/Charlottesville area
• Served on Citizen Empowerment Committee under Governor George Allen
• Serves on Governor Bob McDonnell’s Commission for Government Reform and Restructuring
• Has fought for school choice, right-to work legislation, property rights, education reform, voter ID laws, Second Amendment rights, and issues to protect families

© 2013 BiGWand.net. All rights reserved.