Baptist Pastor vs. Border Patrol

By Kellene Bishop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUzd7G875Hc

This video of Steve Anderson is just over 8 minutes long. The contents of it are disturbing to me from a standpoint of freedom, but even more disturbing to me are the comments of ignorant fools in response to this video. Lest any more of you should grossly err in your judgment of this situation, allow me to enlighten you.

The time to stand up for your rights is ANY and EVERY time they are being violated.

One person on YouTube commented that this person should not have “taken the law into his own hands.” Sorry folks. The law is FOR the people, not issued in hopes that power-drunken agents such as these will honor it. It is for ALL of the people. It is your DUTY to know what the laws are and push back. For too long the overwhelming majority has been apathetic to their rights under the laws, and this is exactly why such atrocities of law have occurred in this situation. Do you naively believe that only the military is empowered to support and sustain our Constitutional rights? How is that fair that our soldiers have to lose their lives to defend our freedoms, but every citizen in this country doesn’t have to do their part as well? As insignificant as this act may seem to others in the nation, in my opinion there is virtue and righteousness in affirming our rights under all circumstances.

Another ignoramus commented that “from what he was able to find out, this guy isn’t a very good person.” Others accused him of being a “know-it-all” and a pompous @$$, etc. Guess what, folks? The rights of the U.S. Constitution are ensured for all people, including someone who may come across to some as a jerk. That’s why some personalities are permitted to grace your television sets and radio stations. There is no U.S. law which states you must comply nicely when your rights are or are not being violated. There is no requirement that you speak softly, etc. So whether you support the personality traits of this person is completely unimportant. As an American, his rights are his rights regardless.

As the result of his FIRST Amendment right (which is not a coincidence that such a right is in the first position of all outlined rights in our Constitution) this individual has the right to free speech. Thus anything he may have said which would make a person angry is unacceptable grounds for the actions of these so-called agents.

Several foolish posters commented that “all this guy had to do was answer the questions.” Again. They are wrong. If a police officer comes to your door and begins asking you questions, you are under NO obligation to answer such questions. Answering questions by law enforcement is not a requirement. In fact, in accordance to the Fifth Amendment, we have the right to not say ANYTHING which may incriminate us. Even the Miranda Rights reaffirm such. Not answering questions does not negate any of your other rights under the U.S. Constitution.

Another fool posted a supposition that Congress has granted the Border Patrol broad authority of search and seizures. Guess what. I don’t care if the President himself gave the Border Patrol agents permission to behave this way, it’s illegal! Pure and simple. No law can be passed in this country which is at odds with the U.S. Constitution. The only way that this act could be made “legal” is if there was a Constitutional Amendment fully ratified. Congress also recently passed an enormous bill without even reading it. Does that make it right or legal? No. It’s malpractice. And such a foolish comment flies in the face of all of those who have died so that we may now possess those rights. Until I see a Congressman who will pay the “uttermost farthing” to protect my rights as did our Founding Fathers, then such a Congressman does not receive any honorable attentions from me. Too many of our Americans today are sheep. They feel that simply because the President declares something, or the Congressmen say it and then sign it, that it’s law. Sorry folks. All laws MUST be in alignment with the U.S. Constitution. New laws can specify, clarify, and even give consequences for violating the laws and rights of the U.S. Constitution, but they cannot circumvent or violate them.

Then there are the masses of individuals who would judge this person because he’s a Baptist Pastor. He’s accused of being difficult by being non-compliant. Boy howdy am I ever GRATEFUL for my non-compliant Founding Fathers, as well as my non-compliant Savior who did NOT “save” the Jews based on their short-sighted expectations and demands. Too many individuals wrongly presume that as a Baptist pastor, he should be a mouse and comply. Sorry, you’d be wrong again to presume such. This guy did not spew foul language at these agents. He did not “get in the way” of their tazers and metal batons. These “agents” made a choice to act in the manner in which they did. As such, Jesus would condemn them, not the person upon whom they acted. It’s alarming to me just how many folks believe that standing up for your Constitutional rights is an act of deviance in the Christian world—especially in light of the fact that God inspired the men who served as our Founding Fathers of this nation. God is fully invested in our rights being upheld in this nation.

The fact that the dog was brought into this as grounds for the search is laughable as well, since the Fourth Amendment requires that probable cause be established by “oath or affirmation.” Clearly Fido didn’t say anything. He was merely used as a pawn for their designs. Isn’t it ironic that law ENFORCEMENT officials don’t care much for a person who actually helps them understand the laws of which they are to enforce? Case in point, if a 31-year-old man has sex with a 14-year-old girl, even if it’s consensual, it’s illegal. Coinciding with that, even if the American people are willing to have their rights raped and pillaged “consensually” it’s still illegal and in direct violation of our Bill of Rights. Even honest citizens with nothing to hide are violated whenever we consent to the erosion of our rights and liberty.

Another aspect of this incident is the excessive force. Hmmm… how many drug traffickers have made it across the border without their windows bashed in, or having been cut, tazed, and battered? Even if this guy WAS a drug dealer, they are NOT permitted to treat him as such. That’s right. Even if he was verbally belligerent, had a couple of kids and some drugs in the back of the car, the Border Patrol are not permitted to handle the situation the way they did. This constitutes “unreasonable search.” But hey, it’s not unreasonable seizure because they found NOTHING. (Although, due to the damage they inflicted on the vehicle, they did in fact illegally “seize” this man’s car.)

This person is rumored to have had a “run-in” with Border Patrol previously in which he also refused to answer their questions. However, posting a video on YouTube complaining about your previous treatment with Border Patrol does not give an “agent” free reign to violate your Constitutional rights. Plain and simple, Folks.

While it may take a while to get this all sorted out, anytime a person legally defends their rights of this nation, they have my wholehearted support. I may not agree with their personality traits, their religion, or their other beliefs, but they are indeed correct in asserting those rights.

Bottom line, if you will not stand up for the Constitution, who will?

Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved.
You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.

Tea Party USA—The Story is the Story

Over 2,000 tea parties were held throughout the U.S. on April 15, over 700 of them in major cities. By all estimates there were overwhelming numbers of attendees at these events, highlighting it as a marked moment in history. Even in light of all of the other movements (such as the Vietnam War, civil rights, women’s right to vote, etc.) which have all notably marked our history, this is the first time that everyday citizens have rallied in such record numbers. Even more significant is that the majority of those who attended these Tea Parties had never attended a rally previously. That’s right. These were not paid ACLU or ACORN advocates orchestrating a fake grassroots movement. These were everyday Americans, leaving the comfort of their security, even some taking time off from work, to finally let their voices be heard. Thousands came out in spite of severe inclement weather. But that’s not the story. The story is the story.

On April 15th and all day yesterday, no major newspaper or mainstream news station (non-cable) covered this story with any more time or emphasis than they would have a basement flooding in a person’s home. Network news didn’t cover it, except that NBC personally, on a 3rd grade level, attacked the folks who showed up for such events. Not so surprising was CNN represented by a female reporter who was blatantly prosecutorial throughout the course of her “interviewing” of Tea Party attendees. THIS was the story in spite of the fact that this act of so many, even novices, gathering in protest of their government was a truly historical day.

And yet how were the acts of these modern-day Patriots portrayed? With scoffs, and “intellectual” scorns. Their intelligence was insulted. Their education was questioned. Even their virtue and parental capabilities were slandered. Not by a few, but by the mainstream media. Does anybody wonder why an “Us vs. Them” mentality has begun to manifest itself in our America? Better yet, does anyone wonder why newspapers are now begging for a bailout? Pelosi has the audacity to call these historical efforts “astroturf” contrived by the wealthy. Really? Raise your hand if you were compensated one penny to protest at a Tea Party. Better yet, raise your hand if it actually COST you money to be there.

As honest, law-abiding, tax-paying citizens took to the streets to make their rationale voices heard, the cowardly sheep stayed at work on their computers posting anonymous comments as to the caliber of the individuals doing so. One person commented on the “lack of education” of those who would take such proactive actions. I ask you—you, who cowers in your cubicle to mock those who stand—just how much education does one need in order to understand that they are being raped and pillaged? They don’t need to have an understanding of the constitution to know that they’ve got more bills than they have money right now. They don’t need a PhD to understand that they’ve been laid off of their jobs. And are you aware, Oh Stupid One, that the majority of the millions of Americans who laid the groundwork of this United States only had the education equivalent of our present fourth grade level?

Was the Boston Tea Party of 1773 merely “astroturf,” Pelosi? In my patriotic, fed up opinion, those who would deride the genuine efforts of April 15th are indeed the enemy of our freedoms. Regardless of what position they hold, what power they wield, or how much money they make, they are the no different than those who opposed the original Boston Tea Party of 1773, favoring instead the mythical power and influence of the tyrannical King George.

Remember this—Tyrants and Traitors of Our Freedom—when the day comes that you find yourself void of the freedoms which you’ve come to take for granted, yea, even that day when the very freedom which permits you to mock and scorn in the name of journalism is eliminated, don’t ask me to defend you, for I will truly “know you not.” Instead I will be focused and fighting solely for those who have a deep-seeded virtue of Freedom within them.

Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved.
You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.

“The Coming Revolution”

About a week ago I was reading the blog of a good friend of mine and felt that his message was very appropriate to share with the readers. This is not of my talents, but completely of his.)

The Coming Revolution By Andrew Teasdale

Brigham Young said the following: “Will the Constitution be destroyed? No; it will be held inviolate by this people; and, as Joseph Smith said, ‘The time will come when the Constitution of this nation will hang upon a single thread. At that critical juncture, this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction.’ It will be so.” (July 4, 1854, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, p. 15)

As I’ve become more “aware” (maybe “awake”) over the past dozen years or so, I’ve reflected on this statement. Recently, within the past couple of weeks, I’ve come to a troubling conclusion. I’d like to share some of the key steps in this journey.

First, the current and past few US presidents have had little, if any, regard for the Constitution. My ‘awareness’ really flourished during the reign of Bush the Lesser. He launched wars in Iraq and Afghanistan without Congressional approval – a Constitutional requirement for waging war. He stamped on many other Constitutional safeguards. Perhaps the most troubling was his establishment of his own Praetorian Guard. US Army troops are now assigned to operate within the bounds of these United States (stationed in my backyard at Ft. Knox, KY). The list goes on and on of how Bush trampled the Constitution. I don’t need or want to go through the awful details here.

Bush’s successor, Obama the Beneficent has, in his disregard for the Constitution, put his predecessor to shame. General Motors has become Government Motors and Obama the Omniscient has determined that Mr. Wagoner is not the man to lead GM. I don’t see where the Constitution grants the Executive Branch the authority to do this! Perhaps the most (and it’s stiff competition) insidious recent event (i.e., of these first 100 days) is the passage of the GIVE act. This act, co-sponsored by our very own Hatch the Giving, is, certainly not the first, but a huge step toward enslavement.

Just a quick note. Why, you may be asking, all the “Obama the Beneficent” type references? It’s an oblique reference to Alexis de Tocqueville’s essay, “What sort of despotism democratic nations have to fear.” It’s not too long. Google it and have a read. See if you don’t find him a prophet of sorts. But I digress…

Back to the first point. Really, it’s this. I think the Constitution is hanging by a thread. Now. Already. Right now. There’s just a thread. The Executive branch is doing whatever it wants and it has the pieces in place to cut any remaining threads at the next ‘crisis.’
You might not be there with me on this one. You might argue that there are a couple of threads. We still have free speech and the right to bear arms. OK. I’ll grant you that. However, if they can be removed at the next crisis (when you’d really need them), do you really have them?
So, for the sake of the rest of my argument, go with me for a minute that the Constitution is hanging by a thread right now.

All this happened while we (the LDS people) had well-placed government officials “on the watchtower” (so to speak). These are people who could have warned us, perhaps by providing additional information to the obvious things we can see by reading the published reports. The senator from Nevada, Hatch the Giving, and several others. They could have been sounding the warning bell – and even fighting for the Constitution. But, they have not. They have contributed to the Constitution’s downfall (perhaps the one point of promise is Chaffetz the Frugal (rumor has it he’s concerned enough about prudent use of taxpayer funds that he sleeps in his office to cut down on costs)). They voted for and promoted (Reid) the robberies (er, “Bailouts.” Note it isn’t ‘theft,’ that’s what happens when you aren’t watching. Robbery is when it’s done by force – and this was certainly done by force) and the enslavement (Hatch’s GIVE act).

I could go on here as well. However, the point is that our best placed Constitution defenders are taking it down, not rescuing it.

To review: The Constitution is hanging by a thread. The people we’d hope to be working on saving it aren’t.

Then last week I started thinking – and here’s the conclusion. The federal government isn’t going to give up its power. The only way ‘this people’ will save the Constitution is by force – by revolution. I remember reading this statement by LDS Church president Ezra Benson, “To all who have discerning eyes, it is apparent that the republican form of government established by our noble forefathers cannot long endure once fundamental principles are abandoned. Momentum is gathering for another conflict—a repetition of the crisis of two hundred years ago.” (The Constitution: A Heavenly Banner. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1986, p. 27)
Obama the Beneficent will not heed a call to return to Constitutional principles. Nor will his successor, even if it is Mitt the Merciful. By the time Obama is finished, we’ll have the US version of the Hitler Youth in place (again, see the recently passed GIVE act) as well as, it is certain, a host of other acts in place limiting our 1st, 2nd, (continue the series all the way to 10) amendment freedoms.

I’m not sure who will be behind the revolution. I suspect members of the LDS Church may expect that Church leaders would lead the charge. Maybe. Maybe not. Consider this from Ezra Benson, “Maybe the Lord will never set up a specific Church program for the purpose of saving the Constitution. Perhaps if he set up one at this time it might split the Church asunder, and perhaps he does not want that to happen yet, for not all the wheat and tares are fully ripe.” (“Not Commanded in All Things.” - Conference address April 5, 1965. Please, read the talk in full.). There are people I know, in whom the light of freedom burns so brightly, who will not be able to sit idly by watching the march toward tyranny. They may be part of that revolution.

I may live to see it. My children certainly will. People are talking about it.

I don’t like reading what I’ve written. Do I have it wrong? Is there a way to reverse the tide? Without blood? I wish. I hope. I pray. But not in faith.

The U.S. Constitution—An Inconvenient Document

By Kellene Bishop

Our U.S. Constitution. When I hear those words I swell up with pride and a sense of reverenced awe to realize that men from such diverse backgrounds and beliefs could have come up with such an inspired document. Yes, it is not perfect in light of the many unprecedented ails that our country experiences today, but I firmly believe that it is a heavenly inspired document. Just as the parting of the Red Sea, so did God cut through the clutter of biases, prejudices, and paradigms of those rather ordinary men to come together and create a guiding document that attempted to express and ensure universal fairness and a nation of true freedom. Sadly, today that document is condemned by the very persons who take an oath to uphold it as irrelevant, archaic, and outdated.

Many believe that to recognize our nation as unique is narcissistic and prideful. It simply is not. The fact that our nation was founded on the principles of true freedom—to act according to our own conscience so long as such actions did not tread on the freedoms of others—was based on the recognition of the true value of human life. As such this nation was indeed the first and still is the most unique nation in the world. No other nation has ever attempted to convey such freedoms to its citizens. No other nation has ever believed enough in its citizens to acknowledge that such freedoms even belonged to its citizens. The United States of America attempted to do that which had never been done before; to believe that a people would choose good over bad if permitted to make decisions for themselves, and as such to prosper in the pursuit of life, liberty, the pursuit of property, and happiness. This belief was so fundamental to the birth of our nation that the millions of those who toiled and plowed for such a standard gave their lives in the selfless sacrifice of time, money, and even blood to seal their belief of such a notion.

Have the history books ever mentioned any other document which has inspired such consistent goodness, sacrifice, and virtue before which influenced so many? When it was first created, was there evidence of any evil intent to have tyrannical power of the people of this nation? Even if the Constitution had conveyed a desire for power over the people at the time, it could not be enforced upon a people who were passionately ready for the responsibilities of freedom. They could fathom nothing less at that time and they would accept nothing less.

Today however, many attempt to dismiss the merits of the Constitution, not because its doctrines are faulty, but because such doctrines are seriously inconvenient to the duplicitous and tyrannical desires of those who are expected to uphold it.

For example, it wasn’t convenient for President G. W. Bush to wait until “probable cause” was evident prior to him taking down a suspected terrorist. So he simply created various acts to eliminate such needs so long as the government agents were willing to “claim” that their investigations “may” benefit the results of a terrorist investigation.

The government was greatly inconvenienced by not being able to spend as much as they wanted to. And according to the Constitution’s requirement of taxation WITH proper representation they were handcuffed. So, “inconvenience be damned”, they claimed to have ratified an amendment that enabled them to tax the citizens of this nation egregiously. (They never did ratify such an amendment, but they sure do like to pretend they did in hopes that we won’t pick up on it.)

Certain political parties are shackled with the merits of the 1st Amendment of the Constitution, so they seek to create another bill, ironically called the “Fairness Doctrine” in an effort to eliminate those who would dare express any opposing views of the government with any semblance of influence.

And so it continues…

Unfortunately, the people as a whole are starting to get wise. Their freedoms are starting to be seriously inconvenienced by a government that was supposed to working FOR them for no other purpose than to uphold and protect the U.S. Constitution. Essentially, this inconvenient document is the ONLY thing that ensures our government officials even have a job! So the only way they can get around this is to attempt, with the help of the complacent media, to appropriately color that which is good, bad, and that which is truly bad, good. They are attempting to usurp the foundations of this country by completely ignoring the laws of the Constitution. Our government officials are also looking to other nations in hopes to uphold their decisions based on the improper popular decisions of foreign nations who never entertained our value system. (That’s like a doctor wanting to get surgical advice from a mortician.) “Well, the French courts ruled this way, so let’s try that,” or, “The U.N. seems to think like this, so let’s do that.”

Sadly, the U.S. Constitution has clearly become inconvenient to those who value freedom as well. We work all day, everyday to pay our taxes so that those we’ve elected to office take care of ensuring such freedoms, only to find that these stewards of the people have been asleep on the job. And they’ve slept through some of the most critical legislation in the history of our nation, to the point that they couldn’t even be bothered to read most of this legislation. So now, not only do we have to work to pay our government to do their jobs and provide for our own families, we have to take what precious time we have left to make our voices heard, let them know that we are indeed monitoring them, and in some instances, even doing their job for them. (see CNN article here) Talk about an inconvenience, right?

This nation was indeed founded on that which is good. It IS indeed unique—unique in that we were formed for the purpose of giving true freedom to the people, and empower the people to hire government officials to work for them to aid in ensuring such freedoms are upheld. I agree, it isn’t convenient to have to make decisions for ourselves and not have everything dictated to us. And it’s not convenient to have to take time to get educated about issues and candidates. But it’s our freedom to do so just as much as it’s our freedom to fail in doing so. While the constitution may be an inconvenient document for both good and evil causes, only a proactive inconvenience will ensure that it stands for that which we truly want. Freedom.

Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved.
You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.

Authority Granted to International "Advisory" Board over US Companies

Let’s start right off by getting to the crux of the matter. I can not say it any plainer than this. Obama has given an international advisory board authority to dictate processes and procedures to ALL “major” U.S. companies, including banks, brokerage firms, and corporations. This event just took place at the G20 Summit in London with the full approval and endorsement from our “commander in chief.”

Perhaps some of you aren’t comfortable in your understanding of the Declaration of Independence. Thus fully comprehending how egregious such an act is by ANY American leader, let alone our U.S. President, may be challenging. So I’ll recap just one small portion of the Declaration of Independence for those of us who may need a refresher.

In part of their many accusations of the King of Great Britain, the Founding Fathers declared, “He has combined with others to subject us to a Jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution, and unacknowledged by our Laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:” The Declaration goes on to itemize several different ways the King committed these atrocities including, “For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with Power to legislates for us in all Cases whatsoever.” Further the signers of the Declaration loudly proclaimed, “That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES;” Additionally, our Founding Fathers declared on behalf of all American citizens, the sovereignty of the United States of America from all other international powers or authorities (Sovereignty means autonomous, freedom from external control). Understanding these points will help you realize the magnitude of this national crisis which has just recently occurred.

In London, at the G20 Summit President Obama made an official declaration to treat such sovereignty as non-existent! This is really serious stuff, folks. He has endorsed and agreed to be subject to an INTERNATIONAL advisory board. This board is to have power over U.S. banking systems, brokerages firms, and even corporations—including automotive companies. This global regulator, known as The Financial Stability Board, now has authority to oversee operations of these entities to determine financial risks. In addition, they have the authority to set policies in these corporations, including compensation packages. This means that this private boards of directors will be authorized to examine companies and decide what to pay top executives and senior managers. Access of this international authority will now make global regulations regarding any practice by any banking, brokerage or business by a major U.S. corporation. And the Financial Stability Board, on its own authority, will determine what is or is not unduly risky.

While many have reason to be seriously concerned with our “own” Federal Reserve making loans to banks and corporations due to the sweeping power that such loans give our government and the Federal Reserve, imagine now what will undoubtedly occur when the IMF is put in charge of giving loans to these exact same U.S. companies. This is yet one more step towards us losing our nation and having it swallowed up in a Godless Global Tyrannical Government. Think I’m exaggerating? This new agreement gives IMF (International Monetary Fund), in concert with The Financial Stability Board, the ability to become global regulators over the ENTIRE corporate world. Their power will SUPERSEDE all U.S. governmental authorities, including the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and a host of corporate regulators, including the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Labor. This is clearly one more step towards a global currency, which brings with it global power, and an abolishment of any republic. The U.S. will be a part of this board but with only ONE vote. Additionally, there is absolutely no appeal procedure specified by the G20 in the event that any determination by the board is contested as incorrect or unfounded. What this means folks, is that this could begin “just” as a global regulatory board, but could quickly move into any other authority it deems fit without any recourse but war.

Are you concerned yet? Tough. This isn’t a proposed bill before any of our legislative branches. There aren’t any hotlines to call and express our disgust with the President’s decision. This is simply how it is. In spite of the fact that he has taken an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution he’s subjected our nation to international law. The President of the United States has spoken on behalf of ALL of our businesses, all of our citizens, in agreeing to this proposal at the Summit. It’s a done deal folks. The ONLY thing we can do is to make perfectly clear our disgust for his actions. And as harsh as it may sound, this message of disapproval may only get through if the president is impeached. While this may sound quite radical to some, ask yourself, how much further does he have to go, how many more mistakes must he make, how many more freedoms must be trampled before such impeachment actions are justified?

I implore you to read the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence – prayerfully. I implore you to make your personal prayers, the lessons in the scriptures, and these inspired documents as the guiding influence on your decision as to when enough is truly enough, and what should YOU do about it. I certainly never thought I’d be writing these words, but then again, I never thought that our country would be sold away in the manner it has for so long. President Marion G. Romney said, “While it is more difficult to live the truth, such as standing for free agency, some of us may in the not too distant future be required to die for truth. But the best preparation for eternal life is to be prepared at all times to die—fully prepared by a valiant fight for the right.” (First Presidency Message, Ensign, October 1983)

May we prayerfully decide what must be done, and then may we be blessed with His strength to do so, and not allow such heavenly instructions fizzle with the first sign of challenge to our resolve.

Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved.You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.

In the Name of National Security

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Every U.S. President has taken this oath with their hand on the Holy Bible. The oath, as you can see is short and sweet and is primarily concerned solely with the President’s endeavor to preserve, protect, and defend the U.S. Constitution. Then why have the Presidents of recent past done so much to abandon the Constitution and rip to shreds the protections and rights that such Constitution affords Americans?

Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution will you find an exception to the enforcement of these Amendments. Nowhere does it say that the Bill of Rights is in effect, except if we are suffering the threat of economic collapse, attacked by terrorists, or it’s believed to be politically expedient to ignore these rights. And yet in the name of these very issues our rights have been trampled and disregarded by the very officials that we have put our trust and faith in to uphold them!

The most abused rights we’ve suffered as Americans are protected under the First and Fourth Amendments. Among other rights, the 1st Amendment protects our freedom of speech, religion, and the ability to petition our government for redress of grievances.

The 4th Amendment offers us protection against threats against our security in our homes and elsewhere and specifically protects us against unreasonable search and seizures.

Yet, as Americans, we have failed to put up any resistance to such blatant disregard for these rights.

To so-called Patriot Act has exposed all Americans to unreasonable search and seizure, a stay of habeas corpus, and the absence of “probable cause.” (See http://www.bestwebinformation.com/NationalSearchLetter.html) While you may think that this is perfectly acceptable treatment of a known terrorist, consider the ramifications of this abuse of power being inflicted upon you, your family, or your loved ones. If it can be used on your enemies unjustly, it can be used on you. If we cannot uphold the laws of America among our enemies, then for what purpose do these laws exist?

Obama is now secretly attempting to pass legislation that will permit government agents to tap into your personal computers at will. (See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHzKxtwuGzo) Guess the PC is no longer “personal.” No probable cause is necessary. No evidence. It’s soon to be legalized voyeurism now, folks.

When you are issued a “National Security Letter” you are not permitted to tell anyone about it, even your own attorney, in an effort to right any injustice that may be incurred by the issuance of such a letter. That’s right. You aren’t allowed any legal protection. It’s just you against the government in that case.

If you are labeled (justly or not) by the executive branch or one of the military tribunals as a “terrorist” or an “enemy combatant”, your Fourth Amendment rights are ignored perpetually without any evidence against you. If someone in power has an ax to grind against you, they can make your life miserable simply by putting you on a list of “suspected terrorists.” Think the government doesn’t make mistakes in this regard? Think again.

The so-called Transportation Security Administration is permitted to search you simply because of how you look, talk, or because you just so happen to be the “lucky number of the day.” And in a blatant violation of the Fifth Amendment, the TSA can unconstitutionally seize your property without due process of law or compensating you justly. Yet, millions of Americans tolerate this human rights violation every single day, sometimes many times a day to the same person, all because someone attacked our cities. It’s interesting to note that it was during a time of real war within the United States that such rights for protection were being spelled out by our Founding Fathers. A real war still did not deter them from sanctioning the value of human rights in all cases.

The simple flash of a camera on a freeway or at a city intersection automatically constitutes your guilt of the infraction of a traffic law, in spite of the fact that you are entitled to due process of law. They take your picture, you are issued a citation, and regardless of the extreme cost you may have to incur correcting such a wrong, you are guilty until proven innocent. Should you ignore such unconstitutional actions, a warrant is issued against you, in violation of the Fourth Amendment. In such instances and contrary to the Constitution, the burden is now on you to prove your innocence. (Note: Despite the fact that the UK has more surveillance cameras than any other country, the 2005 subway bombing was not stopped or thwarted in any manner.)

In spite of your right to properly defend yourself in a court of law against your accusers, the courts have sided with the government on countless occasions in preventing you from seeing their case against you, all in the name of “national security.” In other words, when an affidavit from a government official, void of any evidence or details, is sufficient to support their claim that divulging their evidence against you may compromise the security of our nation, then you can be tried and found guilty of their accusations without even knowing what you’re fighting against. Ironically, it is the ability of the government to abuse this sacred privilege that truly compromises the security of our nation.

Countless “Executive Orders” have been put into place which clearly trample our sacred rights under the Constitution, yet none have held the Presidents responsible. Why do we allow this to continue? Are there any willing to stand up and boldly state, “No, Mr. President, we will not allow you to continue to abandon our Constitutional Amendment Rights under any circumstances and corrupt our peace and security in our homes.”

Understand that these rights are not given to us by man. They are UNALIENABLE, and given to us by God. Man has merely reinforced those rights in writing within the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. In fact, the need to put to writing those unalienable rights was such a moral affront to Alexander Hamilton, he vehemently opposed the drafting of such in the Bill of Rights, naively believing that all men already knew and understood such rights.

But in light of our shredded freedoms, this question has merit. Have the brave men and women all died with our founding fathers? When are our freedoms insignificant enough that we cease to fight for them? Shall we relinquish our protection to talk show hosts, newspaper journalists, and power hungry government officials who are no more true to freedom than Evil is to truth?

Shall we have a second revolution? Yes, but it must be a revolution of VIRTUE. Hate and evil will not win this war. Only bravery, truth, justice, diligence, and fairness will hold out victory over this kind of opposition. As such, the question now stands, are we even worthy of a revolution? Or shall we fight merely to hand over our government to yet another tyrant? Are there enough men and women of virtue in our nation to govern us justly? Or have they all hidden themselves away in apathy and ignorance?


Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved. You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.

Your Title of Liberty

Our nation was not founded by the hearts of hateful, mean, or insulting men. Rather these men were brave, in love with their fellow men in the purest sense of the word and fearful of meeting with their God should they not comply with their conscience. While our nation did indeed come to a situation of all out war in order that our freedoms could be secured again and again, no machine of war would be strong enough to win were it not for the influence and support of the citizens it aimed to protect and the support of our God to direct. We, the citizens of this nation can only protect ourselves now and our future, as well as right the wrongs of the past, through by a concerted, conscious effort by making our voices heard by our government leaders. In doing so we are actually well armed with the fact that our Lord desires it. We actually have ideal “weapons” if you will do make our voices heard as well. We can play on the fact that our leaders A) either lust for power of which they will have none if they are not re-elected of B) truly do want our freedoms restored to our land. Either way our voices must be heard. Write letters. Send faxes. Keep abreast of the issues. Your freedom is truly as risk otherwise.

The Lord’s commandment to us concerning our responsibilities to preserve the government He caused to be established are just as binding as any other commandments of the gospel. It was necessary that the Lord establish a government of freedom before He could restore His Church to the earth and establish it in this land (3 Nephi 21: 4). Is it not just as critical now that we fight for the sustainment of freedom in this land that the gospel may remain in full force?

Consider your letters, blogs, emails, faxes, and proactive voices as your modern-day Title of Liberty. Who can read Alma, chapters 48 through 58 of the Book of Mormon and not be stirred with admiration for such a leader as Captain Moroni? But even more importantly, how can we not be stirred with the same desire to protect our lives, our liberties, our wives, our children and our freedoms when reading of how much Moroni sacrificed unflinchingly under such dire and antiquated circumstances. Surely this part of the scriptures was not preserved for us by the loss of many lives that we may simply sit back in admiration. Surely we are to apply the scriptures to our day and act accordingly? While we have all of the beautiful amenities of modern technology, let us not be lulled into apathy, compliance, and ignorance as the result of such blessings, Let us use them to wave our Title of Liberty tall and proud and EARN the blessings of this nation which He has afforded us. Are we simply waiting for someone else to heed the call, or to give the signal that now is the time? What if that is what Moroni had done?

Pray for knowledge. Pray for guidance. Pray to see the true state of our nation and our freedoms clearly, and then “go and do” as prompted by the Spirit. I am certain that as you are prompted, and as you heed to such promptings, that you will see and hear clearly and be provided with the strength to comply exactly as you have been endowed to do.


Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved. You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.