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In the year 2013, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in America and said:  "Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me."

"Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans."

He gave Noah the blueprints, saying:  "You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard -- but no Ark.  "Noah!," He roared, "I'm about to start the rain!  Where is the Ark?"

"Forgive me, Lord,"  begged Noah, "but things have changed."
"I needed a Building Permit."
"I've been arguing with the Boat Inspector about the need for a sprinkler system."

"My homeowners association claim that I've violated the Neighborhood by-laws by building the Ark in my back yard and exceeding the height limitations.  We had to go to the local Planning Committee for a decision."

"Then the City Council and the Electricity Company demanded a shed load of money for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark's move to the sea.  I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear none of it."

"Getting the wood was another problem.  There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the Greater Spotted Barn Owl."
"I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go!"

"When I started gathering the animals, PETA took me to court.  They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodations were too restrictive and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space."

"Then the Environmental Protection Agency ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on Your proposed flood."

"I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew."

"The Immigration Dept. is checking the visa status of most of the people who want to work."
"The Labor Dept. say I can't use my sons.  They insist I have to hire only union workers with ark-building experience."

"To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species."
"So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark."

Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine and a rainbow stretched across the sky.

Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"

"No," said the Lord. "The Government beat me to it."

Entry by Bill Cochrane

I am compelled to present the following article by Bill O'Reilly here.  I find myself in agreement with Mr. O'Reilly less and less as time goes by.  He is often focused on sideshow symptoms rather than root causes and cures.  He is much too apt to deny truth until it becomes so obviously undeniable that no viable option remains.

But even when focused on more frivolous issues or ranting on some symptom of the decay, he is more often right than outright wrong.  In the following piece he has put his finger on an issue that is (and I say this in all earnestness and with full conviction) destroying the nation.  If the culture does not change, this nation has but one or two more generations before it is utterly and fundamentally changed forever.

Did you watch "The Bible" series?  If you did not, you missed a unique opportunity to have scripture come alive and become more real than any number of Sunday School lessons, Bible School, or even (with few exceptions) sermons could offer.  Yes, there were instances of theatrical "license".  Yes, there were some "modern interpretations" sprinkled amongst the stories.  But it was almost purely a faithful presentation of the Old Testament and New Testament scripture.  Very moving, very thought-provoking, and very inspiring.

It was so powerful that both I and my wife, Terri, could not help but actually dream of the narratives for days after each installment and upon completion of the series.  I know not everyone will find the series as gripping and moving; however, like Bill O'Reilly, I just don't understand the zombie thing.  What I do understand is that it is a clear indicator of the values, principles, and belief system of our younger generation.  And I do understand the clear implications this has for the future of this nation.

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On Easter Sunday evening, a TV show about good and evil aired on the History Channel -- the final installment of "The Bible" miniseries in which Jesus is executed.  AMC ran the season-ending episode of "The Walking Dead" -- the series where zombies try to eat the brains of human beings.  One footnote:  The world might have been a better place had the zombies preemptively gotten to the guy who thought up this series in the first place.

Anyway, the zombies won.  They beat Jesus in the ratings, especially among viewers ages 18 to 49.

What lesson can be derived from Jesus losing to the walking dead?  Well, it proves that about 12 million Americans want to see blood and gore.  Wait -- there was plenty of that in the Bible's crucifixion scenes.  Maybe the zombie viewers simply wanted cheap thrills.  Yeah, that's it.  Cheap thrills triumphed over a spiritual experience.  Cannibalism beat baptism.

Base entertainment almost always beats highbrow stuff.  But watching flesh-eating zombies on Easter does put a different spin on things, does it not?  I mean, how soon can we digest dismemberment on television after eating our baked ham dinner?  One hour?  Two?

At least Jesus was in context.  The New Testament says the son of God rose from the dead on Easter.  The zombies rise from the dead whenever their makeup is finished.

Honestly, I have no idea what this zombie phenomenon is all about.  Way back in the 1960s, I saw the first modern zombie movie:  "Night of the Living Dead."  Things were creeping along OK until a little girl turned into a zombie and tried to eat her mom.  At that point, my entire group decided enough was enough, and we bolted out of the theater.

But today that scene would be tame.  Now zombie kids will eat their entire families if given the opportunity.  Depravity doesn't even begin to cover it.  Apparently, we Americans have an unending appetite for gross behavior.  Pun intended.

What must Jesus think?  Here he is, being nailed to the cross by smirking Romans and getting trounced by TV zombies at the same time.  The prince of peace preached that we all should love our neighbors as ourselves.  I do not believe that Jesus would condone eating your neighbor even if you are dead.

Many folks who like this zombie business freely admit it's a low form of entertainment.  "But so what?"  they say.  It's fun to envision yourself outsmarting zombies, blasting them to hell with shotguns and then escaping to some tattoo parlor.  I guess that's fun in some precincts.

But not for me.  I threw in with Jesus even though the guy who played him looked a bit like Spicoli in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High."  Sure, I knew how the miniseries was going to end, but there are worse things you could do on Easter Sunday -- like watching man-eating zombies.

All I know is this:  When Jesus appeared to the apostles after he died, thank God they did not have access to AMC.


Bill O'Reilly

Entry by Oliver Meckes

Is this an alien?  Probably not, but of all the animals on Earth, the tardigrade might be the best candidate.  That's because tardigrades are known to be able to go for decades without food or water, to survive temperatures from near absolute zero to well above the boiling point of water, to survive pressures from near zero to well above that on ocean floors, and to survive direct exposure to dangerous radiations.  The far-ranging survivability of these extremophiles was tested in 2011 outside an orbiting space shuttle.  Tardigrades are so durable partly because they can repair their own DNA and reduce their body water content to a few percent.  Some of these miniature water-bears almost became extraterrestrials recently when they were launched toward to the Martian moon Phobos on board the Russian mission Fobos-Grunt, but stayed terrestrial when a rocket failed and the capsule remained in Earth orbit.  Tardigrades are more common than humans across most of the Earth. Pictured above in a color-enhanced electron micrograph, a millimeter-long tardigrade crawls on moss.

Entry by Bill Cochrane

First, a note to loyal readers here.... Once again fortune has not been altogether kind.  I have been absent for the past week, and my ability to contribute to this website will be reduced for the coming couple of weeks, at least.  My father-in-law was discovered to have an aggressive malignant cancerous tumor on his left kidney.  He quickly underwent surgery to remove the kidney and all surrounding tissues.  He experienced severe complications during recovery, and Terri and I have been spending our time in Wilmington and Sunset Beach helping.  He is now making a good recovery, and his prognosis is now excellent.  But he and Terri's mother will require a great deal of our support over the coming days.  Please bear with us.

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Now, in case you missed the fantastic speech by Dr. Ben Carson to those gathered in Washington D.C. for the February 7 National Prayer Breakfast, here is your chance to experience it.  Dr. Carson delivered a wonderful analysis of what is wrong in this nation today with humor, parables, and insightful wit.  Another Breakfast attendee, making a rare appearance at any such event connected with the Judeo-Christian and Founding traditions, Barry Soetoro, was seated to the good Doctor's right with the opprobrious FLOTUS.  You will note Barry's reaction and behavior when confronted with a truthful and common sense assessment.

Naturally, the left has reacted badly to Dr. Carson's truth telling while the right has hailed him as a hero.  Many have called for him to run for the Presidency, a development I certainly could applaud and fully support.  And the second video below is a Fox News interview pertaining to reactions to Dr. Carson's National Prayer Breakfast speech.

The old media outlets have largely ignored the entire affair, but the "blogosphere" is afire with the event and reactions.  The speech has gone "viral".  We will document it here, because it is simply too precious to let pass.  Enjoy!

Entry by Bill Cochrane

Alright, I know I've posted entries featuring this timeless song before.  For those who know the actual history of this hymn, you know why it is even more compelling, more joyful and uplifting than even it's beautiful melody and wondrously marvelous lyrics seemingly could achieve.

I suppose the reason I cannot get enough of this hymn is that I know how flawed I am.  I know how much I need the amazing grace for my own salvation.  How can a man in this world expect to survive Judgement Day without the amazing grace?

And, I know, you like me have heard this hymn performed by many wonderfully talented vocalists and musicians.  We most often hear it in emotionally rueful, tearfully grateful refrains.  Or with mournful bagpipes and orchestral overtures.  Almost always it is delivered with a deliberately slow and graceful pace and sound, with an humbled, but joyous sound of praise.

All befitting.  All beautiful.  All promising of redemption and reunion.

You have, I feel certain, never heard this hymn sung like this before.  Never with such exuberantly joyous power.  Never with such celebration.  Never with such enthusiasm.  And yet, not losing any of its meaning or weight.  In fact, it increases in its effect and meaning.  You just gotta see and hear this!

Amazing Grace is sung by a 10-year-old Brazilian lad who cannot speak English.  You will note his unfamiliar pronunciation of certain words.  Although he does not speak English, he obviously knows -- and feels -- the meaning and import of the hymn he sings.  It brought tears to my eyes -- and I think you'll react in much the same way.

Enjoy!

Entry by Bill Cochrane

To begin with, let me say that I regret that this has been commercialized.  There have been others who have published videos of Paul Harvey's wonderful tribute (just search YouTube if you wish). Some have used very appropriate photographs and graphics to illustrate the moving words.  But, indubitably, this rendition is the most compelling, the most moving, of all.  So, we must give grateful credit to the producers.

The following video is a wonderful tribute to one of the most honorable and venerable professions in American history -- even world history.  The Farmer.

I cannot watch this video without my heart aching so that I think it might explode.  I cannot see these images and listen to the late great Paul Harvey's immortal words without my emotions welling into my throat, and my eyes watering.

What has happened to us?  To our nation?  When I was in high school, even in Charlotte-Mecklenburg nearly 50 years ago, the 4-H Club was still an important part of the school body.  I know that the general populace, particularly in places like Moore County, still places the farmer, the agricultural lifestyle, the rural agrarian way of life, on a pedestal.  We admire it.  We want to protect it.  This is a favorite topic of the Moore County Land Use Steering Committee.  Even the leftist environmentalists praise it (all the while trying to regulate it into extinction).

We still truly admire the independent spirit.  The farmer is a powerful symbol of honesty -- honest work, honest dealings, and honest production.  Production of life's essentials.  Someone on whom we depend for our very existence -- and someone on whom we know we can always depend.  The farmer is one of the most admired icons today in American culture.  Farming is a skill coveted by those who cherish independence and self-reliance.

So, what has happened to our nation which professes to honor farming and agriculture to the highest?  What has happened to our progeny who no longer are willing to take up farming?  To work on farms?  To even do hard work?  Who no longer are willing to take risks?  Heirs who are no longer are willing to follow in their family's traditions and footsteps?

How has it come down to a misguided idea that to "preserve" farming, the farmer's property rights must be confiscated -- the farmer's fields must be legally encumbered with so-called "conservation easements" such that his land becomes so devalued -- or worthless -- that his heirs either abandon it or sell it for pennies on the dollar?

How is it that we allow zoning ordinances, noise ordinances, "nuisance ordinances", and other onerous regulations to constrain the farmer into oblivion?  How is it that we impose so many "food-handling" regulations, water/irrigation/drainage control regulations, "wetlands" regulations -- myriad restrictions that so tie the hands of the farmer that the family farm is the most endangered species on the planet?  Regulations that foster super-conglomerates who partner with big government to concoct cozy protected arrangements at the expense of the individual iconic Farmer?  Why?  How?

How is it that we have so lost our way?  The inspiring, fiercely independent, essential family farmer is disappearing, and the mammoth, agri-megalo-corporation with close lobbying (partnering) ties to the bureaucrats, regulators, and legislators is inexorably displacing our cherished national icon.

Listen now to Paul Harvey's profoundly moving presentation of an indispensable and irreplaceable American icon.  If you are unmoved, you are progressive beyond rescue.  Then..... do something!

Entry by Bill Cochrane

Andre Hickman had a problem with Dekalb County's response to his perceived traffic problem on the road where he lives.  He produced this video complaint to the County Commissioners about their chosen response to the situation.  As you will see, he placed little credibility in the solution his County Board of Commissioners implemented.

Ah, but my wife and I lived in Dekalb County for 27 years before moving to Moore County.  I have personally witnessed the ineptitude and big government solutions that Dekalb pursues.  Little did Andre suspect when he reacted to the Dekalb Commissioners' solution just how effective it might be!

Watch for yourself!

Entry by Bill Cochrane

Every once in a while, someone with extraordinary talent and vision will produce something that makes your jaw drop.  In my opinion, that just happened again, brought to us by Mark Gee from the magical land of New Zealand.

The following is a three minute unedited, un-retouched video taken with a telephoto lens.  I'll let Mark tell you about the amazing video below in his own words, here.  Look at it in a moment, if you will.  Just don't get too technically analytical.  This is so much more than incredible photography.

For now, please just clear your mind and behold a familiar wonder appearing to you in a new and special way.  Enjoy another compelling reminder of the wonder of it all and where we are and the "Power throughout the universe displayed".

Wow factor:  Off the Scale.

Article by Dallas Woodhouse


Today, AFP-North Carolina announced its Legislative Goals for the 2013-14 legislative biennium.  The Regular Session convened briefly on January 9th to adopt rules and organize the session but will reconvene on Wednesday, January 30th.

When it comes to advancing the free market agenda, no state has a better opportunity this year than North Carolina.  We believe that we have a genuine opportunity to unleash the entrepreneurial spirit in North Carolina with lower taxes and regulations to make government less entangling and burdensome to North Carolinians.  We will aggressively promote the opportunities of cheaper energy, quality educational choices, leaner and less burdensome government, and lower taxes.

Please remember that AFP deals only with issues of economic freedom, school choice, and property rights.  There are important issues that face North Carolinians which fall outside of our mission.

We hope you will stand with us once again to promote the following goals:

• Passage of the state budget without tax increases;
• Lower overall tax burden in North Carolina;
• Support for Constitutional Spending Limits that could include: Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR) that would limit government spending to the increase in population and inflation and/or legislative supermajority requirement to raise taxes;
• Keeping North Carolina as a “Right-to-work State,” by implementing it into the state constitution along with the state’s ban on public employee collective bargaining;
• Dedicating all North Carolina Education Lottery revenue to school construction; or support ending all state-run gambling;
• Elimination of North Carolina’s Estate Tax – also called the “Death Tax”;
• Promotion of legislation that allows for the exploration and production of North Carolina’s energy resources;
• Advocating a “rollback” of North Carolina’s Renewable Portfolio Standard;
• Blocking the creation of a North Carolina Healthcare Exchange;
• Allowing the purchase of health insurance from any state;
• Passage of legislation to get the state of North Carolina out of the liquor business;
• Ending all “welfare for politicians,” known as taxpayer-funded elections;
• Protecting free and political speech rights by deregulating campaign speech;
• Ending the Golden Leaf Foundation;
• Converting the Tax Credit for Children with Disabilities into a refundable tax credit;
• Increasing the number of non-public school choice options available to parents;
• Repeal of the corporate income tax and elimination of all corporate welfare;
• Simplifying and lowering individual income taxes;
• Promoting the elimination of redundant committees and commissions in order to shrink the size of government in North Carolina;
• Expanding recently passed tort reforms, including “loser pays”; and
• In general, greatly reducing the regulatory burden on businesses and citizens.

We welcome your feedback.

The hopelessly biased Carol Costello was rattled to the core yesterday when South Carolina sheriff Al Cannon gave her a lesson in Constitutional law.  He also exposed Costello for the blithering hypocrite that both she and most of the media are.

My guess is that Costello and her producers forgot that country doesn’t mean dumb.  Cannon's demeanor, intelligence, education, and command of the facts ran circles around the left-wing morning anchor.

But why is Carol Costello, of all people, upset with what Cannon is doing?  All he's doing is following President Obama's lead.  After all, it was Obama who set a new media-accepted precedent that says it's okay for him to decide when to uphold and enforce our nation's laws and when he will not do so.

Obama has openly and publicly stated -- to much media acclaim -- that he will not enforce certain parts of our immigration laws or the Defense of Marriage Act.  He doesn’t agree with those laws and therefore he will not enforce them.

Well, okay then.  Who knew you could do that?  I didn’t.  But now that Obama has shown us the way, I say it is racist not to follow his example.

Or…

Perhaps, there's a caveat when it comes to not enforcing laws you disagree with.

Perhaps, this is wrong if you’re not Obama?

Perhaps, this is wrong if Carol Costello and CNN like the law you’re choosing not to enforce?

Perhaps Carol Costello and CNN are a bunch of left-wing propagandists wholly on board the current Narrative Train that says Obama can do no wrong and his opponents can do nothing right?

And perhaps, because of that, because Obama is now in a bubble where the media hold him accountable for nothing and protect him from everything, our democracy is in all kinds of danger.


John Nolte

P.S. I'm looking for video of CNN and Costello's outrage when Obama actually broke the law regarding recess appointments. I'll let you know if any exists.
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John, I agree with what you've said.  However, I feel that it's vital to point out the major, extremely important difference between what Obama and Holder have done and what the good South Carolina sheriff is doing.  And there is a vitally important difference.

Obama and Holder choose which laws they will enforce and when they will enforce laws based on what they want to do -- based on their own agendas and how they "feel" about those laws.

The sheriff, on the other hand, says that he will base his decision on the Constitutionality of federal laws.  He says he will take into account what his state Attorney General says about the federal law/regulation and what legal opinions are coming from the judicial system.  And he will also take into account his own reading and understanding of the U.S. Constitution.  And only if the federal law or regulation is un-Constitutional will he refuse to enforce it in defense of, in this case, the Second Amendment.

There is a vast moral and ethical difference between those two examples.  The good sheriff is being ethical and principled.  The Administration is being exactly the opposite.

The sheriff took the following Oath of Office upon being elected to his position:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am duly qualified, according to the Constitution of this State, to exercise the duties of the office to which I have been elected, (or appointed), and that I will, to the best of my ability, discharge the duties thereof, and preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of this State and of the United States. So help me God."

He is again vowing to uphold his Oath of Office.  This is what an honest and honorable sheriff -- or any other elected official -- would do.

CNN Anchor Carol Costello should read and understand the Constitution herself.  First, the Second Amendment protects our right to bear arms.  Article 1, Section 8 lists the specific areas where the federal government has authority to make laws and regulations.  There is nothing in Article 1, Section 8 which gives the federal government authority to regulate individuals' possession or use of their arms.  Amendment 10 reserves to the states or to the People all other rights and authorities not specifically granted to the federal government.

All of the new proposals being floated in our out-of-control federal government are un-Constitutional.  Lawyers and appointed judges don't have authority (look at Article III of the Constitution) to reinterpret the clear and concise words of the Constitution.

Thank God for good men like Sheriff Al Cannon!


Bill Cochrane