Presidents Day 2014 … Great Presidents & Great Speeches (George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, JFK, Reagan), And Other Presidents & How History Will Remember Them

Never has America needed a president more who was a true leader and statesman who cared more about the United States of America and “We the People” than they do about themselves, their own power and their agenda. How far have we come from a first president who feared the impression that he would have the appearance of a king and had to be talked into a second term. George Washington left office on his own after two terms, there was no legislation that told him to do so. Compare that to today’s power grabs by presidents and their purposeful and willful ignoring of the US Constitution.

Please America, you have one more chance to get it right in 2016 and follow the path of the great presidents of our past and what America was intended to be.

1. President George Washington – George Washington Speech – First Inaugural Address, April 30, 1789

Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives:

Among the vicissitudes incident to life no event could have filled me with greater anxieties than that of which the notification was transmitted by your order, and received on the 14th day of the present month. On the one hand, I was summoned by my Country, whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love, from a retreat which I had chosen with the fondest predilection, and, in my flattering hopes, with an immutable decision, as the asylum of my declining years–a retreat which was rendered every day more necessary as well as more dear to me by the addition of habit to inclination, and of frequent interruptions in my health to the gradual waste committed on it by time. On the other hand, the magnitude and difficulty of the trust to which the voice of my country called me, being sufficient to awaken in the wisest and most experienced of her citizens a distrustful scrutiny into his qualifications, could not but overwhelm with despondence one who (inheriting inferior endowments from nature and unpracticed in the duties of civil administration) ought to be peculiarly conscious of his own deficiencies. In this conflict of emotions all I dare aver is that it has been my faithful study to collect my duty from a just appreciation of every circumstance by which it might be affected. All I dare hope is that if, in executing this task, I have been too much swayed by a grateful remembrance of former instances, or by an affectionate sensibility to this transcendent proof of the confidence of my fellow-citizens, and have thence too little consulted my incapacity as well as disinclination for the weighty and untried cares before me, my error will be palliated by the motives which mislead me, and its consequences be judged by my country with some share of the partiality in which they originated.

Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes, and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own, nor those of my fellow- citizens at large less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency; and in the important revolution just accomplished in the system of their united government the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities from which the event has resulted can not be compared with the means by which most governments have been established without some return of pious gratitude, along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which the past seem to presage. These reflections, arising out of the present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly on my mind to be suppressed. You will join with me, I trust, in thinking that there are none under the influence of which the proceedings of a new and free government can more auspiciously commence. (more)

Also read Washington’s Farewell Address, September 17, 1796.

2. President Ronald W. Reagan – ‘Tear Down This Wall’ speech from  June 12, 1987 in West Berlin, Germany at the base of the Brandenburg Gate.

General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

I understand the fear of war and the pain of division that afflict this continent– and I pledge to you my country’s efforts to help overcome these burdens. To be sure, we in the West must resist Soviet expansion. So we must maintain defenses of unassailable strength. Yet we seek peace; so we must strive to reduce arms on both sides.

Government is not the solution, Government is the problem

There are just so many great and historic moments from the Reagan years, go HERE to watch and listen to many of them from the space shuttle Challenger tragedy to his Evil Empire speech.

3. President Abraham Lincoln – Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, November 19. 1863

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate— we can not consecrate—we can not hallow— this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us— that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion— that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of free- dom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

4. President John F. Kennedy – “I am a Berliner – Ich Bin Ein Berliner” … read Text HERE.

Freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not free.

When all are free, then we can look forward to that day when this city will be joined as one and this country and this great continent of Europe in a peaceful and hopeful globe.

When that day finally comes, as it will, the people of West Berlin can take sober satisfaction in the fact that they were in the front lines for almost two decades.

All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and, therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words “Ich bin ein Berliner”.

Ask Not What your Country can do for you, Ask what you can do for your Country

And then we have those presidents who no matter what they had and have said during their terms in office will forever be known for the following comments and speeches. One inspirational and two, not so much.

President George W. Bush -Bull Horn speech at Ground Zero following 911 terror attack ... “I can hear you, the rest of the world hears you, and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.”

President Bill Clinton -  I did not have sexual relations with that woman. Could also have used, “it all depends on what is, is”.

President Barack Obama – “If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor, period! If you like your healthcare plan, you can keep your healthcare plan, period!”

27 Year Old Kayla Michelle Finley Arrested and Charged with Not Returning a Jennifer Lopez Video Rental from 2005

This further emphasizes the point, nothing good comes from renting a J-Lo movie …

27 year old  Kayla Michelle Finley arrested and charged with not returning a video tape  that she rented in 2005. Making matters worse, the rental video store, Dalton Video, isn’t even in business anymore. Wait, imagine being arrested for not returning a J-Lo film, Monster-in-Law? How does one get arrested for something like this? How much could the tape or fine actually be worth? My we have come a long way in America, pot legal, but you can be arrested for not returning a video. Thankfully, technology has changed in how movies are rented these days.  Finley was arrested, and spent Thursday night in jail until her bond hearing Friday morning. A judge issued a $2,000 personal recognizance bond Friday morning, and she was released. Who thinks this is a tad bit extreme and a waste of law enforcements time and money?

Public Enemy #1 – Kayla Michelle Finley

Kayla Michelle Finley, 27, has been charged with failure to return a rented video cassette, according to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.

According to warrants Finely rented Monster-In-Law from Dalton Video, which is no longer in business, in 2005 and the tape was not returned within 72 hours.

Finley was sent letters to return the video several times but never responded, according to the warrant. It also said a certified warrant was sent to the woman on Sept. 12, 2005.

Now if  Kayla Michelle Finley had rented Gigli and not returned it, she should be forced to do hard time.

Daily Commentary – Monday, February 17, 2014 – Actor Ralph Waite Passes Away at Age 85

• “The Walton’s patriarch died at his home in Palm Desert, California. R.I.P.

Daily Commentary – Monday, February 17, 2014 Download

ABBA Admit Outrageous Outfits Were Worn To Avoid Taxes, Not Just Because of Pop Glamour Culture of the Late 70′s and Early 80′s

Who knew, wearing outrageous clothing was a tax loophole?

As reported in The Guardian, a new book, ‘The Official Photo Book,’ published to mark 40 years since ABBA won Eurovision with Waterloo, the band’s style may have been influenced by Swedish tax laws that allowed the cost of outfits to be a tax deduction, just as much as the pop culture fashion style of the late 1970′s and early 1980′s. The Swedish tax law stated that the cost of outfits could be deducted, so long as the costumes were so outrageous they could not possibly be worn on the street. Hmm, I don’t know, their outfits would have to be really over the line as people wore some pretty outrageous clothing in the 70′s. Although, I believe if anyone was caught wearing these outfits that ABBA is wearing in this rendition of Waterloo (VIDEO) in the street, they have have been strapped in a white coat.

No matter what the reason, ABBA is legendary and I hope that they can make their 40 year reunion happen.

ABBA – Waterloo Eurovision 1974

The glittering hotpants, sequined jumpsuits and platform heels that Abba wore at the peak of their fame were designed not just for the four band members to stand out – but also for tax efficiency, according to claims over the weekend.

Reflecting on the group’s sartorial record in a new book, Björn Ulvaeus said: “In my honest opinion we looked like nuts in those years. Nobody can have been as badly dressed on stage as we were.”

And the reason for their bold fashion choices lay not just in the pop glamour of the late 70s and early 80s, but also in the Swedish tax code.

What, you mean no one was wearing clothes like this in the late 70′s?

The Daily Mail: Abba admit they only wore those ridiculous outfits to avoid tax!

He said: ‘Nobody can have been as badly dressed on stage as we were. In my honest opinion we looked like nuts in those years.

But we figured people would remember us even if we finished ninth.’

Colleague Benny Andersson added: ‘I’ve never regretted any  picture?.?.?. just grin and bear it.’

Snake Handling Kentucky Pentecostal Pastor Jamie Coots Who Starred in National Geographic’s Reality Show “Snake Salvation” Dies from … a Snake Bite

OK, YOU JUST CAN’T MAKE THIS STUFF UP … I GUESS WE COULD HAVE SEEN THIS ONE COMING.

Jammie Coots, a Kentucky Pentecostal snake-handling pastor, who starred in a National Geographic reality show “Snake Salvation” has died of … hold it, hold it, hold it, that’s it you guessed it, a snake bite. Coots was a third generation snake handler who believed that a passage in the Bible suggests poisonous snakebites will not harm believers as long as they are anointed by God. I guess this last snake bite was not. WBIR reports that Middlesboro Police Chief Jeff Sharpe said Coots was found dead in his home at about 10 p.m. Saturday. A snake bit Coots while he was handling the animal in his Middlesboro, Kentucky church, Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name.

Define irony … Coots is quoted saying in the below video that he never sought medical attention because of snake bites as he said when he first started in church, “that if I ever went to a hospital or doctor over a snake bite, I would quit the church.”

VIDEO from National Geographic via Mediaite

A Kentucky pastor who starred in a reality show about snake-handling in church has died — of a snakebite.

Jamie Coots died Saturday evening after refusing to be treated, Middleborough police said.

On “Snake Salvation,” the ardent Pentecostal believer said that he believed that a passage in the Bible suggests poisonous snakebites will not harm believers as long as they are anointed by God. The practice is illegal in most states, but still goes on, primarily in the rural South.

Coots was a third-generation “serpent handler” and aspired to one day pass the practice and his church, Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name, on to his adult son, Little Cody.

The National Geographic show featured Coots and cast handling all kinds of poisonous snakes — copperheads, rattlers, cottonmouths. The channel’s website shows a picture of Coots, goateed, wearing a fedora. “Even after losing half of his finger to a snake bite and seeing others die from bites during services,” Coots “still believes he must take up serpents and follow the Holiness faith,” the website says.

Pastor dies after snake he was handling bit him.

Sharpe said Coots went home before emergency workers got to the church. Officials then went to his house but weren’t given consent to treat him or transport him to the hospital. About an hour later officials said they returned to the home, but Coots had passed away.

Another preacher at the church, Cody Winn, said he was right next to Coots when he got bit during the Saturday evening service.

“Jamie went across the floor. He had one of the rattlers in his hand, he came over and he was standing beside me. It was plain view, it just turned its head and bit him in the back of the hand before, within a second,” Winn said.

He said Coots dropped the snakes, but then picked them back up and continued on. Within minutes, he said Coots headed to the bathroom with his son and Andrew Hamblin, an East Tennessee preacher who also handles snakes.

“Andrew said he looked at him and said ‘sweet Jesus’ and it was over. He didn’t die right then, but he just went out and never woke back up,” Winn said.

Statement from National Geographic:

National Geographic said in a statement it was struck by Coots’ “devout religious convictions despite the health and legal peril he often faced.”

“Those risks were always worth it to him and his congregants as a means to demonstrate their unwavering faith,” the statement said. “We were honored to be allowed such unique access to pastor Jamie and his congregation during the course of our show, and give context to his method of worship.”