“The Way I See It” is an attempt by the guest columnist to enlighten readers on a subject, as he views it, and does not necessarily reflect the views of this publication. Comments on this article may be addressed to the author or to: Dolphin Talk, P.O. Box 777, Port O’Connor, TX 77982; ; Email: dolphin1@tisd.net or to the author at longknife21@tisd.net

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Defining a Nation – Opinion

What really defines a Nation? Many will say language, currency, economy, and culture, and these are important, but three characteristics are more important: Borders, Citizenship and Law.

Borders:

Without secure borders a Nation can not exist. A Nation that can not or will not secure its borders is subject to destruction from a variety of sources: uncontrolled and illegal immigration, smuggling, even armed invasion. We have watched the effects of illegal immigration on economic factors such as unemployment of citizens and the stress on Social Services and Welfare as these new “residents” demand and qualify for equal entitlements and services as citizens. In decades past many workers came from Mexico and Central America to work, send money home, and after a period of time, return to their homes and families. That is no longer the norm. Illegal workers that have financial success soon have their families follow them, and once here quickly qualify for Food Stamps, WIC, and many other programs, often aided by political agents that are sometimes openly hostile to America. Also, their children need school, and since they can’t speak English, are given teachers that can teach in their language. This is a very negative input, because their lack of English prevents assimilation – educationally, economically, and socially. We are creating another poverty under-class, resentful of Americans, and ripe for exploitation by both unscrupulous employers and socialist political propagandists hostile to America.

Even more dangerous are illegal aliens that come here with criminal intent or terrorists intent on bringing war to our shores. The alien smuggling rings are also connected to the drug smuggling rings that have grown into “Cartels”. Our southern border has become a battleground. Not only are the Narcotrafficantes fighting local, State, and Federal police, but other Cartels.

They have become so extreme and powerful that armed bands roam areas of our border, sometimes with the support of criminal elements of the Mexican military. This has grown into an armed invasion.

Citizenship:

In our Constitutional Republic, we use the democratic process of voting to choose the people that will represent us at the State and Federal levels as well as our local officials. Citizenship has always been a requirement for voting and to be a candidate for office. Our highest office, the President, requires a stronger definition of citizen “natural born Citizen”. This was understood by our Founders to be a person born in the USA with both parents being citizens. The reason was to avoid having a President and Commander-in-Chief that had dual-citizenship or divided loyalties. This requirement has been under attack for over a decade and actually ignored by government since 2008.

All citizens are ‘equal before the Law’, but there are differences in citizenship:

1. Natural Born Citizens, or natives as defined by Vattel’s Law of Nations: Born in this country (or under the jurisdiction) with both parents being citizens at time of birth.

2. 14th Amendment citizens, often called “Native born citizens”: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” US Const., 14th Am.,Sec 1. (Emphasis added)

3. Naturalized citizens or citizens by law.

#1. Needs no further explanation.

#2. Means that a child born in the US “ and subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” is automatically a citizen. But what is “subject to the jurisdiction thereof”? At least one parent is a US citizen or a US documented permanent resident, a legal immigrant that has expressed a desire to become a US citizen. Diplomats are specifically exempt. Foreigners traveling, studying, or working in the US under passport and temporary visa retain their citizenship and children born to them inherit that citizenship. A woman that comes to the US illegally and has a child is in defiance of US jurisdiction not subject to it and has no Lawful claim to US citizenship for that child. Liberal activists and activist judges have twisted and perverted the “law” for several decades, and it needs to be put right.

#3. Naturalization is a legal process that an immigrant must go through to become a citizen, that should require a term of residency, tests on Constitutional Law, US history, and English comprehension. “Naturalization” is also the paper-work that a child of American parents born abroad should do to legally confirm US citizenship.

Law: We are a Nation of Law (or at least are supposed to be). Our Foundation is “We the People”, commonly referred to as The Constitution of the United States. Our Federal Government and the several States have hundreds of thousands (probably millions) of pages of laws, regulations, and ordinances, but all are subservient to The Constitution. When the people defy these laws, the government calls them criminals, and punishes them. When politicians defy the law sometimes they are exposed and lightly punished, but usually it is quickly forgotten, or ignored completely. When government agencies, prominent political leaders, judges, the Attorney General, and the President defy The Constitution, and Congress and the Federal Courts do nothing, then there is a Constitutional Crisis and the entire fabric of our Nation is in danger of being torn asunder and destroyed.

It has taken 50 years for Lib/Progressive socialists to destroy common sense and The People’s understanding and respect for Borders, Citizenship and the Law, but they have been largely successful. Whether by actions in Courts, or by Congress passing new laws to clarify and strengthen our National Sovereignty, we must defend our borders, control immigration with an eye to encouraging assimilation, and throw out politicians and judges that refuse to follow the Constitution. There has been far too much experimentation with ‘social engineering’ by the most radical socialist elements of our political spectrum and this trend needs to be reversed.

The future of our Nation is in jeopardy, we are at a tipping-point.

Bill Brayshaw, Seadrift, aka longknife21@tisd.net

Calhoun County employees are participating in a new wellness program called Sonic Boom. For eight weeks beginning on March 26th, employees will be wearing a high-tech pedometer that will capture their steps, distance walked, and calories burned. They will periodically walk by a “receiver” which will upload that information to a personal website and to the Sonic Boom website for data collection.

A contest was held to see which participating entity could enroll the largest percentage of their employees in the program. Calhoun County won with 77% of their employees signing up to participate. For having this wonderful participation, the County will receive a shipment of fresh fruit delivered each week of the eight week challenge. The whole purpose of the program is to get our employees healthier.

-Susan Riley

Calhoun County is once again having a Blood Drive.  Tuesday, March 27th from 8:30 to 12:00 the Bloodmobile Bus will be parked in the Courthouse parking lot on Live Oak.  The public is welcome to come and donate. 
Please call Susan at 553-4600 to schedule a donation during that time.

Evelyn Christine Middaugh, 83, of Seadrift, passed away March 8, 2012. She was born February 13, 1929 in Lumberton, N.C. to the late Purdie and Vila Hinson Reeves.

She is survived by her daughter, Paula Moncrief; sons, Terry Middaugh and Thomas Middaugh, all of Seadrift; sisters, Ann Wilcox and Lois Stone of Lumberton, N.C.; six grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Thomas Middaugh; parents; sister, Aleen Little; and brother, Earl Reeves.

Funeral service was held on March 12, 2012, at the Assembly of God in Seadrift, with Rev. Tim Smith officiating. Interment followed in Seadrift Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Christopher Harper, Thomas Talbott, Austin Talbott, Jerry Maples, Jeremiah Cossey, and Kelly Fikes.

Honorary pallbearer was Monte Moncrief Jr.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.richardsoncolonial.com .

Thank You

Our successful 38th barbecue showed how our community supports our 72-year-old Boy Scout program.

We want to thank all those who cooked, served, and bought tickets for a great meal. The auction was fun and raised funds to keep our Scouts busy for another year. We thank everybody who contributed and bought auction items. A very special thanks to the Lions Club for pitching in and working so hard for us. They showed us a real service organization.

Sincerely,
Troop 106 and Cub Pack 106
Boy Scouts of America
Seadrift, Texas

To the Editor:

While visiting my parents in Port O’Connor, I always take time to read and enjoy Dolphin Talk. I must admit, however, that while reading the Feb. 24 issue, I was a bit disappointed not to see “the other side” of the views expressed by Peggy Venable (“Economic Freedom,” page 5).

Venable is a spokesperson for an organization, Americans for Prosperity, that like many such organizations, would prefer that those of us struggling to reach or maintain middle-class economic status not realize that the organization is the tool of the oil billionaire Koch brothers, Charles and David Koch, who spend millions to fight any legislation protecting workers or the environment. The AFP budget topped $40 million in 2010.

That $40 million was not spent to make you and me more prosperous; it was an investment in the continued prosperity of the Koch brothers and others who prefer that their tax loopholes and low tax rates be ignored while they focus attention elsewhere.

For the last 30 years Texas has had a higher poverty rate than the nation as a whole, and in 2007 had the second highest poverty rate in America: 16.5 percent of our total population or 3.934 million Texans. In 2007 Texas also ranked ninth in its poverty rate for the elderly; it ranked forty-ninth in the percentage of its adult population with a high school diploma; and it ranked first, at 24.4 %, in the percent of its populace with no health insurance.

Yet Ms. Venable thinks that Texas can solve all its problems and bring about economic prosperity by the simple act of “opposing local government growth and spending or tax increases or bond proposals.” As state budget cuts fall heaviest on our schools and most vulnerable citizens, we are going to bring them economic prosperity by refusing to fund needed services?

For the one percent like the Koch brothers, who already bask in personal economic surpluses, Americans for Prosperity offers more prosperity if its positions gain support from the rest of us. What it offers us may well turn out to be overcrowded schools and emergency rooms and polluted bays.

I can only pray that the citizens of Calhoun County, as well as the rest of Texas, think about the meaning behind the simplistic solutions proposed by this group. We all are Americans and we all want more prosperity for ourselves and our state, we all agree that we should indeed take active part in local government meetings, but we need to think carefully about the impact penny-pinching policies will have on everyone except the super rich.

Sincerely,
Janice Albrecht Stalder

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your steadfast support for the McGee family during Bob’s illness. During times like these we realize how much friends really mean.

We would not call names because we may miss someone.

Thank you all. Your expressions of sympathy will always be remembered.

May God bless you in a very special way.

Love and Prayers,
The McGees

Reference article in March 9th issue of Dolphin Talk, “The Eligibility Question”, by William Brayshaw:

In case you are under the false impression that the contents of the above article “The Eligibility Question” are remotely correct, I suggest that you take the effort to find out for yourself, as I have done, if what the author suggests are facts, are a compilation of half truths, distortions, and outright falsehoods.

First, this link shown below clearly explains why President Obama is indeed a natural born citizen: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/citizen.asp

In reading the above, you will see that it is the 14th Amendment that states that “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” Since Hawaii is part of the United States, even if both of President Obama’s parents were Non-US citizens, he’d still qualify by our constitution as a natural born citizen.

Similarly, the following link also debunks such baseless claims: http://www.factcheck.org/2008/11/its-official-obama-born-in-the-usa/

This article by Factcheck.org says, and I quote, “ Of all the nutty rumors, baseless conspiracy theories and sheer disinformation that we’ve dealt with at Factcheck.org perhaps the goofiest is the claim that Barack Obama is not a “natural born citizen” and therefore not eligible to be president under the constitution”.

Furthermore, Politfact.com lists the unfounded allegation that President Obama wasn’t born in Hawaii as “A Pants On Fire” falsehood: http://www.politifact.com/texas/statements/2011/apr/27/leo-berman/state-rep-leo-berman-says-kapiolani-medical-center/
The above link says, and I quote, “PolitiFact has checked at least five other claims about Obama’s birthplace, finding no truth to any of them.”

I could go on and on with many other references, but I think that the reader’s own common sense is best for evaluating all this bunk about President Obama not being a natural born citizen.

If there was any shred of truth to this, why then do all leading Republicans ignore this non-issue? Plus, the US Supreme Court has “… refused to hear every Obama citizenship case submitted to date…” The reference for this fact about the Supreme Court is: http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/barackobama/a/obama_citizenship_questioned_2.htm

My final advice is, be very skeptical of any political agenda article, especially when they defy your basic common sense. Do as I have done, check things out for yourself. Fortunately for all of us who like to have our facts correct, the Internet is a great vehicle for ascertaining the truth and exposing distortions and falsehoods. All you need is an inquiring mind and a desire to find out for yourself what’s true, and what isn’t.

Gib Fox
Colonel, USAF Retired

To Col. Gib Fox,

I have spent a great deal of time studying Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. since 2008. First, because I saw him as a good alternative to Hillary Clinton and I was less than thrilled with the Republicans. The more you look, the less you find, mostly smoke and mirrors. He is not what we were sold in 2008 by the Media.

How can you equate 14th Amendment citizenship with Natural Born Citizen when the 14th states, “All persons born or naturalized … are citizens…”? Do you consider an alien immigrant that is Naturalized is a Natural Born Citizen? That is illogical. Why would the Founders specify Natural Born Citizen if they meant any Citizen.

This is why this issue and the definitions need to decided in a Court of Law, where the evidence can be also be seen by ‘The People’. Why do Obama’s lawyers continue to resist any attempt to settle this in Court if they believed they were right? Why do they spend a fortune on ‘sealing’ his records? And why present a computer drawn ‘document’ that was easily exposed as a forgery? The Left/lib media and .orgs marginalize and demonize those that seek the truth, their major defense is name-calling, when it would be simple to release the records. If a Repub was this secretive the Media would be having fits.

Judges throw out the Eligibility cases on the “Lack of Judicial Standing” of US Citizens and voters ?? Even other presidential Candidates? How can We the People be denied “Legal Standing”? What are they so afraid of? There are now challenges in 17 State courts and the Supreme Court. Evidence, now even criminal evidence, is mounting up.

Sheriff Joe’s Cold Case Posse set out to prove the Obama birth story true, but the evidence didn’t support it. Since you won’t believe anything I say, Google it yourself and see the evidence they presented. That convinced me to the point that I was willing to stick my neck out and write the article. I don’t know what they are hiding, but it must be very important for them to spend the effort and money to keep it hidden.

And you question my “Agenda”? It is the Constitution, the United States of America, and Texas, our God given Rights and freedom. What do you think Barack Hussein Obama’s “Agenda” is now?

Bill Brayshaw AKA Longknife 21
Seadrift

UN To Vote On States’ Voter Id Law

Why do the democrats fight so hard to allow non-citizens to vote in United States elections?

Ref: democracynow.org/2012/3/13/naacp_head_benjamion_jealous_in_geneva . I quote from the article: “ Since last year, 15 states have passed new voting laws that critics say suppress the votes of the poor, students, and people of color.. The NAACP wants a U.N. delegation of experts to monitor the impact of voter identification laws, as well as new restrictions on same-day registration, early voting, Sunday voting, and making it harder to run a voting registration drive.” — In short, why can’t the democrats register whomever they want to vote. Where does this administration get off having the world body dictate how we AMERICANS run voting in our individual states? Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution, nor in the Declaration of Independence does it say we are subject to ANY foreign nation or world rule!!

There was a news story concerning a Texas Hispanic student who is also scheduled to testify, but I have been unable to find any info on him.

Again, let me remind everyone that as it now stands in Texas, anyone may register to vote and acquire a Texas driver’s license without any citizenship supporting documents . When I went to my cardiologist in Victoria a few months ago, I was required to show a TX Driver’s License. When you cash a check, you are required to show photo id. Under the present Texas law, you can show a utility bill and vote.

Again, I ask, “Why should the democrats fight so hard to allow ANY foreign national to vote for the American President, or any other American government representative??

Connie Hunt
Port Lavaca

Restoring the Train Depot

The City of Seadrift is in the process of restoring the original Train Depot (circa 1906) at 201 S. Main into a Museum & Visitor Center. Work completions to date are: 1) Moving the structure, 2) Securing the foundation to meet windstorm requirements, 3) Repair of structural defects and strengthening, 4) Additional installation of hurricane clips and straps and 5) The installation of a windstorm certified roof, with Hardi-Facia boards and new Hardi-Soffits. ALL completed at this time.

The near term goal of this project is to have the structure’s exterior complete and ready for our Centennial Celebration which will occur on December 1, 2012. Then we’ll have the interior to work on!

The final closing and drying in of the structure will commence today to cover the areas dismantled for structural repairs with plywood. This will include the covering of areas that were originally freight doors with faux freight doors in keeping with the original look. This work is in preparation for the future installation of siding and trim with Hardi-Plank & Hardi-Trim with new Doors and Caulking, Priming and Painting of the exterior.

Final exterior work will commence in the near future – Pending one important item:

There is the need for donors to step forward to provide as much of the needed Hardi-Plank and Hardi-Trim materials as possible.

Would your organization, or you personally, be willing to contribute to the exterior completion of this restoration with part or all of the needed materials OR a monetary donation of an amount you are comfortable with?

For Monetary Donations, A special account has been set up by the City specific to the Restoration.

The amount of Hardi-Plank siding needed is approximately 1,600 square feet. The type of Hardi-Plank to be installed will depend on the initial type donated as once it is started it is desired to stay with the same finish, unless sufficient funds are obtained to purchase the desired type.

1) The first preference would be Select Cedar-Mill @ 7¼ inches wide.

2) The second preference would be Colonial Rough-Sawn @ 8 inches wide.

3) The Hardi-Trim would be 7/16” Cedar-Mill in mixed quantities of 3½” and 5½” wide.

Past donors of money, materials and/or professional services include the owner of the structure, Bo Cunningham, Fowler Movers, Urban Engineering, Seadrift Chamber of Commerce, Rohe Builders, Lynn & Associates Engineering and Lillian Stubbs. A number of individuals have donated from a few hours to many hours of labor in the form of time, construction equipment and vehicles to pick-up and transport construction materials; among these are Jerry Amason, Sr., Peter DeForest, Jr. and Larry Kelley.

Sincerely thanking you for your consideration to donate what you can for this project!

Elmer DeForest, Mayor of Seadrift

The Dolphin welcomes letters from our readers on any subject that is of general interest to our audience. Letters should be 300 words or less (with exceptions at the Dolphin’s discretion). Letters reflect the opinion of the writer, and not that of Dolphin Talk staff, and we retain the right to determine suitability for publication. It is the policy of this newspaper to promote area interests: therefore, complaints against local businesses should be directed elsewhere. Letters must be signed and include day and evening phone numbers, which will not be published. Your name will be withheld upon request, but anonymous material will not be considered for publication.

Letters to the Dolphin:
Dolphin Talk, P.O. Box 777
Port O’Connor, TX 77982
dolphin1@tisd.net