Moments of Confusion & Clarity

I would like to introduce Taegan, our newest Liberty First intern. She describes herself as:

Moments of Clarity and Confusion

by Taegan James

My apologies for not writing this last night. Saturday was an extremely busy, but enjoyable, day in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and I was simply too tired to bring myself to write (and I wasn’t even the one who taught for eight hours).

What a great little town Bonners Ferry is. I do, however, have one complaint: ALL of the places that sell ice cream close at 2:00 pm on Saturday afternoons. That seems so absurd to me. Saturday afternoons are the perfect time to get a nice ice cream cone or sundae, but that is almost impossible in this little Idaho town. I was bound and determined to follow through with my obligation to buy Colton ice cream after I lost the pizza bet. Someone had recommended a place called Sharon’s Country Store because they, supposedly, had the best ice cream in northern Idaho. Closed. Then we saw what looked like an Amish grocery market with a sign that advertised wonderful homemade ice cream. Closed. Unwilling to give up the quest, I searched for ice cream places on Google and found Love Light Creamery and Grille. After finally locating the place, what do think we discovered? Closed. At this point I am a little frustrated and we are all so confused as to why nothing is open on this lovely Saturday afternoon. As our last resort, Colton and I went into a Safeway grocery store and bought us a pint of Ben & Jerry’s cookie dough ice cream. While KrisAnne grabbed a quick cat-nap, Colton and I devoured the entire pint in the car. Now that I have paid up from my losing wager, Colton keeps trying to make bets with me… sorry, I’m not falling for that again! We concluded that the people of Bonners Ferry are very family oriented and probably close up shops in order to spend their weekends spending some quality time together. I suppose that is an honorable (and permissible) reason why it’s so difficult to find any ice cream.

Something else confused me the other day. I was called a Democrat for the first time in my entire life. Well, a “libtard Democrap” to be more specific. If you ask my friends from Grinnell, IA, they can attest to the fact that there is nothing liberal about me. Let me tell you, I laughed out loud when I read this. Someone saw the article I shared about Dick Posner on Twitter and attacked me for pointing out the fact that he is a Reagan-appointee. That is the only reason. It absolutely astounds me that many people cast stones at the opposite party for their wrongdoings, but they can’t even condemn those in their own party for the same actions. This is black and white, people! Evil is evil no matter what! If this republic is to be restored, ALL must practice “principal over party” and “truth over your favorite personality” (KrisAnne Hall). I realize that I am exposing myself to backlash by writing this blog, but bring it on, “I am determined to proceed” (James Otis Jr.).

I apologize, I’m kind of doing a lot of ranting today, but the following topics raise my blood pressure every time I hear them. First of all, I absolutely cannot tolerate inaccurate history. I have a HUGE love for history. My high school history teacher, Mr. Dan Covino, instilled in me an unquenchable thirst and enthusiasm for historical truth. I took every single history course offered at Grinnell High School, and I am pursuing at least a minor in History at Hillsdale College. So, there are few things that ruffle my feathers more than historical fallacies and incorrect revisions. As the people of Idaho have learned all week, our history is being rewritten constantly. The original Declaration of Independence reads “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America” (Pocket Constitution). Now, there are versions in print that read “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America.” Do you see the difference? The “u” in “united” originally was, and still should be, a lowercase letter. The reason for is that it describes the condition of the States and NOT a whole nation or central government because it hadn’t even been created yet. Another thing that chaps my khakis is the way Robin Hood is inaccurately portrayed as a Bernie-loving socialist who redistributes wealth so that the kingdom can be on equal footing. NO! Through accurate presentation of historical FACT, KrisAnne points out that Robin Hood didn’t “rob from the rich to give to the poor,” but was simply taking back the money King John ROBBED from the people. Or how about this one: July 4, 1776 is NOT the day we declared independence from Great Britain. It was actually on July 2, 1776 with the ratification of Richard Henry Lee’s “Lee Resolution” that we became free and independent. Independence Day actually used to be celebrated, accurately, on July 2nd, until the 1800s. Until my time with Liberty First, I had never been taught this. It causes me great confusion and distress that these historical truths are not common knowledge, and are not taught in schools.

I have one last thing I’d like to rave about. Now this one just blows my mind. I’m sure most readers are aware that KrisAnne Hall was placed on the Southern Poverty Law Center’s list of anti-government extremist groups. If I recall, she said there are 995 groups on that list, and her. She is the ONLY singular person on the list of anti-government extremist “groups.” That in and of itself is absurd because it is impossible for one person to be a group. That, however, is not the most confusing aspect of her presence on this infamous list. KrisAnne teaches the Constitution, which is the compact that CREATED the federal government. As she says, how is it plausible, reasonable, or even logical, that someone who teaches the Constitution can be anti-government? Preposterous. Absolutely ludicrous. Go check out the Southern Poverty Law Center. This site is pure comedic gold.

Alright, enough of my exasperated sentiments. Throughout the day, a few ideas (some of which are quite whimsical) popped into my head. Firstly, I think I would like to be added to the Southern Poverty Law Center’s list of anti-government extremists, if I’m not already. I’d even put that on my resume. Secondly, from this day forward I will celebrate Independence Day on the rightful, accurate date of July 2nd. Sure, I’ll participate in the festivities of the 4th, but the 2nd is the real day that should be celebrated and revered. Additionally, I think I want to name my firstborn son (if I should ever have one) “Henry Lee” after both Patrick Henry and Richard Henry Lee. I would like to preserve their legacies and raise my child to fight for liberty, as they did. Finally, I may have found a new idea for my second tattoo (I know, sorry Mom… but I plead freedom of speech). James Otis Jr.’s words, “let the consequences be what they will, I am determined to proceed” have such an impact on me every time I hear them. (To learn more about him, there’s more information in a previous blog or buy this book) I identify with him SO much that I am brought to tears by these words, and he is now one of my biggest inspirations and favorite American heroes. No matter what is to come, I know that the Lord is on my side, and “I am determined to proceed” in the fight for liberty and freedom.

Pursuing truth and defending liberty, always.

-A Devoted Patriot