The Elephants Pay Their Respect

THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE UNIVERSE THAT IS MUCH GREATER AND DEEPER THAN HUMAN INTELLIGENCE.

YET THE ELEPHANTS JOURNEY TO PAY RESPECT, BUT HOW DID THEY KNOW?

Lawrence Anthony, a legend in South Africa and author of 3 books including the bestseller The Elephant Whisperer, bravely rescued wildlife and rehabilitated elephants all over the globe from human atrocities, including the courageous rescue of Baghdad Zoo animals during US invasion in 2003.

On March 7, 2012 Lawrence Anthony died.

He is remembered and missed by his wife, 2 sons, 2 grandsons and numerous elephants.

 

Two days after his passing, the wild elephants showed up at his home led by two large matriarchs.

Separate wild herds arrived in droves to say goodbye to their beloved man-friend.

A total of 31 elephants had patiently walked over 12 miles to get to his South African House.

Witnessing this spectacle, humans were obviously in awe not only because of the supreme intelligence and precise timing that these elephants sensed about Lawrence’s passing, but also because of the profound memory and emotion the beloved animals evoked in such an organized way: Walking slowly for days - making their way in a solemn one-by-one queue from their habitat to his house.

Lawrence's wife, Francoise, was especially touched, knowing that the elephants had not been to his house prior to that day for well over 3 years!  Yet they knew where they were going.

The elephants obviously wanted to pay their deep respects, honoring their friend who'd saved their lives - so much respect that they stayed for 2 days 2 nights without eating anything. 

Then one morning, they left, making their long journey back home.

Deer Hunting After The Obama Gun Ban

A Lesson To Learn via Wounded Knee

JFPO Article re-print  by Doug Crosse at “Before It’s News

A history lesson worth reading because it pertains to now.

December 29, 2012 marked the 122nd Anniversary of the murder of 297 Sioux Indians at Wounded Knee Creek on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.  These 297 people, in their winter camp, were murdered by federal agents and members of the 7th Cavalry who had come to confiscate their firearms "for their own safety and protection".  The slaughter began AFTER the majority of the Sioux had peacefully turned in their firearms.  When the final round had flown, two thirds (200) of the 297 dead or dying were women and children.

Around 40 members of the 7th Cavalry were killed; over half cut down by friendly fire from the Hotchkiss guns of their overzealous comrades-in-arms.  Twenty members of the 7th Cavalry were deemed "National Hero’s" and awarded the Medal of Honor for their acts of cowardice.

We do not hear of Wounded Knee today.  It is not mentioned in our history classes or books.  What little does exist about Wounded Knee is normally the sanitized "Official Government Explanation" or the historically and factually inaccurate depictions of the events leading up to the massacre on the movie screen.

Wounded Knee was among the first federally backed gun confiscation attempts in United States history.  It ended in the senseless murder of 297 people.

Before you jump on the emotionally charged bandwagon for gun-control, take a moment to reflect on the real purpose of the Second Amendment - The right of the people to take up arms in defense of themselves, their families, and property in the face of invading armies or an oppressive government.  The argument that the Second Amendment only applies to hunting and target shooting is asinine.  

When the United States Constitution was drafted "hunting" was an everyday chore carried out by men and women to put meat on the table each night, and "target shooting" was an unheard of concept.  Musket balls were a precious commodity in the wilds of early America, and were certainly not wasted "target shooting".  The Second Amendment was written by people who fled oppressive and tyrannical regimes in Europe, and refers to the right of American citizens to be armed for defense purposes should such tyranny rise in the United States.

As time goes on the average citizen in the United States continues to lose personal freedom or "liberty".  Far too many times unjust bills are passed and signed into law under the guise of "for your safety" or "for protection".  The Patriot Act signed into law by G. W. Bush, then expanded and continued by Barack Obama is just one of many examples of American citizens being stripped of their rights and privacy for "safety".  Now, the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is on the table, and will, most likely be taken away for "our safety".

Before any American citizen blindly accepts whatever new firearms legislation that is about to be doled out, they should stop and think about something for just one minute:

Evil does exist in our world.  It always has and always will.  Throughout history evil people have committed evil acts.  In the Bible one of the first stories is that of Cain killing Abel.  We cannot legislate "evil" into extinction.  Good people will abide by the law, defective people will always find a way around it.

And another thought, Evil exists all around us, but looking back at the historical record of the past 200 years across the globe, where is "evil" and "malevolence" most often found?   In the hands of those with the power - governments.  Thee greatest human tragedies on record and the largest loss of innocent human life can be attributed to governments.  

Who do governments target?  "Scapegoats" and "enemies" within their own borders, but only after they have been disarmed to the point where they are no longer a threat.  Ask any Native American, and they will tell you it was inferior technology and lack of arms that contributed to their demise.  Ask any Armenian why it was so easy for the Turks to exterminate millions of them, and they will answer, "We were disarmed before it happened".  Ask any Jew what Hitler's first step prior to the mass murders of the Holocaust was - confiscation of firearms from the people.

Wounded Knee is the prime example of why the Second Amendment exists, and why we shouldn't be in such a hurry to surrender our Right to Bear Arms.  Without the Second Amendment we have no right to defend ourselves and our families.

“WE WERE FREE UNTIL WE STOPPED FIGHTING.  NOW NO ONE HAS FREEDOM.”  Chief Towanka 1863

Thanks, Old NFO for the suggestion, too.

A Message From Geroge Carlin of All People

Note: Peeps, Pam (from Postcards From Pam and Larry) made a comment that Geroge did not say this.  She is correct and George did make the comment Pam referenced and he did not author this.   

As far as I know this is Pam’s first visit that I can remember (which isn’t saying much because I usually have a hard time remembering what I had for breakfast.)  If so, welcome to the coffeypot, Pam, and come back anytime.

Anycorrecton, after her comment I went to Snopes to see if there was anything there…because we all know that anything in Snopes is Gospel.  And there it was.  George Carlin and several others (including a kid from Columbine) have been given credit for this.  But the author is Dr. Bob Moorehead.

Dr. Moorehead is the former pastor of Seattle’s Overlake Christian Church and he published the essay in his book of prayers, homilies, and monologues used in his sermons and broadcasts titled “The Paradox of Our Age” published in 1995.

My apologies, but you have to admit, it does sound like George Carlin.

George Carlin (see above - duh) was man of many views and attitudes.  All his life he had a difficult time following the status quo.   He had a rocky relationship with his mother and often ran away from home.  He later joined the United States Air Force and was trained as a radar technician.  He was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana, but did not complete his Air Force enlistment.  Labeled an "unproductive airman" by his superiors, Carlin was discharged on July 29, 1957.  During his time in the Air Force he was court martialed three times, and also received many disciplinary punishments.

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate?
 
A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints.  We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.  We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.  We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.  We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.  We've added years to life not life to years.  We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.  We conquered outer space but not inner space.  We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.  We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.  We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less.  

We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.  These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.  These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.  It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.  A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin