States Rights

To clearify my views.
  The states formed the federal government through the constitution. The constitution only gives the powers specifically stated in the constitution to the federal government.  Anything not specifically stated through an amendment is reserved to the states or the people.

The federal government sadly can not stop a state from doing a wrong..... it has no power to.


States can ignore federal rulings through nullification. This power is hinted at in the 10th amendment.

Overall I seem to have John C. Calhoun's states rights views, making me not a Hamiltonian but not a Madisonian.

9/11/2001

During 9/11 I was 7 years old.   I was in school (I was public schooled then) and a kid came up to us saying; "the Twin Towers fell!!!" we did not believe him, because he was known to be a jokester. My mom heard from a lady at the doctors office; "a plane crashed into the towers!!" she did not believe her either...

By the time we got home, the TV was completely out, it never came back until we got a satelite and special cable.  However we were able to adjust the TV and caught a little about the tragedy, although it was very fuzzy. My parents were watching the extremely fuzzy, poor-no reception TV for every little bit of news we could get.  It was a beautiful clear day... my mom said.


I remember when I heard there was going to be a war, I was thinking of the American Girl books and worried all the men I knew were going to be fighting in the streets... and wearing Continental Army uniforms.  I also found Iraq on a map.

Choosing friends carefully, a small story from freedomlover.

This is a little heart to heart with me, on choosing friends who actually love you. It is not worth it to impress the popular. I know everybody knows this, but I thought this small story from my life may touch y'all.
Most of y'all probably know me as the champion of states rights/political junkie. That is true, but this is a non-political post, I thought I should share a little tid bit/warning/redemption story from my childhood. 

((DISCLAIMER: I do not know whatever happened to Lily, I believe she matured since then. I have not seen her in forever so I can not say. I barely remember how she looked... as she sort of "disappeared" after a while. Lily (not her actual name) and I eventually made our peace as we got older.  She matured alot, although I have not seen her around... I'm not too sure what has become of her...  I wish I knew, we lost contact over the years.   If I saw Lily again... whereever she is, I would tell her; "Thank you." I have nothing against her.  ))  I put that disclaimer up in case she somehow stumbles upon this, I doubt she will since I do not even know her email address... or where she is now. )))






I'm sure y'all have heard many times; "choose your friends carefully."  are we really living it out?

Do we choose friends who will drag us down? Do we purposely try to make people like us, who we know do not?

Today I have two examples, one is from a book/movie the other from my own life.


Now,  in the movie/book "North and South", (it does not end this way for James Huntoon in the movie) in the book he meets a sad ending, due to his own poor choices.

(Picture: James Huntoon from the movie "North and South", played by Jim Metzler sometime in the 1980s.)

 James Huntoon (in both the movie and book) is a fireeater secessionist politician. He loves to stand against the "establishment", and feels his ideas are often ignored by them, also he could not stop talking politics (some characters would get annoyed if he brought it up during casual conversion).  However, he can not stand against his own wife. He marries Ashton, a beautiful, yet corrupt woman. He finds out Ashton is only using him because of his power, yet he forgives and loves her any way because Huntoon wants her to love him back. Forgiveness is amazing and I commend Huntoon for that, his main fault however was trying to make the "bad guy" (or "bad girl" in this case.) love him.


How the book ends- Ashton finds a more powerful guy, and poor James Huntoon was murdered. Right before his death he discovers what a deadly mistake he made.   In the movie, Huntoon lives, and I think he divorces her... not sure :/




Crazy example I know, so here is one from my own life.  I come from a small northern-central NJ town, there are not really that many people here my age to hang out with, I thought in Middle School.  There was a very slim selection of kids, and this one girl I will call for the sake of protecting her real name "Lily."


Lily was popular, confident, and looked like she had a lot of friends. I wanted to be one of Lily's friends, like James Huntoon I wanted her to like me (as a friend, not in any other way.) 

Also like Huntoon, I did everything to try to make her happy.  I tried to hang out with Lily and her pals, but Lily would then just walk away from me. Lily said some stuff to me, that hurt (I do not remember what she said... it was so long ago, and I literally have not seen her in years....)

This deeply hurt, but I still wanted Lily's attention. By the time I was in Middle School it hurt so bad that I came home crying.  I wanted to be loved, I wanted to have many friends.  I had a few friends, but Lily would always step in between us and start talking.  
 I always liked "strange" things (in Lily's mind) like history, and later politics. Lily and her friends... I'm not sure what she liked since they'd always walk away on me... 

By the time I got to high school, and joined an amazing group called "Generation Joshua" things changed.  I met so many people who were genuinely my friends. At IGovern East 2010 ( a really cool mock government camp in Virginia, it is so beautiful and amazing there ;)), when I was Senate Minority Leader (a reason why I love that position...) I thought; "you know, I do not need Lily. I have everything I need right here!"   I had friends that honestly cared about me, and not just what I had to offer them... IGovern changed my life, I loved it there. I met so many people that touched me in many ways; Dani, Jenaye, Andrew, Ryan, Christopher, Clay, Courtney, Michael, Brittany, Glenn, Joel, Will, Jeremiah, Mariah, Allee, Joanna, Elisheba, Sierra, Sarah, Cara, Calah, Tabby, Tony, Elisheba, Anna, Rebecca, Charity, Megan, Kanyn, Nicholas, IF I KEEP ON WITH THIS LIST, THE COMPUTER MAY EXPLODE ;D  Seriously though, there are many more people unnamed that really just had a huge impact on my life. I went on to IGovern for two more years (2011 and 2012) was a VP candidate, represented South Carolina in the senate, led the fight for states rights.  All this was amazing, but what truly was awesome was... I was with my true friends, no matter how much we differed or not on politics, they loved me for who i'am. I did not have to change to suit them.  I made other friends also, from BJU Press Online and eventually Lily's friends befriended me when they found out she was using them. I also made friends with the "older" people.



Y'all know who y'all are, and thank you :D


Like the movie version of James Huntoon, I found out that the popular girl was just using her friends and I.  Eventually her friends found out, and became friends of mine.  Lily and I eventually made our peace as we got older.  She matured alot, although I have not seen her around... I'm not too sure what has became of her...  I wish I knew, we lost contact over the years.   If I saw Lily again... whereever she is, I would tell her; "Thank you." I have nothing against her. 

IGovern 2012

 (This is an article about a mock senate, I had the pleasure of "acting" in.)


At the northern part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, boarding the edge of the Shenandoah Valley sits IGovern East.

IGovern was the first place I ever truly felt "this is where I belong!"

In 2010, I was Senate Minority Leader... I was the voice for the "Gold Party" in the US Senate (at camp.)   I remember Turkey and Russia were at war, and we had to intervene. On a sidenote, we annexed Canada with a pequin army. Those war hawk days hold a special place in my heart, even though I wasn't a hawk.  One night during the "war hawk congress" we were so divided and drama was brewing; during worship service however that changed. "From the Inside Out" was playing on the piano, and I still don't know how to explain the feelings afterwards.


In 2011, I was a senator and a Vice Presidential candidate. I had to stand alone against my party, which was not a wise thing for a VP but necessary for a statesperson. I also met Senator Jim DeMint... my personal hero! My heart skipped a few beats.



Now for 2012, I was a senator. I loved the senate, and I loved my friends from all three years I went... I couldn't bear to leave the place! I led a few coalitions (the Gold and Blue Bipartisan Coalition---where I stood in the center aisle of the senate demanding bi-partisanship, and the States Rights Coalition.) Also, I learned the balance between compromise and standing on principle. I worked hard to find common ground with my friends and colleagues, but many times in the senate my vote was the only "Yea!" or "Ney!"  Some principles I can't compromise, and its alright to stand alone.


When I left, I broke down crying... all those good friends and memories I could never leave! I found my calling to Lord-willing serve in the US Senate someday, I hope to keep in touch my whole life with my dear friends from IGovern.




I will never forget you Generation Joshua! 


- Honorable Senator Emily R. Hausheer (G-SC)

A very special review

This post is about a very precious book, I shall reveal the title at the end <3

I hesitate to call this book a biography, because it reads like a novel. Each character in this book is growing and becomes real. Each one I felt like I knew personally. They weren't like characters you read about in a traditional biography, they were dynamic and likeable (or dislikeable if they were a villain!)
Some examples are John Calhoun; the sensitive, caring, and intense thinker, Henry Clay the charismatic, ambitious, friendly and funny guy, Daniel Webster the loyal friend and outdoorsy one, Andrew Jackson, the handsome popular war leader, with a temper that men flee with, Martin Van Buren the scheming "sly fox" who controls a political machines.  The bad guys, although they may appear to triumph at first corruption ultimately will be their downfall. I shall not say which of these characters I mentioned is a bad guy, for spoilers.  Each character though, has his flaws and his strengths. Not even the hero is perfect, each one has a fault.  They do though (some of them) repent of the fault, and grow.

The locations were described as though I was there. The Senate chamber, the frontier, and Fort Hill plantation came alive right before my eyes. I could close my eyes and be there.

The emotions I felt with the characters. I felt happiness, anger, sadness, and excitement.

This book starts out on the frontier, a young boy named John Calhoun grows up and is largely self-taught. John can't get into Yale at first because of his lack of education, but then after intense studying is able.  John defies all odds and gets an education. He falls in love with a girl named Floride, and later marries her.  John is elected as a state Representative in South Carolina. Later John is elected to the US House of Representatives, and plays a major part in encouraging Americans to go to war with England (the War of 1812.)  John becomes Secretary of War under James Monroe. Also, John Calhoun is elected Vice President, under JQA and Andrew Jackson. Andrew Jackson has spies in the White House to spy on his enemies. Andrew also, has an intense hatred for John Calhoun, and Secretary of State Martin Van Buren... jealous of Calhoun plots against him.  A bill is passed, the Tariff of Abominations a controversial bill that charged a 50%-100% tax on foreign made goods. The South is outraged, and Jackson is promoting the bill. Calhoun, believes this bill to be unconstitutional and encourages South Carolina to nullify the law. When Jackson hears about Calhoun's doing, he attempts to murder him.  Jackson (this isn't mentioned but, he actually had a secretary in his secret cabinet control the media) played public opinion against Calhoun.  Calhoun, scared for his life returns to South Carolina, on his way back he contracts a illness...he brushes off at the time but the illness is tuberculosis, which will come back to haunt him. Calhoun resigns being Vice President, and returns as a Senator to Washington.  In Washington many men who claimed to be John's "friend" openly agreed with Andrew Jackson to murder Calhoun. Heartbroken, Calhoun sinks into a bitterness because of his tuberculosis and his so called "friends" betraying him.  

Calhoun's true friends gather around him and convince him to get out of his bitterness. Calhoun grows out of his bitterness, and never enters it again.   Calhoun loves his plantation Fort Hill, and reading the book the author describes the plantation to make you feel there. I've never been to Fort Hill, but its my favorite place on earth :) the way the author paints its image in your mind.

Senator Calhoun becomes Secretary of State to John Tyler. Eccentric Tyler is distracted by political issues at his wedding, so Calhoun comforts the new First Lady and makes her feel at ease in Washington.


Calhoun is reelected to the Senate, but isn't very happy about it. His tuberculosis was drastic weakening him. More then anything Calhoun wanted to retire, but didn't because he felt somebody corrupt will take his place.
Calhoun returns to Washington, and is immediately bedridden. Calhoun laying in bed, has a beautiful flashback scene. By far, the best flashback in literature that I have read, he was picturing young Floride, his children, his plantation... as well as other events.

Calhoun's political opponent, and dear friend Daniel Webster comes to visit him. Webster confides in him, that he is nervous about a speech he has to deliver. Calhoun would love to be there, but was afraid he may not live.  Webster while making his speech doesn't notice Calhoun slowly entering the chamber. Calhoun tried to interupt, but was too weak. Finally Calhoun lets Webster know.  Webster gets emotional, and very touched his friend would be there for him.

Calhoun never left a will because he spent his time "making his peace with God"  The book says his spiritual doubts were resolved, and Calhoun places his trust in God.

Calhoun dies of tuberculosis at the age of 68 on March 31 1850.

 Completely at peace and ease.


There is so much more to the book!

My favorite scene was the Andrew Jackson- John Calhoun stand off. Calhoun risked his life, and his career to go against the popular wind.  I also loved the flashback scene, and the Fort Hill scenes  Calhoun  also stood up against political corruption, and made a choice to stay pure.

The name is John C. Calhoun: American Portrait.

This book inspired me to become a better person, I always was a "good girl" but Calhoun inspired me to stand for being pure, to not be ashamed of my love of intense discussions and politics.  He also inspired me to continue pursuing my dreams even when trials come.  John C. Calhoun, was a character who I could relate to, he reminded me of myself. Other characters such as Daniel Webster, Henry Clay and others reminded me of dear friends of mine.  Also, the beautiful descriptions of people and places just captured my heart like I can't explain <3
Even if you don't like history,  and if you don't like Calhoun trust me you will just the literary quality and dramatic story in this unique book you will fall in love with.

Courageous

Movie Title: Courageous
Rating: D- (or F)


Overall, the plot line of fathers trying to be better fathers was very good. But many of the issues presented were much deeper and more complex then the movie made them out to be. Parts of the movie dragged on slowly, and the acting could have been worked on (especially the running scene)



Also, I know at least six movies that kill off characters named Emily, silly concern but that is starting to be stereotyped, and is rather annoying. Why not give the characters different names? There are plenty of girl names out there.


I know many of my friends love this movie, but I didn't really get into it.

Nullification (Under counstruction)

Today I shall address the issue of nullification.


In James Madison's "Kentucky Resolution" he states; "a nullification of the act is the rightful remedy: that every State has a natural right in cases not within the compact."


Nullification (Aka: State Interposition) tells the states that they don't have to follow unconstitutional laws. All the states' have to do if they believe the government is over stepping its grounds, is declare the law nullified.

The founding fathers wisely set our nation with a system of checks and balances. Sometimes, when one party has a super-majority, they can get things through that further their party's agenda. Through nullification, people who do not believe in the agenda can---through their legislator nullify the law.

I'm now going to say something that may sound very controversial, but I'll explain for I reached the conclusion; The states' formed the Federal government.

The people set up states, and the states not the people voted on independence and the Constitution.

It would have been hard to go to.... South Carolina lets say, and ask every single citizen "Do you like the constitution?" Instead Congressmen spoke for South Carolina. When I say "spoke for" I'm not applying that the spoke for every person. A representative, can't represent all the people...but he can represent his ideas.

The Tenth amendment, gives states the power to self-govern.

Nullification, is a compromise between secession and submission, as my history book put it.

Secession, is completely leaving the nation. Becoming a sovereign nation.
Submission, is following the government, no matter what.


In John C. Calhoun's "Discourse" he put that we are a Federal government, not a nation. A nation, all the states are united and must follow the federal government. A federal republic doesn't have to submit.

The states' who created the government, shouldn't have to submit to their creation, while it is doing something unconstitutional.



People may argue nullification is anarchy, but nullification does have some Biblical root.

The Bible teaches man is basically evil, and prone to do wrong. Nullification acknowledges man's sinful behavior, to enforce laws contradictory to what we hold dear. Through nullification, we won't be forced to follow what we don't believe in.

Naturally when one follows something he doesn't believe in, he will not do it with his whole heart.

True, nullification can be taken to an extreme. But it is a safe and peaceful way to ensure the liberty of the citizens against a big government.