“You can conquer almost any fear if you will only make up your mind to do so.
For remember, fear doesn’t exist anywhere except in the mind.”
Dale Carnegie
A Patriot's Spirit
A Twice Monthly Column by Theresa Myers
A Patriot’s Spirit: What’s in a name?
By Theresa Myers For TheresaMyers.com
July 18, 2020
July 18, 2020
Thanks for stopping by to read my first article in a column I am calling, “A Patriot’s Spirit.” Almost 7 years ago I had a weekly column in The Carlisle Sentinel for close to a year titled, “Face of a Republican.” Like that column my goals for this new endeavor are to share my thoughts on various current events. Writing this column is a way to formulate and clarify my thoughts (use my brain), hopefully educate, and be enjoyable for the reader. Something the readers look forward to. These will be substantive articles that are researched just like I did for the Sentinel.
I chose the name, “A Patriot’s Spirit” for the column because I consider myself a patriot defined in the dictionary as “a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.” Being a patriot is something I am proud of. I love the United States of America and am proud to be an American.
My plan is to post twice a month on the first and third weekend of each month taking an occasional break for some holidays. As I get back in the swing of things in writing a regular column, I may from time to time add in a bonus article for the month. Looking back at some of the articles I wrote in the “Face of A Republican” column I found many of the topics are still relevant. Which made me want to provide additional content on what has transpired since I first wrote on the subject. Therefore, for the remainder of 2020 I plan to provide updates on some of those articles. I think the readers may find these follow-ups interesting. I know I will enjoy doing them.
Just a taste of some of the future articles I have planned for 2020 include:
As I expand my abilities in other areas, I would like to learn how to make and edit videos so I can occasionally make a short video clip talking about extras on the subject matter for an article. It will add variety to the website.
Lastly, I welcome feedback and that can be done by using the contact form or emailing me at theresa@theresamyers.com
I look forward to building a relationship with my readers.
God Bless,
Theresa
I chose the name, “A Patriot’s Spirit” for the column because I consider myself a patriot defined in the dictionary as “a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.” Being a patriot is something I am proud of. I love the United States of America and am proud to be an American.
My plan is to post twice a month on the first and third weekend of each month taking an occasional break for some holidays. As I get back in the swing of things in writing a regular column, I may from time to time add in a bonus article for the month. Looking back at some of the articles I wrote in the “Face of A Republican” column I found many of the topics are still relevant. Which made me want to provide additional content on what has transpired since I first wrote on the subject. Therefore, for the remainder of 2020 I plan to provide updates on some of those articles. I think the readers may find these follow-ups interesting. I know I will enjoy doing them.
Just a taste of some of the future articles I have planned for 2020 include:
- An update on “New Beginnings with Redistricting” originally published November 2, 2013.
- An Update on “What’s in it for America” originally published December 30, 2013.
- An Update on “China Two-Step” originally published January 25, 2014.
- An Update on “The future of our news” originally published September 21, 2013.
As I expand my abilities in other areas, I would like to learn how to make and edit videos so I can occasionally make a short video clip talking about extras on the subject matter for an article. It will add variety to the website.
Lastly, I welcome feedback and that can be done by using the contact form or emailing me at theresa@theresamyers.com
I look forward to building a relationship with my readers.
God Bless,
Theresa
Please enjoy God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood 1984
A Patriot’s Spirit: It’s a condition of the heart
By Theresa Myers For TheresaMyers.com
July 19, 2020
July 19, 2020
The impetus for this article was a message by my pastor of the Shippensburg First Church of God preached on July 19, 2020. The pastor started by talking about the division that our country is currently seeing. How division has been a weapon of the devil starting with Adam and Eve when he divided them from God. He continued with a few more biblical examples which led into what is the root cause of the problems that divide us. The pastor shared that the core problem is “a condition of the heart.” The pastor didn’t’ leave us hanging by only telling us the problem, he also offered a solution.
Before I share what the solution is, I want to talk about the division our country is seeing now over race relations. The most recent match that set the country on this journey was the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, as a result of a police officer holding his knee on George’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds while George was telling the officers he couldn’t breathe. George died on that sidewalk that day. A bystander videoed the abhorrent event and the world was in shock and disbelief. I chose not to watch the video. I could not witness the murder of a man. It would be an image I could not get out of my mind. Just by reading about it my heart grieved. This inexcusable act of police brutality has led to protests across the country. Some of these protests have been peaceful and others not. These protests have led to a conversation of how black and brown people (minorities) are treated in this country in a systemic way from education, the justice system to opportunities in general.
As a woman who has white skin and has the last name Myers, one might think I know nothing about racism. I know it firsthand. See my maiden name was Santiago. My father who raised me from the age of 12 as a single parent was Puerto Rican with a dark olive complexion and spoke English with a heavy Spanish accent. Many people only speaking English had a hard time understanding him though I never did. He made a strong effort to improve his English and tried awfully hard to do so. I do not speak Spanish. The longer I lived with him and he spoke more English the better he got.
I witnessed many times salesclerks, waitresses, people taking orders at fast-food restaurants, and other places being annoyed by his English (timeframe 1976-1983). I would have to step in to assist. It was sad to me to have someone I loved so much being treated this way. They looked down on him just because he was Puerto Rican. Puerto Ricans were thought of as lower class in the town at that time. My mother’s mother (who was white Appalachian from Pikeville, KY living in Ashtabula, Ohio who were also looked down on in the town) had disowned my mother for marrying a Puerto Rican. When I was born (1965) her mother had wished I had died so needless to say there was no relationship there. I was an outcast from that side of the family and not accepted. So I know racist people exist firsthand.
Fast forward to 1997 and I am in Statesboro, Georgia, attending graduate school and still had my maiden name - Santiago. One of my fellow classmates had the nerve to ask me if I had gotten into grad school because I was a minority. I was so shocked she had the nerve to ask me that – that’s racist. I said no, I got in because I met the requirements. I often was the highest scorer on exams and projects. I was tutoring my fellow classmates. I hardly needed a special pass.
On other occasions while I still had my maiden name, people would ask me where I got my last name. That is racists. What difference does it make? I would say I was born with it and then they would say no, where are you from? I would say America. I consider it ignorant and rude. Since I have had my current last name – Myers, I have never been asked where I got my last name.
I am a white woman with the ethnicity of Hispanic and I have had these benign mild experiences. I cannot imagine the experiences of the people who you can see their color. Something has to be done to improve the situation for minorities in our country. Denial that it exists is not moving us constructively along the journey.
It is easy to love people like you but not always easy to love someone who is different. How can you love people who are different than yourself? How do you fix that “condition of the heart?” If you start sharing the love of Jesus with people especially people who are “different” from yourself along any lines (race, economic status, religion, sexuality orientation…), your heart will change.
You change people’s hearts; you can bring people together. The pastor has titled this movement to share the love of Jesus with people who are different than yourself, “Samaritan Revolution.” We change this mistreatment of people regardless of whether it be based on race, sexual orientation, pro-life or anti-life, or anything else by personally choosing to examine our heart and step out in faith to “share the love of Jesus” with someone different than yourself.
Will you join me in being part of the movement “Samaritan Revolution?”
We can change the country and heal our divided land!
Let's do this and make a difference.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Theresa
Before I share what the solution is, I want to talk about the division our country is seeing now over race relations. The most recent match that set the country on this journey was the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, as a result of a police officer holding his knee on George’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds while George was telling the officers he couldn’t breathe. George died on that sidewalk that day. A bystander videoed the abhorrent event and the world was in shock and disbelief. I chose not to watch the video. I could not witness the murder of a man. It would be an image I could not get out of my mind. Just by reading about it my heart grieved. This inexcusable act of police brutality has led to protests across the country. Some of these protests have been peaceful and others not. These protests have led to a conversation of how black and brown people (minorities) are treated in this country in a systemic way from education, the justice system to opportunities in general.
As a woman who has white skin and has the last name Myers, one might think I know nothing about racism. I know it firsthand. See my maiden name was Santiago. My father who raised me from the age of 12 as a single parent was Puerto Rican with a dark olive complexion and spoke English with a heavy Spanish accent. Many people only speaking English had a hard time understanding him though I never did. He made a strong effort to improve his English and tried awfully hard to do so. I do not speak Spanish. The longer I lived with him and he spoke more English the better he got.
I witnessed many times salesclerks, waitresses, people taking orders at fast-food restaurants, and other places being annoyed by his English (timeframe 1976-1983). I would have to step in to assist. It was sad to me to have someone I loved so much being treated this way. They looked down on him just because he was Puerto Rican. Puerto Ricans were thought of as lower class in the town at that time. My mother’s mother (who was white Appalachian from Pikeville, KY living in Ashtabula, Ohio who were also looked down on in the town) had disowned my mother for marrying a Puerto Rican. When I was born (1965) her mother had wished I had died so needless to say there was no relationship there. I was an outcast from that side of the family and not accepted. So I know racist people exist firsthand.
Fast forward to 1997 and I am in Statesboro, Georgia, attending graduate school and still had my maiden name - Santiago. One of my fellow classmates had the nerve to ask me if I had gotten into grad school because I was a minority. I was so shocked she had the nerve to ask me that – that’s racist. I said no, I got in because I met the requirements. I often was the highest scorer on exams and projects. I was tutoring my fellow classmates. I hardly needed a special pass.
On other occasions while I still had my maiden name, people would ask me where I got my last name. That is racists. What difference does it make? I would say I was born with it and then they would say no, where are you from? I would say America. I consider it ignorant and rude. Since I have had my current last name – Myers, I have never been asked where I got my last name.
I am a white woman with the ethnicity of Hispanic and I have had these benign mild experiences. I cannot imagine the experiences of the people who you can see their color. Something has to be done to improve the situation for minorities in our country. Denial that it exists is not moving us constructively along the journey.
It is easy to love people like you but not always easy to love someone who is different. How can you love people who are different than yourself? How do you fix that “condition of the heart?” If you start sharing the love of Jesus with people especially people who are “different” from yourself along any lines (race, economic status, religion, sexuality orientation…), your heart will change.
You change people’s hearts; you can bring people together. The pastor has titled this movement to share the love of Jesus with people who are different than yourself, “Samaritan Revolution.” We change this mistreatment of people regardless of whether it be based on race, sexual orientation, pro-life or anti-life, or anything else by personally choosing to examine our heart and step out in faith to “share the love of Jesus” with someone different than yourself.
Will you join me in being part of the movement “Samaritan Revolution?”
We can change the country and heal our divided land!
Let's do this and make a difference.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Theresa
- Reference to the story of the Samaritan
A Samaritan Village Rejects the Savior Luke 9: 51-55
51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. 54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, [j]just as Elijah did?”
55 But He turned and rebuked them, [k]and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 [l]For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan Luke 10: 25-37
25 And behold, a certain [h]lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”
27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among [i]thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, [j]when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”
37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/
A Patriot’s Spirit: What’s the movement about?
By Theresa Myers For TheresaMyers.com
August 2, 2020
August 2, 2020
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota during an arrest for allegedly passing a counterfeit $20 bill to buy a pack of cigarettes. His death was ruled a homicide. Floyd was a 46-year-old black American man and his killing at the hands of a white police officer triggered protests across the country to call out racism in America. Initially, the protests that sprang up were recognizing the injustice George Floyd had suffered, the broader spotlight on police brutality that disproportionately affects minorities, and the lack of police accountability in weeding out bad cops.
They used the slogan “Black Lives Matter.” There is a difference between making a statement “Black Lives Matter” which I would think everyone could support and the organizational structure of the “Black Lives Matter Movement.” On Jun 9, 2020, I wrote a Letter to the Editor of the Carlisle Sentinel titled “Black vs All lives matter.” (see below). At the end of the letter, I said before I could support the “Movement” I would need to better understand their platform and plans/tactics to effect these necessary changes. I encouraged others to do the same before jumping on the bandwagon. What follows is my research on this “Movement” in the context of understanding their platform and plans/tactics.
Background
The #Black Lives Matter Movement was started by three black women - Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi. According to their website s #BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. “Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.” According to a June 25, 2020 NY Post article which was based on a newly surfaced video from 2015 showed one of the co-founders stating they consider themselves “trained Marxist.” Further Patrisse Cullo, “The first thing, I think, is that we actually do have an ideological frame. Myself and Alicia in particular are trained organizers.”
What does someone believe who calls themselves a Marxist? The simplistic answer is Marxism is a set of political and economic ideas that are based on the belief that the rich business owners exploit their workers and the lower classes. The ultimate solution is a form of government called communism (stateless, classless society). No Capitalism. The stages to get to communism are to first go through socialism. Socialism is just a transition step, not the end.
How do you destroy a capitalists society moving it to communism? One: destabilize. Two: have the government take over core industries, functions from the private sector. Three: come in for the blow with a revolution or civil war. Four: confiscate the belongings of the rich then. Five: devalue the currency for the final blow.
According to Lenin “Experience has taught us it is impossible to root out the evils of capitalism merely by confiscation and expropriation, for however ruthlessly such measures may be applied, astute speculators and obstinate survivors of the capitalist classes will always manage to evade them and continue to corrupt the life of the community. The simplest way to exterminate the very spirit of capitalism is therefore to flood the country with notes of a high face-value without financial guarantees of any sort. Already even a hundred-ruble note is almost valueless in Russia. Soon even the simplest peasant will realize that it is only a scrap of paper, not worth more than the rags from which it is manufactured. Men will cease to covet and hoard it so soon as they discover it will not buy anything, and the great illusion of the value and power of money, on which the capitalist state is based will have been definitely destroyed.”
Can there be a stateless, classless society?
Even thinking there can be a stateless, classless free society with "no division or alienation, where humanity is free from oppression and scarcity, and where there is no need for governments or countries and no class divisions" is ludicrous. Order is needed. It has never worked for the good of the masses for a country to have true socialism or communism as a form of government. After the revolution or civil war there would be a state of chaos and then a structure of government would emerge which would be led by the revolutionaries/victors and their supporters. It would be abusive and they would enrich themselves at the expense of the peasants/losers. These new leaders would become the new rich, the elite. To make sure they are not overthrown by the same tactics they used, they would take away our freedoms and be very controlling. No such thing as a Bill of Rights.
We must remember the Russian Revolution was violent. China had a civil war 1947-1949 with the eventual Communist victory. Neither of these countries is known for human rights or allowing freedoms for their people.
Tactics
Knowing the ideological background of the BLM founders and their motivation, certainly sheds light on the tactics we see being used by them in the protests which have had mayhem and violence. We must remember the ultimate objective is to destroy our current system of government and way of life. All the programs of their Foundation are tools to get them to the end goal and a way to gather supporters along the way. They are noise.
It may not happen in 2020 but this Movement is not going anywhere, and we need to be alert and vigilant to their activities.
I support Black Lives and they Matter but I can not support the official BLM Movement organization and condone its tactics. It is not a movement of peace or love. I hope others will consider this background when deciding to jump on the bandwagon.
###
Resource:
June 24, 2020 Carlisle Sentinel
In this article is an exchange where activists are requesting that the Cumberland County Commissioners state Black Lives Matter. It is interesting to see Commissioner Gary Eichelberger’s statements regarding the Black Lives Matter Movement.
Letter: Black vs All lives matter
Jun 9, 2020
Letter to Editor Carlisle Sentinel
Dear Editor:
I recently read an article on the Fox News website were the singer Pink was getting push back from her fans due to her support of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Many of the posts were stating ALL lives matter to which Pink replied, no one is saying ALL lives don’t matter and to educate yourself. This got me thinking. I too believe all lives matter and are unique and have value from conception to death.
However, I realized that is not what saying Black Lives Matter is about. To me saying Black Lives Matter is recognition that many black people have been left out, marginalized, discriminated against and sometimes even killed by a system due to the color of their skin. It is not just rarely but a system exists in many institutions allowing this behavior to fester in America for centuries.
Saying Black Lives Matter to me means — “Enough is enough and we aren’t going to take it anymore. We are drawing the line in the sand.” I support the statement, Black Lives Matter, in that context. Before supporting the “Movement,” I need to better understand their platform and plans/tactics to effect these necessary changes. I recommend others do the same as well before jumping on the bandwagon.
Theresa Myers
They used the slogan “Black Lives Matter.” There is a difference between making a statement “Black Lives Matter” which I would think everyone could support and the organizational structure of the “Black Lives Matter Movement.” On Jun 9, 2020, I wrote a Letter to the Editor of the Carlisle Sentinel titled “Black vs All lives matter.” (see below). At the end of the letter, I said before I could support the “Movement” I would need to better understand their platform and plans/tactics to effect these necessary changes. I encouraged others to do the same before jumping on the bandwagon. What follows is my research on this “Movement” in the context of understanding their platform and plans/tactics.
Background
The #Black Lives Matter Movement was started by three black women - Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi. According to their website s #BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. “Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.” According to a June 25, 2020 NY Post article which was based on a newly surfaced video from 2015 showed one of the co-founders stating they consider themselves “trained Marxist.” Further Patrisse Cullo, “The first thing, I think, is that we actually do have an ideological frame. Myself and Alicia in particular are trained organizers.”
What does someone believe who calls themselves a Marxist? The simplistic answer is Marxism is a set of political and economic ideas that are based on the belief that the rich business owners exploit their workers and the lower classes. The ultimate solution is a form of government called communism (stateless, classless society). No Capitalism. The stages to get to communism are to first go through socialism. Socialism is just a transition step, not the end.
How do you destroy a capitalists society moving it to communism? One: destabilize. Two: have the government take over core industries, functions from the private sector. Three: come in for the blow with a revolution or civil war. Four: confiscate the belongings of the rich then. Five: devalue the currency for the final blow.
According to Lenin “Experience has taught us it is impossible to root out the evils of capitalism merely by confiscation and expropriation, for however ruthlessly such measures may be applied, astute speculators and obstinate survivors of the capitalist classes will always manage to evade them and continue to corrupt the life of the community. The simplest way to exterminate the very spirit of capitalism is therefore to flood the country with notes of a high face-value without financial guarantees of any sort. Already even a hundred-ruble note is almost valueless in Russia. Soon even the simplest peasant will realize that it is only a scrap of paper, not worth more than the rags from which it is manufactured. Men will cease to covet and hoard it so soon as they discover it will not buy anything, and the great illusion of the value and power of money, on which the capitalist state is based will have been definitely destroyed.”
Can there be a stateless, classless society?
Even thinking there can be a stateless, classless free society with "no division or alienation, where humanity is free from oppression and scarcity, and where there is no need for governments or countries and no class divisions" is ludicrous. Order is needed. It has never worked for the good of the masses for a country to have true socialism or communism as a form of government. After the revolution or civil war there would be a state of chaos and then a structure of government would emerge which would be led by the revolutionaries/victors and their supporters. It would be abusive and they would enrich themselves at the expense of the peasants/losers. These new leaders would become the new rich, the elite. To make sure they are not overthrown by the same tactics they used, they would take away our freedoms and be very controlling. No such thing as a Bill of Rights.
We must remember the Russian Revolution was violent. China had a civil war 1947-1949 with the eventual Communist victory. Neither of these countries is known for human rights or allowing freedoms for their people.
Tactics
Knowing the ideological background of the BLM founders and their motivation, certainly sheds light on the tactics we see being used by them in the protests which have had mayhem and violence. We must remember the ultimate objective is to destroy our current system of government and way of life. All the programs of their Foundation are tools to get them to the end goal and a way to gather supporters along the way. They are noise.
It may not happen in 2020 but this Movement is not going anywhere, and we need to be alert and vigilant to their activities.
I support Black Lives and they Matter but I can not support the official BLM Movement organization and condone its tactics. It is not a movement of peace or love. I hope others will consider this background when deciding to jump on the bandwagon.
###
Resource:
June 24, 2020 Carlisle Sentinel
In this article is an exchange where activists are requesting that the Cumberland County Commissioners state Black Lives Matter. It is interesting to see Commissioner Gary Eichelberger’s statements regarding the Black Lives Matter Movement.
Letter: Black vs All lives matter
Jun 9, 2020
Letter to Editor Carlisle Sentinel
Dear Editor:
I recently read an article on the Fox News website were the singer Pink was getting push back from her fans due to her support of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Many of the posts were stating ALL lives matter to which Pink replied, no one is saying ALL lives don’t matter and to educate yourself. This got me thinking. I too believe all lives matter and are unique and have value from conception to death.
However, I realized that is not what saying Black Lives Matter is about. To me saying Black Lives Matter is recognition that many black people have been left out, marginalized, discriminated against and sometimes even killed by a system due to the color of their skin. It is not just rarely but a system exists in many institutions allowing this behavior to fester in America for centuries.
Saying Black Lives Matter to me means — “Enough is enough and we aren’t going to take it anymore. We are drawing the line in the sand.” I support the statement, Black Lives Matter, in that context. Before supporting the “Movement,” I need to better understand their platform and plans/tactics to effect these necessary changes. I recommend others do the same as well before jumping on the bandwagon.
Theresa Myers
Dog mom Theresa with her fur baby, Noah.
“committed to working with [almost] anyone to get good things done.”
Concept from Americans for Prosperity
Concept from Americans for Prosperity
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