Ten Things


After listening to a speech given at a recent tea party rally, I have distilled the message into ten words.  The heart of the message is a prescription for saving not just America but freedom - both political and religious.

1)   Believe
2)   Act
3)   Pray
4)   Discern
5)   Support
6)   Vote
7)   Join
8)   Subscribe
9)   Testify
10) Persevere






I plan to write a vignette about each of these action words.

In the meantime, let's examine the landscape and renew our commitment to culture.

The following quote is from one of my college professors, Russell Kirk.  The garden metaphor gives me more direction and is a huge encouragement.

A culture is perennially in need of renewal.

A culture does not survive and prosper merely by being taken for granted; active defense is always required, and imaginative growth, too.

Everyone is involved.
This is a link to an artist who supports the cause.

Whether you like it or not.

Whether you acknowledge it or not.

Be a force for Good.
This is a link to a expositional sermon on Psalm 111 where the LORD is praised for His Goodness.

Make sure it lasts.
This is a link to an essay about Steve Jobs who died this past week.

Larry McDonald Memorial Highway

All we need do is return to the fine highway we were once on.

There is a stretch of Interstate Highway 75 from the Chattahoochee River northward to the Tennessee state line that I have traveled all my life, but that I want to call to your attention today.

In 1998, the Georgia General Assembly designated this thoroughfare,
the Larry McDonald Memorial Highway.

Thousands of people pass this sign daily.

I suspect that most ignore it.

Today, on the 28th anniversary of his death, do I especially remember
this family friend, former employer, and dedicated American
by calling attention to the principles he dedicated his life to teaching and preserving.

The above quote comes from the first chapter of his book,
We Hold These Truths: A Reverent Review of the U.S. Constitution,
and tells us how to reclaim our freedoms. 

The complexity of social organization does change.

 Our technologically sophisticated industrial society is more complex than the agrarian society
 of the eighteenth century. In this regard, that was a "simpler world."

But the complexities of politics (politics here meaning the science of governing)

  do not change much.

The basic political problems confronting the Framers of our Constitution

  were as complex as our political problems today -
 perhaps more so, because they were striking off into the dangerous unknown, whereas

all we need do is return to the fine highway we were once on.

Skip watching the Republican Presidential Debate next week.

Read Larry McDonald's book and use it as a guide to assess
a political candidate's worthiness of your support.

He explains the *free way*.

Oaths, Ethics, and Sanctity of Life

On this the 38th anniversary of Roe v Wade, allow me to relate a story showing how God gave opportunity for witness in an unlikely setting.

Standing firm in one's convictions is never an easy thing to do, especially if you dont know what you believe.

Thankfully, the Lord shined His Face upon me at an early age, informing my heart and mind of not only His Love, but also His Law.

In addition, God gave me a husband who knows and serves Him, too.

That means we know what we believe by reading Scripture with the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit.

But if you're not sure where to stand on this issue, we recommend R. C. Sproul's book, Abortion: A Rational Look at an Emotional Issue, recently re-printed and distributed to every member of Congress.

Now for the story.

Early in medical school (1982), DH was in class when the professor interrupted his lecture to poll his students.  This was a little unusual, but it must have related to the topic.

The question concerned abortion ~

In the first scenario, the professor asked, "In general, would you as a medical doctor perform an abortion?"  And if so, he directed, move from your seat to a seat on the other side of the room.

A fair number of students moved.

In the second scenario, the professor queried, in the case of rape, would you perform the abortion?

A few more students moved to the other side of the room.

In the third scenario, the situation became more dire as the life of the mother is in danger:  would you perform an abortion?

The final few students moved to the other side of the room, leaving my husband seated alone.

He stood firm, upholding the Hippocratic Oath, not bowing to situational ethics, and demonstrating in a remarkable way the sanctity of life.


Sounds like a *Martin Luther* moment, dont ya think?

I was very proud of him when he told me that story over dinner that evening.

I still am.


PS  Here's a link to KSJ's talk recently delivered at a medical conference.  Take a listen and be informed about the ever-changing landscape of healthcare.

A O LINCH MD

In honor of my maternal grandfather, Albert Osborn Linch, who died on this day fifty years ago, at the young age of 58, I'm highlighting one paragraph of his inaugural address to the Fulton County Medical Society.  It speaks directly to today's healthcare fiasco.

America today stands at the cross-roads, and there seems to be a tremendous urge to go down the road of least resistance, which leads to chaos and ruin. If what I say smacks of non-medical politics, let those that are burned make the most of it.

America must have a change in the way of thinking of our men in high political places or our way of living will surely collapse. Justice Brandeis warned, "The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning, but without understanding."

We are borrowing from the future and robbing the purses of our children and grandchildren by continuing the deficit operation of our government. It behooves us to fight in every way possible those who would torpedo the medical profession and scuttle American freedom to satisfy the whims and political aspirations of these demagogs.

I plead with you to support your political leaders who are interested in free enterprise and in the economic operation of your government.

January 19, 1950

Let us not grow weary in doing good.



Here's a link to the entire address

Here's a link to another entry about AOL.

Inaugural Address of the President
Fulton County (GA) Medical Society


The following is only one paragraph from a speech given by my maternal grandfather as he took the helm of his local medical society in 1950. More of the address will be posted (for the sake of posterity) when I have time to type it up, or when I figure out how to work my scanner, whichever comes first :) In another post I reference to these remarks.

America today stands at the cross-roads, and there seems to be a tremendous urge to go down the road of least resistance, which leads to chaos and ruin. If what I say smacks of non-medical politics, let those that are burned make the most of it. America must have a change in the way of thinking of our men in high political places or our way of living will surely collapse. Justice Brandeis warned, "The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning, but without understanding." We are borrowing from the future and robbing the purses of our children and grandchildren by continuing the deficit operation of our government. It behooves us to fight in every way possible those who would torpedo the medical profession and scuttle American freedom to satisfy the whims and political aspirations of these demagogs. I plead with you to support your political leaders who are interested in free enterprise and in the economic operation of your government.




by A O Linch, MD
January 1950

Fine Art Friday















Leo X by Raphael
Oil on Panel 60.6 x 46.9 in
1518 - 1519
Galleria degli Uffizi

This painting came to my attention while I was reading an interesting article by the outrageously liberal Camille Paglia. And in light of my comments about art opening doors (good for teaching purposes), I'm posting this artwork because I remember the intrigue, but I didnt know Raphael was commenting on it.

Paglia pins Leo for dividing Christianity. His ego would have appreciated that. But I'm not sure he deserves that much credit.

If you'd shown me this painting, I wouldnt have recognized the Pope.

Not sure I would recognize the current one either, except for his garb and entourage.

But I am trying to pick familiar faces out of this recent painting by three Chinese artists. See Shirley Temple?

How many do you recognize?

Footwork

There is a

difference

between these legs

and the ones

posted in

Friday's entry.





Mine are (still) in the kitchen.


As previously stated, I was never planning to vote for Senator McCain and his choice of running mate didnt change my mind. It did, however, heighten my interest in a race that otherwise would not have been on my radar screen.

Hence, I watched the Vice Presidential debate and had a radically wonderful time live-bloggin' with friends at Dominion Family. I love sharing my opinion. Usually you dont have to ask :)

So, here's what I want to say:

Presidential elections are all hype - mainly rhetoric - much like Spirit Week preceeding Homecoming. The debates are like the pep rallies. And while those events serve their purposes, we all know that the practicing the football players perform during the season and the strength-training they grunt through during the off-season make all the difference in the world as far as outcomes go.

In my analogy, I see the in-season practices akin to the bi-annual congressional elections; and the off-season grunt work akin to the voting records of same legislators. That's where the real discipline takes place. That's where true information about political candidates is found.

I have campaigned, walked neighborhoods, made phone calls, stuffed envelopes. I have also worked on Capitol Hill for my congressman. I learned to vote for the candidate, not the party. And I learned that the elected official swears to uphold the Constitution, which does not necessarily mean that s/he will be voting the way his constituents would like. Furthermore, I learned that most politicians dont uphold that vow.

Look for the ones (shoes) who do.

Footwork comes in all sizes, styles, stations, and seasons.

Red heels are in.

Writing the Government

Here's a copy of a letter I sent to my Congressman today. I think I was ten years old when I first started writing letters to members of Congress. When I was twenty years old, I worked on Capitol Hill for my Representative and kept track of letters and faxes like the one I mailed today.

Have you ever written to your Congressman or Senator?


From: (yours truly)


The Honorable Tom Price
424 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515

VIA FAX 202 225 4656


Good Morning:

This letter is sent via fax in order to communicate my opinion on the upcoming legislation designed to save various financial institutions and prevent a crisis in the US economy.

I strongly oppose government intervention in this case.

It is time for Congress to put down its foot and reject the Administration’s proposal. Please just allow the bust to work itself out.

I am willing to suffer through this hangover to keep politicians from shielding CEOs and their companies from the consequences of their risky actions.

Feeling fleeced in GA, I am

Your constituent,

Oath-taking

Research project of the day......in light of the first congressman to use the Koran.

No wonder we're in the mess we are.

What do you think?