2026.02.24 Daily Thread: The World According To Trade(Bait)

Let’s start the day with scripture from Paul that all of the Democratic Party and its unhinged wackos need to take seriously, but will not.

Romans 13:3-4:

For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;” (NASB)

On with the show…

Women In Politics And Law

No pearl clutching by our wonderful female readers and contributors on here is allowed. Most, if not all of you, will agree with what I will be stating anyway.

What do you see in the info contained in this link?

https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/signers-factsheet

Here’s a PDF of the same data.

https://www.archives.gov/files/founding-docs/declaration-signers-gallery-facts.pdf

We see famous patriots from ages 26 to 70. Only seven were 60 years of age or more. That is hugely different than today with so many being 70 and older. Each signed the document knowing it could mean their death and/or the loss of everything they had including families. Those are real profiles in courage.

Eight were actually born in Great Britain. An interesting thing is that 25 of the 56 were lawyers, about 45%. They had studied and were practicing English common law among other legal related aspects. Which leads to another interesting question. After 250 years, how many in Congress today are lawyers? My initial guess was that percentage would be even higher.

Nope, it is less.

For the 119th Congress there are 179 with a law degree out of 541 total members at that point. That means it is about 33% of the total. Unfortunately, that also means more elected officials are full time politicians. Which makes many into opportunists with minimal added value to the discourse in Congress.

From what I can tell from the recent past, this is a consistent representation, that about a third have a law degree. That makes the modern day Congress even more dependent on potentially corrupted political party controlled legal staff support for analysis of legislation, regulations, etc. Based on their media comments, many elected members appear to be clueless about the law and the Constitution. Others weaponize it using lies and distortions. That makes many of them no more than professional actors who are subject to massive manipulation because they do not understand what they are doing. Of course the Democrat Party desires no critical thinking from their members since they are given and generally follow orders to vote as a block and be mockingbird propagandists. Which also makes them operatives of the ideology of others and not leaders.

Anybody want to make the claim that corrupted Mad Max, AOC, Jasmine and other mental midgets in Congress really know their shiz? Didn’t think so.

However, there are more issues to consider lying below the surface. Since we know women were not active in the operation of government during our nation’s formation as well as for many years afterwards, what impact have they made on the discourse and operation of government today as they have become much more active? Currently, approximately 29% of elected members of Congress are female. That percentage has grown steadily in recent times. The political mix is interesting and unsurprising. About 62% are Dem, 112 in total. That means 20% +/- of all Congressional members are raging leftists who cannot focus on what really matters to keep this country afloat. With the demise of alpha males in the Dem party and rise of AWFL’s and Islamist plants, it was just a matter of time before their shrill, propagandist voices were heard much too loudly as we see from the Squad and others.

Please do not mistake this analysis to be anti-woman. It is not. It is anti-leftist ideologue woman as well as man. To refuse to see or ignore it helps the enemies of MAGA.

Now that we have determined the root of this major issue, how many of those 112 females are lawyers? It turns out there are 45 with law degrees. That is over 40%, which is disproportionate to the current 33% being lawyers among all members of the 119th Congress. This group represent 25% of all lawyers in Congress. This is a growing number as the traditional Democratic Party and its supporters are replaced by leftist progressives. An increasing number of beta men and foreigners with illegal immigration backgrounds have also been replacing the traditional segments of that party.

Think about the on-going year long campaign of tough, potty mouth talk from Dems led by Dime Store Obama, Cryin’ Chuck, Gruesome, Murphy’s Law, Pocahontas, AOC, et al. They know. They needed to counter and had nothing left to sell to the alpha males who were leaving and continue to leave the party. Gruesome hit Davos in January and tried to act tough while only increasing the alpha appeal of PDT in the process. The Rules Based Order crowd in Munich that Marco addressed rather directly felt the alpha sovereignty approach up front and personal. Leftists that preceded and followed him were shamed by their incompetence.

The Challenge

However, I think we America First MAGA types have correctly identified serious foes in their own special category of AWFL that we should be targeting in political races to keep this nation on the path to restoration and out of the hands of enemy combatants who have used infiltration over invasion as Q told us. There is still a large block of sheeple who will follow the left’s piper over the proverbial cliff.

Most are not serious people. Their focus is on social justice and minutia to gain power as good little commies do. The fact that they generally support radical Islamists, illegals, domestic criminals, perverts, woke, and the like is strange, but clearly in evidence daily.

We only need to look toward Europe to know where this originates as well as how it will turn out if left unrestrained. Many leftist women are dominating government activities there. The following link indicates that 27% of all parliaments around the world are comprised of women. The good news is the rate of increase is slowing.

https://www.ipu.org

In Great Britain the numbers are much higher. In 2024 there were 263 women out of the 650 total – 40%. This is up 6% in five years.There are also 25 Muslims. This tells us that the British culture and ruling government has been moving left at a rapidly increasing rate. We see the effects of that as censorship is on the rise along with related charges and arrests for thought and word crimes.

Cause and effect is on full display. More beta men along with more militaristic leftist women and Islamics. A similar plan has been underway for taking down America as a superpower and making it into the socialist shizhole they can rule in ease and wealth at the expense of the sheeple who do their bidding.

It is a tale as old as time itself.

Many in the leftist camp in America claim to represent the mainstream views of our population. They claim to be Christians, claim to be traditional, claim to be pro family, claim to be patriots, claim to be pro military, claim to be for the Constitution and law. They not only use the fake news, entertainment and social media; they use the institutions within the education industry and church denominations to further their causes. It is an all out, open attack 24/7.

Claims are not truth. Our response is and always has been unashamed, unrestrained truth leading to firm vocal responses and actions being performed openly for all to hear and see. It is not acceptable to be a coward or to shrink from this conflict.

Know the truth and it sets you free. If you fear death and destruction over living for truth, you have lost the battle before it begins. A 23 year old youtuber, Nick Shirley, has successfully taken on the ire of the Democrat criminal machine. He now gets death threats daily and needs security. His response to it all – go public and do more. Now that patriots are in charge, they used his information and went on the attack. That is what it takes from all of us. Be as brave as the 23 year old youtuber who values truth over personal safety and vocal attacks.

Take courage and be prepared to counter the bullshiz from the left anywhere and anytime. You will be glad you did. When I see former friends and family members who are sold out leftists turn and go a different way when they see me I know I have been successful in standing my ground. They prove they were never true friends by their actions. History will judge them. Those with different views who want to have dialog and discuss as adults still remain friends and can reason together as Isaiah 1:18 suggests.

Which was the way of Charlie. Never forget. Check out the TPUSA stats, it is now up to 6300 active chapters. Young people know. The rest of us need to have a similar resolve.

https://tpusa.com

Krazy Karen & Ken Korner

Yes, it is time for the KKKK. There is so much great subject matter in this wacky nation from which to choose. Since we are talking gubmint, let’s roll with a recent Jasmine Crockett take.

She ain’t pickin’ no cotton, y’all. 😂

Well, could not resist one more from Munich.

Remember Wolf’s site rules. Note and label all AI. Please be kind to one another, we are all in this together. May God richly bless America and all of you.

Before all things and people – In God We Trust. Also, trust Trump and the plan.

2026.02.17 Daily Thread: The World According To Trade(Bait)

Today we venture into the music industry for something different. Most readers recognize that artists of songs receive royalties on sales of product, licenses, streams, etc. Right?

Then there is Artificial Intelligence, that ubholy term, a subject Wolf, Scott and others have chosen to explore at times. So, today is about what happens now with AI in music?

In particular, how do AI, bots, wire fraud, money laundering and all sorts of criminality play into it?

But first to set the tone, let’s review two scriptures of the day from both Old and New Testaments, which are from Proverbs 2:6,

For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
(NASB)

And James 1:5,

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (NASB)

These two timeless scriptures tell the reader to look to the Lord for all knowledge, understanding and wisdom. For this time of existence that would tell the believer to test whatever knowledge one gains from the use of mankind’s AI against the Word of God.

That is a Word to the wise.

The Basics

it is worth a quick read below so you will know how it all works and why the changes are impacting the industry and the music you like.

https://royaltyexchange.com/blog/understanding-music-royalty-types-a-beginners-guide-2025

Once again, more strict and loose to discuss. The definitions,

Strict ConstructionistLiteral and narrow reading (interpretation) of the document that limits the powers of the federal government to what it provides.

Loose ConstructionistViews it as a “living document” that is interpreted broadly that adapts to society as it evolves and its needs change..

When it comes to AI and music, you knew it would only be a matter of time until the below reared its head.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly3ld9wy3eo

More of the nitty gritty concerns from the artist and political perspective.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/musicians-ai-bands-streaming-1.7581400

Did they say 75 million AI spam tracks in one sweep?! Holy shizola!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/artificial-intelligence/spotify-s-ai-sweep-just-wiped-75m-tracks-and-creators-are-panicking/ar-AA1T7CDw

What can this all possibly mean going forward?

https://www.forbes.com/sites/virginieberger/2025/12/29/nine-predictions-for-the-music-industry-in-2026-how-ai-reshapes-licensing-and-power

One thing we do know is that ultimately the public will probably be the loser and we will regard those 45’s, 33’s, cassettes and VHS tapes as relics of a golden past that we long for again.

AI’s Legal Impact On The Music Industry

To answer this issue, let’s go to an AI horse itself. Here is Brave’s AI (Leo) response. The other couple AI’s I checked were similar in the responses.

The rise of AI in the music industry has created significant legal challenges, particularly around copyright and intellectual property rights. Here are the key legal implications:

Copyright and Training Data

The most contentious legal issue involves AI companies using copyrighted music to train their models without permission. Major record labels including Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and Warner Records have sued AI music synthesis companies Udio and Suno for allegedly committing mass copyright infringement, seeking damages of $150,000 per song used in training. This mirrors similar disputes in other creative industries and represents a fundamental challenge to how copyright law applies to AI development.

Royalty Fraud

AI has also enabled new forms of fraud. In a first-of-its-kind prosecution, a music producer was accused of using AI to create hundreds of thousands of fake songs with randomly generated artist names, then using bots to stream them on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, allegedly fraudulently obtaining over $10 million in royalty payments.

Ownership of AI-Generated Works

A critical unresolved question is who owns the copyright to AI-generated music. In the UK, works generated by “computer” are currently protected by copyright, with ownership going to the person who makes the arrangements necessary for creation. However, the UK government has proposed removing copyright protection for computer-generated works, arguing they cannot satisfy the originality test that requires human intellectual creativity. US courts have similarly ruled that AI-generated content without human authorship cannot be copyrighted.

Voice Cloning and Deepfakes

AI-generated “deepfake” songs that mimic famous artists’ vocals pose new legal challenges around publicity rights and artist identity. The viral track “Heart on My Sleeve,” featuring AI clones of Drake and The Weeknd, accumulated 15 million TikTok views in under 48 hours. Tennessee responded by passing the ELVIS Act (Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security), the first US law specifically addressing AI’s impact on music, providing legal protections for artists’ voices and likenesses.

Industry Balance

Governments worldwide are struggling to balance encouraging AI innovation while protecting creators’ rights. The UK government’s December 2024 consultation proposed allowing free use of copyrighted material by AI developers with an opt-out option for creators, but this approach has faced strong opposition from the music industry, including high-profile artists like Sir Paul McCartney. The outcome of these policy debates will likely establish precedents affecting AI content creation across multiple industries.

Leo’s info sources were – pinsentmasons.com; unchainedmusic.io; saul.com; soundverse.ai; npr.org; cardozoaelj.com; joneswalker.com; whatnext.law

Do you see the problems here? There are many existing laws covering various aspects, but none that are comprehensively covering a completely new industry that was obviously not envisioned when the Constitution and related laws over the next 245+ years were passed.

As a result there will be strict constructionist interpretation in settled law areas to go with loose constructionist interpretations where no applicable statutory or case law exists. Now add the challenge of meshing both under one umbrella covering just the AI related industry with just license and copyright law in music. Because the music industry is international in scope, some consideration has to also be given to those legal issues and requirements in foreign countries. Now factor which businesses and performers align with specific points of emphasis, legal positions and political parties.

Can you spell “billable hours” and many, many lawsuits that will take ages to flesh out?

😂

Mamas let your babies grow up to be lawyers? Say it ain’t so…

AI Comedy

Let’s finish with some AI comedy since Wolf has been bringing the AI music. It’s worth your short time investment in my opinion. 🤣

AI can be fun if one knows it is AI. I am going to renege on not doing the AI music. Found one going around that is fascinating to listen to if you like Irish folk music. How about an Irish folk version of Billie Jean?

Back to reality.

Remember Wolf’s site rules. Note and label all AI. Please be kind to one another, we are all in this together. May God richly bless America and all of you.

Before all things and people – In God We Trust. Also, trust Trump and the plan.

2026.02.10 Daily Thread: The World According to Trade(Bait)

More strict and loose constructionism and many of you will start seeing these two principles of Constitution and law rear their heads often through the years. For these Trade stories I am just occasionally substituting federal documents and authority out while using strict and loose with rules and laws on different subject matters that have different ruling authorities. The principles can be applied in many unrelated subjects. Reminders;

Strict ConstructionistLiteral and narrow reading (interpretation) of the document that limits the powers of the federal government to what it provides.

Loose ConstructionistViews it as a “living document” that is interpreted broadly that adapts to society as it evolves and its needs change..

The scripture for today is from I Timothy 6:10,

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (NASB)

Self explanatory scripture.

What else is determined by those who go by the book and those who add to and subtract from the book as it works best for them? How about…

Professional Sports

Let’s have some fun. How about 8 minutes of Academy Award losing NBA floppers.

Of course what else do you expect from a bunch of pampered woke social justice imposters? Next we move to the NFL where we focus on the striped shirts who actually get paid well to do the following with straight faces. About 13 minutes.

in truth those are just a handful of literally thousands of calls and no-calls of infractions each season that have accumulated through the years that those two sports have existed that are just flat azz wrong or intentionally not called.

Yet, each sport has a thoroughly prepared rulebook that coaching staffs, players, and officials are well informed about. Team owners actually participate in determining rules modifications between seasons. They vote on them and then inform the league’s head of officials, whose staff instructs the game officials. But what you can plainly see is that none of that matters if corruption, personal fandom, or vendettas are involved.

How much did Tom Brady’s reputation suffer for Deflategate as an example?

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/deflategate-tom-brady-suspension-patriots-scandal/ef7cffc2e1323d87ef8f348a

Not much. He won a bunch of SB rings in a future HOF career that led to an ownership interest in the Las Vegas Raiders team as well a weekly game analyst gig on network TV since playing career retirement.

Both sports are so eaten up with terrible officiating they added replay review. However, that is also controlled and limited in its scope. Bad and corrupted officiating still rules. Agendas and narratives must be maintained, you know.

While on the subject, let’s take a look a Major League Baseball. Watch what happens even with using the replay booth in the more current examples. Add that to the horrible pitch calls.

MLB is probably better than the NBA and NFL with calls now with more extensive replay ability and as a result, more scrutiny. But the sport also has the benefit of less overall player actions during the course of games, making it easier to call. To MLB’s credit they are going to take it a step further to insure more fair treatment. They have been experimenting with automated computer driven pitch calls in the minor leagues for several years. It will start this next season in MLB. However, it will only be on a challenge basis with each team receiving two challenges. Hopefully, technology continues to advance and automated calls are perfected over time so that they are used for all pitches like they are in professional tennis for line calls. That is the only way it will ever be fair to all batters and pitchers.

https://apnews.com/article/abs-robot-umpires-how-it-works-9b817bb2c4666c984aa86ed29b401461

Rules For Thee, But Not For Me

We can tell from the evidence above that none of the professional sports are all that serious about strict rulebook implementation. Yes, the rulebooks themselves are written in strict constructionist format. However, they are then administered with sport ownership concurrence in loose constructionist methodology to achieve desired results where narratives can be sold to an unwitting, some would say dumb, public that goes along with it all.

Why?

Money. As usual.

In the NFL alone the cumulative take for all team owners was over $23 B in 2024. Add in over $12 B for MLB and over $11 B for NBA teams. For all three sports that is approximately $46 B for 2024 alone. Then add in revenues of associated industries such as television and media, gear, food and household product licenses, security services, and so on.

That action you see on the field or court may be real much of the time, however, the outcomes are subject to being controlled. There is too much money in it to be cleanly administered and called. Besides having eyes, playing as a young man, and knowing the games for over 60 years; how else do I know they have controlled outcomes?

The existence of sports book gambling and television rights.

The latter is simple to understand. How many more eyes will watch a playoff or championship game if the participants are in large markets versus small? More eyes on screens, higher ratings for games, more money charged for advertising. A NY versus LA matchup in any sport would be their dream choice 100 out of 100. As a result, the teams in the large markets receive more exposure and attract more elite free agent players.

The sports driving the bulk of that revenue are the three listed above. Sports book betting will go upwards of $150 billion just this year and is growing rapidly. The sports love it because the activity generates more interest. There is some info on the participants in the link below. You will find the names you see advertising on TV during game telecasts.

https://altenar.com/blog/top-10-us-sportsbook-operators-and-their-owners

But wait there’s MOAR! Read the link below to discover how the sports book revenue streams are divvied up.

https://www.covers.com/industry/how-do-pro-sports-teams-leagues-make-money-sports-betting-august-2025

So you are saying the leagues and team owners benefit from the book action? The same owners who agree to pay the outrageous compensation many players and coaches make? They are all in on the scam together. Say it ain’t so.

🤫 😂

All of it is legal in America. Can you say “gravy train”? Why would any of the three sports discussed and others decide to act on concerns about the administration of rulebooks when the money tells them to keep doing what they are doing? They just have to make sure the cheating is not overly obvious.

Oops.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-illegal-gambling-investigation-explained

https://www.msn.com/en-in/sports/basketball/nba-betting-scandal-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-shocking-case-involving-players-coaches-and-the-new-york-mafia/ar-AA1SbpRK

Yup, and not only pro, how about college as well? Well, college is pro now with all of the NIL contracts, so, I guess it fits right in.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/47619154/many-college-players-20-charged-point-shaving-scheme

Achilles Heel

As we can see there exists a major issue that has always been present. Shoeless Joe Jackson and the Chicago Black Sox scandal of 1919 was just a harbinger for the undue influence of sports book gambling that existed outside the realm of honest play on the field and court. All of it as authorities looked away and continued involvement in off site criminal bookie operations throughout the country. Pete Rose was not the only one who participated despite the polished images of the leaders of the sports. With the constant need of governments for more and more revenues, it became easier to accept the unsavory and sell it as a good thing along with the usual “we have it under control” comments to the public.

Now we all can sit in the comfort of our homes and literally bet the house on games and specific actions within games, racing, etc. that have controlled outcomes. But as long as we do it responsibly like their PSA’s say, everything will be fine. If you end up with a gambling addiction and losing everything that matters, they provide a hotline you can call to get help. I am sure doing so will cure your addiction and all will end well in the poor house or a jail cell without your spouse and kids.

😉

Since human nature includes the pursuit of riches and to be greedy, there have been and will be more crashes than NASCAR restrictor plate races at Talladega Speedway. Big ones, all the time. Right, Ricky Bobby?

Which people also bet big bucks on as well.

The economics are simple. $150 B was bet in 2024. Approximately 9-10% was retained by the betting houses. That tells the bettor that the odds are slanted against them in the points spreads and odds to one side or the other. The house take is consistent, they rarely go out of business. Which means they know more than the average bettor. How do they know more? Yup, insiders in the sports as well as points shaving players and such. So, no matter what and how you are playing the odds, their business has been arranged for you to lose over time. To beat those odds and be successful you have to be resourceful, smart and very lucky.

There are real world human lives at serious risk. Families are forever altered and destroyed by addictions to gambling. Sports heroes tube their careers and children lose their heroes and icons. Popular diversions from the grind of life are lost due to the corruption. The integrity of the sports become jokes. People lose focus on what matters most. The leaders of the sports become tyrants with perverted values that leads to the Bad Bunnies of the world being celebrated on the world stage. All because many refuse to follow the rules and seek to skirt the edges or dive into criminality for personal and corporate gains and advantages. Their focus is to seek power, fame and fortune no matter the cost.

Nearly all of the issues described in this example of these three professional sports are easily solvable. But the leaders and participants do not have the will to do so because they might make less money. If they get past that in their minds they know that if they rock the boat they will be booted, blacklisted or worse. So it will continue as long as their targets (marks), We the People, give them permission to cheat and be corrupt.

All that is needed is a heart change followed by inaction from We the People. Choose not to play along. Turn your eyes away and redirect your interests. When you shut off the interest and money, the corrupt and corrupted lose.

Which seems to be a recurring theme with all things in America, doesn’t it?

Conclusion

Returning to the light hearted, enjoy!

Remember Wolf’s site rules. Note and label all AI. Please be kind to one another, we are all in this together. May God richly bless America and all of you.

Trust Trump and the plan.

Time to make an addition to my Conclusion with openers. Carl gave a recent reminder.

Before all things and people – In God We Trust. Always. This world is His. He determines how our story goes.

2026.02.03 Daily Thread: The World According To Trade(Bait)

I start this one with more strict and loose constructionist principles. Going to do reminders each week until you pass your test.

Strict ConstructionistLiteral and narrow reading (interpretation) of the document that limits the powers of the federal government to what it provides.

Loose ConstructionistViews it as a “living document” that is interpreted broadly that adapts to society as it evolves and its needs change..

First, I covered the two primary views of the Constitution and laws in general in our country. Next I covered the views throughout Christianity from the same perspectives using the ruling authority, the Bible. Today I will cover their Constitutional application with treaties, which means we return to federal documents and powers.

Wut? Yes, treaties. Since we are in the era of taking on government efficiency, why not?

😂

That statement may have gone over any a head reading this. You will learn why I said it later.

By reviewing this I hope you will see that very few treaties have been interpreted in a strict constructionist sense unless it is useful to do so by those in or seeking power. The rest of the time they are interpreted as loose as a goose’s diarrhetic bowel movement.

Sorry for that word image, but it was the most descriptive I could come up with to match a loose constructionist view of treaties, well, in about everything they did in federal government before PDT hit the scene.

Today’s scripture will stay with the nasty descriptive theme since I already went “there”. It comes from Proverbs 26:11,

Like a dog that returns to its vomit,
So is a fool who repeats his foolishness.
(NASB)

We should heed that warning as a nation and quit believing we can do things opposed to God’s way and get away with it. We continue to exist because God wills us to exist. Turn from evil, do what is good in His sight.

Treaties

The definition of a treaty that I am referencing in this post with an assist from Merriam Webster follows,

An agreement or arrangement made by negotiation

See, that wasn’t hard. In this context it is a contract in writing between two or more political authorities (such as states or sovereigns) formally signed by representatives duly authorized and usually ratified by the lawmaking authority of the state.

It will probably be best for us to initially stick with American domestic treaties or else we will be here for awhile. So lets drill down on those relating to Pocahontas Warren’s kinfolk since they have been back in the news.

Native American Indian Treaties

How many treaties (contractual agreements) with native Indians are there? When were these agreements first violated by American governments?

There have been around 370 of them. We do not know how many were violated; we just know that a lot were and it started immediately per historical accounts. Most of the violations were never addressed and remedied. We also know the vast majority of the treaties were related to lands the native Americans held and were given in the original treaty agreements. Add in we know the SCOTUS has consistently ruled in favor of treaty provisions being honored through the years. And finally, we know that rarely has that latter point actually happened and been enforced, at least not long term.

So, which do you think that reflects, strict or loose constructionist approaches? Yup, loose in real life application while being strict at the SCOTUS level decisions. See how that works? Those in power on the ground basically do what they want until called out on it through the judiciary and the issues eventually make it to SCOTUS. If the ruling works in the powers that be’s favor they will be strict in their actions going forward, making it more difficult to over turn. If it works better to be loose, they keep doing the dirty anyway, at least until they cannot any longer. If there are no triggers to insure the activity in question stops or is changed after the highest court/SCOTUS ruling – they keep doing it like they did in the examples above with our native Indian population.

Let’s face it, the only real reason they made treaties was to root them off land, to stop or slow down the violence against settlers, and to pretend they were being legal until the government had sufficient military to handle any future resistance. They obviously had no intention of honoring treaties as written long term. They thought they could eventually interest the native Indians into assimilating into society. Over time the poverty they induced into reservations became a drain on resources. That also was intentional as they hoped many would leave and then assimilate. Over time they also found that they had uses for some of the natives’ land that was unanticipated when the treaties were first signed.

As the laws became more defined and case law took root, it became more difficult to outright take away the lands and relocate the tribes. Instead, they began corrupting tribal leadership, who then made deals to lease land to corporate and government interests. Sometimes a small amount of cash flow would come to tribal members, but never commiserate with what the lessors and corrupted leaders generated. Most times the non-leader tribal members received nothing. This left them as destitute and powerless as ever. Using corruption helped the government and businesses give the appearance it was all in compliance with established law and the treaties without actually being so. Loose constructionism combined with corruption won despite strict constructionist rulings from the judiciary as to treaty intent and administrative expectations.

As you might surmise, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has been completely corrupt for two centuries. It was intended and established to be that way. It was lipstick on the pig by the Secretary of War Calhoun of that day when it first was introduced. The following archived article accurately described how it exists in more current times.

As a result is it any wonder it ended up being placed under the purview of DOGE recently? From earlier this year,

https://www.12news.com/article/news/regional/native-america/tribal-nations-concerned-trumps-cuts-have-the-potential-violate-trust-responsibilities/75-b9dc14a4-fe80-4d65-b5e1-077c2ae1737d

#47 misses very little.

The current official status between BIA and DOGE is that BIA is undergoing a thorough review of their operations, finances and policies. Once complete, #47’s admin will make a decision on what happens next. However, in this guy’s world you are either a citizen or not. There should be no protected classes of citizens and should not have been two centuries ago. The nasty BIA needs to be disbanded with the land and business ownership concerns of tribes being mediated and brought into compliance with everybody and everything else in this country.

Which may be one good reason why #47 vetoed this very recently.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/state/2025/12/31/trump-vetoes-bill-to-protect-miccosukee-village-in-everglades/87970455007

As well he should have.

Native Indian Music & Movie Corner

Some of the real thing,

Country folks singing about them are more my style

Warning of graphic violence on the next one. Not many who saw this film will ever forget it. Perhaps a reminder of the real world in those days? You decide.

Maybe it is good those days are over.

Conclusion

This is just one element of American society that has historically been a pit of corruption, but allowed to exist because nobody really wanted to deal with it as well as because there was so much loot and business opportunities exchanging hands between criminals. Their aim was to keep the gravy train going. But #47 knows about it and eventually it will be addressed.

For what it is worth, you probably can guess how most native Indians vote. Yup, Dem. In the last election it was 57% for Harris and 39% for #47. Among their number the criminals and those who exist on government hand outs always vote Democrat. Those who seek to build lives for themselves and families in the American way without handouts tend to vote GOP. It is really that simple and it also seems simple that we should give all a path toward achieving the American Dream by working like the rest of us and cut out the graft, theft, bail outs and special treatment. Time for all of the little birdies to fly away from the nest.

It is two centuries past time for native American Indians to assimilate into American society and for the BIA to be exterminated like the rats nest it is. Level the playing field with all protected classes and remove the special privileges. The accommodation period in America should have long been ended; it is the corrupt, greedy politicians who have kept it alive. Native American Indian tribe ancestors were a conquered people, just like loyalist British. The African and Irish slaves were freed. Indentured servanthood no longer exists. Claims for reparations and special treatment for native Indian citizens today are bullshiz just like they are for ancestors of African and Irish slaves. Reservations are current versions of Democrat plantations of old.

The Declaration of Independence is clear;

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That is the guiding doctrine and law of our land. Time for all citizens to act like it and the non-citizens granted legal permission to reside here to act like it.

Remember Wolf’s site rules. Note and label all AI. Please be kind to one another, we are all in this together. May God richly bless America and all of you.

Trust Trump and the plan.

2026.01.27 Daily Thread: The World According To Trade(Bait)

Some wonder where I came up with my screen name. Among other sports I grew up playing baseball from childhood into college and have followed the game all of my life, which is where the name originates. Professional baseball has been all about teams trading players for over a century. Some of those players have been called trade bait to attract other teams to do deals with them. The players they offer, the trade bait, are usually good or have upside that might fit another team’s needs. However, they are not considered key players on their current rosters. So the clubs use them to attract the talent they believe they need from rosters of other clubs.

Such was also life in my business career. Hence, TradeBait.

Today’s scripture is from Matthew 16:13-18;

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.”

All of life hinges upon your response to these questions of Jesus, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” If you answer as Simon, God the Father has informed you. Be thankful, have peace in your soul and tell others. It is worth noting that Jesus asked these questions at what was believed to be the gate of Hades itself at Mt. Hermon in Caesarea Philippi, the center of Greek paganism and debauchery that is said to have included human sacrifices and sexual perversion in the cave beyond its entrance. Which is why he went on to say in verse 18;

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” 

These scriptures lead in well to today’s subject, which is also a major worldwide culture and character divider in America that has a constructionism dividing line – Christianity.

I will be spending more time in this and future threads discussing the applications of these terms. Reminder:

Strict ConstructionistLiteral and narrow reading (interpretation) of the document that limits the powers of the federal government to what it provides.

Loose ConstructionistViews it as a “living document” that is interpreted broadly that adapts to society as it evolves and its needs change..

For this subject, please ignore the federal government related documents and powers aspect in the definitions. Insert the Bible and its authority instead. Consider which Christian denominations, groupings, and individual belief systems would have strict versus loose constructionists today. Remember that strict is a literal or narrow as written view while loose views it as a “living document” that adjusts with an evolving society and world.

All sorts of descriptive words have been used with the two. Fundamentalists, traditionalists, Bible thumpers, holy rollers, snake handlers, Jesus Freaks and such would come to mind with some folks to represent the strict constructionists. Ecumenical, whiskapalians, Gracelanders, cultural Christians, liberation theologists, Christ progs, social gospelers and so on represent the loose constructionists.

If we go back to the Revolutionary War period we could say that most Christians were strict. That would mean they had a more narrow interpretation of the Bible and operated more rigidly in the churches. The loose interpretation would go to the enlightenment influenced folks who trusted reason and experience as they would view the Bible more philosophically. That was a smaller, but growing group in those days. Over time it led to the social gospel and social justice to take root during that period. Some may have called themselves Christian in a cultural sense. That would make them more acceptable to society.

The same applies today. It would seem obvious that perhaps the majority of Christians have a loose constructionist view of Christianity. Even some members of the Catholic Church have been looking the other way and supporting social gospel and justice positions. Many ignore church tenets about abortion, homosexuality, divorce and so on. This attitude is especially true in blue states where the Catholic Church dominates Christian culture, yet, is still losing membership who walk away, per their own statistics provided by the Catholic News Agency. These are clearly cultural Christians who are loose constructionists of the faith who have influenced the priesthood to lighten up on the old dogmatic approach if they want their attendance and donations.

Catholicism may have been THE most conservative, strict constructionist faith in Christianity at one time. But it really never has translated that way in the election booth in America as the blue states continue voting lockstep for the political party that endorses the activities the Bible has warned against for many decades. For example the majority there refuse to vote for GOP candidates; a political party that openly supports Christianity, is pro life and has conservative societal views.

But a similar aversion to the written word has also been happening with Protestants. This “we all have sinned so how can I judge them” argument is accepted as the gospel in many churches. They sing their beautiful contemporary songs and listen to pastors who never mention the reality of sin, discipline, Hell, or the judgment that is a significant part of Christianity. They sell cheap faith – get saved, baptized and go do your thing. You have your fire insurance. This type faith is a million miles wide and less than an inch deep.

Starting at America’s founding, in what direction has the majority of Christianity moved over the 260+ years since Jonathon Edwards, George Whitefield and the Great Awakening of strict constructionists led hundreds and even thousands of attendees at each service to fall to the ground as if dead from fear for the state of their souls due to the realization they had fallen short of Holy God’s desire for their lives? The answer for the Christian version of leading up to more recent times is obvious – the wrong direction away from truth. It is also the opposite direction of the 50+ founding fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence and risked everything for our freedom.

This has led to songs such as these from artists who sense we have been in trouble as a people.

As well as from others who sensed and discovered there was more to life and found it in the red letters…

Add in some direction for finding what we truly seek. Yeah, it’s a Christmas special. So what, it’s truth!

Observation

What direction has #47, cabinet and patriots been pushing the SCOTUS and government in general? Yup. Clearly he is pushing it all back toward our founding and a strict constructionist understanding and administration of the Constitution. With all of the deep state and liberal pushback, how will he and the patriots get it done?

Us.

We the People of MAGA are his real military. This war has nothing to do with us taking up arms, although we are certainly willing to do so if the fist of criminal oppression rises against us. But in this situation there is a war for the hearts, minds and SOULS that involves the education of the masses in opposition. Many of the oppressors have no idea they have been manipulated by the globalist cabal who have used loose constructionism as their weapon in government as well as being in collusion with some faith leaders going back nearly two centuries.

Which is why it is so encouraging to see TPUSA on fire with young people all over this nation. They know the world they have been raised in is filled with bull crap activists that are as misguided as the educators trying to brainwash them. They were already thinking things through and none of it added up. Evil did not win the day it killed Charlie Kirk. It birthed a response that will engulf and devour the demons like a lion. For those who have not been keeping up TPUSA reported on 1/12/26 that there have been 1,371 new chapters opened on college campuses with a total of 4,221 new chapters nationwide in only FOUR MONTHS.

They remember Charlie just as we do. The reason they remember Charlie is he spoke with them and encouraged dialog instead of speaking at or down to them like leftists do.

The full benefit of this commitment by America’s young people will be felt for decades and it is only beginning.

The Constitution with related laws and rights are not “living documents” to be viewed loosely with the prevailing attitudes and understanding of the times any more than that view applies to the Holy Bible. They contain universal truths. The Declaration of Independence even states, “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator…” and so on. They establish a foundation for law and governance that comes from an understanding of Christian faith. The two fit hand in glove.

The Creator of all and everything does not change. He made that perfectly clear in Malachi 3:6. Hebrews 13:8 gives the same message about Jesus. The Lord had mankind write what He wanted written. He gave of Himself with His Son on that Cross at Calvary. He left Himself in the lives of believers through the Holy Spirit (Ghost). He also inspired the words that were written and approved by the founding fathers of our country in the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights – the latter two documents that resulted from the Declaration and its submission to the providence of God.

The purpose of the Holy Word that He gave us as well as the founding documents of America are what they are. They do not change – we do. We conform to them to live in harmony with God as well as one another.

There can be no amendments to the former. It is written with the blood of Christ and He said, “It is finished.” That eliminates the living document aspect of loose constructionism from consideration with the Bible. The latter acknowledges Divine Providence, Creator, Supreme Being, the Lord, etc. You can not have Divine Providence without God, as it is a Christian term.

When our nation gets in trouble it is because we fail to live up to that covenant. Our founding fathers stated they wanted that covenant when they stated the nation sought to be under the Divine Providence in the documents. The diaries and personal correspondence of nearly all of them are even more effusive and convincing, there is no legitimate alternative conclusion of their intent. When we turn from that relationship and start doing what the world does individually and corporately, which is supported by the backers of loose constructionists in the Christian church as well government, our world gets turned upside down. Cause and effect go on full display.

The globalist cabal who have loosened the law over that time have made it increasingly difficult to have justice served throughout the corrupted system. They have used the method to do the same to Christian faith based institutions. And as always we can follow the money that helped them do so.

To counter and enter the Golden Age prepared, MAGA needs to strengthen and resolve to stay in sync with the Lord. The good news is the next Great Awakening has clearly begun. The churches are filling. Young people are strengthening their faiths in large numbers. Faith based community ministries are reaching out to help others. Older adults are teaching and mentoring again. More folks are openly talking about their faith and extending the hand of friendship. More are standing up to the crazies. People sense there is more to life than they have been led to believe. Truth is sought and fear is evaporating. Something is coming. The battle has been joined…

Doubt it? Ask the criminal leaders of Venezuela, Iran, Cuba with more to come.

Conclusion

Next week will bring more strict and loose. Until then…

Remember Wolf’s site rules. Note and label all AI. Please be kind to one another, we are all in this together. May God richly bless America and all of you.

Trust Trump and the plan.

2026.01.13 Daily Thread: The World According To Trade(Bait)

It is time to kick off the next American series with a name change and an off ramp from pure American history. There are too many “American Stories” out there now with far better authors than me to keep that in play. We have closed out the Declaration signers and discussed the Articles of Confederation while lightly touching on the Constitution previously. Each one of the posts of this series is intended to be less than a 10 minute read. The attached videos may add to that total time allocated.

The series image at the top is my personal vision of America. More folks ought to try hiking in the Smokies or their favorite national and state parks. Their perspectives about life in America might change for the better.

Today’s scripture is from Matthew 7:24-27;

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Take that to the bank.

Series Intent

Unfortunately, YT will continue to play a part in this series due to their command of music and movie videos that Rumble cannot seem to duplicate yet. Since we are in a simulation anyway, who cares?! 😂

I will never stray far from the theme of AMERICA FIRST with the serious stuff.

These short stories will not be overly complicated. They will be based simply on observations, personal experiences, and publicly available evidence and documentation as in the past. To be sure I will continue with parallels, interconnections and inflection points that are baked into our American Experience. I seek to lighten these stories up to help readers have fun as well as inform. The heavy lifting was done with the Declaration of Independence series.

So let the fun begin.

My series title is a steal from the great, or insane, or pysop (your choice) movie from Robin Williams, The World According to Garp. Here is the trailer for those too young or did not see it. Note the year of release – 1982.

Also note the obvious CIA psyops in the movie that have surfaced (imagine that), have increased in scope and are ingrained into society today. Which brings us to who was Director of that renegade organization during those years? This guy – William “Bill” Casey from 1981-1987 during the Reagan years when all of us were focused on The Cold War and its end as well as recovery from the horrible economy and Iran hostages fiasco of the peanut farmer.

Fine, happy lookin’ feller. 😀 He also brought us a mixed bag of the Iran-Contra affair. Dude was CIA through and through for decades even without official titles. He was in the OSS after WW II before it became the CIA. So what was going on in Central and South America during his time in the saddle besides the Contras? Well, coke up the nose in America became king and the nation of Columbia was its capital for production and distribution. He was a practicing attorney who spent time as SEC Chair, under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, and Chair of the Exim Bank in the 1970’s. However, he also served on the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board at the end of President Ford’s term.

For those who want a snapshot of Casey, there is a short read from a 1987 Time article below.

https://time.com/archive/6709197/death-of-an-expert-witness-william-joseph-casey-1913-1987

This one made my eyes bleed, but was interesting perspective on him in spots. He was very hard to pin down.

https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/cia-rdp90-00965r000807500037-5

But this February 1981 quote was his most famous, “We’ll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false.”

So, Bill, you said the government does disinformation programs to deceive the American public? I am so disappointed to read that. 😂 Notice it was said in 1981 and had obviously been done as a normal CIA practice for many years before that.

Again, no wonder the current DS corruptocrats hate POTUS so much. We know his agenda matches what We the People want, not what the DS wants you to believe.

Remember the Casey name, he reappears in the Conclusion today.

So back to this story, yes, in my opinion Robin and the movie about Garp was clearly a psyop of epic proportions and a precursor for more to come.

I promise not to be quite that insane in my own psyop versions, but being that my alter ego is Goober Gump, the fictitious brother of this guy, well…

Welcome to my world…

Your View Matters

For this first series and story we will stay with American history to set the stage and it is a really important concept if you seriously want to understand your life and government in America. When it comes to how you read and understand the Constitution, assuming you have, your viewpoint of its intent and content matters. As an example, if you were a Federalist back in those days you thought differently about it than an Anti-Federalist. So, let’s establish the two primary ways to interpret it that are still used today. I am going to keep this short and simple as I promised.

The two primary legal, political, and moral approaches to the Constitution are:

Strict ConstructionistLiteral and narrow reading (interpretation) of the document that limits the powers of the federal government to what it provides.

Loose ConstructionistViews it as a “living document” that is interpreted broadly that adapts to society as it evolves and its needs change.

Then there are the true rebels who use whichever is expedient to their cause of the moment.

Note the immediate stress and contention between the two. Strict supporters point to the 10th amendment; that powers not delegated to the U. S. by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. Seems rather straight forward, doesn’t it? If the issue is not covered under the powers of the feds or specifically prohibited; it was up to the states and We the People to handle.

Au contraire.

The Loose folks said the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article 1, Section 8) supported their theory that feds had powers not listed, including any powers needed to accomplish the powers that are listed through Congressional action. They do not call it the Elastic Clause without good reasons.

You decide for yourself if that stress on Constitutional interpretation was intentionally introduced or a consequence of disagreement of the parties involved in the Constitution’s creation. I have my own opinion and will not influence yours – yet.

Then There Is The Judiciary

The judiciary is designed in the Constitution and subsequent case law to be the arbiters of truth and justice of that document and related laws. How can the judiciary truly be that non-partial when their justices and judges are nominated, confirmed, and appointed in political processes? Human nature tends to influence how one sees the world and performs one’s role in it. You are not going to appoint or confirm a sworn enemy or ideologue you oppose if you have the power. In understanding the subject Constitution and laws along with their application; it all eventually leads us back to had control of Club Senate back in their day (BITD) as well as today because that is where the judiciary confirmation process exists.

Which is why it was of monumental importance when Harry Reid nuked the filibuster for non-SCOTUS judicial confirmations with Turtle answering when the GOP took over by nuking them on SCOTUS nominations. Harry got his leftist, loose constructionist federal judges. Turtle got the conservative, strict constructionist justices.

The historical political battle in our nation has always been between strict and loose constructionism. The rules of the game are set, then one group or another starts trying to change or reinterpret them to fit their goals. It has seesawed back and forth over the entire time period. The one consistency is that the Federalists of the past and Democrats after Jackson have tended to be loose constructionists while the Jeffersonian Republicans and GOP from Lincoln on have tended to be strict constructionists. This has polarized the general population over the years as one group or another became dominant.

Historically, it started as the post Revolutionary War patriots dealt with the process of isolating the loyalists and Tories along with building a country that could stand on its own accord. It took time and great effort to put down insurrections and mischief their enemies initiated to protect their personal interests. Over time the patriots rooted out their opponents, at least enough to insure America’s survival and progress. Many of those losers returned to Great Britain. Others converted and assimilated into society. It took a couple of generations and some funerals. This led to the Federalist Party’s demise as the Jeffersonian Republicans represented the vast majority of commoner patriots who actually fought in both wars.

However, even with the success there remained embedded operatives indebted and working for the ruling class and the Crown of Great Britain. As an example the southern plantation class along with the northern mercantilist and banker class sold “Cotton is King” to the nation to continue national slavery operations despite prohibiting the foreign slave trade operations decades before. They wanted to keep the money flowing from trade relations in Europe going, primarily with Great Britain, as they were becoming wealthier by the day.

Enter the Civil War.

If any of that intrigue sounds like it may still be going on today, you may be paying attention.

With this understanding you may be able to better understand why all of this current day retribution demanded by We the People seems to be taking so long. Every day it seems a loose constructionist and/or corrupt federal judge oversteps their authority. The depth of corruption and depravity in America has been breathtaking as well as disconcerting to discover. The amount of work that has to be done to fix things is daunting. The war rages on. Just always remember the definitions of strict and loose constructionists because there is a constant struggle within our government and people based on which interpretation rules on every issue.

There will be more applications of these two principles to consider that will be the focus of future threads, however, they will not always reference government related activities and conditions.

Conclusion

I cannot leave without a blast from the past. Does anybody remember the UPI press service of yore? It was formerly AP and UP at the forefront of what we now affectionately call the fake news. UP hit the skids long ago having gone through bankruptcy a couple of times and currently exists as a small disseminator of quirky stuff. But while they were still trying to remain a viable news source, they did political hit pieces. The fun in looking back on the declarations of idgits from the past is really, really hard to pass up. So below you will see a pre 2016 election article from UP.

Need a teaser? How about,

With Hillary Clinton threatening to rack up the biggest electoral victory since George H. W. Bush obliterated Michael Dukakis in 1988, the scenarios for a comeback by the bilious billionaire are becoming increasingly far-fetched.

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/Opinion/2016/08/17/From-Russia-with-love-an-October-surprise/7531471424582

Another mention of ole Happy, Bill Casey, above. Notice the article writer’s name? Walter Shapiro. He was a Dem operative. He was good at being wrong, a lot. Including about COVID from which he developed complications and cancer before dying last summer without getting a chance to see the “bilious billionaire” win his second election against a female Democrat candidate from hell. It was either that or TDS that caused his demise, not sure which.

So let’s look at the bio of the not so dearly departed who uttered that phrase.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Shapiro

Actually that was the first time I have ever seen the word “bilious” written or said. Seems it relates to a colorful fluid in the liver. I think it would make a good Wheatie word for Wolf to use in a daily.

😀

Oh, the irony. The Trump curse struck yet again.

Remember Wolf’s site rules. Note and label all AI. Please be kind to one another, we are all in this together. May God richly bless America and all of you.

2026.01.06 Daily Thread – American Stories: When in the Course of human events – Finale

I begin by going back to the opening Part of this series that was posted almost one year ago today. I had no plan to time this out in the way it has, in fact, when I started this series it was being done on random days, not as a Daily Opener. Then Gail suggested I do so to pick up the author slack and Wolf gave the approval. So here we are.

This series started because it was clear to me along the way that God was delivering We the People from evil once again. That understanding crystalized at Butler, PA. Then on November 5, 2024, Donald J. Trump and JD Vance won the election in convincing fashion even with the commies cheating their azzes off.

At various points in American history there have been inflection points when God’s hand has pulled us back from the brink of total destruction while using committed American patriots equipped for the task to do so. I have no doubts that He did it again that day in Butler as well as election day. Since that latter point the transformation that began and remains on-going has been a whirlwind that is tightly orchestrated. In my opinion this did not happen by good fortune; it was predetermined by God while being guided, planned and implemented by His instruments and servants.

As I finish this series I have grown to realize that I do not agree with all of the words and actions of any one patriot in our entire history. There is always something they did or said that I wish was different. I know I am not alone in that realization. I know I am not alone in the realization that there are many things I wish I had said or done differently as well. All of the giants from our founding forward were simply flawed men and women who gave their all to the cause of freedom and liberty. They did their best and that is all anybody could ask of them… or of us today.

I am also struck by a simple introspective question we all should ask. Am I part of the solution or the problem?

Thinking things through before speaking or acting would eliminate a lot of issues. Which is what our founding fathers did in the final Declaration of Independence document. They literally kept all of the windows and doors closed in the middle of summer in the assembly room of Independence Hall to insure secrecy. To be sure there were many disagreements, much pompousness, misunderstandings and so on within the human condition of those involved. However, they came together in consensus agreement on the final content of the document and signed their names affirmatively; while knowing they were committing treason and were subject to death. They knew they were not only endangering themselves, they were doing so to their families, communities, and the colonies themselves.

They knew the new nation would be totally dependent upon God’s protection. When you study their letters and statements they say it openly. At minimum 50 of the 56 were professing Christians with the others being deists or drifting between the two beliefs, but who also believed in a Creator as the Declaration document stated.

That is the context for the colonists’ words and actions. God or a Creator was their source of authority to do and say what they did in the Declaration of Independence. The British believed that the Crown and Parliament were the established authority of the colonies.

I guess we know who won that question of authority. A higher calling than one of man tends to do that.

As a result of the passionate engagement of patriots then as well as similar commitments down through the years; it is still true today. When you hear or see anything to the contrary you know it is false and intentionally misleading. That should alert you to a possible seditionist or traitor if not proven to be just an ignorant statement.

The founders took courage and did what had to be done to be free, but not before they invited God/Creator into their process and acknowledged their dependence upon His providence and will. They made a one way, front loaded covenant with God/Creator. So what has God/Creator done in response?

We are still here and the most powerful, influential nation on earth despite our missteps and sins. We just need to refocus, clean the decks, and get better at our mission. A reminder…

A Look Back

From my first January 5, 2025 post:

…I contend that it is that same American spirit that charges through the words of the Declaration of Independence that led to the greatest, ongoing experiment in national governance in world history. It is a spirit that is very much alive and expressed by the massive America First MAGA movement today, whose spirit is spreading like wildfire worldwide.

Not all of the 56 signers were present during the discussions and negotiations that surrounded the production of the document. They signed on anyway. They knew what was at stake and agreed in principle with the contents of the document. In this series we are going to dig down into understanding their roles and who many of them were as human beings. We need to personally identify with their commitment such that we may be emboldened to go and do likewise. This series will focus on many of these brave patriots.

Hint: They acted a lot like many America First MAGA patriots do today. Quite a few were from wealth and dignified. A handful were truly messed up people. Others were heroic and inspirational. Some were bombastic and others were pensive. A large number were highly educated and accomplished. Others were less educated, yet enlightened and committed to the cause. Blended together they gave us the foundational start for a truly blessed nation.

At the time I wrote that statement I had no way of knowing how applicable it would be now that we have arrived at the end. Simply, my heart had been stirred to tell these stories here on the Qtree, where patriots are many.

Have you noticed what has happened internationally with the MAGA movement in the year since I wrote those words above? It became a worldwide movement that has resulted in America gaining great respect, $18 trillion in investments, and world peace breaking out in unheard of places between long term enemies. The old order is being destroyed before our eyes. They fight back harshly because their self constructed evil world is being attacked. When we sift past the propaganda and fear porn we realize their takedown is all being handled systematically and with truth, which is further evidence of God’s hand guiding our nation.

I brought this forward again because when we read the signers’ stories, we see that our MAGA elected officials are similar in so many respects. None of the current version are perfect, but there is little doubt they are giving their all for We the People as the patriots did then. There were counter operations and enemies of state acting as black hats back in their day just as there are today. Nothing was easy then, nothing is easy now.

We need to take time to celebrate the wins and patriots who brought them, discuss the parallels between then and now as well as identify the sometimes hidden black hats and seditious activities that undermine the American Experiment. We already know most of the traitors.

7th/8th Grade American History – A Lesson Learned

I have posted previously that I homeschool a couple of subjects with our Grandson #1 who is a 6th grader. We share a love for history. His focus and intensity rises when we study the assigned material and he asks really thoughtful questions. Before this Series on the signers I would not have been able to answer some of them. A handful of the answers to those questions are different and contrary to what the course curriculum and even some alleged historical accounts provide. We do not shy away from discussing those differences.

An example from a past subject of a Series I did on here is the Great Chicago Fire accounts from over 150 years ago in 1871. Nearly all current historical accounts of the event still say that bad ole Elsie the cow caused it by kicking over a lantern in the O’Leary’s barn as I discussed in the Fire! series. However, even AI calls that a myth now. Yet, the authorities of that day made the O’Leary’s the scapegoats without ever charging them. That continued to be the story for over a century until they were absolved by city leadership three decades ago long after the couple was dead. Yet, virtually none of the current historical accounts we reviewed noted the owners and cow were absolved from the accusation. The curriculum we used still showed it the former way. Since that curriculum is used by over a million kids, well, you get the picture. Ridiculous.

Shifting back; with the subject course curriculum provider regarding the Boston Massacre they gave a stock answer that did not rock the boat. Instead of accepting on face value we researched and discussed the actual documentation and evidence to base our own conclusions. When we do this sometimes they are different, sometimes they are similar. But the point I am teaching #1 is to do the work himself with adult assistance as needed and never accept anything of substance at face value. It teaches him critical thinking in all things.

As an example as it applies to this Finale of the series, some founding fathers, especially those in the Sons of Liberty, used the awful event of the Boston Massacre to grow the discontent and move the people more toward the independence movement (thankfully). However, many of the independence supporting descriptions in print, art and verbally left out the violent mob aspect that threatened the British soldiers. In our study the curriculum portrayed these subject colonist depictions as patriot “propaganda” and provided a definition of what propaganda is.

This was an unfortunate illustration. The curriculum providers either do not know or do not want to present the truth. To call the depictions propaganda is over the top. In reality, we only know what others from the period and soon after have provided. The truth is what it is and there is no consensus, just narratives about the actual events subject to perception of the presenters and perspectives of the readers. There were dozens of eye witness statements in the trials and even they could not get their stories straight. Some of the “witnesses” could have been operatives on either side as there were over 400 people present in the chaotic event. There is no way to know for sure and examine deeper because they are dead.

As a developer of curriculum, historian or teacher you should never call historical representations as being propaganda without proven evidence. It reveals a bias when you do. In the real world of education in America we know great bias exists, so I was not the least bit surprised. Most folks realize that the leftists love to rewrite history. They make sure they hire and appoint people of their political and cultural persuasions into roles that influence school text. When proven wrong most shrug it off as being not important. If there is one thing we all have learned together on the QTree; schools and education sources are filled with their own propaganda, outright lies, and agendas.

They were not done. The only victim of the shooting mentioned in the curriculum account was a man of color, Crispus Attucks, who was the first person shot for throwing projectiles at the soldiers. Apparently Attucks was a freed man, a mulatto. He was one of eight people shot, five of whom died from their wounds. None of the other names of victims were listed in the curriculum’s account. The objective of the curriculum writer for noting the name and skin color of the person is totally out of context with the historical account, but reveals their bias. I informed #1 that none or all of the victims names should have been listed without skin color because the color of one’s skin was not relevant to the event. Mr. Attucks was not shot for having a different skin color than others; he was shot for throwing crap at British soldiers who did not obey orders and military protocol. It was good they asked no questions about Attucks on the quiz/test.

The propaganda discussion in the curriculum turned into the opening I needed to explain how #1 should “think things through” and come to his own conclusions, even if he needed to answer any quiz/test questions as the material had been presented fo scoring purposes. This taught him to become more discerning about what he read or heard. He could then be content knowing the truth even if the material misrepresented or outright lied. The smirk on #1’s face told me he got what I meant. Yes, a child with my genes in him. 😂

Which is what all of us patriots have learned over the past decade that Donald J. Trump has been trying to lead our country. Take NOTHING at face value. Research and test it. Quit accepting other viewpoints who try to influence as fact without verification and evidence. instead, look for the motives of the presenters and influencers first.

The actual results of the Boston Massacre trials are documented. The commanding officer of the soldiers was ruled not guilty and it seems to be a correct verdict. Many in the crowd testified to not hearing him give a command to fire and they also observed him standing in front of the soldiers, which he would never do if he wanted them to shoot. These witnesses were generally not loyalists, they were part of the mob that generally did not like the British military at all. Six of the eight soldiers were also found not guilty, which seemed unlikely since 8 colonists were hit and 5 eventually died from the musket fire. But there was insufficient proof to convict. Two were found guilty of manslaughter due to overwhelming witness testimony and evidence they fired their muskets. However, their punishments were only a brand on one thumb of each person’s hand. The curriculum portrayed them guilty of only causing accidental deaths. Nope. They had to know better than that since the convictions are in court documentation and first person accounts. That was intentional misinformation. So I corrected it with #1 and fortunately there were no questions on the quiz/test.

However, their very real propaganda will be accepted by thousands of home schooled students and their parents who did not do the work to check it closer. But as for me and my house…

As those knowledgeable of the event would know, John Adams, was the lead lawyer who represented the British soldiers. He was excellent at his craft. He accepted the case when all others were reluctant to do so. The royal Governor Hutchison was trying to defuse the heated emotions and independence movement. So, Hutchison delayed the trial and encouraged Adams to take the case as they had a good relationship. John Hancock urged Adams to accept as well to calm the patriot waves. Adams agreed and the result we now know. The curriculum portrayed it as Adams having sterling, personal moral reasons of not wanting anybody to go without legal council and doing the right thing no matter the consequences.

Yeah, OK.

The truth is that Hutchison could have used loyalist lawyers to defend or not even charged the soldiers. But he knew the situation was a powder keg ready to explode. So convincing a respected colonist lawyer with both loyalist and independence minded connections and clients to take the case that softened the blowback made more sense. Hutchison accomplished his goal by using Adams.

Adams accomplished his of keeping the British from using even more violence to quell the unrest than the colonists were prepared to experience. Based on his comments afterwards he knew the verdicts would not reflect the complete truth that the British soldiers murdered 5 and wounded 3 other unarmed colonists indiscriminately. Incited to do so or not, the British soldiers’ responses were way over the top. Two being convicted of lesser charges was at least something to offer while buying time for his cousin, Samuel Adams, and the other patriots of the Sons of Liberty like Paul Revere to gather more support for the movement.

John Adams was not in that hell raising patriot group. He preferred to work on the independence issues he supported through the law and politics. He really was not a man of the people anyway, he felt more comfortable with the elites and aristocrats. His success in the defense of the defenseless kept his hands clean with the British authorities and military. That would prove useful for his continued acceptance in their circles for intel as the events unfolded.

When the Boston Tea Party subsequently took place, we know that a large number of well armed and capable British soldiers were there and observing, yet, took no action against the fake Indians dumping 342 valuable crates of tea from three British ships into the Boston Harbor. The troops wanted no part with the even larger hostile crowds who were present like those that had been faced with the Boston Massacre. Their lack of response also reflects Hutchison having already developed a plan for addressing future unrest that did not include violence if it could be avoided. That plan hit the colonists in the wallet and involved recovery of lost taxes, making the mercantilists whole for the damages, and even more oppression from Parliament against them.

All of these historical characters had a part to play. Only they would know the truth of what they did and they are not talking because they stopped breathing long ago. We just know the narrative taught in schools and in various curriculum is often shallow and sometimes manipulated. That makes them susceptible to fake or incomplete narratives. The documents and evidence from first hand accounts combined with critical thinking works better.

The MAGA movement will be written about one day as the shot heard around the world for our period in American history as well as world history. At least it will in the reports and stories of honest authors. After that the propaganda and lies may be used to deflect from its true value and effect. However, the trajectory of world and human history made a marked turn that cannot be hidden and the truth will be known to those who choose to pursue it. You know it from the huge international investment into America and the major changes in dozens of aligned nations around the world. That cannot be hidden – it is a parting of the sea type change.

Just like the long term effects of the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party. Once again, history becomes our guide.

Something About Those Words…

I hope your heart quickens as mine does when you read the following words once again;

In Congress, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, —That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness...

That part in bold stands out to me. What Thomas Jefferson and the founding fathers saw in those days 250 years ago is what We the People of the MAGA movement see today. It is our moral and legal authorization to do what we have been doing.

Exciting times. As Thomas Jefferson said in my two favorites quotes from him,

“I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.”

“Educate and inform the whole mass of the people. They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.”

And so both will continue. God bless America.

Please remember Wolf’s rules for our community. In general that means to be respectful to each other and to pull no shenanigans that your mom might find offensive or otherwise cause jail time. That said, free speech is honored here.

Please note a name change for this series next week. Although it started as “American Stories: When in the Course of human eventswith an emphasis on the signers of the Declaration of Independence. it is now time to move on. There are many more stories to tell.

Be blessed and go make something good happen!

2025.12.30 Daily Thread – American Stories: When in the Course of human events – Part 36

Today, we celebrate the culmination of a successful year recounting life in America. Thank you, POTUS Donald J. Trump and fellow patriots. It is also fitting that we end the stories of individual signers of the Declaration of Independence at this point as we have entered into our 250th year of existence as the United States of America. I will not spend any more time on this lead, most readers will agree this man deserves all of the attention due him.

Because of his accomplishments and the value of this signer to our nation, please provide enough time to read if interested in this series. There was no way to do this quickly. Do not miss the conclusion.

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas, T, Big T, Tommy, Tomás, TJ, Tom Terrific. I have a friend named TJ, so if I get sloppy that is what I will use. Thought I would get those out of the way early. Regardless, Thomas Jefferson was a big deal. His lasting legacy still is.

The biographies, documents and stories about Thomas Jefferson are plentiful. Since he is the last signer to discuss, I want to focus on some personal aspects and events of his life that express more about what he valued and who he was as a person in addition to the usual bio summary. Those are what formed his world views and led to his work that we value so highly even today.

Thomas Jefferson was born in 1743 on his family’s Shadwell Plantation. He was the third of ten children of Peter and Jane Randolph Jefferson. His father was a planter, surveyor, justice of the peace, sheriff, Colonel and member of the House of Burgesses. Peter was not well educated, but increased his understanding through reading many books. In 1745 Peter moved the family to Tuckahoe Plantation following the death of close friend, William Randolph III, who had named Peter guardian of his children. They remained there until 1753, when they returned to Shadwell.

Peter and Jane provided a privileged life to their family. They ate on fine dishware, frequently entertained, enjoyed classic books and music, and attended dances. The family was considered prosperous and cultured. While at Tuckahoe, Peter also oversaw the development of his plantation at Shadwell, traveling there as needed while managing the affairs of the Tuckahoe plantation. They owned 60-80 slaves for the farming and household needs.

While living with the Randolph children, Peter made sure Thomas was educated by tutors and schools. He thrived in his education. He studied languages, classics, science, history and other subjects while reading everything he could find. He and his family were friends with native Americans and they would visit frequently with the chief of the Cherokees, Ostenaco, in their home when he came to trade in Williamsburg. It was also there when he first came to know a man he admired, Patrick Henry.

In 1757 his father passed away and the estate was divided between Thomas and his brother, Randolph. He was 14 at the time and had a guardian, John Harvie, Sr. Harvie was a friend and business associate of Peter, who was also named executor of his estate. All of the children received an inheritance with Thomas inheriting over 5000 acres that included the ground that his famous Monticello would be built upon beginning in 1772. His mother received a life estate on the Shadwell home along with property that Thomas leased from her until her death.

At this point Thomas had grown tall (6′ 2″) and gangly while preferring to use the written word since he was not an eloquent speaker. In 1761 at age 18 he entered William & Mary College. The first school year he admitted to spending too much money and partying. Realizing this mistake, in his second year he committed to studying 15 hours per day, sleeping and eating for 6 hours, and practicing violin the remaining three hours.

He studied math and philosophy. He was taught British empiricism by William Small, which is the view that experience, especially of the senses, is the only source of knowledge. This is the same professor who was close associates with Francis Fauquier and professor George Wythe whom we discussed in the previous part. The four became a close knit group of friends who explored ideas together for five years. Jefferson later wrote that in their presence he “heard more common good sense, more rational and philosophical conversations than in all the rest of my life.”

What a group! Small was a Scottish physician who had emigrated to Virginia to teach there, who had background in medicine and philosophy. He was ten years older than Jefferson. Fauquier was 59 years old and serving as the Lt. Governor of the colony. He was raised in great wealth and was a renaissance man of the world who had interests and experiences in industry, science, arts and charities. We reviewed George Wythe in the previous part. He was in his mid 30’s, established in his law practice as well as being a professor. Young Thomas must have felt he struck gold with mentors. However, due to his upbringing and intelligence he added great value to the group.

He finished his formal studies in 1762 and joined the Wythe law practice to read the law working as a clerk. He followed that by opening his own law practice that focused primarily on land transactions. He was not oriented to being a great litigator, but to be a scholar.

The Next Phase

In 1768 he made the decision to build Monticello on a tall bluff on his property as well as to run for office in the House of Burgesses. A politician was born. A few years later in 1772 he married a wealthy widow, Martha Wayles Skelton. Her inherited land and slave holdings were double the size of his, thus making them quite wealthy. The couple had six children, but only two daughters survived to adulthood. They lived in a smaller structure Thomas built in 1772 while the much grander Monticello main house was under construction. Unfortunately, Martha did not live long enough to move into it. She passed away at age 33 in 1782. Thomas completed it soon after her death that same year.

Thomas stayed involved in law and politics while venturing into expressing views about the rights of colonists. He felt that the colonies were bound to Great Britain voluntarily and only through loyalty to the King. This led to a personal position paper he wrote being published in 1774 without his permission that was titled, A Summary View of the Rights of British Americans. This increased his prominence in Virginia and set him up as a strong advocate for independence from Parliamentary authority. The colonial leadership responded by sending him to represent the state at the Second Continental Congress in early 1775.

Jefferson was introverted and shy when all of the debates were flowing. John Adams wrote about his silence, yet, clear dedication to independence. His role soon became that of a drafter of Congressional resolutions. He was chosen to be a member in a committee that included Adams and B that was to draft the document that reflected the positions of Congressional members as to why independence from Great Britain was necessary. As the author, he chose to provide an “expression of the American mind” from the general “originality of principle or sentiment” that he heard from the words of all Americans, not just those in the Congress. This expression included the text covering the charges against King George III. It only took him a few days to prepare the draft. The members then began editing and revising only about 20% of the document. What they did not touch, which is included in its entirety, were these famous and arguably most important words in our nation’s history.

We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Chills. Some 250 years later these words reverberate as loudly now as they did then.

As we know our founding fathers soon voted to approve and sign the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson was only 33 years old. What many did not realize at that time was that he was somewhat saddened that the members found it necessary to modify any of the draft document at all. He meant every single word he wrote.

Carry Me Back to Ole Virginny

Thomas headed back to Virginia in October 1776 with legal system, education, and separation of church and state reforms in mind. He was met with great resistance on education and separation of church and state. It took a decade until 1786 to get a religious freedom statute approved. Jefferson considered the Revolutionary War period as the start of a worldwide battle to free all people of the world from power hungry institutions and oppressive governments. His proposed state reforms mirrored what he envisioned for the country with its independence from Great Britain.

He was elected Governor of the state in 1779, however, he and the state were surprised and unprepared for a British invasion that sent him quickly escaping as troops approached. The press caught wind of him leaving and called him a coward, a subject over which he fought the rest of his life. There was a formal inquiry into his actions that were repudiated by the General Assembly. Jefferson blamed Patrick Henry for the accusations and he never got over it. It hurt him deep in his being as he had respected Henry for much of his life. Three years later his wife, Martha, died while giving birth to their third daughter. Those two difficult events made a huge impression during this dark period in his life.

After Martha’s death he agreed to become a minister (ambassador) to France with B’s return to Philadelphia. He acknowledged that nobody could actually replace B and his impact, that he would just serve as his successor. During the period he deeply studied the cultures of the European nations and sent many artifacts, books and documents home to Monticello. After five years there soliciting better relations, trade and investment into America, he returned at the request of President Washington to serve as the first Secretary of State under the new Constitution. He was immediately at odds with Alexander Hamilton in that he felt Hamilton was for a powerful central government and favored the British too highly.

Due to the rise of the Federalists that included the dominant personalities of Adams and Hamilton, Jefferson united with friend James Madison in the founding of the rival Democratic-Republican (D-R) Party to counter their views. The D-R members believed in a decentralized central government, states rights, strict interpretation of the Constitution, and individual rights. The Federalists were generally the opposite and aligned with Great Britain even after the war while the D-R’s were aligned with France. The D-R’s referred to themselves as the Republican Party and historians often call them Jeffersonian Republicans to avoid confusing them with the more recent GOP.

Thomas ran for POTUS in 1796 against John Adams and lost by 3 electoral votes. That made him the Vice President to Adams under the rules of that time. They were two formerly close friends who had become increasingly agitated with each other’s positions and unwilling to compromise. The situation was awkward and contentious. Since Thomas and the D-R’s were opposed to a central federal bank, they were also at odds with Alexander Hamilton, who was its biggest proponent.

Four years later Adams and Jefferson ran against each other again with Jefferson coming out on top. Rather than discuss the convoluted mess that delivered that victory to Jefferson, I have linked a summary below. Just know that toughening the immigration laws by Adams and the Federalists with the Alien and Sedition Acts killed their chances and there was much political intrigue over those years that eventually led to the infamous duel between Hamilton and Aaron Burr.

https://www.monticello.org/research-education/thomas-jefferson-encyclopedia/election-1800

Presidency

I will now focus on Jefferson’s accomplishments during that first and second term. The first term was named the “revolution of 1800” by TJ himself. He came rolling into office like POTUS Trump did in his second term. Change was the order of the day. He wanted to reduce the scope and size of the federal government and empower citizens to control it. After the Alien and Sedition Acts that infuriated all non-Federalist Americans, he first sought reconciliation. Which is what was intended with his famous quote, “We are all republicans: we are all federalists.” In Jefferson’s mind the era had devolved into a “reign of witches” to go along with open calls of state succession. He offered the olive branch to all in an effort to bring the country together. It helped that he had a strong, loyal Cabinet that knew their roles well. His close ally James Madison was secretary of state, Albert Gallatin was secretary of treasury, Levi Lincoln (and later John Breckinridge and Caesar Rodney) was attorney general, Henry Dearborn was secretary of war, and Robert Smith was secretary of the navy. Again, just like PDT’s second term.

He had the MAGA type ideas when it came to establishing the roles of the judicial branch. Less than a week before his election, Adams and the Federalists created 16 federal judge positions to eliminate the SCOTUS justices having to travel. Jefferson was offended they added this additional judicial level without consulting him and was soon able to fire all of them when they abolished their circuit courts. All of the related events led to the famous case of Marbury v. Madison in the court of Chief Justice John Marshall. Yes, the same student and protege of Jefferson’s friend, George Wythe. The decision ruled that the law that was passed by Congress to permit the judges was unconstitutional. That ruling gave judicial review authority to the federal judiciary to overturn unconstitutional Congressional laws. It was a big deal then and now.

Jefferson went after SCOTUS associate justice Samuel Chase for many violations from the bench. Chase seemed to have a vendetta against Jefferson and his allies due to the removal of the federal judges. He was abusive to parties in many cases before the court. Jefferson called for impeachment. The Senate failed to secure the required two thirds vote which prompted him to conclude that impeachment was inadequate to address judicial abuses. He later referred to it as “not even a scare-crow.”

Which is one reason why politicized federal judges still get by with the lawfare BS they do today as well as We the People having to endure the idiocy of the leftist justices on SCOTUS.

He had a desire to reduce the size of the Navy to reduce costs. However, he sent it to handle the extortion of the nations of northern Africa in the Barbary War. Despite the costs involved it led to the resolution of the issue and the end of the tribute system those nations imposed. The American public was very supportive and appreciative.

He hated the snobbishness of the aristocrats and was vocal about his dislike of Washington and Adams mimicking British monarchal ceremonies and practices. From his election and on each anniversary date he would walk to his office rather than have any extravagant special events or processions. One of Britain’s new diplomats, Anthony Merry along with his wife, paid him a visit in 1803 all decked out with a plumed hat and ceremonial sword. The Merry Affair was born. Jefferson greeted him while wearing informal clothes with a pair of slippers on his feet. 😂 Later at the formal dinner in honor of the visit, he seated them amongst everybody else instead of preferred seating as his guests. He did similar things with the Spanish dignitaries that visited. Word got around in Europe. They were not amused.

In his mind he was not being rude or obnoxious, he was sending a message. He was making a point that he lived in his own life and expected in all American lives – We the People are all equal.

Louisiana Purchase

Granted, $24 worth of trinkets in exchange for Manhattan was a masterpiece deal from the century before. But what Jefferson and team negotiated with Napoleon was probably the deal of all time. An exchange of $15 million for nearly 828,000 square miles of land (approximately 4 cents per acre) is an astounding deal. It doubled the size of the nation overnight. Over time 15 more states would form from the acquired territory. Not only was it highly valued for natural resources, in so doing he closed off an unrestricted foreign port of entry into the continental U. S. at New Orleans while taking control of Mississippi River navigation.

However, it did not come easy in getting done. He had to pull a legal and political slight of hand move over which other elected officials and American people had to give him a pass. He had personal misgivings in doing the deal quickly, which was required by Napoleon, since TJ was a strict constructionist in regards to the Constitution. We will cover what that entails in a future thread.

He faced opposition from the usual Federalist opponents who had cost concerns as well as opposing geographic expansion of the country in general. However, the majority of elected officials and public supported it greatly. So, he got it done.

Because of it and other high points, his second term election victory was a blow out landslide. He took all of the states except Connecticut and Delaware to go with 73% of the popular vote and an electors advantage of 162-14 over Charles Pinckney of South Carolina, who also was a former minister to France. It remains the largest winning margin in American history. This illustrates how popular Jefferson and the D-R party had become along with how far the Federalists had fallen in the view of the public. He was the first and only former Vice President to be elected to two terms as President until Richard Nixon did so.

The Federalists had lost all leverage with the public over their opposition to the Louisiana Purchase, to TJ’s gunboat Navy, and allegations about his relationship with slave Sally Hemings. None of that mattered to the vast majority of We the People of that day. The D-R’s had jettisoned Aaron Burr from their ranks by that point and replaced him on the ballots with New Yorker George Clinton. The party also handily won control of both the Senate and House.

His second inaugural address was focused on the conditions on the ground. He sought peace and neutrality with the major foreign powers, but especially with Great Britain and France as they were warring against each other. He continued to seek even more support for the Louisiana Purchase even after completing the transaction. He wanted more peaceful relations with the native Indian tribes with efforts to educate more of them in an attempt to help them assimilate. He also sought to bring to an end the personal attacks he faced in the press, proving once again, that the fake media existed then as well as now. His words below will remind many readers of what we have seen for decades now.

During this course of administration, and in order to disturb it, the artillery of the press has been levelled against us, charged with whatsoever its licentiousness could devise or dare. These abuses of an institution so important to freedom and science, are deeply to be  regretted.

Our fellow citizens have looked on, cool and collected… they gathered around their public functionaries, and when the constitution called them to the decision by suffrage, they pronounced their verdict, honorable to those who had served them, and consolatory to the friend of man, who believes he may be intrusted with his own affairs…our wish, as  well as theirs, is, that the public efforts may be directed honestly to the public good.

His second term was a series of ups and downs dealing with issues of the day. Exploration and development of purchased territory, road building, improvement in relations with Indians, supporting the continued exploration by Lewis & Clark all the way to the Pacific, ending the Barbary War, dealing with Aaron Burr’s sedition and treason, trying to navigate through the war between Britain and France without damage to America, banning the importation of slaves, and so on dominated his time. When he finished his term, he endorsed his long term friend James Madison over his VP Clinton. He spent much effort calming the waters of party politics that this endorsement churned up to ensure Madison’s and the party’s victories over the Federalists in 1808.

However, one period stood out as troublesome. The Brits never stopped harassing American merchants with attacks on shipping and impressment of sailors into service in the British Navy as they fought France. But France also did likewise to a somewhat lesser degree as the Napoleonic Wars raged on. In 1806 Jefferson and Congress easily passed the Non-importation Act in an attempt to stop Great Britain from doing those activities. It cut trade off with them with specific, popular products. It did not work, Britain ignored it. Faced with continued pressure, Jefferson and Congress easily passed a stronger version, the Embargo Act of 1807, that also stopped American firms from importing or exporting with both Great Britain and France, albeit with loopholes as well as lax subsequent enforcement. Jefferson was pushing to increase domestic manufacturing and production of many of the products that were imported. He wanted more time to get that done.

Great Britain and France worked around that by trading in other countries near America that were not included in the embargo, who would then sell the goods to American merchants. The Act was marginally successful at best and the public grew to hate it due to price increases and lack of availability of some products. Most of the public actually supported smuggling to import the needed items. Laws and their enforcement were ignored. After the Federalist Party rebounded from the fallout and gained a handful of seats in Congress in the 1808 elections, the Act was repealed in 1809 with Jefferson’s support when Madison became POTUS.

The issues became moot in 1812 when America declared war against Great Britain and war time restrictions on trade took hold. With the war’s peace settlement, Congress passed the Tariff of 1816 to protect American manufacturing for a three year period. An extension was requested, but southern politicians objected due to their trade connections to Great Britain. A decade after the war the issue was eventually addressed through Senator Henry Clay’s and Senator John Calhoun’s American Systems which did employ more structured tariffs.

But that tariff structure chafed the south even more in the lead up to rebellion a few decades later. With their agrarian based economy the movement of agricultural products to Great Britain was a lifeblood for prosperity. They did not take to the tariffs well.

Jefferson’s Presidency and standing were still so admired by the people that Jeffersonian Republicans won the Presidency for 24 of the following 28 years. He retired from public life back to Monticello where he frequently met with leaders in government and other walks of life as they sought his counsel, wisdom and companionship. His last major public service achievement was the successful founding of the University of Virginia at the age of 76. Per monticello.org, he led the legislative campaign for its charter, secured its location, designed its buildings, planned its curriculum, and served as the first rector.

Winding Down

His later years were dedicated to trying to pay his debts. Complicating it were the negative effects that the Louisiana Purchase had on property values in the east during the rush to purchase inexpensive land in the west. There were fewer buyers remaining in the east. He had difficulty selling his property for enough to repay debts. He also had co-signed on notes to help a couple of friends, one of whom had passed away; which cost him even more.

When the British burned the Capitol Building in the War of 1812 the entire 3000 books in the Library were burned with it. Jefferson sold his personal 6500 book library to replace it as he had planned to give it to Congress at his death anyway. An agreed price of $23,950 was negotiated and both houses of Congress approved the purchase despite the usual Federalist opposition. They hated his political positions and thought many of the books would reflect them. Jefferson was able to repay two debts of his friends he had cosigned from a large portion of the proceeds. Despite his cash problems, he found enough funds in his remaining years to purchase an additional 2500 books before his death. He often said he could not live without reading books.

When he died he left all of the 5000 acre Monticello property and personal collections to his daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph. She could not afford to maintain the Monticello property, so it was eventually sold in 1827 to a Charlottesville druggist for $7500. After a failed business venture on the property he later sold it to the Levy family who owned and maintained it for 90 years, which was a blessing. At that point it was sold to the Thomas Jefferson Foundation in 1923 for $500,000 and a full restoration was completed afterwards. All but 500 acres of the original land that is retained by the organization was sold over the years.

The link below is a summary history of the property.

Elephants In The Room

So let’s address one of the elephants in the room – the Jefferson Bible. It was one of his most controversial actions taken by him later in life and it brought heated responses, mostly negative. Basically he did not want anything to do with the miracles and deity of Jesus, but wanted everything to do with His moral positions, wisdom, and philosophical compassion for humanity. He saw his Biblical revision as a rational expression of the philosophy he personally valued, which is why he kept it private. He felt religion should remain privately held by an individual.

George Whitefield he wasn’t. Whitefield taught the Calvinist view that salvation comes from the blood sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross for our sins and His subsequent resurrection conquering death. Whitefield preached the opposite of Jefferson’s beliefs, that we could never do enough good works to earn God’s favor, that the deity of Jesus Christ as Son of God, his sacrifice on the Cross, and subsequent resurrection conquering death were essential to Christian beliefs. That was the prevailing belief then and now of traditional Protestant Christianity. On the other hand Jefferson was the anti-Calvinist who believed that good works earned acceptance by the Creator or Being as he called Him at times. The inherent problems with that view is that it contradicted the Word of God in many ways, so he cut the related parts of the Bible out in response. I have not checked, but I doubt these words are still in his revision. Ephesians 2:8-9 says,

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Needless to say it would be hard to claim to be a disciple of Jesus when you are only a disciple of the doctrine of Jesus that matched your views, so he did not claim it.

As a result it appears that TJ was a powerful, effective instrument used for the Godly purposes of moving America forward. Many of his words and actions indicate he was a deist as some were who were influenced by Enlightenment period views. However, there were contradictory statements made by TJ throughout his years that indicated he did accept Christ as his personal Savior, however, only God knows the hearts and minds of man. That determination is outside of our purview – thankfully.

https://www.history.com/articles/thomas-jefferson-bible-religious-beliefs

Next up was the even bigger elephant in our culture’s views involving the issue of intimate relations with slaves and in particular, one Sally Hemings. Despite the scandal it caused at the time, this one resolved quickly in this era with the following public release from Monticello.org in 2018;

https://www.monticello.org/slavery/jefferson-slavery/thomas-jefferson-and-sally-hemings-a-brief-account/monticello-affirms-thomas-jefferson-fathered-children-with-sally-hemings

Additional information was released by Monticello later and the pertinent statement is below.

Many of the enslaved house servants were members of the Hemings family. Elizabeth Hemings and her children were a part of the (Martha) Wayles estate and tradition says that John Wayles was the father of six of Hemings’s children and, thus, they were the half-brothers and sisters of Jefferson’s wife Martha. Jefferson gave the Hemingses special positions, and the only slaves Jefferson freed in his lifetime and in his will were all Hemingses, giving credence to the oral history. Years after his wife’s death, Jefferson fathered at least six of Sally Hemings’s children. Four survived to adulthood and are mentioned in Jefferson’s plantation records. Their daughter Harriet and eldest son Beverly were allowed to leave Monticello during Jefferson’s lifetime and the two youngest sons, Madison and Eston, were freed in Jefferson’s will.

Historical accounts have Sally’s parents being an African woman and a British sea captain. Many accounts said she was attractive, however, portraits made in the years since her death are speculative in nature since no period portraits are known to exist. After TJ’s death, Sally moved to Charlottesville to live with two sons. She died there in 1835.

Another elephant we discussed in an earlier part, which was his on and off and on again friendship with John Adams. We have Benjamin Rush to thank for the final reconciliation of the two. In their latter years they both realized they were being too hard headed in their positions and expressions during their day in politics and governing. They were able to share humor about themselves in their many letters to each other. It is fitting they both died on July 4, 1826, two hours apart some 50 years after the signing our Declaration of Independence.

Conclusion

Jefferson was asked his opinion of the most important things he accomplished in his life. Per Monticello.org; “He was the primary draftsman of the Declaration of Independence and of the Virginia Statue of Religious Freedom, nor could others claim the position as the Father of the University of Virginia.”

It goes on to say, “He had dedicated his life to meeting the challenges of his age: political freedom, religious freedom, and educational opportunity. While he knew that we would continue to face these challenges through time, he believed that America’s democratic values would become a beacon for the rest of the world. He never wavered from his belief in the American experiment.”

“I have no fear that the result of our experiment will be that men may be trusted to govern themselves. . . .”
Thomas Jefferson, 2 July 1787

It is time to take in his achievements. He was President of the United States – 2 terms, Vice President, Secretary of State, Minister to France, Governor of Virginia, Co-founder Democratic-Republican Party, Member and Representative to the Continental Congress and Virginia State Legislature, Colonel in the Virginia Militia, author, architect, attorney, farmer, scientist and patriarch of a large clan. He will be forever remembered for the Louisiana Purchase during his first term – it had a monumental affect on America.

Yet, per his instructions all he wanted to be remembered for was etched on his grave marker:

HERE WAS BURIED
THOMAS JEFFERSON
AUTHOR OF THE
DECLARATION
OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
OF THE
STATUTE OF VIRGINIA
FOR
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
AND FATHER OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
BORN APRIL 2, 1743 
DIED JULY 4. 1826

We will remember this great patriot for as long as America exists. There are insufficient words to express our gratitude. There are major reasons he was honored in our nations capital with this,

But wait, one more thing…

Remove the radical differences in personalities, then compare the lives and achievements of Thomas Jefferson and Donald Trump. The parallels are eye opening.

Both were/are practical, well educated, very stable geniuses. Both were raised in prosperous homes. Both were/are workaholics. Both were builders who had/have famous estates. Both were/are incredible visionaries. One is a master of spoken words, the other was a master of written words. Both believed/believe in a decentralized and limited government, the rights of states, in individual liberty and rights, in freedom of religious expression, in law and order. Both sought/seek peaceful relations with foreign countries. Both valued/value deep thought and intelligence. They both had multiple female “attractions” and children from multiple women. Both were/are healthy and were raised in ecumenical Protestant backgrounds. One fleeced the Louisiana Purchase territory from Napoleon while the other is working on acquiring or controlling Greenland and even Canada. Both did not hesitate to use their military to go after criminals and foreign aggressors when needed. The similar comparisons go on and on.

However, the most interesting is who their obvious enemies were/are. That would be the Federalists for TJ, with the Dem controlled Uniparty of today for the Donald. Their enemies used/use identical tactics and strategy. They both expressed/express irrational hatred of the men. They smear, defame and oppose anything either TJ or the Donald wanted/want to do or accomplished/accomplish regardless of how good it was/is for We the People. The Federalists never did like or trust average Americans at all. Their early leader, John Adams, expressed as much well before the revolution, moving his family once to avoid interaction with common folks. They used them as sheeple like the Dems/uniparty do today. Both political groups wanted/want to be treated as the betters in society, above We the People. To achieve their ends they enlisted the fake news media in their attacks just like today. The propaganda, lies and smears were done the same way. They used/use lawfare, activated politicized judges, and played/play dirty politics the same then as they do now.

The results have been the same as well. Both Jefferson and Trump got stronger as they withstood the personal attacks. We the People grew in number and had their backs the entire time. Their popularity grew/grows.

We can only look forward to the same result for the Donald and MAGA as Jefferson had with the D-R’s and populism then. Jefferson turned the American Experience on its head and the movement controlled the nation for two decades after he had passed away. The Federalist Party died with the War of 1812 due primarily to the weight of their relationships with the British enemy, but also due to central government overreach and taxation. The D-R’s began a run of control that was not without bumps and bruises, but pushed America forward. As a party they died later. The politics of the day evolved with the development and needs of the country. The two political parties were replaced by the Democrat Party in the 1830’s that arose from the remnants of the Jeffersonian Republicans as well as the formation of the relatively short lived Whigs in the 1930’s and 1940’s.

That tells us that there is no guarantee that the current Dems or even the GOP will survive the MAGA movement. I am OK with that. It’s the American Way.

Long live Donald J. Trump, but longer live MAGA in the spirit of the great Donald Trump and the great Thomas Jefferson.

Please remember Wolf’s rules for our community. In general that means to be respectful to each other and to pull no shenanigans that your mom might find offensive or otherwise cause jail time. That said, free speech is honored here.

Be blessed and go make something good happen!

2025.12.23 Daily Thread – American Stories: When in the Course of human events – Part 35

While completing this series my heart and mind have been stirred by the patriots and their families. It has also made me curious about members of our family trees. It has been encouraging to see more study and research into American family genealogy. Our Aubergine is well versed in it and inspired me to get back to work on it recently after she posted some of her results and connections. Two decades ago I did some research on my family and came up empty beyond the mid-1800s. I restarted it with more current resources lately and was amazed. It is a testament to the interest of many more people wanting to know their family histories and taking time to post results with supporting documents. I first restarted with my paternal side as there were more readily accessible sources.

In this series of “begats” in my paternal lineage there were various maternal maiden names that need traced as well. Those will come as time permits. I also looked at the paternal lineage on wifey’s side of the family on a limited basis. The original purpose, which has since expanded, was to add this information to the two memory books of our fathers. However, in doing so I did note one curious connection from 1720 in North Carolina that has led to many jokes in our household. It seems we have a mother in common from that year. 😂 She originated from my side and married a man on wifey’s side. She then had a son that eventually led to wifey’s father and her.

So kissin’ cuzins would be us! I knew there was sumthin’ about that gal. No hillbilly jokes, please. Around here we use Bammer (Alabama) jokes. I made the mistake one time of telling a kissing cousin Bama joke to a really nice guy from that state who really had married his first cousin.

Oopsie. He took it well. I was a bit embarrassed. But I digress.

😀

This paternal trace on my side of the fanily originates in Scotland in the 1100’s with family members migrating into Ireland and England in the 1400-1500’s before soon leaving for the colonies. At its farthest point back that I have traced individuals, my paternal direct linage came from the Kent, England area pre-emigration to the colony of Rhode Island. A royal governor of that colony is in my direct lineage. He is about the only prominent or famous dude in all of those centuries I could find. Other than one Captain in the British Navy well before the Revolutionary War period, it appears all of the men on that side were grunts doing grunt things.

This particular paternal trace has progressed from 1547 in Middlesex, England to a 1661 marriage document in Quaker information in Maryland to the family migration, births and burials in the Raleigh area of NC during the early 1700’s to the migration of descendants to southeastern KY lumbering and coal mining areas, followed by moves to eastern TN lumbering and coal mining areas. In the process it has become very apparent I came from a Christian background with all of the baptism and christening documents that have been posted. It is in my blood. I am glad because I have not desired to live any other way. As a side note I immediately become emotionally involved when I hear the sound of bagpipes. I never understood why when I was younger. I do now.

In the middle of it all there was one who was born in 1731 and died in 1798 who served in the colonial army as a member of the 3rd battalion of the Cumberland County, PA militia. I was able to trace others, including younger military aged sons from North Carolina, who enlisted in Virginia and served honorably. Just knowing that brought patriot pride.

When we examine our family trees, we experience a slice of Americana that binds us even more to this great country. It becomes personal instead of simply names and events in a book. We are American by birth and by choice, it is our heritage. It helps us understand better why the non-enemy peoples from all over the world want that same citizenship and birthright as well. American pride is a real thing. You can tell the motives of those people by their desire to assimilate into the American Way. If they don’t want to assimilate, they are compromised and may be enemy combatants. They will never be real Americans if they do not assimilate. That is how you can identify them.

I will never understand why citizens of Great Britain willingly chose to throw all of it away by not resisting the opening of their doors to hordes of Islamic muck rakers and jihadists. Their blind allegiance to the Crown and Parliament has been their undoing. Their plight illustrates how right our patriot fathers and mothers were for kicking them and their lackeys out of America. Now, we are having to do it again with the heathen hordes that came in illegally that were invited by the uniparty and Demoncraps in particular. Of course, that bunch has always been tightly associated with the Brits and the (un)royal family. There should be no more pretending about bipartisan support of America and its culture. We have seen the enemy, we cannot unsee it. They are still the same as they were centuries ago.

It is a dirty shame THAT is not taught in public schools today. But it can be in private schools and homeschooling. As for me and my house…

As we near the completion of this topic of American Stories there are just two signers left that are far too important to the cause of liberty to take time away time from their stories. As we have learned the state of Virginia mattered greatly to the efforts of the patriots in their quest for independence. Below is just one more example. If there was such a thing as American royalty, perish the thought, this family would be listed near the top.

Benjamin Harrison V

We will now discuss a signer with a distinguished family tree and legacy. Benjamin Harrison V was born in 1726 at the Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County, VA. It is the site of one of the first annual Thanksgiving celebrations in America in 1619. That is correct, two years before the popular Plymouth, MA related native Indian and pilgrim feast tale told to schoolchildren. Interestingly, it is also reported as the location where the Army bugle call of “Taps” was first written and played in 1862.

His parents were Benjamin Harrison IV and Ann Carter Harrison. He was the eldest son of their ten children. He was born the same year his father completed the Berkeley Plantation mansion, which is constructed of brick that was fired on the property. The initials of both his father and mother appear on a date stone over a door. Harrison V’s (H-5) great-great grandfather (H-1) emigrated to the area in 1633 from the Isle of Wight in England.

H-5’s mother was the daughter of wealthy planter and politician, “King” Carter. Carter owned over 300,000 acres and a thousand slaves. For a time he was Treasurer of Virginia, on the King’s Council, and very involved in colonial government. The Carter family traced their roots in America to predecessors who emigrated to the area in 1649.

H-5 was tutored at Berkeley until attending William & Mary College in classical studies with patriot notables, Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson. However, at age 19 a lightning strike killed his father and two sisters back home at Berkeley in 1745. Already disenchanted with college life anyway, he returned home to take over operations of their 1000 acre farm that included ship building and horse breeding. Three years later at the age of 22, H- 5 married Elizabeth Bassett of nearby New Kent County, a niece of Martha Washington. Her great grandfather, William, had also emigrated to the area from the Isle of Wight.

H-5 grew into a physically imposing man during the period. As an older adult he stood 6′ 4″ and weighed about 250 lbs. He and Elizabeth had eight children who survived to adulthood in their 40 year marriage. He and his family had between 80-100 slaves, but had a more humane view and treatment of them, feeling a great responsibility for their care. Families were respected and kept together. The Harrison family were Anglican and felt a duty to teach them about Christianity. Many other slave holders would not do so as they were considered property, while H-5 and family made sure that the willing were baptized. Unfortunately, some of the other younger Harrison men in the extended family were less principled and had relations with slaves. Over the years that followed H-5 began working to stop the slave trade and introduced legislation to do so.

H-5’s family had deep involvement in politics going back to H-1’s arrival there. There are records of their many squabbles with British authorities going back to 1640. One Harrison was even imprisoned for six years for challenging British authority over charges of tyranny and treason. H-5 entered politics in 1749 with his election the House of Burgesses where he periodically served as Speaker until royal governor Lord John Dunmore shut it down in 1774. Throughout his years of service and due to his influence the Brits tried to win him over to their side with potential appointments, but he always refused and sided with colonial causes. He strongly opposed the Stamp Act, but did not agree with Patrick Henry’s resolutions proposing civil disobedience.

With the dissolution of the House of Burgesses, he was immediately selected for the First Continental Congress in 1774, during which he participated greatly from the beginning. He chaired the committee that debated the drafting of the Articles of Association and signed them later that year. He roomed with Peyton Randolph and George Washington while they were in Philadelphia and remained a major contributor throughout his service in Congress into 1778 including the signing of the Declaration.

H-5 was well noted for his use of humor that helped reduce tension among the patriots through the years. From the Descendent site is this humorous conversation with Elbridge Gerry as they prepared to sign the Declaration.

“I shall have a great advantage over you, Mr. Gerry, when we are all hung for what we are now doing.  From the size and weight of my body I shall die in a few minutes and be with the Angels, but from the lightness of your body you will dance in the air an hour or two before you are dead.”

H-5 did not trust yankees. 😂 He was well known for not trusting anything that came out of the New Englanders. He was a major backer of state’s rights. The only powerful patriot he trusted from that NE area was John Hancock, of whom he thought very highly due to his fair treatment of all. He said of Hancock that he was “noble, disinterested and generous to a very great degree.” Despite his opinions, he was chosen by all to read Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence on July 1 as well as to chair the debate the following day.

While serving he solicited assistance from other countries as a member of the Secret Correspondence Committee.  He worked closely with General Washington in planning the American army. He even served as a lieutenant in the county militia during the war and was a chief magistrate as well. Berkeley Plantation was ravaged during the war by Benedict Arnold and British troops, which included throwing their many family portraits into a fire, losing family historical documents and artifacts in the aftermath. That same Berkeley became the site of Gen. George McClellan’s headquarters as he gathered forces in the failed attempt to take Richmond for the Union during the Civil War many years later.

Further from the Descendants site:

After the war, Harrison remained active in Virginia politics as a member of the House of Delegates, which chose him to be its speaker.  When his second- cousin Thomas Nelson, Jr., resigned from the governorship in 1781, Harrison was elected governor of Virginia and was re-elected twice.  He was instrumental in shaping the U.S. Constitution as a member of the Virginia Ratification Convention in 1788 when he argued strenuously for a Bill of Rights prior to ratification, not after.  Failing that he voted in favor and helped secure Virginia’s ratification in a close vote.  He sat on the committee that recommended rights to be included in what became the Bill of Rights.

Whew. It wears me out just reading all this great man did on behalf of our nation. But after all that he returned to serve in the state legislature in 1791 before developing a severe case of gout and passing away at age 65. Elizabeth died a year later. They are buried at their beloved Berkeley Plantation, a national historic landmark.

Up to that point H-5 was long known for being healthy, active, and dignified in manner. He was rotund and found to love good food, wine, and bawdy behavior. As many noted he excelled in dealing with difficult situations and people as he was cheerful, steady and did not allow problems to bother him. John Adams wrote that Harrison had “contributed many pleasantries that steadied rough sessions.”

But Elizabeth’s and his story cannot be fully told without discussing their descendants. How about two future POTUS among other notables? From Wiki:

Among them was eldest daughter Lucy Bassett (1749–1809), who married Peyton Randolph (1738–1784). (Remember who H-5 roomed with in Philly?) Another daughter, Anne Bassett (1753–1821), married David Coupland (1749–1822). The eldest son was Benjamin Harrison VI (1755–1799), a briefly successful merchant who served in the Virginia House of Delegates but who died a self-indulgent, troubled, young widower. Another was Carter Bassett Harrison (c. 1756–1808), who served in the Virginia House of Delegates and the US House of Representatives. Other children were Elizabeth Harrison (1751–1791), who married physician William Rickman (c. 1731–1783) and Sarah Harrison (1770–1812), who married John Minge (1771–1829).

The youngest child was General William Henry Harrison (1773–1841), who became a congressional delegate for the Northwest Territory and also was governor of the Indiana Territory. In the 1840 United States presidential elections, William Henry defeated incumbent Martin Van Buren, but fell ill and died just one month into his presidency. Vice President John Tyler, a fellow Virginian and Berkeley neighbor succeeded him. William Henry’s grandson, Benjamin Harrison (1833–1901), was a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Benjamin served in the U. S. Senate and was elected president in 1888 after defeating incumbent Grover Cleveland.

Do you see what I mean that if it were a thing, the Harrison clan would be American royalty? We owe a big debt of gratitude to H-5, Elizabeth and family for their selfless, patriotic service to America.

Please remember Wolf’s rules for our community, which includes labeling all AI. In general the rules mean to be respectful to each other and to pull no shenanigans that your mom might find offensive or otherwise cause jail time. That said, free speech is honored here.

It is that time again. The Savior of all mankind is remembered and lifted up on the day. It is a story that never gets old or loses its meaning. Enjoy your times with family, friends and fellow church members. Pray for our nation that we may find favor and please Him.

Be blessed and go make something good happen! Merry Christmas!!!

2025.12.16 Daily Thread – American Stories: When in the Course of human events – Part 34

Last week I gave the Trumpmania economic and government strategy and plans that are being implemented to regain control of America and accelerate our world dominance. I now discuss a macro economics answer as to how we get the huge national debt off our collective backs. Are you ready?

Spend less than we take in. Pay back the debt. Done.

Don’t fall for the doomsday BS or even the termination of the Fed being needed. In my opinion, the latter will be neutered back to its original intent by #47 because it can be used for the white hats to our collective benefit – at least for now. Long term, all bets are off on what happens to it as the functions they perform are literally Treasury’s responsibility. After its usefulness is done it could be shut down or materially changed. There is no doubt it has been used as a weapon against us since 1913. Watch how #47 and Scott Bessent turn it into an asset against foreign trade and currency manipulators. Boomerang.

If you have not already, watch the Marlow interview with Scott Bessent in the link below. Watch now or in your spare time, but watch it. Even if you have zero understanding of the economy you will come away with knowledge that will be useful to you going forward. Trump has this. Trust him.

https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2025/11/24/exclusive-scott-bessent-vs-the-elite-how-the-treasury-secretary-keeps-on-winning-for-maga

As for day to day media information, watch the world or business news, read an article, listen to a podcast – whatever. Believe what you will believe. Just know that if the GDP of America; its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – defined as the total monetary value of all final goods and services produced within a country during a specific time period, typically measured annually or quarterly averages 4% annually over the next three years the national debt will begin declining at a decent rate and the annual budget deficit will turn into a surplus every year. Actually that begins to happen irrespective of tariff revenues. Fact, it is an economic reality proven time again. They report it quarterly and annually. You will now be able to trust the reported data because of #47 and DOGE.

Guess what has happened already for two quarters in 2025? Yup, around 4% GDP. What is a primary reason for the Schumer Shutdown exclusive of political party infighting? The negative economic impact it had on the recovery and acceleration of business investment under Trump. Yes, TDS. It slowed the recovery down to probably around 1.5-2% per Kevin Hassett, chair of Trump’s National Economic Council. The Demoncraps felt it would help them to win a few blue state elections. They gave the 🖕 to We the People in doing so. Kevin may be downplaying it. The Atlanta Fed predicted we would still see 3.9% in the fourth quarter even with the Schumer Shutdown.

The people you can trust for reporting the truth on the economy are Scott Bessent and Kevin “Happy” Hassett. Both have our backs and the blessing of #47 to handle things. The latter has long been one of my favorite truth tellers. Just a really good dude. Signals are out that he and Kevin Warsh are the two at the top of the Fed Chair list. Both are outstanding and will do MAGA proud. We should know soon.

Next up add in the net tariff revenues. Which is why PDT predicts they will be able to eliminate the personal income tax, especially for low and middle income folks. PDT still needs the SCOTUS to rule in MAGA’s favor on them. If they do not, expect the markets to react negatively for a time and for PDT to retool their approach to using them. Bessent has already said they have other Constitutional methods to use if needed. The prayer is that they are not needed.

The Demoncraps care more about hurting Trump than the well being of even their own voters. Which means he and MAGA are over target. Demoncraps do that for personal party politics and don’t give two shits what any American thinks about it if it helps them gain or retain power. That is why there should be no bipartisan deals negotiated with them. We the People lose by giving them leverage if they do. Advance MAGA legislation and if the Demoncraps do not sign it, expose them openly while eliminating any financial or other support you legally can to their districts. Time to play hard ball.

With nearly $20 T being invested into America over time, 4% annual GDP is likely to be the floor if there are no Demoncrap generated disasters. If We the People deliver control of both houses of Congress, there is nothing stopping 5+% from happening annually for a very long time. The filibuster threat cannot even stop that because MAGA can deliver another reconciliation bill and PDT can use impoundment. The latter is the POTUS authority to delay or not fund non-essential appropriations. Since the Demoncraps cannot get any appropriations approved without GOP help going forward, stopping the funding of non-essential appropriations helps reduce the size of government, which reduces expenses and capital costs.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is already predicting 6% GDP at some point in 2026 as it currently stands. That is record breaking, but also sustainable if the patriots and We the People do our jobs with the midterms and beyond. That totally rebuilds the foundation of America economically and militarily. No adversaries will want to take that on. FAFO will rule and their demise will be swift and painful.

We could discuss multipolarity of regions of the world here, but I will wait. Just know that the Monroe Doctrine is the rule of order on this side of the world again. Both Chyna and Russia know it. The Euros are on their own. We will maintain a military force as a deterrant, but that will primarily be for America’s protection. Since the Euros want to shiz in their nests, it will be up to them to clean it up. #47 will be glad to sell them some of our weaponry and equipment to fight their forever wars.

To you, all of this means federal deficit reduction; which means lower interest rates, more liquidity (cash) in the economy, more economic growth, more well paying jobs with good benefits, continued low inflation and more opportunity for all of us long term. Anybody opposing that is a declared enemy of the American Way and Experience.

In reality, most of the world is over the old system that destroys to the benefit of the elites. They want what is now being delivered by #47 and patriots. Which is why the leaders of those nations agreed to high tariffs and massive investment into the USA. They are over forever wars and meddling in their own national affairs. We need to make sure it continues.

What that means personally to each and every one of you reading this is thousands of dollars of annual buying and investing power more than you have now with prices of products edging down or stabilizing at current levels. The extra funds compound annually if you invest into about anything that has and holds real value; not just CD’s, stocks and bonds. Land/property, precious metals, collectibles, etc. will also increase in value.

Method For Lasting National Prosperity

The actual method to reset everything PERMANENTLY in this country is the same that it has been since forever. It is a balanced budget amendment along with an amendment for no personal federal income tax in our U. S. Constitution. They must include enforcement provisions that even SCOTUS has no options to abort like the first and second amendment. Wut, you say? Yes, that is all it takes.

Which is just like the Brits treated the colonists. Some things never change without rebellion. The timing of the Fed potentially going away would affect the timing of the balanced budget amendment and its amendment language.

How do I know for sure that two amendment method works? Because there are very prosperous red states that do exactly that. I live in one. There are others. All are in really good financial shape with stable to growing employment and rising incomes of their citizens even in nationally troubled economic times.

Why must there be amendments to the Constitution you may ask? How many amendments to the Constitution have been terminated or repealed in over 236 years? One. The 21st effectively repealed the 18th. It was the repeal of prohibition – booze. That’s it. How many people do you know who would rise against the government for only spending what it takes in or eliminating personal income taxes? Exactly.

I am sure it is safe to say the 80/20 rule would apply. After ratification the two amendments would survive any future challenges easily. The political will to get it done resides within the MAGA movement. #47 is already on board with it and pushing for the personal tax elimination. It needs a block of GOP elected officials sufficient to make it and balanced budgets Constitutional amendments. That means killing dead their allegiance to the old system. Which means some existing elected officials have gotta go.

Primary out the RINO’s and elect large numbers of MAGA GOP. Increase the overall number of MAGA elected officials in government everywhere. Set the options on the table, explain what they do for the American people, and enjoy the fruits of their passage.

As an example, nearly every state ranking of financial health and solvency include Tennessee and Florida in the Top Five. Both require balanced budgets and have no personal income taxes. There are nine states with no personal income taxes and 49 with with some form of balanced budget requirement. None of the states that are without personal income taxes are anywhere near the bottom of the list for economic health. That honor is reserved for all of the high debt, highly taxed blue states with personal incomes taxes such as Illinois, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and California. They are the bottom feeders who suck the economic lives out of their citizens who continue to seemingly enjoy the condition of being bent over by electing the people who stick it to them. That they do should tell We the People to completely ignore or shout them down every time they open their mouths.

When you add right to work state status, no personal income taxes, and a required balanced budget, you get an influx of population and business growth. It is a proven formula for success. Those same principles work for the federal government as well. It creates the environment for success. It shores up The Golden Age.

So how do we reduce and eventually eliminate our massive national debt? Are you ready?

Again, spend less than we take in. Use the difference, the surplus, to pay back higher interest treasury debt first. Even Dave Ramsey knows and tells people that in their personal finances.

Besides forcing a balanced budget via amendent, how do you get to surplus?

Well, that’s the good part. #47 and cabinet have already done enough, but are continuing to do it even more as explained above. The answer is massive investment into America that increases manufacturing, energy and natural resource development. Return to true supply side economic independence instead of playing the globalist game of London and Europe. That dramatically increases tax revenue collections over time. Add in massive tariff surpluses already in place that can be directly applied to the debt or given back to We the People as a, wait, what did #47 call it, oh yeah, DIVIDEND.

Dividends are paid from profits. America, Inc. is making money now and will make even more in the future as the business investment takes root. Again – America, Inc. is no longer just a user of funds at that point. Successful businesses pay dividends to shareholders, which in this case is us – We the People.

The balanced budget amendment generally includes requirements on what is done with surpluses. The sooner you get to surplus the sooner you can use future, more inflated dollars to pay off older, less inflated debt. Paying off debt reduces the carrying cost (interest expense) of remaining debt and it becomes a smaller percentage of the annual budget expenses going forward. The more you do it, the faster the debt repayment accelerates.

We can also accelerate the rate and total reduction by simply marking our massive gold reserves to market as well. That improves the balance sheet by $1.4 T +/- overnight based on current quotes. Doing it will probably also mean a return to the gold standard with the dollar solidifying as the world’s reserve currency. America then finds stability from less inflation, less to no market bubbles, less to no forever wars. All of that has been fueled by phony baloney fiat currency of the past.

However, there is no guesswork that the Sovereign Wealth Fund is going to be used because both PDT and Scott Bessent have discussed it publicly. The link below explores it and other subjects accurately in my opinion.

https://erikc.substack.com/p/sovereign-wealth-fund

Surplus tax revenues from an expanded economy + tariffs + Sovereign Wealth Fund investment = National Debt demise. Balanced budget with restrictions on surplus fund usage keeps it there. We do not have to do a thing for all of this to happen to our benefit except be good citizens, show up in big numbers to vote for the patriots, and protect our nation.

This will be the last of my planned current day economic summaries for awhile. I have done all I can do to inform. I will still post in the comments on current activities if I can add to the flow. If conditions on the ground change dramatically in a different way, I will revisit. Me and my house chose the Lord, #47, and the patriots. So I am going to do what I have asked of everybody else – make a difference for America.

It is now time to discuss another largely unsung hero of the signers. This one was special and a critical piece in the quest for independence as we will see with another highly important founding father in a couple of weeks. Enjoy!

George Wythe

George Wythe was born in 1726 in the former Elizabeth City County, now city of Hampton, Virginia on the prominent Chesterville plantation. Over time the previous settlements and towns dissolved or merged into the city of Hampton, such that it lays claim to being the oldest continuously English speaking city in North America.

George was of the third generation of this predominantly Quaker family. His parents, Thomas III and Margaret Walker Wythe, were planters and Thomas owned a half interest in a wharf in Hampton. Unfortunately, Thomas passed away when George was three years old. His well educated mother homeschooled George. He became proficient in Latin and Greek while she also taught him the classics, logic and science. He entered William and Mary (W & M) Grammar School at age 14, studied two years, then spent two years in the study of law under his uncle, Stephen Dewey, in Charles City Council. After that he returned to Chesterville to continue his studies. At the age of 20 in 1746 he easily passed the bar exam.

Since his brother, Thomas IV, was established at Chesterville he moved to Spotsylvania County to open his practice. George moved in with the King’s attorney, Zachary Lewis, because Lewis had a great deal of case backlog. While there he met Lewis’ daughter, Ann. They fell in love and were married a year later. Unfortunately, Ann caught a fever and died seven months later. George was distraught with grief. He returned to Williamsburg and joined Ann’s uncle, Benjamin Waller, in his practice to get a new start on life. While there he was selected to clerk for two important committees of the House of Burgesses. This led to many contacts and an entry into the world of politics. In 1754 he was selected to fill a vacant seat in the House of Burgesses.

A year later his brother, Thomas IV, died and George inherited Chesterville. That same year he married Elizabeth Taliaferro, whose family lived a few miles outside of Williamsburg. A wealthy landowner and architect, Elizabeth’s father built the couple a nice brick home in the city to begin their lives together. It served as their home for over thirty years. The home was restored and has been owned by Colonial Williamsburg since 1938.

George would win and lose seats in the House of Burgesses for several years. In 1758 Francis Fauquier became the new royal Governor of Virginia. As a neighbor, Francis formed a close bond with George, who at that point was teaching at W & M. This included them bonding with a 20 year old student named Thomas Jefferson. The three of them were joined by fellow W & M professor, William Small, and became a tight knit group who frequently met for dinner to discuss science, literature, architecture, politics and morals. This continued for five years.

Wythe joined Patrick Henry in 1763 to argue against the Two Penny Tax. A year later they had a mini falling out over the Stamp Act. Wythe had sent an letter of admonition previously to Parliament concerning the Two Penny Act and was waiting on a response. When the Stamp Act was approved, Henry and supporters reacted harshly, while Wythe wanted to wait for an official response from his letter. Henry’s resolutions passed in the House and Governor Fauquier, Wythe’s friend, was forced to dissolve the General Assembly immediately in response.

A few years later George was elected Mayor of Williamsburg and had become more prominent in the area. When Lord John Dunmore was named royal Governor, the two frequently clashed. It became apparent to George it would no longer be possible to support the Brits and he moved more toward independence causes. After the battles of Lexington and Concord, Dunmore seized the arms and powder from the colonial magazine at Williamsburg. When the colonists learned of it they went after Dunmore and he was forced to escape to a British ship off shore. He left and never returned.

George then went to Philadelphia as Dunmore’s replacement to the First Continental Congress that year. From the Descendants site:

During the continuing debate over independence, he asked his fellow delegates, “In what character shall we treat? As subjects of Great Britain? As rebels? Why should we be so fond of calling ourselves dutiful subjects? We must declare ourselves a free people.”

In the spring he returned to Virginia to argue for Thomas Jefferson’s plan for their state government and returned to Philadelphia in time to sign the Declaration of Independence in September. He then moved Congress to make Jefferson, B and Silas Deane colonial agents (ministers) to France; for them to act as ambassadors. From our story on B, we now realize just how important it was to have him in France. We can thank George Wythe for that observation and recommendation.

He returned to Williamsburg the next year and was elected Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates where he assisted Governor Patrick Henry is meeting obligations to fund and supply the military. Even though he was exposed to British forces, he remained in Williamsburg throughout the remainder of the war and avoided capture. In 1777 he was also named as a justice on the state’s Chancery Court, on which he served until 1788. In 1779 Jefferson as Governor appointed him to a new professor position over Law and Police at W & M when James Madison was President of the school. Many famous elected officials, attorneys and future judges were taught by Wythe over the years that followed which included Henry Clay, Littleton Tazewell, James Monroe and John Marshall. Remember that for a future Part.

He and Elizabeth hosted Gen. Washington in their home before the battle of Yorktown. He later worked on the Articles of Confederation as well as the Constitution in 1787 before he had to quickly return home when Elizabeth fell ill and soon passed away. The next year he worked within the state for the eventual ratification of its Constitution. In 1789 he resigned from W & M to move to Richmond with one of his students (William Munford) to be near the Chancery Court. Over the years that followed he studied Hebrew and began conducting electrical experiments there along with that former student. He returned to public service as a Presidential Elector in 1800 and 1804; both times voting for his long term friend and political ally, Jefferson. He had freed his slaves many years before at Chesterville and was adamant in his belief that, “…. freedom is the birthright of every human being….”.

The grandson of a sister came to live with him while in Richmond, George Wythe Sweeney. Wythe had written him into his will in 1803 as he and Elizabeth had no children. When he later discovered Sweeney was stealing from him he modified the will to read that Sweeney received half and a former freed slave, Michael Brown, would receive the other half. Sweeney discovered the changed will and codicil. He secretly began poisoning both Wythe and Brown with arsenic in their food. Both died, but before Wythe did he wrote Sweeney totally out of his will by order of the judge presiding over the murder charge. Sweeney had also poisoned Wythe’s former slave housekeeper, but she survived and sought to testify in Sweeney’s murder trial. Her testimony was disallowed because she was a Negro and not allowed to testify against a white man by law. As a result Sweeney was ruled to be not guilty.

George Wythe was 80 years old when he died and is buried at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Richmond. this is the same church where Patrick Henry gave his famous “give me liberty or give me death” speech. Per the Descendants site,

Wythe will be forever known by the comments of those with whom he associated.

“Four days after his death, on June 10, the Richmond Enquirer wrote: “Kings may require mausoleums to consecrate their memory, saints may claim the privilege of canonization; but the venerable George Wythe needs no other monument than the services rendered to his country, and the universal sorrow that the country sheds over his grave.”

From Thomas Jefferson, “No man ever left behind him a character more venerated than George Wythe. His virtue was of the purest tint; his integrity inflexible, and his justice exact; of warm patriotism, and, devoted as he was to liberty, and the natural and equal rights of man, he might truly be called the Cato of his country…. (He was) my faithful and beloved Mentor in youth, and my most affectionate friend through life.”

Benjamin Rush, “a profound lawyer and able politician. I have seldom known a man who possessed more modesty or a more dove-like simplicity and gentleness of manner.”

Reverend Lee Massey called George Wythe “the only honest lawyer I ever knew.”

Historian/biographer Reverend Charles Goodrich, wrote: “With all his great qualities, he possessed a soul replete with benevolence, and his private life is full of anecdotes, which prove that it is seldom that a kinder and warmer heart throbbed in the breast of a human being….As a judge, he was remarkable for his rigid impartiality, and sincere attachment to the principles of equity; for his vast and various learning; and for his strict and unwearied attention to business. Superior to popular prejudices, and every corrupting influence, nothing could induce him to swerve from truth and right. In his decisions, he seemed to be a pure intelligence, untouched by human passions, and settling the disputes of men according to the dictates of eternal and immutable justice…. He took a great delight in educating such young persons as showed an inclination for improvement. Harassed as he was with business, and enveloped with papers belonging to intricate suits in chancery, he yet found time to keep a private school for the instruction of a few scholars, always with very little compensation, and often demanding none.”

George Wythe was absolutely essential as a cornerstone building block in the creation of America. He will be honored for as long as America exists.

Please remember Wolf’s rules for our community. In general that means to be respectful to each other and to pull no shenanigans that your mom might find offensive or otherwise cause jail time. That said, free speech is honored here.

I wish all of you a Merry Christmas. Thanks be to God for the Savior of all mankind entered the world this week over 2000 years ago. He shall be called the Prince of Peace…

Be blessed, enjoy your times with family and friends, and go make something good happen!