Faith and Politics

Prologue: I created this page because like many of you, I am very concerned about the degradation our nation, the United States has suffered since approximately 1905. The "slippery slope" began very slowly but, over the past eight years has fallen as fast as a lead weight dropped from a skyscraper window. Our Founders set forth before us, what Benjamin Franklin described to a passer-by in the street one day in 1787.  After eight arduous years, the Constitution had finally been completed and ratified.  The passer-by asked Franklin: "What kind of country have you just given us?" Franklin's response was: "A republic if you can keep it."
A republic is what we have fallen away from until "WE THE PEOPLE..." stand up again and reaquire the moral and political clarity this nation and it's people deserve. Our Founders were Devinely inspired; realizing that God is the ultimate source of freedom and happiness.  Upon this page it is my hope to inspire others through occasional writings and information based upon factual evidence gathered from multiple sources. I do not call myself a journalist although, I have journalistic experience. I am a child of God first; knowing that I am human, am a sinner, fall far short of His glory and do not deserve His grace.  When and if I am called to Heaven, I know I will be on my knees before Him begging for mercy.
Professionally, I am a photographer but, through these writings I hope to pursuade the sometimes ill-advised, wrongly educated, under-educated and sometimes greedy people of this nation through a persuasive presentation of facts concerning whatever issue I choose to write about. It is debate that moves our country forward so if you find anything written upon this page you feel is incorrect, or if you wish to provide any type of comment, or argument, you are invited to email me at: Steve Dowell
I urge you to be civil and respectful in your debate for that is what you shall receive from me. Debates and comments will be posted so truth and correctness may be observed by everyone.

Debate with Dawn - From GOOD VS EVIL (posted 8-2-11)

Steve Dowell

1/1/12

Hello Steve Dowell,

I am a Christian and I read your Good vs Evil blog...  It seems to be your opinion that Christians are good and all else are evil... I am sure that many of them see us as evil and themselves as good... Who are you to make the judgment... Some of the most evil people I have ever knows are Christians... I don't think God labels groups of people like that... I believe he doesn't judge at all but loves us all... We are all both good and evil... all of us! Good and evil fight in each of us each day... And in God too!

Sincerely,

Dawn

My Response to Dawn,

I welcome Dawn's contribution to FAITH AND POLITICS and thank her for it.  Allow me to first state what I've mentioned before; any person submitting to FAITH AND POLITICS had better make sure they proof read their material before submitting because I am not going to do it for you.  You have the power (given by me) to make yourself look intelligent, or stupid. So please people, don't jump me about Dawn's grammatical, punctual and syntactical errors.  With that said, Dawn must stand corrected on a few items and so my following response.

 

Firstly, I do not believe I created, nor even left the impression that I believe: "Christians are good and all else are evil."  Never once in my editorial did I make such a statement.  I profess to be Christian, but any person who knows me, knows that I also profess to be an every day sinner and, my inner circle of friends all profess the same about themselves.  Every person on Earth is fallible.  We fall way short of God's glory.  Every day, EVERY day, I awake from bed, confess my sins to our Heavenly Father, beg for mercy and ask Him to humble me so that I may walk through the day seeking truth and creating humbleness in others too.

 

Now, Dawn is correct in her second sentence; "I am sure that many of them see us as evil and themselves as good...", but, she fails to signify who the "many of them" are.  I'm not sure who she is talking of but, I was writing about leftists, a.k.a.; the socialists, communists, marxists and aethiests of our nation who at every turn in life, cringe at the sight of a Cross, cringe at the Word of God in a public arena, cringe at the sight of a Bible, or a Christmas tree as if they were Dracula being shown the Cross.  I specifically mentioned the ACLU, the Americans United for Separation of Church and State and will add as of now, their card-carrying members who are determined to secularize our country, contrary to it's founding.  To add to Dawn's statement, I'm not a prophet and never will attest to being one but, I do often say the following to friends and people in general:  "I do not know if we are in the final days and shall never predict such but, I do know that we are in days of which Evil is seen as good, and good is seen as evil by many people."  That much I do profess to know.  One look at the groups attempting to take over our nation by socializing it; example, the current White House occupants and their minions, will tell you that.  From Isaiah 5:20;  "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."  Amen!  I have faith in the Word of God that goodness shall prevail!

Her third sentence speaks of my making judgement upon others.  I wasn't judging.  I was simply telling you, the reader, FACTS.  FAITH AND POLITICS is a "fact-based" editorial page.  Every item I present to you is confirmed by mulitple sources and although some items are of my "opinion," my opinions are based upon facts and evidence gathered by myself.  In my editorial, I express my belief that we, the United States were attacked on 9/11 by satanic forces; i.e., terrorists.  Terrorists ARE evil.  That can't be argued.  I believe terrorists and Satan go hand-in-hand and I believe Satan himself played a key role in the attacks.  It was pure evil that brought down the Twin Towers killing nearly 3,000 people.

 

And Dawn, please, some of these Christians you have ever known to be the most evil ... would you please name just a few for us?  I'm at a loss.  Look, no person is perfect and I never even so much as intimated Christians are.  Christians, myself included, simply try to follow a path toward God as best we humanly can.  We make mistakes, we committ wrong-doings, we make some poor judgements; all of us do.  But we try to do better with our next given opportunity and that is the difference!  That is much more than I can say for those who just don't give a hoot; those who continue doing the same stupid, wrongful, hurtful things to others on a daily basis, and/or those who seek to denegrate our nation, never seeking a redemptive course.

 

Another thing, don't tell me God doesn't judge because He does ... He DOES.  A history of His judgements are intertwined throughout the Bible.  When we sin, He punishes us.  Make no mistake about it!  He judges over us every minute of each day.  He corrects us when we sin because He loves us.

 

In her close, Dawn states that there is good and evil in every one of us; in that she is correct.  Each and every one of us has a dark side; a dark side that Satan is constantly trying to isolate, expose, connect to and destroy us with at every moment - usually with some form of temptation.  Although, Dawn is absolutely flawed in her statement that God also has evil in Him.  Dawn, I must strongly, yet, respectfully disagree and I don't believe any scholared pastor would agree either that God has evil in Him.  I not sure where Dawn gets her information.  When he punishes us, He is not being evil.  He may be angry at us, He may be frustrated, He may be many things that we as humans do not understand but, God certainly has no part in evil!  Satan was evil and he was cast out because of it.  Thank you Dawn for your time and contribution to FAITH AND POLITICS.

Steve Dowell

Bloomfield, Pa

And the following from our lead researcher Brett Burnell:  I found her response a little amusing. God doesn't judge us? Tell that to Sodom and Gomorrah, or a little known person from the Old Testament, Uzzah, whose only sin was touching the Ark of the Covenant because it was about to fall (after God told him not to).  See here: http://www.keyway.ca/htm2006/20060507.htm.  Also, isn't Matthew 25:21 a judgment?  Isn't that what every Christian wants to hear from their Lord and Savior when they enter into His glory?  I know I do!!

Also, we are to "judge righteously" according to the Bible.  How are people to know that they are sinning if society does not tell them? This is why "politically correct" is so popular in today's world.  Nobody wants to hear that they are indeed sinning against their creator!

http://www.bible.ca/ef/expository-matthew-7-1-5.htm

Brett Burnell

1-5-2012

CHRISTMAS

Steve Dowell

12-18-11

Christmas time is as Andy Williams once sung; "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year."  It is filled with glory and fun times in and around our communities, our friends and families; even people we do not know, we make an extra special attempt to do good by them.  Christmas trees shine their beauty and exhort a relaxing aroma throughout our homes as the presents beneath bring seemingly endless anxiety to everyone.  The radio waves are filled with Christmas music, nightly specials fill our televisions.  To me, the cartoons; Charlie Brown, Rudolph, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town and others, the Hallmark and Family Channel shows are great.  They add that all-important extra dimension to the season.  I would like to bridge with the following video toward use of my closing statements.  In it, Linus explains to an exasperated Charlie Brown the true meaning of Christmas. 

Christmas can be a difficult time of year for some people.  It's tough fending off the over-commercialization of it.  The department stores began their Christmas decorating two weeks before Halloween this year!  I admit to being in quite a funk this year about Christmas myself.  I love Christmas snow and it's not in the forecast.  Could it be that?  The condition of our country?  My growing older yet, asking myself; "Am I wiser?"  I don't know.  I guess when I think about it, Christmas time can also be a time of reflection for some us.  Whatever our ills, we set them aside to give and share the love that God sent to us that night and for all eternity.  In all this, Linus is right.  It's about Jesus, our one and only Saviour.  It's about the miracle of His birth.  For some reason, God placed Jesus into a stable with animals and only "swaddling clothes" to keep Him warm.  God placed the greatest to be into the most humbling of conditions.  The amazing thing is, it was all foretold.

 

When asked:  "What is Christmas all about?"  many people respond with:  "It's about giving."  Many people "feel the Spirit" but, believe Christmas is about material gift-giving and that too is a part of Christmas but, the night of, the events that occurred and the birth of Jesus are THE signature aspects of Christmas.  That night was and remains God's greatest gift to all of us.  What more could God give to us than a Saviour?  God knew at that time in history how much we needed one, and knew how much we would need Him today.  As Jesus lived his life, He went on to give so much more ... He gave the gift and promise of salvation and life ever-after with Him.

The night of Jesus' birth is perhaps the most unique in history, never to be surpassed.  May I invite you to live the true meaning of Christmas yourself?  Read Matthew 1:18-25 and/or Luke 2:1-20.  In closing, I offer the following song as a gift to you, hopefully one of the many you shall receive this Christmas season.  It's become one of, perhaps even my favorite Christmas tune, Pachelbel's Canon as performed by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and may God bless you with many Christmas gifts in so many different ways!

Steve Dowell

Bloomfield, Pa

YOU HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING YET!

Steve Dowell

12-1-11

Currently we have the Wall Street Anarchists protesting rampantly throughout the United States.  We also have the Herman Cain allegations, Jerry Sandusky and Penn State, the Fast and Furious debachel, a sick economy, high unemployment rates which are being called the new norm by liberals, a huge and burdensome national debt, a president and a congress that know no ends to spending the people's money and an unknown number of radicals running loose in our country attempting to reverse our founder's original philosophy of "pursued" success rather than the left's premise that it be given, redistributed, and/or shared.  Ladies and gentlemen, when I say: "You Haven't Seen Anything Yet." I mean YOU HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING YET!  Let's all wait until the summer of 2012 - it will all unravel and reveal itself at that time as the presidential election heats up.

Everything above and more that is happening right now is because of governmental and political manipulation.  Nothing less than that and it has taken decades of the nation's moral majority to simply let it happen.  This chaos has little to do with Wall Street and bank executives.  That is mere pitance.  The MAIN focus of current blame must, I repeat, MUST be placed on Barack Obama, his administration and current liberal demoncrats like Bwarney Frwank, Chris Dodd, Nancy Pelosi, "Dusty" Harry Reid and Maxine Waters.  These people left the real crooks off the hook and come to think of it, most of the names just mentioned are the real crooks!  And these crooks claim they can fix our problems?!

Obama was given a golden opportunity to "fix" the many ills of our nation.  Unfortunately, far too many "useful idiots" listened to his rhetoric of "hope and change" never bothering to look into this man's past associations.  If you haven't seen by now that Obama is the "head of the snake" of all that is happening, then, I'm sorry for you friends, you are ignorantly blinding yourself to the truth.  The audio and video bytes are out there people.  "After we change this country, we will change the world."  Obama 2009.  I'm sorry to tell you that Obama has floored the accelerator making this predicament four times worse than it was when he took office.

All this current anarchy ... again which in 2008, I predicted would happen two years into Obama's reign is only a pre-game warm-up for next summer.  These jobless, endless party-goers of Obama who are currently on the loose - let me just say their movement is dying but, it will not die totally because they have to think of reasons for protest each and every day ... and Obama does not want it to die.  There is no focus to their hatred of successful people.  Most of these flee-ridden demonstrators are at whatever location just to create angst vs the working and creative populace ... you know ... the few who refuse to become part of Obamaville.  Question: could these loons be the beginning of Obama's civilian army?  Again, his words; "We have to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded as the United States Military."  Does that statement not raise questions in your mind?  Even if you voted for this marxist?

I've spoken the following before.  What socialists, marxists, communists do when they look to acheive total control of a country is first denigrate, then degradate whatever country's morality, then it's economy. Obama did that in one swift motion when he took control of the banking and auto industries, healthcare and many insurance companies.  What Obama did is an exact replay of what Adolf Hitler did in 1930's Germany.  Secondly; you demonize your pedecessor(s) and don't stop doing so.  The blame Bush act and everyone in the past has never stopped and won't.  The democrats mantra is; "Bush is to blame, bankers and wall-streeters are to blame, big oil, big pharmancy, big whatever."  Yet, has any person been prosecuted for the financial downfall other than shrimpy Bernie Madoff?  No.  Could that be because there ARE ties between these crooks and the Obama administration?  There has to be.  Thirdly: socialists, marxists, and communists specialize in the systematic creation of chaos and anarchy, and that is the final step for Obama and his community organizing machine of George Soros, the AFL-CIO, SEIU, and remnants of ACORN.  All of the aforementioned are propogating the current chaos.   It's what they want and what they planned for when they won the election in November of 2008.  I will say the following again - Wait until the summer of 2012.  I guarantee the chaos will be ten fold over it's current level because chaos is all the Obama administration has to win with.  They will sponge all they can from the "useful idiots" of our country.  If I must define "useful idiots" for you, concisely, the term was coined by Joseph Stalin when he was taking over early 20th century Russia but, useful idiots are also those who have bought into the democrats scheme of thought over the past 50 years; welfare, 99 (and plus) weeks of unemployment, constant redicule of those who wish a return to constitutional values, individual liberties and responsibilites and basically, the common thought by democrats that you are too stupid to get through life yourself.  Government can decide and do for you better than you can.  And breaking as of this writing; Obama's election campaign is openly stating that they will not actively pursue the "white working-class vote" for the 2012 election.  Do you need any more proof of the coming class warfare ladies and gentleman?  The Obama Admin will pursue votes of sloth, the career welfarics, the "takers" of society.

Obama is showing his hand by actually backing the Wall Street Anarchists.  They are not protestors.  They are not occupiers.  They are chaos creators and ANARCHISTS, plain and simple.  "Dusty" Harry Reid, the viper Nancy Pelosi (who actually says:  "God bless them."), Chuck Shumer, Dick Durbin and many other democrats have also verbalized their support for these animials running about city streets.  Last summer all the aforementioned socialists quickly demonized the Tea Party in ways that were most untruthful and abhorrant.  Yet, take one look at these cave people, these revolutionaries; yes, look at the head bands and listen to their speeches; see the trash, the fires, the weapons, the assaults, the rapes, the drugs, the defacations ... it goes on and on.  They are now destroying personal property and businesses.  Yet, what does Obama and his associates do about the chaos?  NOTHING!  If these loons were so upset about our country's dilemma, they would be marching on the White House.  Instead they march upon free enterprise, costing cities and taxpayers millions of dollars in money, time and damages.  Thousands have been arrested.  Note to Tea Party haters:  NOT ONE TEA PARTY MEMBER HAS EVER BEEN ARRESTED, nor did they create expensive waste and filth.  Which group would you rather have leading and inspiring your country?

Chaos, double-standards, social denegration and lies is what this bunch in the White House and liberals in general live for.  It's their play book.  With perfect assistance from their complicit friends in the lamestream liberal media, they will unleash ALL their attack dogs in 2012 ... mark my words!  They are already doing so.  Let's take a short look at current day.  Herman Cain is being lambasted for alledgedly flirting around 10 or 12 years ago.  The leftists keep coming with the allegations but, there is no proof of any wrongdoing.  So far none at all.  To date, every woman accusing Cain of improprieties seems to be a low life with many personal problems.  Now I don't know if Herman is guilty or not and chances are neither do you.  That will be told over time but, hummm .... when Bill Clinton was president, wasn't girling around a "personal" matter?  It seems to me I remember the lamestream media saying that lack of morality inside the White House walls doesn't matter.  So why does it matter with a conservative top gun who is not even close to the Presidency?  I'll answer that for you by saying, attacks are all democrats and their complicit media have.  Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, Clarence Thomas, Janice Rogers Brown; any time their opposition gets near the top, attack-mode is all the democrats have.  Could their attacking Mr. Cain be a distraction because Fast and Furious is heating up?  The Solyndra and other so-called "green energy" money laundering schemes of Obama donators is coming to light?  I'm just questioning. Could these stories be a distraction from the economy?  The debt?  The unemployment?  The huge monthly trade imbalance?  Illegal immigration?  Coming inflation?  I pose these questions because Obama is a master of manipulating his right hand while his left deceives the people.  Now I'm not defending Herman Cain but, as of this writing, six woman have come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct.  And still no proof.  The 1st, Sharon Bialek, was reading her accusation from the podium for the tv cameras.  Now why would she have to read her accusation?  My guess is ambulance chaser Gloria Allred wrote it for her.  And isn't it funny that all the Cain accusers (save one) are from the Chicago area?  Where he has rarely and some say: "never" visited.  If you want my be-so-humble opinion, this filth has Obama finger prints all over it.

Now let's continue with the lamestream media.  I wish the lamestreamers would simply REPORT the news and not make it, taking quotes out of context and fabricating outright lies about their enemies.  A call to all respected journalists; please ... REPORT the news!  Don't make it.  Example: we have this clown, Chris Matthews on the MSNBC network speaking out that Herman Cain is guilty of the accusations against him.  Who made Matthews judge, jury and executioner?  Again ... message to Chris Matthews and MSNBC ... REPORT the news, don't create it!  Cain is not guilty of anything until proven in a court of law - IF there is anything at all against him.

 

Moving to the general election campaign, once again, the media is trying to choose the candidates for us as they did in 2008.  All the attention is being steered straight into Herman Cain, Mitt Romney, a little toward Newt Gingrich and they keep Rick Perry on life support.  Rick Santorum (who may be perhaps the most solid candidate), Michele Bachmann and the rest of the field get scant attention.  Back to Herman Cain.  The liberal media has done dozens of stories on him in just these few weeks.  Yet, I have a question.  Did they do the same number on Barack Obama during his campaign after the following?

(1)  "Uhh ... let's see now.  We've been to what ... uhhh .... 57 states with one more to go?"  Barack Obama 2008

(2)  Did the liberal media ever investigate Reverand Wright, Bill Ayers, Bernadine Dorn, Tony Rezco, the SEIU, the AFL-CIO, ACORN, other scandelist unions and associates of Barack Obama?  No!

(3)  "To avoid being mistaken for such a sell-out, I chose my friends carefully; the more politically active black students, the foreign students, the chicanos, marxist professors, and structural feminists and punk rock performance poets."  Barack Obama.

(4)  "The reforms we seek would bring greater competition, choice, savings and inefficiencies to our health care system."  Barack Obama.

(5)  "What I was suggesting -- you're absolutely right that John McCain has not talked about my Muslim faith."  Barack Obama.

(6)  Not to mention that in numerous speeches, he [Obama] has neglected to recite the passage of "Our Creator" when reciting the Declaration of Independence. 

(7)  Though he has spoken of God in past speeches, today, November 24th, he questionably neglected to mention that Thanksgiving Day is a day when we honor God for all His bounty supplied to us.  Instead, Obama gave accolades to; "A celebration of communities."  Funny ... there's that "community" thing again. 

(8)  Then his wife's 2nd most famous quote: "Barack knows we are going to have to change our history, our tradition, our conversation."  (9)  Now her most famous; "For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country."

(10) Then we have the 2010 White House Christmas Tree that was decorated with pictures of Chairman Mao, transvestite Hedda Lettuce and a picture of Barack Obama super-imposed upon Mount Rushmore.  Patriotic Presidents just don't get any better than that.  Do they folks?

(11) And do not forget about all the tax cheats (six of them), revolutionaries, communists and absolute radicals that have infiltrated the White House since he took office.  The liberal lamestream media has taken very little, if any notice of all this.  Or have they noticed?  They just fail at their duties to the american people.  Folks, when the media fails to do it's job, the american dream is lost.

(12) And today, December 1st, 2011, Andy Stern, former head of SEIU (Yeah.  Obama's buddies!) is calling for a total end of capitalism in the United States, and favors replacing it with communism.  

(13) And why is Alena Keagan on the Supreme Court bench?  Most likely it is that when Obama-Care hits the courts, they have a friend in her; who by the way, joyessly celebrated in emails to the White House when it was signed into law!

(14) Obama spoke of feeling embarrassed or ashamed of victory in Afghanistan.

(15) He blatently defied a judge's order to reopen oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico.

(16) Someone tell me how many times he said: "Corpseman." during just one speech.  It was at least three.

(17) "The Constitution is deeply flawed."  Obama

(18) He is intentially bankrupting the coal industry.

(19) He has accumulated more than 5 TRILLION dollars of debt in just 3 years.

(20) He has made congress irrelevant thru questionable executive orders.

(21) He oversees the most corrupt Attorney General of my lifetime.

(22) Obama and his DOJ continue to sue states over their immigration laws.

(23) FINALLY ... THE AUDIO AT RIGHT IS BARACK OBAMA'S AMERICA.

Personally, if I were President and heard people talking with the type of attitude just heard on the video, I would be ashamed of myself!  The truth is, our nation has been turned 180 degrees up-side-down from our founders intentions of 235 years ago and it is because of liberalism which began in the early 20th century.  The american communists now see it as their turn and their time to:  "Fundamentally transform the United States of America."  Barack Obama 2009.  As the old saying goes:   "Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me."  I pray to God that Obama does not for a 2nd time fool you, the useful idiot who voted for him the1st time.

Steve Dowell

Bloomfield, Pa

An Eye On Perry County

Steve Dowell

10-17-11

I'm going to try a different kind of story today.  You all know I like diversification so, let's temporarily jump away from politics with the following feature story.  Let's talk everyday life for a little pleasure. 

Normally when I awaken upon a cool, crispy, 45 degree morning like it was today, I would arise and start a fire in our kitchen wood stove, make my breakfast, then sit comfortably by the warm, cozy fire for a hour or so.  But on this day, I decided to get out of the house and walk the block and a half to downtown Bloomfield for some breakfast bar conversation at the County Seat Restaurant. Tom Burd was there as was Woody Simonton, Dennis Askins and hey; who was this to suddenly enter the door and sit right beside me but none other than former Pennsylvania State Senator Bill Moore.  I'm sort of a solitary creature so it does me good to get out and expand my horizons on occasion.  A person learns things about life and others when he or she can just sit and listen to the environment surrounding them.  If you've never been to the County Seat Restaurant, I highly recommend that you stop in.  Nicole Smeigh will make sure your meal is proper by asking how you like your eggs, hash browns and toast!

While there some of the breakfast talk entailed the good people of Perry County.  Senator Moore and myself conversed about the wonderfulness in that wherever a person resides in Perry County, we all seem to be part of the same community.  No matter if you live in Ickesburg, Shermans Dale, Newport, Bloomfield; granted Millerstown and Marysville seem to be on the fringe, we all know, love and respect each other ... most of us anyway.  And speaking of Perry County, it is one of the most beautiful places in the country that I have witnessed.

Here in Bloomfield, we have some very positive things happening.  A dialysis center is being built on South Carlisle Street, and the Bloomfield Fire Company is looking to move into the old Ford dealership building (just across the street) at some point in the future.  Having a new fire house directly upon a main avenue in town will be a huge plus for all involved.  The Shermans Valley Railroad used to cross South Carlisle Street in that part of town.  Now we'll be seeing many cars and firetrucks re-activate that area.  Those two entities alone will greatly enhance our town. 

The West Perry sports teams seem to be doing quite well.  The last I saw, the field hockey squad was in 2nd place behind the  Black Hawks of Susquenita.  The soccer team is doing very well too but, the football team lost a heartbreaker Friday night 45-42.  The Mustangs came up with a big 14 point 4th quarter, but zero points in the 3rd.  In football, it seems that 3rd quarter points are a must if a team is to win the game.

Autumn time has arrived as evidenced of the now cooler air and falling leaves.  Although it rained much of the past week, the colors were and are still beautiful.  Autumn time seems to calm people, making us more placid.  Autumn time possibilities seem endless.  Peaceful activities take place; picture-taking, hiking and quiet walks through the woods, the farmers are harvesting their fields, hunters ready their bows and rifles in time for hunting season hoping to bag a deer, squirrel or other wild game.  Boaters and fisherman expend some of their last opportunities on the Susquehanna and Juniata Rivers.  People take car rides, and fall is also that last opportunity to open the windows of our homes and give them one last airing out before the onset of winter.   And on some Saturdays while outside of my house, I can hear a football game being played at Carson Long Academy just up the street.  While I'm on the subject of football, let me say this; Carson Long plays football the way football was meant to be played; in daylight conditions, an open air stadium and upon natural grass.  I've been saying for years that high school football should revert to Saturday afternoon games; the day and times played when I went to school.  More people would attend and everybody seems more energized when under the sun.  I also believe a higher quality game would be played because of better field and weather conditions. 

Continuing the subject of Autumn, the past two weekends, I've been able to get outside and drive around Perry County in my 2010, "Tor  Red" colored 3.5, 250 horse power Dodge Challenger taking scenic pictures and talking with the plain folk of the area ...  whomever I run into actually.  Last weekend while photographing a dilapidating barn, I spent an hour talking with two farmers in Elliottsburg and this weekend while on excursion, who do I run into while photographing an old barn in Loysville?  WP football standout Jonathan Wilson.  Truthfully speaking, Jonathan may not be a standout player in the eyes of many people, but, he is a standout "person" in my book!  He is a good friend and a good kid. 

I find it enjoyable photoging old barns and remains of the old Shermans Valley Railroad bed.  Barns, well, many that I photograph have unfortunately seen their best days.  While photographing them, I can always imagine seeing everyday farmhands walking with their pails, shovels, wheelbarrows; whatever work they had to do, it was all done by hand or small machine.  It's the way things were done when many of our now passing barns were built; most back in the 1920's and 30's.  The milking or feeding of cows, horses, goats; whatever they had in there; it's like watching a silent movie inside my mind.  Old barns tell a serene story of what once was; a thriving family who depended on only themselves to live a proper, just and sustainable life. 

Then there's the old Shermans Valley Rail Road bed.  I've had a life-long facination with rail roads to begin with - I think we all do and I still dream about the days when passenger and small freight trains traversed the county beween Blain, Duncannon, Newport and Bloomfield where the now defunct beds lay dormant. When seeing part of the rail bed, I can hear the grinding of the metal wheels against the rails, the chugging engines starting and stopping, the whistle blowing and I can even see the people looking outward from the windows at the passing scenery; the ladies dressed in their gowns and hats, the men in their suits and derbys ... pretty popular for the time.  I think how it must have been a much simpler life back then; simpler but, without a doubt, tougher.  Many goods arrived by train to Perry County in the late 1800's and early 1900's causing many calloused hands to load and unload mechandise throughout the county.  Often times, I find myself wishing I had experienced Perry County in those days.

My black cat just leaped upon my desk.  He's well-behaved but, meows like a sissy.  We took him in as a stray two years ago and needless to say, he has found a loving home.  My wife and I pulled a tick from his head last night so start treating your animals for fleas and ticks my friends because it is their time of year for re-infestation. 

And to close out, Rich and Angie Moyer of Newport are back home from the hospital after a brutal black bear attack from inside their home.  Little did Rich know that when leaving his dog outside first thing that morning of the horror that was soon to follow.  We wish the Moyer family well; especially Rich and Angie.  Rich is a big guy.  I think he stands about 6' 5" and weighs perhaps about 250 lbs.  You know, I think if Rich had claws and a jaw like the bear, well ... I would not want to place bets on who may come out the victor of any rematch between the two!  I think I would give Rich pretty strong odds.   Seriously, may God bless and see Rich and Angie Moyer through this horrifying time in their lives. You may watch the story here on NBC News by clicking the following link:

  http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44783872/ns/today-today_people/t/couple-attacked-bear-home-we-saved-each-other/

And as always, if you wish to comment, please email me at:  stevedowell@pa.net

Steve Dowell

Bloomfield, Pa

Listed below are titles of past editorials.  If you would like a copy, you are welcome to contact me via email and I shall be happy to send a copy to you.

Sarah Palin Telling It Like It Is

9-5-2011

Good vs Evil

8-2-2011

The Debt Talks

7-29-2011

Punctuation and Grammer

7-16-2011

The Constitution Hits The Road

6-1-2011

More Tyranny And Contradictions By The ACLU

5/17/2011

Defending Against Blatant Lies And Personal Attacks

5/13/2011

  The Obamas Have Gone Too Far!

5-11-2011

Democrats And Their Class Warfare

4-20-2011

THE SANDLOT

4/11/2011

The Coming Trend

3/21/2011

This is Sufferage

3/9/2011

A Dedication To Stephen Hege

February 4th, 2011

The Far-Left Continues The Looniness

January 26th, 2011

Thanksgiving Day

November 19th, 2010

Veteran's Day

November 8th, 2010

When You Vote

October 27th, 2010

God Works In Miraculous Ways!

September 27th, 2010

Social Security Reform - And Social Security's Wonderful Demise!

September 7th, 2010

OBAMA AND THE MOSQUE
August 16th, 2010

  The FAITH part of Politics
6/26/2010

Joe Barton

6/22/2010

ANARCHY

6/3/2010

Far Left Jealousy
4/28/2010

No Doubt About It ... Liberals ARE Nuts!
4/12/2010

"The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself."   Ben Franklin

Welcome to FAITH AND POLITICS.  Here, I write about current day political, social and faith issues.  My opinions below, are facts gathered from multiple sources.  Please know that if you  agree or disagree, you are welcome to utilize this outlet for your voice - debate is what moves our nation forward.  Email me: stevedowell@pa.net  Your email shall be screened and posted if applicable to whatever issue.

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