Abraham Lincoln 1863 (twlncn63) by Greg Goebel is in the public domain (CC0 1.0)
A tribute to the memory and legacy of Abraham Lincoln as we remember his birth on February 12, 1809.
The Gettysburg Address, presented at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands, California on February 8, 2020.
Posted by Jim Ulvog on February 12, 2020, 9:57 am
https://freedomismoral.com/2020/02/12/gettysburg-address/
Perhaps a couple weeks late, but too good not to mention:
Credited to the South Kitsap High School vocal group in Port Orchard, Washington.
Hat tip: Behind the Black.
(Cross-post from Nonprofit Update.)
Posted by Jim Ulvog on January 15, 2020, 7:37 am
https://freedomismoral.com/2020/01/15/silent-monks-sing-the-hallelujah-chorus/
Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
For our freedom, I offer up a humble thank you to all who have gone before standing endless watch, slogging through the jungle mud, freezing in a foxhole, shooting Nazis with a machine gun at 30,000 feet, doing yet another round of dreary maintenance, brought home a life-long injury, or paying the ultimate price fighting to defeat the Confederacy.
Because of millions who did what had to be done, I can say what I wish without fear of being thrown in jail.
It seems so insufficient, but I’ll say it anyway – – Thanks.
“It is the soldier, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.”
Posted by Jim Ulvog on November 11, 2017, 11:55 am
https://freedomismoral.com/2017/11/11/who-picked-up-the-bill-for-our-freedom/
Silhouette of charging Union soldier. “Happy Birthday America” by Steve Corey is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Two hundred forty-one years ago today marked the start of this wonderful, fantastic, heaven-blessed, messy, delightful, powerful, flawed, and glorious experiment called the United States of America which has delivered unimaginable levels of freedom to hundreds of millions of people here in the US of A and contributed massively to the freedom of hundreds and hundreds of millions more around the world.
Happy birthday America!
“4th of July” by Matthew Blouir is licensed under CC BY 2.0
If you want a really short description of this day, consider a photo of a sign on a store’s door I saw while browsing the ‘net:
Closed on July 4
in observance of
Brexit 1776
If you are looking for a brief description of the string of events which led to signing the Declaration of Independence and the follow-on events leading to full independence, (more…)
Posted by Jim Ulvog on July 4, 2017, 9:09 am
https://freedomismoral.com/2017/07/04/happy-birthday-america/
Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
The Supreme Court issued a major ruling in favor of religious freedom, finding that a religious preschool may not be prohibited from a program helping private schools merely because it is a religious based school.
I would like to give you a flash introduction to the ruling. If you are interested in this case, you must spend time in further research.
The case, referred to as Trinity Lutheran, is focused on a state program that paid for private schools to resurface their playgrounds with rubber from recycled tires. The state held that merely being run by a religious entity disqualified the preschool from participation in the program. (If you need a more precise cite, look up Trinity Lutheran Church vs. Comer)
Posted by Jim Ulvog on June 26, 2017, 7:43 pm
https://freedomismoral.com/2017/06/26/major-ruling-on-religious-freedom-from-supreme-court/
Ponder a moment on Memorial Day the cost of our freedom.
“Memorial Day” by Clotee Pridgen Allochuku is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Memorial Day” by ffaalumni is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
“Memorial Day 2008” by timomcd is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Memorial Day” by Anderson Smith2010 is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Memorial Day” by karen.73 is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Posted by Jim Ulvog on May 29, 2017, 9:48 am
https://freedomismoral.com/2017/05/29/remembering-those-who-sacrificed-for-our-freedom/
Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
Those of us living in the United States are blessed with religious freedom, political freedom, and economic freedom because those who went before us fought for freedom.
Many of those fighting offered up their life for freedom and the offer was accepted.
I am humbled and grateful to God that some of my ancestors are included in the long list of those who fought. I am especially humbled that a great, great grand-uncle is in the list of those who died in the defense of freedom.
Because of their sacrifice, I get to enjoy this kind of freedom:
Posted by Jim Ulvog on May 29, 2017, 8:15 am
https://freedomismoral.com/2017/05/29/land-of-the-free-because-of-the-brave/
Death on a cross Friday isn’t the end of the story. The tomb is empty on Sunday, because HE IS RISEN! Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
Since the purpose of this blog is to celebrate and advocate for freedom, I shall exercise my God-given right to religious freedom. I heartily encourage you to do the same in whatever form you choose.
Or don’t do anything if you choose. That is the point of freedom!
The following is a repost of my comment four years ago on Easter morning.
He is risen! He is risen indeed!
This morning my wife and I attended a sunrise service. Haven’t done that for many years. A wonderful way to celebrate this day. On our way to celebrate with our church family momentarily.
Here’s a selection of 4 videos to help your celebration:
Posted by Jim Ulvog on April 16, 2017, 5:00 am
https://freedomismoral.com/2017/04/16/he-is-risen/
Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
I was on active duty in the U.S. Air Force a mere four years. I never got within 3,000 miles of hostile action against American forces. To top it off, my small contribution was decades ago.
As a result, I am squeamishly uncomfortable accepting the appreciation when someone tells me “Thanks for your service.”
It took me a few years to get to a place where I could accept those comments.
I now graciously and proudly accept those expressions of appreciation from my fellow Americans, not because of what I did so long ago, but on behalf of all those soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen who do not have someone looking them in the eye, shaking their hand, and saying “thanks.”
So for all those troops pulling alerts, standing watch, scheduling logistics, or taking fire, please know that vast numbers of Americans are grateful for your service.
I pass on to you their thanks.
You are there, not here, so many people have thanked me instead. It is you they are really thanking.
While today we remember with gratitude those who did not return, I hope those who are serving today hear the appreciation.
Posted by Jim Ulvog on May 30, 2016, 7:09 am
https://freedomismoral.com/2016/05/30/to-all-those-serving-in-the-american-military-or-who-have-served/
Thought about putting on my blogs some cool patriotic visuals to celebrate the 239th anniversary of the greatest country in the world that has provided more political, economic, and religious freedom to more people than any country anywhere anytime. There are lots of nice looking things available on the ‘net.
Also thought about pulling up some photos of flags I’ve taken over the years and creating a visual celebration.
I decided to do something completely different.
Of the large number of freedoms that we humans have because we exist, which are also recognized by the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, I particularly cherish freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
So yesterday (which was the federal holiday), today (the actual anniversary), and tomorrow I exercise those freedoms.
(Cross-post from my other blog, Outrun Change.)
Freedom of speech
Posted by Jim Ulvog on July 4, 2015, 10:27 am
https://freedomismoral.com/2015/07/04/i-celebrate-this-independence-day-by-using-my-freedom-of-speech-and-freedom-of-religion/
I was on active duty during the Cold War and fulfilled my committment several years before the collapse of the Soviet Union.
I recall with wonderful joy the day the Berlin Wall fell.
Posted by Jim Ulvog on November 9, 2014, 6:58 am
https://freedomismoral.com/2014/11/09/25-years-of-freedom-for-east-germany-and-much-of-the-world/
Been pondering today how thrilled I am to have:
(cross posted from my other blog, Outrun Change.)
That freedom is a rarity on the earth today and unheard of for all of history until around, oh, say 300 years ago.
Oh how I wish that everyone on the planet could be blessed with that economic, political, and religious freedom.
Posted by Jim Ulvog on July 4, 2014, 11:04 am
https://freedomismoral.com/2014/07/04/pondering-the-4th-of-july-makes-me-wish-everyone-on-the-planet-enjoyed-economic-religious-and-political-freedom/
(Cross-post from my other blog, Nonprofit Update.)
Recent news reports indicate federal intelligence agencies are gathering up a lot more information than we knew. That data is available to undisclosed lists of unknown people and will be retained for a very long time.
So what?
Here’s just a few circumstances in which you might not want access to your data by a long list of unidentified persons from various federal, state, or local agencies who were granted access to various unidentified parts of the various databases: (more…)
Posted by Jim Ulvog on July 26, 2013, 6:31 am
https://freedomismoral.com/2013/07/26/12-situations-when-it-might-matter-to-you-that-the-feds-are-tracking-everything-you-text-or-email-and-making-note-of-everywhere-you-go/
(Cross-post from my other blog, Outrun Change.)
Seems like every morning there is a big story with details of the vast array of surveillance conducted by the federal government. Here is a broad overview of news in the last 2 weeks.
First report was metadata of every phone call at Verizon is passed to the feds. More important than the number of every person you talk to is your location on a moment by moment basis.
Then we learn data from the other carriers, AT&T and Sprint, is scooped up.
Then the news is the feds are scooping up credit card transactions, e-mails, and Internet activity. Although capturing all e-mails as been in the news here and there for close to a decade.
We learn nine Internet companies are passing on their info including
Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Facebook, PalTalk, AOL, Skype, YouTube, Apple
The Post Office scans the front and back of every piece of mail.
Today the report is thousands of firms are swapping data with a variety of federal agencies. One specific example is Microsoft giving info on day 0 software bugs to federal agencies before patches are released.
Many companies voluntarily turn over information, or product specs, or system design, or data and receive information in return.
In addition, one specific companies receive a letter promising no criminal enforcement and many companies get letters providing protection from civil suits.
The steady drip of information on the surveillance society hasn’t slowed. Just as a wild guess, there’s probably more news to come.
Posted by Jim Ulvog on June 14, 2013, 9:26 am
https://freedomismoral.com/2013/06/14/the-drip-drip-drip-of-news-about-how-we-are-being-watched-our-knowledge-of-the-scale-of-surveillance-is-expanding-by-the-day/
