Laus Deo

Every US citizen should know this story ...

http://www.go-patriots.com/Laus%20Deo.htm

A little history lesson you may enjoy about the Washington Monument ...

One detail that is rarely mentioned in Washington, DC is that there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument.

With all the uproar in the United States about removing the 10 commandments from public places and just about everything else associated with the Holy Bible and Christianity ... this is worth a moment or two of your time.

On the aluminum cap atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, are displayed two words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there, and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.

Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share this with everyone you know. But these words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.

Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, un-noticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.

So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say "Praise be to God!"

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo ... "Praise be to God!"

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant ... a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.

Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message. On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy .."One Nation, Under God."

I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you never read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!

"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection! and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Laus Deo!

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo," its location, or the architects, but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)

It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every sister, brother, father, mother or friend. They will not find offense, because you have given them a lesson in history that they probably never learned in school.

Too bad the Devil didn't make us do it

The 'Dims' like to liken Cheney to the Devil, and always sneering that all he wants is to "make his oil buddies richer" .... here's the proposed Energy Plan that Cheney outlined in May 2001 ... would that the USA had followed that advice (of course if we had, what would the 'Dim'-ocrats substitute for their current "we can't drill our way out of this problem ... it'll be five years before we see any extra oil") ...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2001-05-01-cheney-usat.htm

05/01/2001 - Updated 07:35 AM ET

Cheney's energy plan focuses on production

By Richard Benedetto, USA TODAY


Richard Drew, AP
Vice President Dick Cheney's image looms over him as he warned Monday of California-style blackouts.

Vice President Cheney offered a preview Monday of a Bush administration energy plan that will be long on increased development of domestic oil, natural gas and nuclear power, but short on conservation.

Also missing will be what he called "quick fixes which never fix anything": price controls, use of strategic reserves and new federal agencies.

Among Cheney's proposals:

• Increased domestic production of crude oil.

• Stepped-up construction of natural gas pipelines.

• Massive expansion of the electrical power grid.

• Renewed construction of nuclear, hydroelectric, oil- and coal-fired power plants.

Cheney, a former oil services company executive, called alternative fuels such as ethanol or solar power promising but still "years down the road."

He said the administration will push for oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He said advances in technology drastically reduce the risks of harming the environment. But getting that oil to market will likely be years down the road as well.

"As a country, we have demanded more and more energy. But we have not brought on line the supplies needed to meet that demand," the vice president said.

The plan was called "shortsighted" and "leaning too heavily to the oil side" by Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Ill., a member of the House subcommittee on energy. "We need to conserve energy and explore alternative fuels such as ethanol and clean-coal technology."

Speaking in Toronto at an annual meeting of the Associated Press, Cheney outlined what may be the most ambitious energy plan since the late 1970s when President Carter promoted conservation to combat Arab oil embargoes.

Cheney said telling Americans to do more with less is not enough. "Conservation may be a sign of personal virtue, but it is not a sufficient basis for a sound, comprehensive energy policy," he said.

Democrats and environmentalists say Cheney's energy plan is more about rewarding contributors to the Bush campaign. Reps. John Dingell of Michigan and Henry Waxman of California have asked federal Comptroller General David Walker to investigate whether private interests are influencing Cheney's Energy Task Force, which has been meeting in secret.

Hi Dad

Happy Father's Day, Dad. I miss you.

Today it rained

A wonderful soul was called home this weekend. Our loss is his gain. He leaves a legacy of love and contribution in his network of family and friends. Everyone has a "Bill" memory that makes them smile or laugh. I have many of them.

Bill Donovan was, in spirit, my brother. He was, at times, my angel. He was, at all times, my friend. He made me consider issues in the context of 'balance and perspective', I made him laugh and forget for awhile the 'big questions' that seemed to weigh heavy on him much of the time.

His was a gentle soul, who derived the most pleasure from counseling others, asking questions to direct their train of thought, feeling their pain, luxuriating in a shared giggle. He was a true entrepreneur, fascinated by the creative process. He was smart as a whip. Bill was a giver.

He lived - from a congenital heart condition that required 2 open heart surgeries beginning when he was 37 - with a ticking clock on his shoulder. It put terrible pressure on what was a gentle, giving, loving spirit. It wasn't fair to him to live with. It's not fair to us that he's no longer here in the flesh ... although he lives in us through the chapters in our books that he helped to write, and of course in his immortal soul which is now with God the Father.

He has three beautiful, delightful daughters who love him deeply, and felt such warmth and security in his love for them. They were lucky - we were all lucky - to have him for as long as we did. And he was lucky to have his girls. Looking at them together, one could see the love and the connection of spirits - they were a family in the literal and also in the truest sense of the word.

The last time I saw Bill we were at a Yankees-Mariners baseball game, and we had so much fun watching the game that was such a great metaphor for Bill's mind and spirit. Bill often noted the etymological fact that the root of the word "paradise" is an ancient Persian word meaning "enclosed park or green." Ballparks exist, he said, because there is in humanity a vestigial memory of an enclosed green space as a place of freedom and play. That there was baseball in Heaven he had no doubt, and I have no doubt he'll be playing it for Eternity, stretching singles into doubles, pitching out to catch the runner stealing second, and waiting for the rest of us to come enjoy it with him.

Bill was my friend, and I love him, and I shall miss him.