The Harris Tribe

911 – We Will Never Forget!

2014-09-11T07:37:00.001-04:00

Remember the Fallen!

Common Core emerges as potent election issue for fed-up parents

2014-04-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

By Ben Evansky - Published March 29, 2014 - FoxNews.com

Parents across the country may hold the key to this year's mid-term elections as they vent their anger over the implementation of a controversial education achievement measure called the Common Core State Standards Initiative.

Forty-five states and the District of Columbia have adopted the initiative in a bid, they say, to improve education standards in Math and English, and give new life to what many view as a sagging education system. Indiana recently voted to back out of Common Core.

But many parents see the initiative as a bid by the federal government to take over the education system. They are also angry over the "data mining" of students' personal information, and say the stepped-up standards are not age-appropriate and are leading to anxiety and depression in their children.

Analysts warn the parental opposition could spill over into the November elections.

"Those populist candidates are running against the Common Core, and they are going to say Washington is interfering with children's schooling ..."
- Tom Loveless, Brookings Institute

"You really have a populist reaction, and that's true on the left and the right," says Tom Loveless, a senior fellow with the Brown Center on Education Policy at Brookings Institute in Washington, D.C.

He predicts candidates opposing politicians from the establishment - or "at least trying to paint them as establishment candidates" - will take up the parental concerns.

"Those populist candidates are running against the Common Core, and they are going to say Washington is interfering with children's schooling and that teachers, parents and principals at the local level are better equipped to decide on what kids learn," he said.

Concurring is education expert Joy Pullmann.

"Common Core opposition is so completely grassroots, and support is so astroturf, " says the education research fellow for The Heartland Institute, a think tank headquartered in Chicago that promotes individual liberty and free enterprise.

"It is already becoming a primary and general election issue in everything from local school board races to gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races," she added.

According to Pullmann, the issue is "huge among mothers."

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

7 Secrets for a High-Yield Vegetable Garden

2014-03-31T11:09:00.001-04:00

By organicgardening.com

Here’s how to get the most out of your garden.

Imagine harvesting nearly half a ton of tasty, beautiful, organically grown vegetables from a 15-by-20-foot plot, 100 pounds of tomatoes from just 100 square feet (a 4-by-25-foot bed), or 20 pounds of carrots from just 24 square feet.

Yields like these are easier to achieve than you may think. The secret to superproductive gardening is taking the time now to plan strategies that will work for your garden. Here are seven high-yield strategies gleaned from gardeners who have learned to make the most of their garden space.

1. Build up your soil.

Expert gardeners agree that building up the soil is the single most important factor in pumping up yields. A deep, organically rich soil encourages the growth of healthy, extensive roots that are able to reach more nutrients and water. The result: extra-lush, extra-productive growth above ground.

The fastest way to get that deep layer of fertile soil is to make raised beds. Raised beds yield up to four times more than the same amount of space planted in rows. That’s due not only to their loose, fertile soil but also to efficient spacing—by using less space for paths, you have more room to grow plants.

Raised beds save you time, too. One researcher tracked the time it took to plant and maintain a 30-by-30-foot garden planted in beds, and found that he needed to spend just 27 hours in the garden from mid-May to mid-October. Yet he was able to harvest 1,900 pounds of fresh vegetables—that’s a year’s supply of food for three people from about 3 total days of work!

How do raised beds save so much time? Plants grow close enough together to shade out competing weeds, so you spend less time weeding. The close spacing also makes watering and harvesting more efficient.

2. Round out your beds.

The shape of your beds can make a difference, too. Raised beds are more space-efficient if the tops are gently rounded to form an arc, rather than flat. A rounded bed that is 5 feet wide across its base, for instance, will give you a 6-foot-wide arc above it—creating a planting surface that’s a foot wider than that of a flat bed. That foot might not seem like much, but multiply it by the length of your bed and you’ll see that it can make a big difference in total planting area.

In a 20-foot-long bed, for example, rounding the top increases your total planting area from 100 to 120 square feet. That’s a 20 percent gain in planting space in a bed that takes up the same amount of ground space! Lettuce, spinach, and other greens are perfect crops for planting on the edges of a rounded bed.

READ THE OTHER THREE STEPS HERE

Boneta Bill Part III by Dr. Ileana Johnson Paugh

2014-03-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

By Tom White - Virginia Right

The small farmers in Virginia rejoiced when Senate Bill 51 and House Bill 268, dubbed the “Boneta Bill,” passed both houses and the Democrat Governor Terry McAuliffe signed it. The bill gave farmers legal protection from overreaching and overzealous county bureaucrats who impose unreasonable requirements and unnecessary fees on small farmers.

The bills, sponsored by state Senator Richard Stuart (R-Montross) and state Delegate Bobby Orrock (R-Thornburg), protect “agricultural operations from local regulation” and limit the government’s ability to require “special-use permits” for farm activities. Among many things, “Martha’s bill prevents counties from imposing a $100 fee to grow tomatoes.”

Martha Boneta, the farmer at the center of this protracted battle in Virginia said, “No Virginian should be forced to lose everything when they fight city hall.” Her farm is embroiled in a costly legal battle with Fauquier County supervisors over the use of her own farmland.

Boneta explained, “Corn mazes and pumpkin carvings were considered ‘events’ that required site plans and a mile-long list of red tape that can be suffocating.”

“There is an illusion that farmers are allowed to sell all their products because there are farmers markets and one-day bake sales. … These are exemptions granted at the whim of government. I have 33 acres with cows. If I had the ability to sell all my farm products (including raw milk) directly to the public, I could make $56,000 a year. But not under existing regulations.” (Bernadette Barber, founder of Virginia Food Freedom)

Martha Boneta found herself at the center of the battle for farm freedom and property rights when she held abirthday party for eight 10-year-old girls at her Liberty Farm. Fauquier County deemed this party illegal because it lacked a permit. “Why would I need a permit for pumpkin carving?” Boneta said.

Boneta was issued a special license in 2011 which allowed her to run a “retail farm shop” in which she sold handspun yarns, fresh vegetables, eggs, herbs, honey, and craft items such as birdhouses. Fauquier County Board of Supervisors changed in 2011 the “farm sales classification” to require a special permit for activities that were previously included in the permit that Boneta had already been issued. Faced with fines of $5,000 per violation under charges that she held a birthday party for eight 10-year-old girls without a permit and a “site plan,” advertised one wine tasting, sold postcards with pictures of her rescued farm animals, sold wool fiber products from her sheep and alpacas, and sold organic tea from herbs grown in her garden, even though she had a business license, Martha paid $500 to appeal these unjust administrative charges. “The county zoning administrator told her at the hearing that “Martha was out of line,” for appealing these charges.”

Mark Fitzgibbons wrote that “Fauquier County also passed a winery ordinance that blatantly violates property rights and civil liberties. It gives Fauquier zoning administrator Kimberley Johnson discretion to create penalties and to prohibit private personal gatherings.”http://washingtonexaminer.com/virginia-vintners-taste-the-police-state/article/2504381

Fitzgibbons said that “A local but powerful group called the Piedmont Environment Council (http://www.pecva.org/index.php/our-region/fauquier/711-fauquier-farm-winery-ordinance)

wholeheartedly backed that illegal, anti-liberty winery ordinance. The PEC seems to have an unusual if not disturbing amount of influence over Fauquier County officials.http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/the_environmentalists_police_and_welfare_states.html

Barber described the Boneta Bill victory as “opening the barn door for the blossoming farm-to-table movement.” However, bureaucrats and NGOs do not give up easily. Undaunted, no sooner had the ink dried on the signatures on the bill, the environmentalists came calling for a farm inspection of Martha’s Liberty Farm.

Property owners and farmers are fined, bullied, threatened based not just on zoning ordinances, but also via environmental conservation easements with onerous requirements, and farm inspections.

Martha Boneta’s farm is the only farm in the state of Virginia that has four required inspections per year. Inspectors used to come several times a month until Boneta complained. She gets a seven day notice.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

Food Freedom Legislation Introduced!

2014-03-27T18:00:00.000-04:00

by Tim Shoemaker on MARCH 27, 2014

Today, Rep. Thomas Massie (KY-4) introduced two new bills, the “Milk Freedom Act of 2014,” H.R. 4307, and the “Interstate Milk Freedom Act of 2014,” H.R. 4308, with a bipartisan coalition of 20 lawmakers. In his press release announcing the new legislation, Rep. Massie indicated these were the first in a planned series of Food Freedom legislation aimed at improving consumer choice and protecting local farmers.

“As a producer of grass-fed beef, I am familiar with some of the difficulties small farmers face when marketing fresh food directly to consumers. Our bills would make it easier for families to buy wholesome milk directly from farmers by reversing the criminalization of dairy farmers who offer raw milk,” said Rep. Massie. “The federal government should not punish farmers for providing customers the foods they want, and states should be free to set their own laws regulating food safety.”
….

Raw milk is fresh milk that has not been pasteurized, and may contain beneficial nutrients that have not been eliminated by the pasteurization process. Although Congress has never passed legislation banning raw milk, the federal Food and Drug Administration has used their regulatory authority to prosecute farmers for selling raw milk.

The “Milk Freedom Act of 2014” would provide relief to local farmers, small producers, and others who have been harassed, fined, and in some cases even prosecuted for the “crime” of distributing unpasteurized milk. This bill would prohibit the federal government from interfering with the interstate traffic of raw milk products.

Likewise, the “Interstate Milk Freedom Act of 2014” would prevent the federal government from interfering with trade of unpasteurized, natural milk or milk products between states where distribution or sale of such products is already legal.

No provision of either bill would preempt or otherwise interfere with any state law.

Massie concluded, “Today, many people are paying more attention to the food they eat, what it contains, and how it is processed. Raw milk, which has been with us for thousands of years, is making a comeback among these discerning consumers. Personal choices as basic as ‘what we feed our families’ should not be limited by the federal government.”

During his time in Congress, C4L Chairman Ron Paul was a champion of food freedom and sponsored legislation similar to H.R. 4307. Understanding the Food Freedom issue is vital to understanding personal liberty. It shouldn’t be any of the government’s business what we put into our own bodies, or choose to eat or drink.

Campaign for Liberty is proud to announce our support of both measures and encourage you to contact your representative and urge them to cosponsor H.R. 4307 and H.R. 4308.

THIS STORY IS FROM CAMPAIGN FOR LIBERTY

Love without limit -- Today's Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

2014-03-27T16:30:00.000-04:00

By Mike MacIntosh

From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden. For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.
But Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." And she answered and said to Him, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs." Then He said to her, "For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter." And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.

Mark 7:24-30

In one short passage from the book of Mark, we see Jesus breaking all stereotypes and going to people that need to be loved. Jesus is in a hostile and foreign country just north of Israel (modern day Lebanon), a nation whose Greek people were considered "unclean." But it is no accident that this passage is placed right here in Mark. I mean, think about this; the previous incident shows Jesus wiping out all distinction between clean and unclean food, and now Jesus shows us that there is no distinction between clean and unclean people (the Jews and the Greeks). You see, in Jesus Christ we are all one people of God; all able to love Him, live for Him, and serve Him. And He loves us just the same. John tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever (even a Greek, Syro-Phoenician woman) believes in Him would have eternal life!

Maybe you are a person that didn't have a dad or a mom, or your relationship with them was strained. Or maybe you've been struggling because you've never really received love from people. Well, you are just the prime candidate for the Lord to show you. He loves you! He loves the lovable and the unlovable. Do you see it here? There are no geographical borders to God's love. There are no religious things that you have to do in order to get God's love. Jesus Christ shattered all of that. Your relationship with the Lord, and His love for you, isn't about a religious activity; it's a relationship with Him. Jesus traveled miles to seek and to save those who were lost (Luke 19:10), and He's doing the same today. He is reaching out to you in love and compassion. It doesn't matter where you've been, where you're from, or what your social or economic status is. God loves you and is setting you free from your bondage. For whom the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36).

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed" (Luke 4:18).

An undefiled heart -- Today's Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

2014-03-26T15:00:00.000-04:00

by Mike MacIntosh

When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?" And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man."
Mark 7:17-23

Steeped in legalism and tradition, the Pharisees (and the disciples) had a difficult time understanding God's love and grace. You see, it's not what you eat or drink, or what rules and regulations you follow that make you a Christian. Likewise, it's not the absence of any of these things that make you a better Christian. We can get so hung up on rules and regulations, on making sure others around us don't do this or that, that we lose all perspective of Jesus' words here: It's not the physical stuff in life that defiles us; it's our hearts. Your actions are merely a by-product of your heart.

The Pharisees were so caught up in their rules and regulations (a.k.a. playing church) that they totally ignored the things that really defiled their lives. I mean, look at the list Jesus gives of evil things that defile us: evil thoughts, adultery, fornication, murder, stealing, coveting, wickedness, deceit, slandering anot! her's character, pride, and foolishness. These are the things that we should be concerned about -- issues that begin in our hearts. This list was written over 2,000 years ago and it's more relevant than ever! If our hearts are in the wrong place, our actions will follow. Our hearts need to be focused on Jesus!

Maybe you're prone to watching soap operas or questionable prime-time shows where inevitably you see people undressing and making out. What do these shows do? They plant lustful thoughts in your mind. One way you can tone down the lustful thoughts is to get rid of the lustful books and magazines, and turn off the lewd television shows you once thought were so great. Instead of letting evil thoughts control you, "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). When thoughts come up that are lustful, sensual, and wicked, you need to say out loud, "Stop! Lord, I turn these thoughts to you." God will take those thoughts and He will bring them under control.

Don't let the enemy destroy your life, your marriage, or your relationship with your family. Don't allow these things to defile you, all the while thinking that you're "a good person" because you don't smok! e or drink or eat unhealthy foods. Don't get me wrong; it's important to take care of yourself and to be a good steward of the body that God has given you. But don't let that be your sole focus when there are so many things (as Jesus lists here) that you need to control. Have a heart that seeks after the things of the Lord.

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled" (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).

Listen and understand -- Today's Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

2014-03-25T11:00:00.000-04:00

By Mike MacIntosh

When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.
Mark 7:14-15

We are all very busy people, pulled in many different directions by distractions that, at times, hinder our ability to hear the Lord. But despite all the distractions, Jesus is speaking to us.
Jesus says here two things that are so important for us to remember. First, He says, "Hear Me." In Mark 7:16, Jesus says, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Jesus is talking to you and with you, so you need to be in a place where you can hear Him. He is there with you, right now, as you read this. Make it a priority to find that quiet place where you can just listen to Him.

The second thing Jesus says is, "Understand." Not only does Jesus want to be heard, but He wants you to understand what He's saying to you. He is communicating deep, rich, and important truths to you that will change your life. Not only do you want to be in a place to hear those things, but you need to understand them, take them to heart, and let them soak into you.

You may be involved in a lot of religious activities, and you may have bumper stickers that say so. But none of these things mean that you have a relationship with the Lord, or that you are listening to, and heeding, His words. Jesus is giving you words of comfort and encouragement. He is giving you words to help you through life. Listen to Him, and take to heart what He's saying.

Is Yelling the New Spanking for Parents? 5 Tips for Screaming-Prone Moms and Dads

2014-03-24T10:05:00.001-04:00

by Jim Daly

Parenting children at any stage can be a real challenge. From the toddler who throws a lay-flat-on-the-floor-and-cry tantrum to the school-age brother and sister who won’t stop fighting, parents regularly navigate a wide array of situations that require dealing with unacceptable behavior.

The Today Show recently ran an interesting post exploring a growing trend among parents to manage these discipline issues through screaming rather than spanking. Maybe this tendency is due to a growing reluctance among some moms and dads to use spanking as a tool of discipline. Maybe it’s because our lives are becoming more hectic and fast-paced, so we have less patience with our kids.

Whatever the reason, most moms and dads will agree that constant yelling is no fun – it’s not what parents prefer to do, and it’s not what kids need. It’s not even an effective parenting strategy.

That begs the question: how can parents curtail the yelling habit? Here’s some advice from Focus’ parenting experts.

To Read the Five Advice Tips Click Here

Is your faith lacking?

2014-03-22T16:00:00.000-04:00

Developing a Life of Prayer

Do you ever struggle with "a lack of faith"? Faith is not something we merely have or do not have. It involves a process of ups and downs, victories and setbacks, triumphs and disappointments with every passing day. That's because faith is an aspect of our relationship with God—a product of our walk with Christ and the constant, gentle influence of His indwelling Holy Spirit.

Every Christian has to wrestle with doubt, fear, failure and inconsistency. In a certain sense, this is the only reliable road to a true and lasting faith that can weather the storms of life. Even the disciples of Jesus ("men of little faith" in the Lord's affectionate phrase) had to find their way through this dark, discouraging tunnel. Just at that moment when belief should have come easiest to them—when the Risen Christ Himself stood before them on a mountaintop in Galilee—Matthew records that "some doubted" (Matthew 28:17).

So if you sometimes question, know that you're not alone; as a matter of fact, you're in very good company. Meanwhile, you can take courage in the thought that even the merest shred of faith—faith as tiny as a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20)—is all that it takes to elicit an approving smile from your heavenly Father (Hebrews 11:6).

Details Available for April 2014 Event Listed on the Virginia Pow Wow Schedule

2014-03-21T17:22:00.001-04:00

Here is the final Pow Wow Listing for April

Check Out All Three April Listings Right Here

Do you see people as Jesus sees them? -- Today's Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

2014-03-21T13:48:00.001-04:00

By Mike MacIntosh

But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.
Mark 6:33-34

Isn't it wonderful to know that Jesus is full of compassion? This is one of the things that makes our Lord distinct from the religions in our world. God is not angry with you, nor does He desire you to accomplish works in hopes that you will appease and please Him. He sees you and has compassion on you.

The Greek word for compassion is very strong. It has to do with the emotion you feel way down deep in your gut. Have you ever had butterflies in your stomach? Or have you ever felt so much pain or stress that you could hardly breathe? When you're emotional to the extreme, your whole physical being feels it. And that's the kind of compassion Jesus had; when He saw the people who desperately needed Him, He was moved through His whole being. This is how much Jesus loves you. He has so much compassion for you.

And imagine what it would be like if we showed just an ounce of this kind of compassion for others. When you see people, do you see them as Jesus sees them? Or do you judge them and criticize them for not being like you? Jesus saw their need and, from His entire being, felt compassion for them. But it just wasn't a feeling; He did something about it! So, how are you showing Christ-like compassion to others?

"But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth" (Psalm 86:15).

"The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy" (Psalm 145:8).

"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous" (1 Peter 3:8).

New April 2014 Virginia Pow Wow Event Posted

2014-03-19T16:08:00.001-04:00

Just posted a second 2014 Pow Wow Event for April

April Calendar

April 2014 Virginia Pow Wow Listing

2014-03-19T13:31:00.001-04:00

We have posted our First Event Listing for 2014!!

The Event is the Georgetown Pow Wow in April 2014.

Click Here for Details

More Coming for April!!

Who Is Jesus? How to know God Personally!

2014-02-20T11:55:00.001-05:00

You were created to know God in a personal way—to have a relationship with Him, through His Son, Jesus Christ. How do you start a relationship with God?

Realize that you are a sinner.

No matter how good a life we try to live, we still fall miserably short of being a good person. That is because we are all sinners. The Bible says, "No one is good—not even one." We cannot become who we are supposed to be without Jesus Christ.

Recognize that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you.

The Bible tells us that "God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while were still sinners." This is the Good News, that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die in our place when we least deserved it.

Repent of your sin.

The Bible tells us, "Repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away." The word repent means to change our direction in life. Instead of running from God, we can run toward Him.

Receive Jesus Christ into your life.

Becoming a Christian is not merely believing some creed or going to church. It is having Christ Himself take residence in your life and heart. Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in . . ." If you would like to have a relationship with Christ, simply pray this prayer and mean it in your heart:

"Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. Amen."

If you said above prayer and want to know more then:

Click Here for more information and guidance

*Above Excerpt From Harvest.org

Click Here to Learn more about Jesus, Knowing God and Salvation

Fight Back: NSA Spying on Americans

2014-02-11T11:38:00.001-05:00

Article from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)

The US government, with assistance from major telecommunications carriers including AT&T, has engaged in a massive illegal dragnet surveillance of domestic communications and communications records of millions of ordinary Americans since at least 2001. Since this was first reported on by the press and discovered by the public in late 2005, EFF has been at the forefront of the effort to stop it and bring government surveillance programs back within the law and the Constitution.

History of NSA Spying Information since 2005

(See EFF’s full timeline of events here)

News reports in December 2005 first revealed that the National Security Agency (NSA) has been intercepting Americans’ phone calls and Internet communications. Those news reports, combined with a USA Today story in May 2006 and the statements of several members of Congress, revealed that the NSA is also receiving wholesale copies of American's telephone and other communications records. All of these surveillance activities are in violation of the privacy safeguards established by Congress and the US Constitution.

In early 2006, EFF obtained whistleblower evidence (.pdf) from former AT&T technician Mark Klein showing that AT&T is cooperating with the illegal surveillance. The undisputed documents show that AT&T installed a fiberoptic splitter at its facility at 611 Folsom Street in San Francisco that makes copies of all emails web browsing and other Internet traffic to and from AT&T customers and provides those copies to the NSA. This copying includes both domestic and international Internet activities of AT&T customers. As one expert observed, “this isn’t a wiretap, it’s a country-tap.” Secret government documents, published by the media in 2013, confirm the NSA obtains full copies of everything that is carried along major domestic fiber optic cable networks.

In June 2013, the media, led by the Guardian and Washington Post started publishing a series of articles, along with full government documents, that have confirmed much of what was reported in 2005 and 2006 and then some. The reports showed - and the government later admitted - that the government is mass collecting phone metadata of all US customers under the guise of the Patriot Act. Moreover, the media reports confirm that the government is collecting and analyzing the content of communications of foreigners talking to persons inside the United States, as well as collecting collecting much more, without a probable cause warrant. Finally, the media reports confirm the “upstream” collection off of the fiberoptic cables that Mr. Klein first revealed in 2006.

(See EFF’s How It Works page here for more)

EFF Fights Back in the Courts

EFF is fighting these illegal activities in the courts. Currently, EFF is representing victims of the illegal surveillance program in Jewel v. NSA, a lawsuit filed in September 2008 seeking to stop the warrantless wiretapping and hold the government and government officials behind the program accountable. In July 2013, a federal judge ruled that the government could not rely on the controversial ‘state secrets’ privilege to block our challenge to the constitutionality of the program. This case is being heard in conjunction with Shubert v. Obama, which raises similar claims.

Also in July, 2013, EFF filed another lawsuit, First Unitarian v. NSA, based on the recently published FISA court order demanding Verizon turn over all customer phone records including who is talking to whom, when and for how long — to the NSA. This so-called “metadata,” especially when collected in bulk and aggregated, allows the government to track the associations of various political and religious organizations. The Director of National Intelligence has since confirmed that the collection of Verizon call records is part of a broader program. In addition to making the same arguments we made in Jewel, we argue in Unitarian First Unitarian v. NSA that this type of collection violates the First Amendment right to association.

Previously, in Hepting v. AT&T, EFF filed the first case against a cooperating telecom for violating its customers' privacy. After Congress expressly intervened and passed the FISA Amendments Act to allow the Executive to require dismissal of the case, Hepting was ultimately dismissed by the US Supreme Court.

Article Source

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Sovereign Living that is self sufficient, off the grid and as far away from government rule as possible

2014-02-08T16:39:00.001-05:00

by Kirby Harris ~ WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW ~

Our family, the Harris family, are trying to be as self sufficient, healthy, raise our own food, not be dependent on centralized systems for anything, wishing to be off the grid and currently to do it in a suburban setting as much as humanly possible.

We are not perfect and are far from this goal, but its actually a journey and a life long process. So we are learning and trying to pass along any information that can help others to travel on this same journey.

Also, many are seeing that fighting and fixing this political system from within the system may be a lost cause. And instead of wasting their lives to the detriment of their families are opting to focus on living lives outside of the system as best they can and instead living happy productive lives with their family and like minded friends in community. Opting to teach others about liberty and self sufficiency within community.

I found this online reality based video series that does just this, and it is just as high quality and is just as excellent in entertaining content as most corporate TV/Cable created shows.

Sovereign Living is a docu-reality TV show that follows the Blush family as they transition from a lifestyle of hardcore political activism to the farm life.

Rather than fighting a system they find tyrannical, John and Cat want to lead by example and live a sovereign lifestyle. This means providing their own food, water, energy and community defense needs.

In an age of large governmental influence, the Blush family aims to explore and learn about how they can take care of themselves and their community, voluntarily.

Themes include: Self-sufficiency, Resolving crime without police, Alternative economies, Alternative education, Home birth, Natural health

Warnings: There is some mild cussing, and though I don’t share the spiritual faith as those on the show, the lessons mentioned above and in the video can be used by those of all faiths or those with none.

Push for Farm Freedom Virginia

2014-01-30T01:00:00.000-05:00

Press Release from: Kimberly Hartke, publicist for Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund.

Martha Boneta, owner of Liberty Farm

This Thursday, January 30, 2014, the Virginia state legislature takes up a bill that would protect farmers from abuse by local zoning officials and county regulators. The “On-Farm-Activities Act” or HB2628/SB51 Agricultural Operations: Local Regulation of Certain Activities is a product of a year long task force with members ranging from Virginia Association of Counties, to Agribusiness Council, to Farm Bureau. For the first time local food proponents had a seat on the task force, Joel Salatin and Lois Smith of Virginia Independent Farmers and Consumers, and Martha Boneta, a Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund member.

Near miraculously, these quarreling farming groups came together and formed this compromise bill.

Farm Freedom Virginia !

Another bill that provides remedies to citizens who are being hassled by bureaucrats, HB1219 Unconstitutional Acts and Ultra Vires Enforcement by Localities; Remedies. It was authored by Mark Fitzgibbons, another task force member who is sympathetic with the huge cost of defending one’s livelihood and property rights when city hall runs amuck. This bill is designed to give regulators pause, because the fines and penalties they mete out, would come back on them if their actions are found to be trespasses.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Martha Boneta appeared on Fox and Friends, a national cable TV show to discuss the farm freedom Virginia issues.

An interesting constitutional amendment for farm freedom Virginia was also introduced this legislative session.

The work of Christine Solem, a longtime farmer and citizen activist well known to the General Assembly worked on HJ170 Constitutional Amendment; Right to Acquire Farm-Produced Food. Christine’s late husband was the goat farmer who gave away his cheese at the farmers market in Charlottesville, VA when local authorities prohibited him from selling it. See Government Regulations Create High Hurdles for Small Farmers.

What You Can Do

Act today, our farmers are outnumbered and under represented.

Click (above) on each of these bills and cast your vote for farm freedom Virginia on the Richmond Sunlight website. Also, add comments as to why you support them.

Motivated to do more? See and share the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund Action Alert, bit.ly/FRN13878A .

Finally, if you can go to the hearing in Richmond this Thursday, GO! A visible show of support from a large crowd of concerned citizens can make a big difference in the actions on these measures that will be taken. See details on the FTCLDF Action Alert about farm freedom Virginia (above).

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Du and Daddy Bill Hawaii, Graph Jumping and St Maarten

2013-12-30T14:28:00.000-05:00

Kirby Harris Childhood Family Videos

2013-12-30T12:55:00.000-05:00

Commonwealth Chapel Passport to the Nations Vacation Bible School

2012-08-10T18:28:00.000-04:00

We just wrapped up Our "Passport to the Nations Vacation Bible School" at our Commonwealth Chapel Fan Location. The staff and the kids were awesome!

In attendance were Children from three faith communities: Commonwealth Chapel, Area 10 and Trinity Assembly of God.

Cousins

2011-12-28T15:22:00.001-05:00

Sleeping Sisters

2011-12-27T14:22:00.001-05:00