The following was taken from a very old newspaper clipping which has been passed around in my family for many years. Parents and concerned citizens need to put a stop to liberal educators and "left leaning" social scientists using our children as laboratory subjects for their own personal experimentation. I strongly believe the faculty and administrators of our schools should take a hard look at what worked in the past and apply such in the future. If anyone can supply me with the identity of the author of this article, I’ll make sure proper attributions are later given. Here it is.

Free speech is meant to protect unpopular speech. Popular speech, by definition, needs no protection. This message is wonderful since it conveys the cold, cold wind of reality. Neal Boortz is a Texan, a lawyer, a Texas Aggie (Texas A&M), and now a nationally syndicated talk show host from Atlanta . His commencement address to the graduates of a recent Texas A&M class is far different from what either the students or the faculty expected. His views are thought provoking. This was sent to me by a dear friend of many years probably (many thanks Margaret) because she knows it is the kind of message I think all graduates should hear.

As stated in other articles, I receive a great number of articles which are on points to which I subscribe, however, only very few are chosen to re-print verbatim in this blog. This title article is introduced by a retired Air Force General and is written by a retired U.S. Army General. While on active duty, it was said of me, "Van is his name, Tactics is his game." Thus as a retired senior ranked U.S. Army Officer myself, I carefully screen military articles. The writings of these two generals, I believe are "right on" with respect to a plan for the prosecution of our ongoing efforts in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Read on and see if you agree. And now, the words of BG Jim Cash.

In our country, we profess "FREEDOM OF RELIGION." The framers however never intended America to have "Freedom FROM Religion", but rather, that the "State" would never create or adopt a "State Religion" as is the case in a number of countries. We more or less subscribe to the practice of "Live and let live" because we have never before been faced with the possibility of actually losing many of the Freedoms we enjoy. The following story was adapted from　Dr. Peter Hammond's book: Slavery, Terrorism and Islam: The Historical Roots and Contemporary Threat. It certainly gives us much to ponder!

Ever since I ran the first story on Vansopinion.com [now Vansopinions.com] years ago, like others, I have withheld stories, pulled punches to avoid embarrassing folks who should have been embarrassed and have been extremely "Politically Correct." Seldom did I ever include names, addresses and telephone numbers of those needing exposure. That is about to change! The Vansopinions readers, will feast upon stories the "drive by" media are afraid to publish.

Folks, it has been months since time permitted yours truly to post words of wit and wisdom on vansopinion, but that is about to change. Since the last posting, I have been in twenty-six states, Washington D.C. [two times] and Canada on business and pleasure Additionally, I am currently working on matters that will likely take me to Chicago in the next week or so and possibly back to the nation’s capitol [aka Disneyland East] A volley of information will be forthcoming on my blog which you will find informative in part, interesting in part and some will be "leg slapping" funny. You can catagorize the following as you see fit.

We Lutherans, are big on congregational dinners. It is sort of customary that the ladies of the church put together a "lunch" for the family and friends of the deceased who gather after the funeral service. This provides a means of celebrating the departed’s life on earth and the sharing of cherished memories with one another. While funerals are a time of sadness, they also are a time of joy for those who know their loved one has entered an Everlasting Life which is far better than the one they left. This is a thought provoking message with a point....or you might say, FOOD FOR THOUGHT..

There is a growing trend in this country for members of congregations who, for one reason or another, have a disagreement on a spiritual or secular matter with their Pastor, to organize a mean spirited, gossip laden, outright brutal campaign to dump him. Most usually there is no Christian basis for these acts and actions. Such was the case recently at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Emma, Missouri and such is the case now in progress at Saint Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hampton, Nebraska. The Rev. Clint Poppe, who until recently served as First Vice President of the Nebraska District of the LCMS in addition to being Pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, wrote a paper entitled "Not a Good Fit" which originally appeared in Logia, A Journal of Lutheran Theology. Since that periodical is read for the most part by professional church workers and since it deals with the subject at hand, with Poppe’s permission, the paper is reprinted here verbatim for wider attention. Lutheran laymen, Called and Ordained Servants of the Word, take due notice of the contents thereof and govern yourselves accordingly