Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 12:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here Ben, this always helps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMBZDwf9d...

:)

Posted by Riffian1964 (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 12:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Once again Ben you have said what needs to be said. We all need to step back and regain the civility and respect with which we used to treat our neighbors. The Golden Rule needs to be remembered and put into use by us all.

Posted by danielsbasketry (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 2:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Everyone has vivid memories of where they were and what they were doing when they heard of the attacks in New York and Washington. I was visiting my daughter in Jackson. She had an interview we were hurrying to get to, and had not turned on the tv that morning. When I started the car, we heard the awful news on the radio, and everywhere we went that day, we caught the terrifying scenes on tv. The next morning as we got into the car again, the radio announcer caught our attention. He said, "Over 4000 innocent people lost their lives yesterday." As he paused, my mind immediately went to the towers falling into the thick smoke. Then he continued, "over 4000 innocent babies in the United States lost their lives yesterday to abortion". I was shocked. I had no idea there were that many done everyday. We were all mourning the suspected loss of 4000 from the attacks, but that was a one time thing. He was saying that we were letting people kill 4000 babies each and every day. In my mind, the two events will forever be linked.

We are being destroyed from within. Our callous disregard for the lives lost to abortion is coming back to haunt us. We are not having enough babies to sustain our government and our heritage. There are demographic models out there that tell you how many children must be born to keep the country viable. We are falling behind. Our enemies know they just have to sit back and wait. We are doing ourselves in.

Posted by Idefinitelymight (Tom Scarborough) on September 11, 2009 at 6:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ben--I believe you have written the finest op-ed piece I have ever read in this paper. Elegantly stated, beautifully written, and too true. Thank you.

Posted by ntz143 (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Once again, Ben, you are the voice of reason in a world full of chaos.

Posted by thetinman (Keith Reynolds) on September 11, 2009 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ben, I hate to tell you, the reason why Americans are doing a mainly stable debates with there elected officials, we as Americans are feeling out voices aren't being heard. Sorry, but a Government of the people, by the people and, for the people, are being overlooked.

Remember the Boston tea party, people had to be heard. They made themselves heard. If the few elected officials start to do what they want, not listening to the majority of the nation, WE WILL LET YOU KNOW!!!! Revelation 6:5, the Black Horse, "The horseman on it had a balance of scale in his hand. Then I heard something like a voice among the four living creatures say, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarrius-but do not harm the olive oil or wine"" Holman CSB
The oil and Wine are being disturb, We the People are taking a stand. If we say nothing, this evil that Washington D.C. wants to implement on it's citizens, will result in definite a government takeover of those in power. Let's look at Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. Look at Nazi Germany. Look at the former USSR, China, Cuba, North Korea. Revelation 6:4, The red horse could be represent Communist/Socialist color. These Socialist Governments, resulted into slaughter of one another as a people overall.

JESUS CHRIST is coming soon GOD bless the World

Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with Tom...........good write!

And I am embarrassed that sometimes I forget it is difference that creates a good dialogue.

And you're right about so many things here, but one in particular...we WERE once the "Can Do Americans". Now it seems like we have more of a "why we can't do it"..."that won't work" mentality.

As I watched the president give his proposal for a new American health plan the other night, I too, was amazed at the lack of respect and the height of rudeness displayed by some of our elected officials, but when I heard that the one guy received $450,000 a year from the insurance lobby, it went a long way to explaining his tantrum. And explaining where our, "let's work together and get it done" mentality went....special interest lobbies bought it!

I don't know how true that is, you can hear different things depending on which channel you're watching. Olbermann made that statement, but when I changed over to Fox, I heard Sean Hannity quote the president saying insurance executives were "bad" people, but I was listening to the president and that is the exact opposite of what he said. I wanted to call Hannity and say, "You Lie", but being a southern boy, raised by a southern Mother, who at almost 60 still says yes sir and yes mam to my elders, and still cannot call my friends parents by their first names, and still opens doors for ladies, and still walks on the outside when walking with a lady.............. I couldn't be that rude. ;-))

--mojo

Posted by marinefrmntz (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice write Ben

Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

How you let them know, Keith, rather than screaming and hollering, and being obstinate and rude is to vote against the ones we have now. Get a new set in there. If they don't do any better, get rid of them at the next election. They will never vote for term limits, so maybe it's time we did.

--mojo

PS--oh yeah, I love your metaphor about the Red Horseman....red is for republican ;-) And just a thought: A government controlled by business is Fascism, Business controlled by government is Socialism, a country of 300,000,000 people contolled by the greed and ego of 535 megalomaniacs is a loser!

Posted by time4change (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Dear Ben, Right on!

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I remember when George Bush (senior) told the American people that he wanted to see a "kinder and gentler nation". Was that back in 88? Or 87? While not being a big Bush supporter, I still thought this was a great and noble vision/goal for him to express. But Bush was laughed at and scorned for saying this. And I have never understood why.

Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on September 11, 2009 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We still are "land of the free and home of the brave".

However, we have had our differences over the last 200+ years.

And sometimes our differences have not been dealt with in a civil tone or actions.

With a population of about 300.000.000 people, there have to be a few who espouse change now at all cost or do not want to follow the rules of law and/or civility.

That is not likely to change.

Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

OGD---George HW Bush also said, "READ MY LIPS, NO MORE TAXES!!! ".......which are now called the 6 most destructive words ever uttered by a political candidate.

--mojo

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mojo, Yes I remember and he lost my half-hearted support after that (and for other reasons). But I still have never understood why he was ridiculed for wishing for a "kinder and gentler nation". How can that statement be ridiculed? But it was. His political opposition laughed at him for that. I would have thought that would be a point where they could have agreed.

Posted by time4change (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/topsto...

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ben, this is the most honest and factual article I think I have ever read that was written by a member of the Natchez Democrat! Like the majority of those who have already posted their thoughts on it, I thank you for it, too. Things have really gotten out of hand in the streets, town hall meetings and in Congress. What happened to civility, respect and common courtesy in 2009?

As dark as that day was, September 11th, 2001, I really don't like remembering it every year because I think it empowers the terrorist enemy when they see America "wallowing in sorrow" on this date. In addition, I feel people are connecting too many things associated with this date in a negative way. For instance, mothers have not been celebrating their kids' birthday with parties on this date. People are requesting that credit card companies change the expiration date and issue new credit cards if it expires "09/11".

Do you feel the newspaper headlines and the television news reports should open and end with this tragedy every year? Should we carry it in our hearts and our minds, remembering those who lost their lives and those who are fighting for our freedom every day without dredging up such horrible visual memories on this date?

Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Me either, OGD, me either...........seems like peace and gentleness, and kindness are things manly men scorn in the everyday world of greed and business, something we reserve only for the Christmas holidays.

Maybe if people cared more about what God is going to give them for how they lived their lives than what Santa Claus is going to leave under the tree for all the good boys and girls....just maybe, this would be a better world...ya think?

--mojo

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Concerning --> "Maybe if people cared more about what God is going to give them for how they lived their lives than what Santa Claus is going to leave under the tree for all the good boys and girls....just maybe, this would be a better world".

Wise words, Mojo.

:)

Posted by 2of4 (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ben I remain a fan of your articles. This was a great one. No one, I do mean no one could have said it better. 9/11 and the days that followed we were all proud to be Americans; it did not matter what party, religion, race, sex, etc; we had been hurt. We have lost that feeling over the years. I agree with you it is such a shame. Thanks Ben for reminding us of how we should be to one another. Your son has such a wonderful Dad to look up to.

Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Umm...Santa Claus is more real than God.

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

notfromnatchez, Who are you trying to convince?

Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not me...I know the TRUTH.

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 10:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

notfromnatchez, concerning --> "I know the TRUTH"

You don't seem to be very comfortable with your knowledge. Perhaps you are trolling for validation on your grasp of the truth?

Best wishes.

Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

good editorial Ben- yet a bit nieve....and exaggerated. Where is the uncontrolled rage? Locally, murders that we have might be a better example. But most of those you cite fall short for the most part speaking nationally.

You're underlying assumption- the principle of love they neighbor as thyself- is a Christian moral, so are you saying religion should be more a part of our government and daily lives? If you are suggesting that Christian morals should be promoted, then I agree, but you fail to mention that the lack thereof is the problem.......and that religion as a whole is under attack. Religion and morality are not promoted and taught. What I see and hear is that prayer and religious activities are discouraged, scourned, persecuted, and prosecuted across the country in regards to our children's schooling and our government facilities......and it is liberal organizations supported by Democrats that actively do this.

And also, should we censor outrage and run the risk of protecting evil by being polite and apathetic? You cannot (unless you do not support our Constitution) silence those that disagree .......and your mention of the abortion doctor, yes his murder was a crime, but is it less of a crime for him to murder the unborn?
If a disagreement gets truly uncivil and violent, that's what police are for and I know for a fact that liberals love to use that.

About the guy that hollered out YOU LIE, to President Obama (what? do Congressmen not have the freedom of expression in the Congress?) he did so because the President did lie, that is hardly uncontrolled rage!

Vision of America? Land of the Free, Home of the Brave! I say we are just fine. We have rights, but nothing is guaranteed, we have to make it happen!- Our vision has been blurred by the temptation of entitlements in my opinion. Greed? Hardly, no one gets rich living off of government hand-outs. I guess it's just easier not working and getting paid a little, rather than working harder and getting paid more. I'm not sure, maybe Apathy might be a better descriptive word. The rapid socialization of our economic system in the last 50 years, and the extreme acceleration of such in the last six months! This is what we must fight, or must we be polite ? No I think polite will fall short of attracting any attention at all

Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 11:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

But yes, Greed, and power at the other end of the social spectrum, executives and political organizations, under the guise of community development....just look at what ACORN is doing, promoting fraud and immorallity, buying votes and promoting criminal activities, having received 8.5 BILLION DOLLARS of stimulus money from this Democrat/Socialist Congress and President. ...

So we cannot speak in such generalities and expect across the board compliance by having everyone united - yes liberals want and expect Utopia, do you nievely expect Utopia? Do you honestly expect everyone to get along and be nice? Face reality, it ain't happening........I for one will fight against it. I think "political correctness" and politeness will not get the job done. We all have our rights of expression, and that includes ANGER and OUTRAGE and yes, outright rebellion and incivility if necessary to fight the evil from within that is destroying our country.

Remember, this country was founded by rebellion and possession of arms to fight against tyranny, Taxation without Representation. We are not being represented, our Congress is not listening. Our President is not listening.

History may be repeating itself.

I'm not sure where you are getting your information, I believe you may not be watching the fair and balanced news, because there is a lot of unity across the nation, and it is growing.

I agree that there is an evil within-and we should be very afraid. it's called our Congress and our President- that are trying to destroy our country from within by "fundamentally changing" the way our government and economy works.

Yes it would be nice if we all got along, but our country was founded on checks and balances, for us all to have the freedom of choice and to express our differences and to fight it out if necessary so that the most valid argument wins. Civil conversations would be nice, but with what's at stake, and the measures being taken to usurp the power of the people, by the people, for the people, our government will likely not listen to civil words. It's happened before, it could happen again. Our political leaders are foolish if they think that Americans will allow our country to be "fundamentally changed" and destroyed from within.

That is the American Way. I hope it never changes. Live Free or Die.

Yes, be afraid of the evil within, but take heart that Freedom will Ring, but only if we are willing to tell the truth and fight for it.

Recognize that the Evil Within, is not our lack of unity, but our Congress and President trying to tear us apart , and that our redemption will be our Courage to rise up and raise our voices in anger, outrage, and reason.

Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 11:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jjohnson

for your information

first, did you attend the townhall meeting held by Sen Wicker here in Natchez?

it was very orderly and civil

except for the Obamanuts in the parking lot hollering about what social security and medicare were NOT paying them or something like that, I couldn't really figure it out, except that they were very disorderly.
And how Obama was being blamed for all the country's problems, ............

I honestly believe the "uncontrolled anger" at town hall meetings is false and exaggerated....with a few instances being used to give a false perception to the public

Maybe the one hosted by Rep Thompson held in Port Gibson got out of hand, I don't know? I bet there was a lot of bellyaching going on there!

Anyone go to that one?

Posted by bombingeight (anonymous) on September 12, 2009 at 12:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr. Hillyer: Well done! Too often small-town newspapers avoid speaking the truth to power that can arise from corporations, government or group-think. The world and our role in it are both complex and complicated, and it seems that serious, thoughtful citizens are in short supply these days. It helps to step back, assume temporarily the validity of the positions of others and then think.

Your comments have been needed and will be needed again and again.

Posted by Crakalakin (anonymous) on September 12, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Articles like these are just liberal porn.

"An abortion doctor is gunned down in front of his office by religious zealots."

A zealot, actually. And just yesterday a pro-lifer was shot and killed in front of a school just because of his views.

"Billionaire businessmen pad their pockets with million-dollar bonuses as they accept handouts from the federal government."

So accepting money from the government, sometimes with no choice, is supposed to void legal contracts? No, it doesn't.

"Shouting matches and threatening actions are used to scare elected officials in town hall meetings across the country. Any attempt at civil conversation on important issues is all but ignored."

What threatening actions? You are just engaging in hyperbole here. These were real people expressing real anger with government. They have a reason to be angry. They are being lied to and stolen from.

"Politicians from both sides of the aisle deliberately spread misinformation focusing on tearing down, rather than building up."

Wow, you are just noticing that? Been going on since before America was a country.

"A U.S. representative shouts out in the middle of a speech to call down the President of the United States."

Are you referring to the multiple times Bush was booed and heckled, once during the State of the Union? Nice selective memory.

"And for each and every one of these instances, a group of supporters stands ready to cheer these actions of incivility and illegality."

That;s because the people are not in charge anymore. A "ruling class" of Ivy Leaguers is.

"Internet boards and chat rooms across the country spew hate and anger, meant only to annihilate those offering differing opinions or ideas."

Well, at least you are calling out the lefties on one point.

Ben if you expect patriots to sit quietly while the federal government just rolls us over, you have another thing coming. They work for us, Ben. They seem to have forgotten that.

Posted by BHillyer (Ben Hillyer) on September 12, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks for the comments. People like to see what they want and if you feel like my column is only pointed at conservatives you are sadly mistaken.
The hate and anger started before the current administration and as someone who has voted for republicans and democrats, I am dismayed at the entire lack of civility on both parties' parts.
There is a real reason the true patriots of our country (back in 1776) set up the whole election system, rules of government, bi-cameral form of government — and it wasn't to be trampled on by what is going on by one party trying to cram their ideology down the others throat. History shows that Washington, Jefferson, Adams all had different ideas about the direction of our country. At least they had the civility to work together to form the greatest country in the world. Too bad no one trusts in that system anymore.

Posted by lambchop (anonymous) on September 12, 2009 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So much is boiling around in the mind that I am not sure I can express what I feel. Yes Ben, this is a good article for as far as it goes. No matter what your "party" is the fact remains that America is not the America of Sept. 10, 2001. No matter how hard we try to go back it is not possible. We cannot undo yesterday nor the day before, we have to take what we know today and move forward on it. I don't care about party affiliation because I don't believe the foundation of either party is the that of the party I chose to align myself with.

You can be a Democrat of the 50's but that is not the Democrat party of the 21st Century. Same holds true with the opposite party. Until Americans understand what each party stands for and to do that you must READ. You cannot go by the News channels because ALL show a bias. Reporters of this age write from personal convictions rather than facts (this does not hold true for everyone but is a general statement).

You cannot demoralize one network over another if you don't listen to all. You can detect the biases without having to be one party or the other. Americans need to learn to listen first and act second. But action is needed if we feel the LEADERS are not listening to us. Which US should the leaders be listening to -- ah, there are many of us with differing views.

Posted by lambchop (anonymous) on September 12, 2009 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Domestic violence is a major problem throughout the country and most of this violence occurs because the people themselves don't listen and reason. An angry moment explodes and then there is chaos. The Washington DC leaders are in chaos. I don't like the idea that just because a leader is of one party all the members of that party must be of the same mind and thought. What happened to individualism? What happens to the man or woman elected to representing the people from his/her community but instead follows like a puppy dog in heat.

America, listen up -- read and read opposing views without anger. Listen -- to what is being said and what is being preached. Go back and read our history. Know what the constitution stands for and how it is the document that we must uphold. Bring back some civility to language and actions.

Remember that each person is responsible for his/her actions and statements -- if you are going to trounce on one person for a word or action, that also hold true for each of us. One person can't be censured for one statement while another person is allowed to show disrespect without censure.

We all need to go back to our founding document and our founding histories and think about where we came from and where we want to go.

I am proud of the people who stand up and speak forthrightly about their convictions (regardless of party) and I am so very proud to be a Mississippian and an American.

And as John Kennedy said "Ask what You can do for your country -- not what your country can do for You" -- we have lost that patriotism and we need to regain it.

Truth is always the way to go. You never have to apologize for the truth. You don't have to remember what you said because the truth always wins out in the end. Never lie and you will have peace and happiness and something that no other human being can give you.

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on September 12, 2009 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ben, concerning --> "Too bad no one trusts in that system anymore."

I don't think many folks have ever truly trusted in our system. Its not a system to be completely trusted. It is a system to be watched and guarded. And that is what is taking place with tea parties, townhall meetings and protests. People are afraid of the tyranny of their own government. That causes some folks to react with anger and they forget to use civility. But not all.

:)

Posted by lambchop (anonymous) on September 12, 2009 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

good comments OldGrandDad -- when politicians, especially, don't listen to the folks, then the folks get "noisy". We the people want to be heard and listened to. Too many politicians go in as good people and get swayed and pushed or let their on personal greed take old. Congress needs to be awakened to the fact that they are there by the grace of the people who elected them and can be ousted at the next election. Come on people, pay attention. Don't keep putting them back in because they might bring money to your area. Too many bills are passed through the legislature with add on that mount the bills we are faced to pay each and every day.

Posted by marinefrmntz (anonymous) on September 12, 2009 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

@Ben, I think people do believe in that system. The ones that actually take the time out to distinguish fact from hearsay. I see a lot of Republicans getting upset about things that are just not fact.. they spread the lies they have been told about "death panels" and other things as if they were fact without trying to find out the "truth" for themselves. If people took the time to actually educate themselves on what is going on they won't be easily misled. I see Democrats mad Republicans when they dont even know what the Republicans complaints are. Like you said if we could reach decent civility in all debates and discussions a lot more would be accomplished. Nice write again.

Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on September 12, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good article, Ben. You are one of the best The Democat has to offer. For that matter ,we need more Americans like you. But you know, we have never been a passive nation and we aren't going to start being one now. Granted ,there should be more respect for one another but somewhere along the way a lot of people were not taught simple manners. The art of being polite.but there is a lot of passion in our society right now and we all want to be heard. Not too long ago I felt Americans were losing their will to fight for right or wrong .That's not to be confused with our military,they do a fine job and I'm very proud of them. But people that don't care enough to vote or voice their opinions and be willing to stand by them. We need to stand up for our rights and be heard. For every action there is a re-action. That is what you are seeing now.

Posted by eagleX2 (anonymous) on September 12, 2009 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ben, you have a great perception of what is going on and, most importantly, can put those thoughts in words for us to read and ponder.

Posted by grungebob (anonymous) on September 12, 2009 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

of course, this sudden eruption of warm, fuzzy tolerance and understanding won't last. nice try, though, mr hillyer.

soon we will again resort to labeling all those with whom we disagree as subversive "ists", mindless adherents to evil "oligies" and "isms". any "ist" is my enemy; his "ologies" and "isms" are founded in lies.

Posted by EatMoreChicken (Allison Hamilton) on September 12, 2009 at 3:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well if you look at posts like those of this website and many more Ben, I guess you can see where it's at........

Posted by happyreader (anonymous) on September 12, 2009 at 9:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you, Crakalakin and OldGrandDad. I was thinking similar thoughts but didn't know exactly how to put it.

Marinefrmntz, I realize that this is sort of chasing a rabbit, here, but it sounds like you were making reference to the health care debate... I hope that, for your own well-being, you don't trust in what we're all referring to as "the system". The government does some things well, like military, law enforcement, roads, etc. It is, however, notorious for wasteful spending and poor management of other big programs. (See exhibit A: Social Security. Exhibit B: US Postal System.) In light of this, when the US government starts assuming financial control of the banking system, the auto industry, and it would like to extend its control significantly in health care, I get concerned, as do many other people. I agree wholeheartedly that we should all be respectful of each other, and I really try to live that out, myself, when I speak (or blog) with those with differing opinions. But honestly, I'm very disturbed that our President seems to be prepared to push this healthcare legislation on through, come hell or high water, regardless of how the majority of Americans feel. It's as if there are only 2 options: accept this legislation, or leave things as they are. There has to be a better solution. Ok, I'll step down off my soapbox now.