AMERICA, what it is, what it was and what it can be again.  I experienced all these scenarios this past weekend and it was delightful.  America is still beautiful and the land of the free but that part about being brave is in question.

Friday morning I made the trip to visit the Shiloh Battlefield of the Civil War.  The serenity of the area gives way to the quite solitude of the violence, bloodshed and death that occurred there due to the interference in a way of life way by northerners.  Their act of forcing economic changes on people that had differing thoughts and ways of doing business led to the unnecessary deaths of many.  We stand near the precipice of such a conflict now created by a loud, vocal minority of people that have no idea what they are doing.

I followed this visit with a trip to Bell Buckle, Tennessee, a metropolis of a few hundred people that was hosting a festival attended by thousands and thousands.  The sirens were screaming loudly as the Red, White and Blue of Old Glory led the parade.  This parade, while being enjoyed by the throngs consisted of old cars with some dignitaries of some importance and a large contingent of Shriners.  It was a joyous event loudly cheered by all that lasted approximately six minutes.  In my mind it resembled parades of long ago with patriots carrying their muskets while following the beat of a lone drummer.

People paid respect to the flag with hands over their hearts and cheers.  Every entrant in the parade was met with applause and resounding rah rahs.  Pride was abundant and smiles ruled the day.  The independent merchants with their tents hawked homemade goods, wares and treats with the tax man’s invasive harboring over them.  Free enterprise still prevails at gatherings of this nature.  Long live freedom.

My next stop was in downtown Lynchburg, Tennessee.  This is the town where a young lad of fifteen or sixteen began making whiskey in 1830.  Jasper Newton Daniels left his home to strike out on his own.  He met a Lutheran minister that participated in the making and distributing of moonshine where he learned the craft.  At the age of sixteen he bought the enterprise from the good minister and Jack Daniel Tennessee Whiskey was born to the 5 foot 2 inch tall giant.  Jack Daniels was the first distiller of spirits to register with the I.R.S. and was able to stay in business until today.  The city of Lynchburg has a population of four hundred, of which half are part of the seven hundred employees of Jack Daniels.  Once again free enterprise was allowed to reign.  Mr. Daniels survived the Civil War disturbance by selling his spirits to both sides as a comforting substance for a terrible time.

All this really says very little while at the same time saying a lot.  Creative men are able to succeed when combining a strong work ethic with their determination and make America great.  The people that made America great did so without welfare or other government programs hampering their efforts.  These people hired others, paid fair wages and made the economy grow.  This simple act can continue today if big government and government interference will just go away.  We can save this great nation but it will take a huge majority of us to counter the loud plaintive voices of the minorities that are trying so desperately to destroy us.

It is very easy to comfort many people with lies, however, as for me I would rather be hurt but only with the truth.

The thoughts and ideas expressed above are exclusively those of Jack Straley and www.justplaintalkwithjack.com  We may agree, and that’s fine, or we may disagree, that’s okay too.  My sole purpose is to encourage others to think, study, and become involved. Exercise your freedom and above all, when presented the opportunity, please vote.