April book -- Chuck Norris

Black Belt Patriotism -- by Chuck Norris (CN) ... Just some quotes and thoughts from this book.

"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government -- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests." -- Patrick Henry

Home schooling was outlawed by the Soviet State in 1919, by Hitler and Nazi Germany in 1938, and by Communist China in 1949 -- pg. 21

Under "one nation under debt" and in regards to economic stimulus checks, CN asks, "who are they to offer us incentives with our own money? It makes it seem that we are the dependents, rather than the masters, of our own government." (pg. 33)

The chapter on America's "nightmare of debt" focused much on greed. The author ended the chapter encouraging us to give stating, "the only thing that can break a spirit of greed is a spirit of generosity." (pg. 48)

Chapter 4 - Secure and Protect Our Borders began reminding us that our country was first attacked by Muslim extremists right after the Revolutionary War when our ships were confronted by the Barbary pirates. Words to our Marine hymn "...to the shores of Tripoli" commemorate "America's victory back then over those Muslim sea radicals." (pg. 53) -- Back then we negotiated with terrorists and paid huge ransoms (estimated as much as 20% of America's federal budget in 1800). Later Marines and warships were sent to end this.

"Pre-emption is still our best solution. Our offense must be as strong as our defense." (pg. 55) Author doesn't think America should be the world's police and that we are too involved, however, at times, he feels it is justifiable when our borders are breached (e.g. 9/11) About the Iraq War he writes, "They [our military] are attracting our enemies into foreign territory and fighting them there, instead of within our own borders. Is that not a form of border patrol and protection?" (pg. 59)

He likes Mike Huckabee (obviously since he did commercials with him), but also favorably quotes Ron Paul quite a bit.

Chuck Norris shared briefly about his faith in God and how he got away from a heart knowledge while pursuing money. He said this cost him a marriage and now he has gone back to following God as of a few years ago.

"Good morals precede good laws, which is why government isn't much help. Unless the people and their legislators are grounded in morality, the best of laws will be broken and the worst of laws will be made, legalizing immorality" (pg. 76).

"The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men! And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it possible that an empire can rise without his aid?" -- Benjamin Franklin at the Constitutional Convention

Chapter to and about millennials --



I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. ~Edward Everett Hale


CN urges people to get involved and for young people to not be as they are expected to be, but to rise above that. He refers to twins Alex and Brett Harris and their book, Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion against Low Expectations.

"If we teach our children they are nothing more than glorified apes, then we shouldn't be surprised if they behave like animals. If we place our values in things, we shouldn't expect our children to value people. If we disrespect one another, we can't expect our children to be respectful. If we terminate children in the womb, we shouldn't be surprised that our own children think they can terminate others. If we teach our children that there is no God and there are no moral absolutes, then we shouldn't be surprised if they turn down immoral alleys to find meaning, purpose, and identity in their lives. The point of freedom is to be liberated from unjust laws -- to have the opportunity to do what is right. But if we choose injustice, if we choose immorality, we endanger the very basis of our freedom. As James Madison once wrote, 'Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty, as well as the abuses of power.' This is why the Founders believed that our liberty was ordained by God -- and for that liberty we were responsible to God" (pg. 113, 114).

"Government needs less of a role in running our children's education and more of a role in supporting parents' educational decisions for their children. Children belong to their parents, not the government" (pg. 123).

"This is all the inheritance I can give my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed." -- Patrick Henry in his last will and testament (pg. 141)

In the chapter on being fit -- "We've confused liberty for licentiousness. We think doing what we feel like doing is power and freedom, when really it's just carrying out what our flesh craves. True freedom is being able to look straight in the eye of what you feel like doing and possessing the power to say NO. Eating what we want isn't liberty -- that's tyranny. Eating what is right is freedom -- that's victory over oppression." (pg. 149)

"While the CIA and FBI track terrorist intelligence and activity, our military seek to calm international unrest abroad, border patrol and minutemen try to guard our country's borders, America's biggest threat is largely homegrown and has already infiltrated most of our homes: unhealthy eating habits and no exercise" (pg. 151).

"Our Founders healthcare system was a very simple one: take care of your health." (pg. 155)

The last chapter started off with this question: "What is the American Dream?"

"Our Founders feared that we would forget what freedom was all about and stray toward selfishness and greed, that we would forget the necessity of morality, integrity and service to others. Has their fear not materialized in our day? For too many, the American dream has indeed turned into an enjoyment of plenty rather than the responsibilities of liberty." (pg. 179)

Some quotes I enjoyed:

"Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, cannot long retain it." -- Abraham Lincoln

"It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace — but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" -- Patrick Henry

If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen. -- Samuel Adams