NORTH DAKOTA RIG COUNT POINTS TO U.S. OUTPUT DECLINE

The decline in oil drilling that has occurred so far across the United States is probably enough to ensure U.S. production peaks by April or May, though that might not be evident until June or July given delays in publishing production records. If the number of active rigs continues to decline in…

A Good Father Figure

by

Dave Harbour

​Please refer to our Sunday review, yesterday, of the President's executive action against Alaska and consumers throughout America

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young will hold a press conference today at 2 p.m. in the Senate Radio and TV gallery to respond to the Obama administration’s efforts to lock up millions of acres of the nation’s richest oil and natural gas prospects on the Arctic coastal plain and move to block development of Alaska’s offshore resources.

We will report….  -dh

For those keeping a close eye on the Alaska economy, Alaskanomics produced this report today: 

The Department of Labor and Workforce Development release its monthly unemployment numbers on Friday. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December was down to 6.3 percent. The national rate was 5.6 percent for the same period. Alaska’s unadjusted rate was also at 6.3 percent for December.

The Municipality of Anchorage and the North Slope Borough were the only areas that did not have an increase in the unemployment rate. Anchorage is less subject to seasonal shifts and the North Slope Borough saw an increase with winter construction. The North Slope Borough has the lowest unemployment in the State at 3.7 percent, while Hoonah-Angoon Census Area has the highest with 21.6 percent.

For full statistics….

​Yesterday as I was considering the President's continuing and escalating attack on Alaska's statehood act, constitution and people my mind wandered to how other presidents would be acting.

I first thought of the "Father" of the United States, George Washington.  He endured great hardship with his troops.  He left family behind to fight the nation's enemies.  He protected his people and defended them against internal and external threats.  And, he refused to become "President for life" when the people urged him to do so.

I think of Abraham Lincoln, the father of American unity who poured his energy, soul and his very life into service of his country.

And, I think of their mutual devotion to our Creator, without whom the country could not have achieved maturity and without whom the country cannot long remain great or even exist.

Then, I think of our current president who vacations while his people fight; who deceives the people on all manner of domestic issues; who aligns himself with communists, socialists and anarchists bent on destruction of America's way of life; who will not come to the aid of soldiers and diplomats locked in mortal combat and hesitates not to leave them behind to the cruel devices of our enemies; who claims credit for energy and economic accomplishments occurring in spite of his contrary efforts; who actively blocks energy, mining, timber and other multiple use, wealth and job producing activity on public lands…and so much more.

One asks, when the president of a country birthed in sacrifice and devotion to Christian service separates himself from that legacy, what can the future hold for citizens?

None of us is perfect.  Presidents aren't perfect.  And, regular fathers of families are imperfect, too.

Perfection in our presidents and our fathers is not the issue.  The issue is the purpose, devotion and example of life set for a father's children or a president's citizenry.

On this side let's say you have a father who acknowledges his imperfection yet strives with devotion to his heavenly Father to care for, protect and guide his children to healthy, adult outcomes.

And, on this side, you have a proud, imperfect father who does not seek the kingdom of heaven, scorns it and thereby neglects the time honored rules of the spirit and of living.  Can he with that lack of foundation care for, protect and guide his children to healthy adult outcomes?  

If a president consorts with those who would deprive his children of freedom and the opportunity of free enterprise can that be called protection?

If a president demonizes opponents to win an argument, can that lead citizens to healthy outcomes? 

If a president seeks luxury while his citizens suffer in war or other depravations, can he be said to nobly guide them?

Enough of the Father analogies.  They might just as well have been "mother" analogies or "cousin" analogies.  

The point is this.  We don't have much choice about the family into which we are born.  We do get to have the leadership we elect.  If the majority of Americans supports the kind of leadership we have, it will continue and its goals will change the culture and nature of the nation.  

If the majority comes to believe that the traditional values of founding Fathers are critical to America's future, America might prosper, survive and enjoy a continuing mantle of protection.

For one, I am for good father and mother figures as defined above and reject the alternative.

It remains to be seen if the majority of my fellow citizens agree or prefer the new direction upon which we are now embarked.

One way leads to historically proven, laudable, protected and peaceful outcomes.  The other way, history shows, leads to dictatorship, misery and loss of freedom.

It's time to make a choice and act upon it.