Name that Quote answers

Here is the full quote:

The general announces his unalterable determination rigidly to execute the martial law in all cases. . . He will separate our enemies from our friends. Those who are not with us are against us, and will be dealt with accordingly. -- Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times by H. W. Brands. Amazon Kindle ref. 4440.

3 points awarded to Jettybetty who got closest. The statement was made in a published letter to the occupants of New Orleans by Andrew Jackson as he prepared to defend against the British occupation and invasion of New Orleans in the War of 1812. It is highly likely that Edward Livingston delivered the letter to the local paper(s) on behalf of General Jackson. He was Jackson's aide during this battle.

1 point to JMG for the Bush and Christ reference. This is eerily close to a Bush speech against the evil forces behind 9/11 and in preparing the nation for the ultimate intent to invade Iraq.

Christ used this language in rebuking the Pharisees who alluded Jesus was in league with Beelzebub when he cast out a demon from a blind and mute man. Christ made the point that if he cast out a demon in the name of Satan, was this not a house divided against itself and made no sense. Therefore, he must be doing this through the power of God. Further, if he was working with God, and you claimed to be serving God (the Pharisees did) but were against him, Christ, you were against God. Matt. 12:22-32 or Luke 11: 14-23.

BONUS QUESTION: 5 points to JMG for giving the answer I was looking for. Our illustrious nation anthem is taken from an English drinking tune. I figured most knew that Francis Scott Key penned the words; that many knew he did so during the bombing of Fort McHenry at the Battle for Baltimore, although most would assume the American Revolution instead of the correct time of the War of 1812. Given the origin of the tune, it is even greater reason that America the Beautiful should be our national anthem.

Not to mention it is more accurate to the sentitment of America and not to an emblem, that it is a majestic song, and that it is easier to sing.

NOTE: America the Beautiful is our nation hymn while the Star Spangled Banner is our national anthem.

Name that Quote

. . . will separate our enemies from our friends. Those who are not with us are against us, and will be dealt with accordingly."

Recognize this quote readers? Who said it and on what occasion?

Bonus point question (not tied to the above). What is the origin of the Star Bangled Banner?

Answers will be provided in a few days.

On Christian Behavior and Influence

If you have a fish on your vehicle; have a bumper sticker or other tag that identifies you with a Christian institution, school or university; or in any other way outwardly hint that you are a Christian, please do not do the following:

* Tailgate me or the cars around me, especially at high speeds.
* Drive agressively and with an impatient and irritated demeanor.
* Race forward to cut me off so you can get a few cars ahead when you could have pulled in behind me. Especially do not do this as we approach our church entrance.
* Blow through stop signs or the first 2 seconds of a red light.
* Fly through my neighborhood at 15-20 miles above the 30 or 35 mph speed limit.
* Do 30-35 mph in a school zone.
* Do >25 mph in the school or church parking lot.
* Park in the fire lane, or the handicap spots when you are not, (emotionally does not count) because you are only running in for a moment. Especially do not do this in front of Starbucks in your SUV.
* Blindly merge without planning your merge point or signaling. Especially do not do this if your lane is the one that ends and the sign said your lane merges, which means yield! (Why have so many thought the law changed so that if your lane ends you just hug it until you blindly move into traffic? Source of another rant sometime).
* Floor it to cut me off when I am properly merging by picking my spot, adjusting my speed for that spot and signaling my intention.
* Sling your door open and ding mine in the parking lot and walk off.

When you act this way with identifying marks on your car or person you are not providing a Christian example. I picked simple actions in the car that I witness on a daily basis from people with clear Christian symbols visible to all. We all could list hundreds of other examples of how we do not represent Christ in simple, everyday behaviors while wearing our Christian cheerleading outfits.

Give some serious thought to how you act while openly proclaiming Christianity. And yes, I am very guilty myself. (I sure hope my wife shows Christian love and restraint and does not post a comment).

If the above comments, or rant if you prefer, seem trivial, then consider this excerpt from American history.

The assault triggered a war between the British and the Cherokees, which outlasted the French and Indian War. The British drove deep into Cherokee territory, against the Cherokee villages. The destruction the British wreaked caused even some of their own soldiers to wince.

Lieutenant Francis Marion (soon to become famous for his exploits against the British recorded: We proceeded, by Colonel Grant’s orders, to burn the Indian cabins. Some of the men seemed to enjoy this cruel work, laughing heartily at the curling flames, but to me it appeared a shocking sight. Poor creatures, thought I, we surely need not grudge you such miserable habitations. But when we came, according to orders, to cut down the fields of corn, I could scarcely refrain from tears. Who, without grief, could see the stately stalks with broad green leaves and tasseled shocks, the staff of life, sink under our swords with all their precious load, to wither and rot untasted in their mourning fields? I saw everywhere around, the footsteps of the little Indian children, where they had lately played under the shade of their rustling corn. When we are gone, thought I, they will return, and peeping through the weeds with tearful eyes, will mark the ghastly ruin where they had so often played. “Who did this?” they will ask their mothers. And the reply will be, “The white people did it—the Christians did it!”

-- from Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times, by H.W. Brands.