South Gibson – Henry D. Pickering, for 20 years engaged in the undertaking business here, where he was widely and favorably known, died after a long illness on Oct. 7, 1916.  The deceased was 68 years of age and a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in Co. F, 14th Regt. N. Y. Heavy Artillery, when a boy of 16 years.  He entered the army January 11, 1864 and served with his company until mustered out on June 22, 1865.  Returning to his native town he again took up his studies in the High school, preparing for a teacher, which he followed for several terms.  February 9, 1869 he was married to Miss Estella M. Howell.  For many years he was an active member of A. J. Roper Post, G. A. R and served as its commander and adjutant, and was junior vice commander at the time of  his death. A large concourse of friends attested his worth as a friend and citizen and the love borne him by relatives.  The bearers were members of the local camp Sons of Veterans.

Montrose – November 1st marked the 13th anniversary of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, standard gauge, entering Montrose.  Thirteen may be an unlucky number, but in this case it has not proven so to the road and its patrons. ALSO  At the C-Nic on Nov. 3rd, Miss Henrietta Crosman will be shown in the greatest drama of its day, “The Unwelcome Mrs. Hatch,” by Mrs. Burton Harrison and produced by the Famous Players Film Co. and on the following Tuesday, Jack London’s great story of the Klondike, “Burning Day Light,” will be presented.  The cast is composed of famous players.  Of the other stellar events already arranged for during November: Meme Bertha Kalich, in “Martha of the Lowlands,” Nov. 10.  “The Typhoon,” Nov. 14.  “The Making of Bobby Burnit,” on Nov. 17.  The “Pursuit of the Phantom,” Nov. 21.  “The County Chairman,” Nov. 24.  Mary Pickford in “Behind the Scenes,” Nov. 28.

Great Bend – Charles W. White has been appointed assistant in charge of the U. S. weather bureau station at Key West and Sand Keys, Florida.

Susquehanna – Frank J. Reddon has purchased the W. S. Mitchell drug store, the oldest establishment of its kind in this place.  Mr. Mitchell died some months ago.  Mr. Reddon is a native of Susquehanna and was graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy.  After his graduation he was with the famous Liggett Drug Co., which owns a chain of stores in various cities.  He was located in Brooklyn, N. Y. and Pittsburg.

East Lynn, Springville Twp. – C. D. Travis, the efficient manager of the Strickland & Parks grist mill, announces to the public that the mill is in running order again and is ready to do custom grinding; also will serve his patrons with a complete line of feeds.

New Milford – Messrs. Ivan Decker, Herbert Whitman and Lester Eastman met with an accident on the Kirkwood road while returning from Binghamton in Mr. Decker’s car.  In some manner a forward wheel turned causing the car to swerve, throwing the occupants to the ground, badly injuring Mr. Whitman and Mr. Decker. ALSO Everybody invited to attend the poverty social at the home of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Gunn, at Bradley Corners on Friday, Nov. 3.  Refreshments, 15 cents, to go toward an organ fund for the Bradley school.  All are requested to come dressed in rags.  A prize will be given the one wearing the most ragged clothes.

West Auburn – Arthur Grow has installed a feed mill in the building purchased of Mrs. L. B. Lacey.  He has moved into Mrs. Lacey’s house nearby. ALSO In Auburn Center, W. W. Bennett was born in the same house in which he now lives, eighty years ago, the 29th day of November, and has lived on the same farm ever since.  Mr. Bennett is very smart and active for a man of his age, and has taken the Montrose Democrat for 50 years; his father took the paper before him.

Forest Lake – Thieves were evidently doing business in this vicinity Saturday night as Michael Quinlivan’s cellar was entered and about 100 pounds of fresh pork and a number of cans of fruit taken.  ALSO  Born to Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Booth, Oct. 24, 1916, a daughter, Alice May. ALSO 

Four of the Forest Lake schools are closed on account of the epidemic of infantile paralysis at Friendsville.

Forest City – The following marriage licenses have been issued: John Onofrio and Julia Ganlitch; Mike Basile and Nanna Pinda; Isidor Mazuhowski and Magdelena Filipowitz, all of this place.

Franklin Forks – Last Tuesday evening Arthur Hunsinger’s barn burned with all its contents, eight cows, grain and hay.  It was a total loss.  No insurance.  He has the sympathy of the whole community.  Some of his friends are passing a paper around among his friends to get a little help to build a new barn.

Lymanville – Joseph B. Loveless, an aged veteran of the Civil War and an old resident of this place, died at the home of his son, at Corbettsville, [NY] Monday morning, Oct. 16, at the age of 79 years. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. L, 137th New York Volunteers, returning to Pennsylvania in 1865.  He married Elma Jane Snedaker, who survives him and to them were born five children.

North Harford – E. J. Whitney had the misfortune to break his arm while cranking his auto.  We hope he will soon recover.

Dimock – Five kid wagons now convey the scholars to and from the Dimock school and they are as fine a jolly set of children as we have seen in many a day.

Friendsville – The many friends of Dr. E. L. Handrick, for 50 years a practicing physician here, but who now resides with Hon. E.B. Beardslee, at Little Meadows, will regret to learn that he is in very poor health and W. V. Handrick, of Montrose, has been taking care of him.

Brooklyn – The Harford Dairy Co. is dismantling the creamery, as they could no longer afford to operate it.

200 Years Ago from the Centinel, Montrose, PA, November 5, 1816.

*Notice is hereby given to All persons indebted to the subscriber for the service of his Horse, the last season, that their Notes and Accounts are now in the hands of Chapman Carr in Montrose for settlement.  Those who neglect to call on Mr. Carr and make payment will have to call on Stephen Gere in Waterford (Brooklyn) who is authorized to receive pay and give discharges.  Jacob P. Dunn. Harford, Nov. 4th. 1816.

*CUSTOMERS, I sincerely wish SUCH of you as have been indebted to me three months to call and look over your accounts whilst your memory is fresh, and rectify mistakes if any there be, and prevent hard thoughts, and you will much oblige me. N. RAYNOR.  Montrose, Oct. 15, 1816.

*PAYMENT OF MILITIA. Funds having been placed in the hands of the subscriber for the purpose of paying the Militia late in the service of the United States under the command of Lieut. Col. Montgomery, discharged at Danville in November 1814—Notice is hereby given that Capt. Frederick Bailey’s company will be paid at the house of Edward Fuller in Montrose on Saturday the 16th of November next.  Every man must sign the receipt and pay Rolls in person or by his attorney in fact duly authorized.  GEO. DENISON.  Wilkes-Barre, Oct. 25, 1816.

*TAKE NOTICE.  ALL persons are forbid cutting or tapping the timber on the lands of Thomas and John Clifford, lying in the townships of Clifford and Gibson, Susquehanna county.  All trespassers will have the law rigorously enforced against them. ASA PARK, Agent. Montrose, Oct 8, 1816.

Article V, Section 16(b) of the Pennsylvania Constitution requires that “Justices, judges and justices of the peace shall be retired on the last day of the calendar year in which they attain the age of 70 years.”  If you had not heard, there is a ballot question in the upcoming November 8, 2016 election that seeks to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to increase the retirement age of judges in Pennsylvania from 70 years to 75 years of age.

If you voted in the primary election this year, you may recall that a similar question appeared on your primary ballot.  The wording of that ballot question provided: “Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to require the justices of the Supreme Court, judges and justices of the peace (known as magisterial district judges) be retired on the last day of the calendar year in which they attain the age of 75 years, instead of the current requirement that they be retired on the last day of the calendar year in which they attain the age of 70?”  Shortly before the primary election, however, the Pennsylvania Legislature decided to remove this question from the ballot over concerns that it was confusing or poorly worded. 

Because this decision occurred so late in the process, the question still appeared on the primary ballot but the vote was no longer binding.  If you are curious, the non-binding ballot result in the primary election was very close, 1,220,587 (50.99%) people voted against extending the retirement age to 75, while 1, 172,999 (49.01%) voted for the extension of the retirement age to 75.  If the primary vote had been binding, the proposed constitutional amendment would have been defeated.  On November 8, 2016, the voters will again consider the same proposed constitutional amendment with the new language.

The new ballot question is a little shorter and provides: “Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to require justices of the Supreme Court, judges and magisterial district judges be retired on the last day of the calendar year in which they attain the age of 75 years?”  As you may have read or heard, there was litigation instituted challenging the propriety of this ballot question as it failed to inform the voter as to the current constitutional requirement, i.e., that judges retire at the age of 70, and that it was deceptive or confusing.  Given the nature of the proceeding, it went directly before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for review.  On September 2, 2016, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court divided equally on the question by a 3-3 vote – Chief Justice Saylor recused himself as he would be subject to mandatory retirement this year if the proposed constitutional amendment does not pass.  As a result of the deadlock in the Supreme Court, no relief could be granted and the proposed constitutional amendment with the new language will appear on the November 8, 2016 ballot for voter consideration.

The Pennsylvania Department of State has provided a “Plain English” summary of what the proposed constitutional amendment would accomplish, which concludes with this very simple and easy to understand statement: “The effect of the ballot question would be to allow justices, judges, and magisterial district judges to remain in office until the last day of the calendar year in which they attain the age of 75 years.  This would permit all justices, judges, and magisterial district judges to serve an additional five years beyond the current required retirement age.”

When a judge reaches the age of mandatory retirement or simply decides to retire, this does not mean that the judge can no longer continue to serve as a jurist.  If a retiring judge has served 10 years on the bench, the judge can opt to become a senior judge and continue to serve on a per diem basis sitting in cases where the sitting judges have conflicts or scheduling problems.  Under the current rules, a jurist can serve as a senior judge for a period of 10 years or until such time as the senior judge reaches the age of 78.  These are rules that are set by the Supreme Court and the ballot question does not directly impact upon the role and capacity of senior judges in Pennsylvania.

Hopefully, this column has provided you with some basic information relative to assist you in assessing your vote on this ballot question on November 8, 2016.  The simple question is whether you favor or oppose increasing the mandatory retirement age for Pennsylvania judges from 70 to 75 years of age.

“Never let your kids buy an off-the-shelf Halloween costume. Forbid it, no matter how close you may be to the witching hour. Instead, help them make their own. Encourage them to use their imaginations and their ingenuity. Showing them that what can be created is often better than what can be bought. And besides, don't the darkest, most frightening things live inside us anyway?” ~Joe Kita, "What I Know" (The Best Halloween Costume), Wisdom of Our Fathers, 1999.

If you didn’t register for the present “Susquehanna County Reads” event, I highly recommend that you do. In keeping with this year’s literary pick, “Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline, we were recently treated to a fantastic presentation given by award-winning Author and Member of the National Orphan Train Historical Society of America, Donna N. Aviles. Ms. Aviles brought the history of a little known, but very important part of American History to light—the Orphan Trains, which are near and dear to her heart since her grandfather, Oliver Nordmark, and his brother, Edward were two of the children who left an orphanage in New York and traveled to Bern, Kansas, and, hopefully were chosen by a family and began a new life. The author’s relaxed presentation had everyone enthralled and transported to another place and time, while experiencing the heartache and fear that accompanied them to uncertain destinations. The audience was able to interact with the author and we had the privilege of hearing snippets of Oliver’s audio journal which was the basis for her books—“Fly Little Bird, Fly”, “Beyond the Orphan Train” (When Oliver is fifteen and has adventures of his own) and “Peanut Butter for Cupcakes” (Oliver is now an adult with children of his own). Ms. Aviles advised that if we have not thought about recording an audio journal, we should consider it. Many thanks to the New Milford Methodist Church for their warm hospitality, all of the individuals who helped to make this event so enjoyable and a success and Donna Aviles, who painted a picture with words and heart and drew us in as the tale unfolded.

After learning that the Susquehanna Branch Readers Group’s October selection was “Mr. Tiffany and Clara” by Susan Vreeland, and, being one who has always appreciated the beauty and intricacy  of stained glass windows, etc., I just had to read it. I learned a lot concerning the multitude of steps that are taken, how glass can give the illusion of rushing waters, grass waving in the breeze, etc., but I also learned much about artistic-minded Louis Comfort Tiffany—(son of the founder of the well-known Tiffany and Co.) and his extremely talented employee/designer, Clara Driscoll. Triumph, tragedy, love found and lost are all shards of the lives at Tiffany Studios. Be sure you add this to your “to be read” list if you enjoy historical fiction. The novel is partially based on Clara’s actual correspondence.

For you Hannah Swensen followers, a new cozy mystery was released on September 27th, entitled “Christmas Caramel Murder”. It will keep you in the Christmas Spirit until Author Joanne Fluke’s next book, “Banana Crème Pie Murder” is released in February, 2017. Christmas Caramel Murder has Hannah relating a mystery/murder that occurred within the previous year, to her husband. Of course, knowing Hannah as a lot of us do, she dons her sleuthing cap and proceeds down the twisty path to the identity of the perpetrator. Author Fluke has, as usual, included some scrumptious-sounding recipes within the pages for all to try and enjoy. If you haven’t read any of Joanne Fluke’s works, you’re in for easy reading treats that will keep you guessing. Your local library location has several Hannah Swensen mysteries for your perusal.

As many of you know, I am a book reviewer for some publishing houses and today, I received a wonderful surprise--a copy of “Footloose”, a children’s book written by Singer/Songwriter Kenny Loggins! We’re all familiar with the original song and movie starring Kevin Bacon—Mr. Loggins has written new lyrics for “Footloose” which has various animals in the zoo dancing to the beat, much to Zookeeper Jack’s amazement. Due to the cute story, captivating illustrations (By Tim Bowers) and the added bonus of a CD featuring the author singing the title zoo song as well as another little ones will love, I plan to give it 5 stars for excellence, and hope that all library locations will have a copy on their shelves in the future. It would truly be a fantastic addition to any child’s home library.

As I gaze at the myriad of jewel-toned leaves, I leave you with this thought:

“Nothing beats a haunted moonlit night on All Hallows Eve.... And on this fatal night, at this witching time, the starless sky laments black and unmoving. The somber hues of an ominous, dark forest are suddenly illuminated under the emerging face of the full moon.” ~Kim Elizabeth

Toothy Jack O’ Lanterns—Caramel Apples—Departing Monarchs

Trick or Treat!

Be Safe and Enjoy!

The perilous habit of schizophrenics

Jim, 33, came into the pharmacy for refills of his medicine. The pharmacist noted the powerful stench of tobacco smoke coming from Jim. When he handed the pharmacist his prescription, he saw Jim’s nicotine-stained fingers. The pharmacist knew that Jim was struggling with schizophrenia and was being medicated for it. The pharmacist also knew that patients who are schizophrenic are more likely to be nicotine-dependent than those who are not. Studies reveal a strong link between schizophrenia and smoking. In the US, 80% of schizophrenics smoke cigarettes compared to 20% of the general population.

The reasons for this high rate of smoking are still a mystery to researchers. A variety of explanations have been proposed and many overlap. The socioeconomic hypothesis suggests that smoking relieves boredom since many schizophrenics are unemployed and inactive. The personality hypothesis focuses on the association between smoking and higher level of neuroticism and anxiety. The psychological tool hypothesis argues that smokers use nicotine to reduce stress. The self-medication hypothesis contends that people with schizophrenia use nicotine to compensate for the cognitive deficits that result from either the disease, the antipsychotic medication used to treat the disease, or both.

This final supposition – that antipsychotics trigger something in the brain that makes patients turn to tobacco – has research now aimed at the neurobiological effects of smoking. For example, some of the newer antipsychotics, the “atypicals” such as clozapine and olanzapine, can be metabolized and excreted from the body much faster than the older “typical” drugs such as haloperidol, creating a much lower drug blood level than what is needed to control symptoms. Hence, smokers on antipsychotics may need higher drug doses.  

Life expectancy among schizophrenics is 10 to 15 years lower than that of the general population. This shortened lifespan results not only from suicide but also illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, to which smoking is an important contributor. In schizophrenics who smoke, heart disease deaths are 30% higher and lung disease deaths are 60% higher. While less than half of the general population dies from heart disease, 2/3 of people with schizophrenia die from heart ailments. Cancer, notably lung in men and breast in women, is also significantly higher in schizophrenics who smoke.

Smoking also has a profound social effect on people with schizophrenia. One major impact is financial; schizophrenics tend to spend a disproportionate amount of their income on cigarettes. A study of schizophrenics on public assistance showed that they spend about 25% of their benefits on cigarettes. Some argue that devoting that much of their funds to smoking causes additional social problems. For instance, people with schizophrenia cannot afford entertainment and social events that would promote well-being, and may make housing and proper nutrition too expensive.

The pharmacist has tried talking to Jim about his nicotine dependence. “Damn if kills me,” he laughed. The pharmacist decided to confer with Jim’s psychiatrist about these issues to see if Jim needs a change in his antipsychotic drug regimen as well as a smoking cessation plan.

Ron Gasbarro, PharmD is a registered pharmacist, medical writer, and principal at Rx-Press.com. Visit him at www.rx-press.com.

Election 2016 is before us. As I write this column the date is October 26, 2016. Fifty-two years ago to the day Ronald Reagan made a nation-wide televised speech in support of the Goldwater-Miller ticket. While Barry Goldwater went on to suffer a landslide defeat at the hands of LBJ, Reagan's speech had electrified the nation and placed him on the radar as an up-and-comer in the conservative movement.

Like 1964, the 2016 “news” media are united behind the Democratic candidate. So-called news outlets demonize the Republican ticket and continually put forward hit-pieces, all the while writing puff-pieces on the Democratic candidate and hailing the candidate's statesmanship. Like 1964, the Republican Party is divided while the Democratic Party is united behind its candidate. In polls, 96% of journalists who admit to having made contributions say that they have contributed to the Democratic candidate. Unlike 1964, journalists no longer make any pretense of “fairness” in political reporting.

The electorate has been “treated” to a virtual never-ending diet of salacious stories about Donald Trump's past sexual escapades, bawdy language, and possibly predatory behavior. The same outlets obsessed with candidate Trump's private life hypocritically refuse to discuss candidate Clinton's degradation and psychological rape of women whom her husband has assaulted. Neither is any mention made of Cathy O'Brien who has publicly come forward to allege that Hillary perpetrated sexual assault upon her.

But put aside for the moment the crimes—or alleged crimes—of the two major-party candidates. What IS this election about? Secondary, tertiary, quaternary, and even quinary issues are constantly brought up, but the prime issue of this campaign has been suppressed and evaded at all cost.

So, what IS the primary issue? Will America be a free and sovereign republic where inalienable rights are recognized and respected, or will America accelerate its descent into full-blown collectivism and eventual barbarism? For whatever his progressive proclivities, Donald Trump is not an ideologue who hates America and desires its destruction. Donald Trump, whatever his flaws, could not damage America even slightly in comparison to the destructiveness of Hillary Clinton past, present, and future.

Since her college days, Hillary Clinton's philosophy has been a carbon-copy of radical Saul Aulinsky. Saul Aulinsky's first book, “Rules for Radicals,” was dedicated to Lucifer—whom he termed, “the first radical.” Hillary wrote her college thesis on her mentor, Saul Aulinsky. Notably, this information was suppressed during the eight years Bill served as President, as well as during her first run for the U.S. Senate from New York in the year 2000. Hillary Clinton is a psychopathic megalomaniac interested in two, and only two things: money and power. Her influence peddling—well documented in Peter Schweizer's book, “Clinton Cash”—delineates how she used the Clinton Foundation and her office of Secretary of State to extort governments world-wide for her personal aggrandizement and wealth. Those extortionate schemes fueled her quest for unlimited (godlike) power. To Hillary everyone else is merely a servile instrument to be used by her for attainment of her objective; the value of others resides solely in their usefulness to her.

Barack Obama was and is a committed Aulinskyite in the same mold of Hillary Clinton. The “progress” he made has been through a combination of a servile Congress, a tyrannical Supreme Court, and his “pen and phone.” All that is left for Hillary to do is to surrender what little is left of America's sovereignty to an unelected and unaccountable globalized technocracy with world taxes under international law. President Obama's dream is every freedom-loving American's nightmare. We are at the threshold of America's destruction by incremental progressivism. A Clinton win guarantees both his and the Clinton crime family's immunity from prosecution for their many crimes. It also keeps the Washington cartel—the uniparty, if you will—functioning and in place.

The world envisioned by President Obama and would-be President Hillary Clinton is already being molded by despots who are of the same mind as they. To see what America will look like in a future shaped by their philosophy one need only look at what is happening to countries further along the road of collectivism. The fate of these countries foreshadow our doom—if voters empower Hillary Clinton for four years on the heels of Obama's misrule.

VENEZUELA

Witness the horror that is Venezuela. The country had the most proven oil reserves in the world and a well-run private industry oil to boot. There were good-paying jobs and relative prosperity. Over time the government nationalized the oil industry. Cronies replaced workers who actually knew what they were doing. Plant facilities were left to deteriorate. Capital was not reinvested, but extracted from the progressively weakened private sector. The world price of oil collapsed, leaving the country desperately short of funds to operate the massively corrupt nanny state that had been installed.

Venezuela's Marxist leaders—Chavez, and later Maduro—inflated the currency. The currency lost value. Currency controls were instituted. Tangible goods were hoarded. Rationing was put into place and customers were fingerprinted to control purchases of consumer goods. With price controls in place, producers found it no longer profitable to make products they were compelled to sell at a loss.

Supermarkets were left with empty shelves with occasional products from time to time when suppliers made irregular and infrequent deliveries. Residents were assigned one day a week when they were privileged to stand in blocks-long lines for the opportunity to buy a rationed product that might or might not be purchased (available) on that particular day. Trucks carrying food were soon being hijacked on a routine basis.

President Maduro declared an economic state of emergency in January 2016. In May he issued a decree suspending all constitutional rights and aggregating unto himself all power of the state. In July he commanded all able-bodied citizens to serve 60 days of compulsory labor on farms—to alleviate the endemic and chronic food shortage.

In September “Breitbart News” reported that one out of six Venezuelans survived only by eating garbage discarded by restaurants and other commercial firms. “The Wall Street Journal” reported that “the country's babies are dying at a rate higher than Syria's. Statistics on infant mortality are difficult to come by because the government no longer reports them regularly... In fact, the extent of infant mortality in Venezuela, thanks to inadequate or unavailable medicines and equipment, such as infant incubators, dependable supplies or clean water, or electric power, has become a state secret.” Think about that for a moment, the state of healthcare is so dire in Venezuela that it is a state secret—requiring the protection of armed guards to keep journalists from access to hospitals, lest the truth be revealed.

But wait, it gets worse. Fox News has reported approximately 200 prison riots this month. The riots are attributable to overcrowding and food shortages. These food shortages are so severe that cannibalism is now a regular feature of prison life. (I will spare you the graphic details of cannibalism's manifestation in Venezuela but the nauseating details can be found on the internet.) So too, death by hepatitis, cirrhosis, and starvation is widespread in Venezuelan prisons.

Venezuela is witness to the economic and moral bankruptcy of socialism. In the space of 20 years Venezuela went from a relatively prosperous nation to a basket-case of an economy that is contracting each year. Socialism is a siren song on which nations founder when they discover—too late—that it is merely a system for the redistribution of wealth, unlike capitalism, which actually is the most efficient and moral mechanism of wealth production known to man.

GERMANY

According to a report filed by Soeren Kern, Senior Fellow at the New York-based Gatestone Institute, “Germans are abandoning neighborhoods in which they have lived all their lives, and others are leaving Germany for good, as mass immigration transforms parts of the country beyond recognition.” With permission from Mr. Kern and the Gatestone Institute much of their work product on the seriousness of Germany's disintegration is herewith shared with this paper's readers.

“Data from the German statistics agency, Destatis, shows that 138,000 Germans left Germany in 2015. More are expected to emigrate in 2016. In a story on brain drain titled, 'German talent is leaving the country in droves,' “Die Welt” reported that more than 1.5 million Germans, many of them highly educated, left Germany during the past decade. The statistics do not give a reason why Germans are emigrating, but anecdotal evidence indicates that many are waking up to the true cost—financial, social and cultural—of Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to allow more than one million mostly Muslim migrants to enter the country in 2015. At least 300,000 more migrants are expected to arrive in Germany in 2016, according to Frank-Jürgen Weusem, the head of the country's migration office, BAMF.

Mass migration has — among many other problems — contributed to a growing sense of insecurity in Germany, which is facing a spike in migrant crime, including an epidemic of rapes and sexual assaults. Mass migration is also accelerating the Islamization of Germany. Many Germans appear to be losing hope about the future direction of their country.”

Why are Germans losing hope for their country? An anonymous German citizen who emigrated from Germany recently wrote an "Open Letter to the German Government," explaining his reasons:

- “I believe that Islam does not belong to Germany. I regard it as a foreign entity which has brought the West more problems than benefits. In my opinion, many followers of this religion are rude, demanding and despise Germany. Instead of halting the Islamization of Germany (and the consequent demise of our culture and freedom), most politicians seem to me to be more concerned about getting reelected, and therefore they prefer to ignore or downplay the Islam problem.

- I believe that German streets are less secure than they should be given our technological, legal and financial opportunities.

- I believe that the EU has a democratic deficit which limits my influence as a democratic citizen.

- I believe that immigration is producing major and irreversible changes in German society. I am angry that this is happening without the direct approval of German citizens, but is being dictated by you to German citizens and the next generation.

- I believe that the German media is (sic) increasingly giving up its neutrality, and that freedom of expression in this country is only possible in a limited way.

- I believe that in Germany sluggards are courted, but the diligent are scourged.

- I believe that it is a shame that in Germany Jews must again be afraid to be Jews.”

German government officials, in response to their citizen complaints, have been clear about the government's open-door policy. German citizens with complaints are urged to leave, “You are free to leave Germany at any time.” And that attitude is further “echoed in an audacious essay published in October 2016 by the newspaper 'Der Freitag,' (also published by Huntington Post Deutschland which subsequently deleted the post). In the article, an 18-year old Syrian migrant named Aras Bacho called on Germans who are angry about the migrant crisis to leave Germany. He wrote,

- “We refugees... are fed up with angry citizens (Wutburger). They insult and agitate like crazy. . . There are always these incitements by unemployed racists (Wuturgern), who spend all their time on the Internet and wait until an article about refugees appears on the Internet. Then it starts with shameless comments . . .

- Hello, you unemployed angry citizens (Wutburger) on the Internet. How educated are you? How long will you continue to distort the truth? Do you not know that you are spreading lies every day? What would you have done if you were in their shoes? Well, you would have run away!

- We refugees... do not want to live in the same country with you. You can, and I think you should, leave Germany. And please take Saxony and the Alternative for Germany (AfD) with you.

- Germany does not fit you; why do you live here? Why do you not go to another country? If this is your country, dear angry citizens (Wutburger), then behave normal. Otherwise, you can simply flee from Germany and look for a new home. Go to America to Donald Trump; he will love you very much. We are sick of you!”

The normal process of integration and assimilation is now reversed in Germany. German families are expected to adapt to the customs and mores of migrants, rather than the other way around. What does that mean for the average German? Consider these steps for their reverse integration:

- Germans are “encouraged” to learn Arabic so they can fit in with the migrants.

- German women should discontinue wearing “provocative” Western apparel so as not to offend their migrant guests.

- German women should wear headscarves to fit in with migrants.

- Germans should not publicly eat or sell foods and drinks, i.e., pork and alcoholic beverages, offensive to refugees.

Is it any wonder that Germany is falling apart? Her brain drain is accelerating as those who can flee to Hungary, one of the few EU countries that has rejected the insanity that has taken hold of the EU. Notably, one other country has a leader who has rejected mass immigration by adherents of Sharia Law. How ironic that the words of sanity are voiced by none other than Russia's President Vladimir Putin, “If minorities prefer Sharia Law, then we advise them to go to those places where that's the state law. Russia does not need minorities. Minorities need Russia, and we will not grant them special privileges, or try to fit our laws to their desires, no matter how loud their yell 'discrimination'.”

CONCLUSION

The goal of ISLAM since the time of the Prophet Muhammad is to win converts and conquer territory until the entire earth is brought into subjection. ISLAM is interested in nothing less, and no offers of temporary appeasement can mollify it or divert it from its end goal. Hillary Clinton, who famously stated in WikiLeaks-exposed emails that she has a private position and a public position, will continue President Obama's policy of open borders and non-enforcement of our immigration laws. Donald Trump, even if he cannot get Mexico to pay for a wall, is committed to a level of law enforcement Clinton could never and would never promise. America cannot be allowed to go the way of Germany.

Hillary Clinton's other ideological love affair is with socialism. President Obama has already breached every constitutional firewall. He has browbeaten Supreme Court justices, emasculated Congress, and unilaterally made law through both the Administrative State, as well as with his “pen and his phone.” Hillary Clinton, given her magalomaniacal personality and campaign promises can well be expected to further consolidate and concentrate power in the Executive branch. As far-fetched as some readers may think it, America is not so far removed from the bitter fruit Venezuelan socialism is now harvesting. Socialism's death-grip on America grows stronger with each passing day.

America's news media have well suppressed the truth and distracted voters with salacious stories revolving around sex. They have already been compromised by incestuous relationships of mutual benefit with the Clinton crime family. Would that they remember their first responsibility is to honestly report the news, as well as the issues of the first tier. Those of my profession have failed miserably.

Think for yourself. Are the prospects for American Liberty optimized by the election of Clinton or Trump? And as you answer that, remember this: Donald Trump has never been in government and he's had nothing to do with whatever your life is like right now; Hillary Clinton has had her fingers in virtually every policy decision of the last quarter century. The agent-of-change candidate is Donald Trump; the status-quo candidate is Hillary Clinton.

Ronald Reagan's speech of October 26, 1964 came to be known by the moniker, “A Time for Choosing.” Even though that speech was recognized for its greatness as much then as now, the candidate he supported, Senator Barry Goldwater, did not prevail in the following week's election. Lyndon B. Johnson, elected in a landslide, used his “mandate” to expand America's role in the Viet Nam War and launch his profligate, and ill-conceived, Great Society Program. President Johnson demonetized silver and concentrated more power in the Executive Branch. In short, his was a disastrous presidency that left America in far worse condition when he left office than when he had first entered.

We have again before us a time for choosing. We can continue to follow in the well-trod footsteps of countries such as Venezuela and Germany where each day civilization degenerates into barbarism, or we can establish a beach-head that may in our future permit a full-fledged return to constitutional republicanism and Liberty. “A Time for Choosing” ends with Reagan's challenge, “You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We can preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we can sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done.”

I can only add, “Wake up while there is still time. Make America FREE Again!”