Print 
PDF
Joel Gilbert, a Los Angeles filmmaker known for creative short films, has outdone himself by creating a feature short film that parallels the newly released Star Wars episode "The Force Awakens."
The 3 minute video opens with the following text crawl:
"It is a dark time for the Republic. A deceptive and radical Donkey has seized the Capital and shredded the Constitution. A powerful Rebel Warrior must arise to unite the Elephants and save the nation..."
The video has gone viral, being seen by millions of people---even many who do not necessarily support candidate Ted Cruz who is featured in the film.
A new television ad from Donald Trump says he will "cut the head off of the ISIS State."
Gilbert's explanation of what caused him to make the Cruz film, describes the feelings and frustration of many Americans---and possibly why Trump and Cruz are leading in the GOP presidential race.
Gilbert's 3 minute video features Cruz as a warrior whose mission is to unite Republicans and reclaim the Constitution of the United States.
Gilbert says the idea came to him back in 2013 when he watched Senator Ted Cruz stand before the US Senate for almost 24 hours as he filibustered against Obamacare.
Cruz told the Senate that Obama's healthcare scheme was merely a tool for the progressive left to transfer wealth and control voters, rather than advance public health.
Gilbert says when Cruz was concluding his marathon speech, "He drew a parallel between his fight against the Left and the Star Wars epics."
Cruz said, "Just like in the Star Wars movies, the empire will strike back. At the end of the day, the rebel alliance, the people will prevail."
Gilbert says at that moment he realized an anti-establishment movement was being founded in America.
He says he believes this is the right moment to launch his short (3 minute) film.
I'm not sure the push back against our Leftist administration was "born" at that moment, but there is no doubt that America is sick and tired of leftist policies---and is definitely pushing back.
Donald Trump launched a political ad yesterday, his first, which reiterates his commitment to temporarily shut down Muslim immigration into America until "we can figure out what's going on," build a wall on our southern border with Mexico paying for it, and, "Cut off the head of the ISIS State."
While these 2 candidates are very different, they lead the Republican field of presidential candidates---by a considerable margin.
USA Today, in their story yesterday, gave an example of the aggressive nature of the press's attempt to define the Burns, Oregon cattle ranch story as something different than it is, and in doing so control the narrative regarding just how fed up American citizens have become.
USA Today reported, "Sheriff David Ward said protesters came to Harney County in southeastern Oregon 'claiming to be part of militia groups supporting local ranchers.' In reality, he said 'these men have alternative motives to attempt to overthrow the county and federal government in hopes to spark a movement across the United States'."
The sheriff later walked back his comments regarding the motives of those protesting.That was not reported.
It is well known locally that the Hammonds actually called the BLM and shared their plan to burn some of the area and inquired to be sure there was not a burn ban in effect that day, then proceeded to burn the 130 acres on their BLM grazing land for which they have held permits since 1964.
Ranchers regularly do this to promote the growth of new grasses.
In fact several years later, even the court agreed that the fire had made a difference and made the land more productive for grazing.
But this isn't really about burning weeds.
Eleven years after the fact, in 2012, this father and son went on trial and were convicted of arson on federal lands for the 2001 field burning. The men were first indicted on 19 counts in June 2010, but the courts reduced the number to 9 counts.
In 2012, Dwight and Steven Hammond were sentenced to serve time, 3 months for Dwight and 1 year for Steven for the productive fires in 2001 and 2006.
They were tried and convicted under the "Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act."
Now the BLM wants to re-jail them so as to comply with the 5 year minimum sentence required by the Anti-Terrorism Act the judge by-passed in the initial sentencing.
Double Jeopardy.
I do not believe that occupying a federal government building is the best response to this or other offenses by the government.
However, I believe all conservatives can understand the frustration and helplessness that one feels when the government, be it the BLM or the IRS comes after us---particularly a government that consistently undermines our personal freedom.
The Hammonds have reported to serve their sentence, and plan to ask for clemency. Their lawyers contend the punishment does not fit the so-called "crime."
The anti-establishment movement that Joel Gilbert seeks to identify in his 3 minute short film about Ted Cruz is really about much more than Cruz or Trump or cattle ranchers---it's about a nation that has been abused by deceptive leaders.
It's about a nation that has been misled to believe relativism, political correctness, evolving truth and morality is "progress" and enlightenment.
It is neither.
It is destructive.
And America is awakening to the fact that we have been scammed by the so-called elites---the so-called "Progressives." And even by some in our own political party.
Gilbert, in his short satire film, concludes by showing Cruz receiving a "Constitution" from outer space that turns into a light saber. Riding a regal elephant across America, Cruz unites the elephants, the Republicans, leading them to Washington to save America from destruction at the hands of the evil donkeys, the Democrats. Along the way, Cruz defeats the RINOS, the establishment Republicans who are protecting Obama, rather than representing the people who elected them.
I like Cruz. I like him a lot.
However, there is only one true Savior. Fortunately, Ted Cruz has accepted Him as his personal Savior, and understands what biblical believers understand: Man outside of God's provision is miserably lost.
Our nation is awakening and pushing back---rebelling, against the insanity of secular progressivism.
And looking for true leadership.
Franklin Graham, speaking on behalf of The National Day of Prayer, which is May 5, 2016, says this:
"When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?" —Psalms 11:3
I believe our nation is in trouble today, probably more than I've seen in my lifetime. We are contending with issues that are causing the very foundation of our country to crumble. Our moral and spiritual roots are eroding, the economy is misleading, family life is disintegrating, and political forces are at unprecedented odds. There seem to be very few leaders who will take a stand for God and for His Word.
It can be tempting to believe that America has reached a point of no return. While these factors cause despair, we are reminded in Scripture that with God, nothing is impossible. No problem is too great for Him. Seasons of distress and uncertainty and hardship call for faithful, fervent prayer by God's people and remind us of our responsibility to humble ourselves before Almighty God. We cannot expect healing to come to our nation apart from obedience to God through His Holy Word.
God longs for His people to humble themselves and to seek forgiveness and pray for guidance. God's Word says,"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" (Psalm 33:12). The Bible commands that we repent of our sins and turn to Almighty God. And because we are confident that we serve a God of mercy and compassion, we know that He stands ready to respond to our cries out of the abundance of His divine wisdom.
Amen.
God says in Malachi 3:7, "Return to Me and I will return to you."
Be Prayerful. Be Informed.