Because Life is More than Money
December • 2008

It's over!! Finally the 2008 presidential campaign is over. The results are not what half or so of American voters preferred, but it's over! So how should those whose preferences were defeated be? Randy Kilgore typed this summary of an important piece of U.S.'s history to guide us in how we should be:

"It was over!

What some had thought could never happen, and others were certain wouldn't last long, had dragged an entire nation into its abyss, tearing even families apart with its' vicious and unholy grip. But at last it was finished! The War of the Rebellion was over!

Emotions ran deep on both sides, a dangerous mix at any point in history, but most certainly a deadly mix after the heat of a long and difficult struggle. Two armies now had to meet one last time as a vanquished and humiliated troop surrendered itself to the will of a delirious army tempted, as we humans often are, to gloat and taunt. These are the moments when the future is really decided; when two foes sort out how to behave when the battle is finished.

Joshua Chamberlain positioned his Union soldiers on both sides of the road that morning with the same feelings of relief that likely swept through most corners of the still-young nation. Selected by Ulysses S. Grant to oversee the surrender of the Confederate Army at Appomattox Courthouse on April 12, 1865, the professor-turned-soldier watched as the entire Army of Northern Virginia marched in battle array toward his troops.

Leading that defeated army up the dusty road was John Gordon, picked by Robert E. Lee for this difficult and humiliating exercise. Eyewitnesses described Gordon's face as downcast, eyes searching out some distant place on the ground in a symbolic gesture of resignation and grief.

Victory often breeds defeat when winners gloat. Defeat often breeds disaster when losers are defiant. On the heels of the most vicious bloodletting in American history, there was little reason to believe in those "better angels of our nature" Abraham Lincoln called out in his first inaugural address.

Then something strange took place. Gordon heard clanks and rustles among the Union troops, and knew in an instant what was happening: Chamberlain ordered his troops to salute the defeated enemy as they passed! No gloating here, no loud taunts or vicious reprisals: Only silence and the moving picture of soldier saluting soldier, each side describing scenes of grown men with "cheeks wet with tears."

It was left to the vanquished to match this kindness, and Gordon did not miss the moment. History notes that "at this clatter of arms he (Gordon) raises his eyes and instantly catching the significance, wheels his horse with that superb grace of which he is master, and drops the point of his sword to his stirrup...," returning in defeat the graceful salute offered in victory."

So may the victors and the defeated of this presidential election be. I do not think that Barack Obama was the best choice for U.S.'s next President. But he is my country's next President. So I respect his position and authority. I will pray for him to be a wise and godly leader protecting us from internal and external harm. Please join me.

Happy praying for U.S.'s leaders!
Doug Johnson, President

What's in Perspective and Observation
December • 2008

Hello to all our customers and friends,

I'm still seeing water standing in ruts and the fields that have been harvested. It's been about as wet a fall so far as it was a wet summer. A lot of corn needs to be picked, especially to the north and west. Snow and wind have taken their toll on the corn and milo still in the fields with estimates of 15 to 20 bu/acres lost on the ground. It's hard to predict grain pricing with the chaotic financial situation swirling globally. Unemployment numbers are climbing and more job losses are in the forecast as housing sales fall off, so do the construction jobs that develop and build them. Big banks and investment firms all around the world are wary of each other, if not in trouble themselves with the exception of most moderate to small banks. Self-reliance is becoming more important as the veil of protection we have enjoyed for several generations starts to unravel. We have been told to think globally for the last decade in how we evaluate markets, investments, the environment, and activities that can have an affect on us. The question I keep asking is who is the entity that is purported to be telling us this fantastic viewpoint? Is it the huge corporate news world? Is it CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, Fox News and if so, who is the source of their information? I hope they don't just make it up. No, it is more likely they are spoon-fed the spun viewpoint of some corporate public relations department that makes sure you are told what they want you to think you know. How else can the public be told that “the fundamentals of our economy are sound” and four months later the global financial world is unraveling?

My level of distrust for corporate America is being strengthened each day. I am to the point of disgust with the leadership of the corporate world that I could scream. There are hundreds of thousands of people that could do as good a job or better than those at the helm and for a lot less pay. I base my opinion on the fact that the folks heading up the US car industry have been paid 10-20 million dollars a year for the last decade to run the companies into the ground. A recent report showed the CEO of Toyota was paid one million last year and their bottom line was twice GM's or Ford's. Having a level of distrust for American companies' spills over to a higher level when it comes to foreign countries. The melamine that was added to the wheat gluten two years ago that was imported from China and started killing the dogs and cats that ate the pet food containing melamine should have been a wake up call. Now, however, the Chinese have more than 10,000 people sickened or dying from melamine in their food. Infants have died because melamine found its' way into infant formula. It was dumped into livestock feed and now they have contaminated eggs, milk, fish, and who knows what else. Several countries that import these commodities from China are very upset that the lack of oversight has subjected their populace to such health risks. We will likely get to ship more grain as they dump the contaminated tons of feed. I myself will not knowingly eat anything that is made in China or has any ingredients in it from China. Last year it was lead paint on toys, this year it is contaminated food.

On a more festive note let me extend to all our customers and friends from the staff at the Guaranty our very best wishes for a joyous holiday season. We wish you a prosperous year ahead in 2009 with adequate moisture, good crops, good prices, good health, and also a little good luck.

Until next month...
Myron