Something to Think About
Don Michael, WVFB Director of Governmental Affairs
God, Guns and Guts –
CHRISTmas is the favorite
time of the year for the Michael
family. God’s love is in full
bloom (as it is every day) as
we focus on family, friends and
the greatest gift of all – God’s
gift of the Christ child. At this
time of year we concentrate
less on our concern about
America’s challenges (which will still be there next
year) and more on the many wonderful blessings we
as a people continue to enjoy in this great land of the
free and home of the brave. Looking at Christmases
past, two of PoliticusUSA’s Archives “Top Five
Presidential Christmas Quotes” have special meaning
to me – one from President John F. Kennedy when
I was a young teenager worried about America on
the brink of war and the other from President Ronald
Reagan when I was a young adult, married with two
young sons and eager about the future. In 1962 with
the Cuban missile crisis behind us, President Kennedy
provided much needed encouragement to Americans
– “It is the day when we remind ourselves that man
can and must live in peace with his neighbors and
that it is the peacemakers who are truly blessed. In
this year of 1962 we greet each other at Christmas
with some special sense of blessings of peace. This
has been a year of peril when the peace has been
sorely threatened. But it has been a year when peril
was faced and when reason ruled. As a result, we
may talk, at this Christmas, just a little bit more
confidently of peace on earth, good will to men. As a
result, the hopes of the American people are perhaps
a little higher. We have much yet to do. We still need
to ask that God bless everyone.” Shifting to 1981
President Reagan’s inspirational message noted – “On
Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Christ with prayer,
feasting, and great merriment. But, most of all, we
experience it in our hearts. For, more than just a day,
Christmas is a state of mind. It is found throughout the
year whenever faith overcomes doubt, hope conquers
despair, and love triumphs over hate. It is present
when men of any creed bring love and understanding
to the hearts of their fellow man. The feeling is seen in
the wondrous faces of children and in the hopeful eyes
of the aged. It overflows the hearts of cheerful givers
and the souls.” Here’s wishing you and your loved
ones God’s richest blessings for CHRISTmas and the
New Year ahead.
Turning to the topic of guns, Farm Bureau
appreciates the efforts of Attorney General Patrick
Morrisey to uphold our Second Amendment
rights. Attorney General Morrisey led a bipartisan
coalition of 21 state attorneys general in an amicus
curiae, or friend of the court, brief urging the U.S
Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to declare
unconstitutional a Maryland law forbidding the
possession, sale or transfer of certain firearms. “We
are proud to have led this bipartisan group of states in
this amicus brief,” Morrisey said. “States must band
together in times when they see citizens’ rights being
diminished or infringed upon. If the courts decide
this law passes muster, it would undermine a core
part of the Second Amendment . . . This law’s broad
categorical ban is no different than trying to impose
a content-based ban on speech. It simply cannot be
done.” Thanks Mr. Morrisey!
In closing I want to reflect on our recent Annual
Meeting at the Flatwoods Days Hotel and the
upcoming Legislative Session. The annual meeting
always provides an opportunity for great fellowship
and fun as the agriculture community unites to focus
on policy development to guide legislative and
congressional efforts in the year ahead. Legislative
insights provided by some of West Virginia’s finest
public servants has become an annual highlight.
Thanks again to Senators David Nohe (District 3Wood) and Dave Sypolt (District 14 – Preston), and
Delegates Bill Hartman (District 43 – Randolph)
and “Woody” Ireland (District 7 – Ritchie). As I
noted at our meeting, “West Virginians are for