Never Surrender
By Joe Sheeley
As an engineer, I joined my professional society back in college. These are groups made up of thousands of engineers and scientists that hold local meetings to allow for members to network and support their communities together and then large, national meetings to allow members to share their work and network outside of their normal work circles. They are operated by a paid executive director and run by a paid staff at the national level but made up of a network of volunteers who do a lot of the work of the society, particularly at the local level. There is a volunteer, elected President, volunteer technical committees who help organize the larger conferences, and then local volunteer section officers and members. I had belonged to my society for more than 25 years and served on both national committees and in several local section officer roles. I expected to stay in my society throughout my career and seriously considered buying a lifetime membership where you pay about 15 years' worth of dues instead of paying dues each year.
Then the executive director came out with a memo on diversity, equity, and inclusion. It talked about how the society had been dominated by white males for far too long and that we needed to bring others into the society and into the industry with new ideas to meet future challenges. Under his direction, the society was forming a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee that was going to help us change and be ready to operate in this new reality. He was going to work to ensure the society's leadership and membership were more diverse and inclusive.
A Christmas to Remember
By Jim MacDonald
As we embark on the Christmas season this year, we can hardly recall a time when our nation’s future has ever been more in question—at least during our lifetime.
This year has brought an OBVIOUS attack on all five of the rights listed in our Constitution’s first amendment: freedom of speech, freedom to publish our thoughts and opinions (the press), freedom to practice our religion, freedom to peaceably assemble, freedom to petition our government for a redress of grievances.
Not to mention the assault on many of the other rights that we Americans enjoy.
But we’ve come to the end of this year. And now, with Thanksgiving Day in our rearview mirror, and the refrigerator free of leftovers, Americans turn their focus to Christmas festivities such as choosing names for gift-giving, shopping for the perfect gifts, drinking hot chocolate, or perhaps that special Christmas egg nog. The traditional Christmas season takes on a life of its own.
Seeing the holiday season through the eyes of a child brings homes decorated with twinkling lights, air-filled Santas, reindeer, or perhaps Frosty the Snowman sitting on neighborhood lawns. Trees spring up in living rooms with colorful bulbs, ornaments, and an angel or star at the top of the tree.
But, of course, the best part of the season is watching the wrapped gifts accumulate underneath the tree with each passing day (or the stash under the bed for Santa to find and “deliver” on Christmas Eve).
Let’s not forget ugly Christmas sweaters and Christmas movie marathons. What comes to mind when you think of Christmas stories this time of year? Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer; It’s a Wonderful Life; Die Hard (though I can’t quite understand that one).
Let me share a true Christmas story that helped establish America’s freedom.
How Well Do You Know Your Constitution? Part 2
So, how did you do on last month’s questions? Did you find them easy or hard? Can your children or grandchildren answer them with certainty? I’m going to challenge you with another six questions. But first, let me give you the second powerful paragraph that Arthur J. Stansbury finishes his conclusion with. Stansbury continues:
In the next place, remember that this precious Constitution, thus wise, thus just, is your birthright. It has been earned for you by your fathers, who counseled much, labored long, and shed their dearest blood to win it for their children. To them, it was the fruit of toil and danger—to you, it is a gift. Do not slight it on that account, but prize it as you ought. It is yours; no human power can deprive you of it, but your own folly and wickedness. To undervalue is one of the surest ways to lose it. Take pains to know what the Constitution is—the more you study, the higher you will esteem it. The better you understand your own rights, the more likely you will be to preserve and guard them.
Stansbury has a final powerful statement which I’ll include in the following newsletter. Hey, listen, I know I’m speaking to people who get it. I know you understand the importance of studying the Constitution and knowing its origins. But we’re losing our freedom and liberty on our watch. We must continue to reach out to our friends, family, neighbors, and strangers. We’ve got to be convicted in our belief, continue learning, and be passionate about sharing the truth.
Here are your questions: Enjoy!
35. Q. But if even the Congress itself should make a law which is contrary to the Constitution, must the people obey it?
45. Q. When a person is chosen to be a Member of the House of Representatives, how long does he continue so?
57. Q. How many Senators may there be?
82. Q. After Congress has met, may either House adjourn (that is, cease to meet) for more than three days at a time, without the consent of the other House?
182. Q. Who executes the laws which Congress has made, that is, who takes care that everybody shall obey the laws?
183. Q. Can the President make the laws?
And, here are your answers:
35. A. No
45. A. For two years.
57. A. Two from each State
82. A. No
182. A. The President of the United States
183. A. Not at all. These two powers, of making law, and executing the law, are kept by the Constitution, entirely separate; the power that makes the law cannot execute it, and the power that executes the law cannot make it.
Jason Girard’s 12 Days of Activism
Listed below are the 12 days of activism Jason Girard gave us this month. Many are helpful as a reminder of activities we can do all year long.
1st Day: Telepatriot Calls
2nd Day: Call a fellow COS volunteer just to develop a relationship
3rd Day: Write a Christmas card for your Legislators
4th Day: Schedule a meeting with your Legislators
5th Day: Engage with your Legislator on Social Media
6th Day: Recruit a new petition sign
7th Day: Do some training. i.e., Listen to past Tuesday night’s training; COS University, etc.
8th Day: Meet with your Legislators
9th Day: Log any activities in your ‘activity report’
10th Day: Check out and review COS University courses that you haven’t listened to yet or ones that pertain to your role with COS.
11th Day: Listen to Mark Meckler’s year-end wrapup
12th Day: The blessings of liberty given to us by God are worth our effort and sacrifice. Remember all we’ve accomplished and stay in the fight.
Tennessee is on the move...
Make no mistake about it; the COS volunteers are on the move. They can no longer sneak under the radar because America’s sights are set on the team making all the noise. From our prayer warriors and telepatriots to district captains and state leadership. Each month there are more and more activities generated from this team.
If you’re reading this newsletter and still sitting on the sideline, join this red-hot team working hard to restore America to its true colors. There is so much work to be done, and we need all the help we can get. We dropped the ball on our watch, and our children and grandchildren deserve a free and fair country to raise their children in as well.
Please have a look at the events that filled the calendar during November and part of December.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
2022 will be the year every American will know about The Convention of States!
16 Patriots met at the Bedford County Library
The Jackson Gun Show
Meryl Archer receives the coveted Patriot Pin!
Johnson City COS Points of Lights meeting
Gun Show in Jackson, TN.
Sevierville, TN, COS Points of Light Meeting
Memphis Gun Show
North Central Tennessee meeting in Gallatin, TN.
Tennessee Legislators Going Back to Work—Surge Day 2022
The 2021 session of the 112th General Assembly adjourned in May and will reconvene on January 11, 2022. And what better way to say, “Welcome Back” than being greeted by a surge of enthusiastic and patriotic constituents.
That’s what the Convention of States Tennessee has planned for its state legislators on that Tuesday morning. COS volunteers and supporters from all across Tennessee will be meeting with their respective House Representative and Senator to present them with packets of information about the Convention of States. In addition, members of the grassroots army will have an opportunity to begin building rapport with their legislators and attend the opening ceremony in the capitol building at noon.
What a great way to start a new year! Come join us! 
Upcoming Events
COS Points of Light Meetings
Greenville, TN, Saturday, January 8th at the Catalyst Coffee House, 101 N, Main St. at 11:00 am
Johnson City, TN. Saturday, January 8th at the VFW 2518 Jim Funkauser Rd. at 1:00 pm
Sevierville, TN, Saturday, January 15th at King Family Library, 408 High St. at 9:30 am
Knoxville, TN, Location to be announced at 1:00 pm call: (423) 747-4500
Capital Surge Day
Nashville, TN, Tuesday, January 11th at the Capitol in Nashville
Chicken & Chat
In February or March - Date to be announced
COS Meetings across the state
Gallatin, TN, Saturday, January 15th at the Gallatin Public Library, 123 East Main St. Gallatin, TN, 10:00 am till 12:00 pm. For more information, contact Debbie MacDonald at 614-296-0851
Spring Hill, TN, Monday, January 3rd, from 6 to 7 pm at Spring Hill Library, Lynn & Jerry Kronk
Tullahoma, TN, Saturday, January 15th, from 1-3 pm at the DW Wilson Recreation Center, Tony Celiberti
Columbia, TN, Saturday, January 22, from 10 to 12 at Maury County Library, Lynn & Jerry Kronk
Battle Cry
Join Mark Meckler for the BattleCry every Sunday at 8:00 EST on Facebook
Biblical Citizenship Class
The new classes begin on January 10, 2022, and will run thru March 7 (taking Valentine's Day off).
