I first enter USA Goju in 1976 under the instruction of Sensei Gene Cross. Master Peter Urban was the head of the organization. As a white belt one of our first lessons was to memorize and live by the 10 Virtues of GoJu Karate. I am unaware of the origin of these virtues, but even as a 10 year old I recognized their value and still try to remain loyal to them.

1. We are proud to be Karateka.

2. We shall always practice and study.

3. We shall be quick to seize opportunity.

4. We shall always practice patience.

5. We shall keep the fighting spirit.

6. We shall block soft and hit hard.

7. We shall believe nothing is impossible.

8. We shall always discard the bad.

9. We shall always keep the good.

10. We shall be loyal to ourselves, karate, and our country.

*Notes to readers:

Karateka is a student of Karate

Being loyal to ourselves - translates to being loyal to your beliefs and your family.

Another email passed along the road that is interesting, but not fact checked to be sure. Please if anyone finds error in this post comment. i don't have the time nor the historic interest to look it up.

Your Social Security

Just in case some of you young whippersnappers (and some older ones) didn't know this. It's easy to check out, if you don't believe it. Be sure and show it to your kids. They need a little history lesson on what's what.

Our Social Security

Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:

1.) That participation in the Program would be completely voluntary,

2.) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual incomes into the Program,

3.) That the money the participants elected to put into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year,

4.) That the money the participants put into the independent "Trust Fund" rather than into the General Operating Fund, and therefore, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other government program, and,

5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income.

Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the Federal Government to "put it away" - you may be interested in the following:

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Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the independent "Trust Fund" and put it into the General Fund so that Congress could spend it?

A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the Democratically controlled House and Senate.

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Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?

A: The Democratic Party.

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Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security annuities?

A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the "tie-breaking" deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the U.S.

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Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants?

AND MY FAVORITE:

A: That's right, it was Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party.
Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65, began to receive Social Security payments! The Democratic Party authorized these payments for them, even though they never paid a dime into the Program!

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Then, after violating the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away! Even more, they blame the Republicans for taking the Program down the road to bankruptcy.

And the worst part about it is, uninformed citizens believe it!

If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe changes will evolve. Maybe not, some Democrats are awfully
sure of what isn't so.

Actions speak louder than bumper stickers!!!