In Washington , D.C. there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument. On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., are displayed two words: Laus Deo.
No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn’t care less.
These words have been there for many years: they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of the United States of America, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District
of Columbia, capital of the U.S.A.
“Laus Deo” - two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.
Those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, mean, “Praise be to God!”
Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap
the memorial.
From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l’Enfant. A perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.
Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross - separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution.
Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message:
On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore;
On the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians;
On the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!
When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848, deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of a unique democracy: “One Nation, Under God.”
Here is Washington’s prayer for America:
“Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose e example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
You may forget the width and height of “Laus Deo”, its location, or the architects - but no one who reads this will forget its meaning, or the words: “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
Laus Deo!
A week is a long time in politics. - Harold Wilson
Intelligence has nothing to do with politics. - Londo Molari
Practical politics consists in ignoring facts. - Henry Brooks Adams
English Wrestling Champion: A lord of the ring - Daffynitions joe-ks.com
Bulldozing: Going to sleep during a political speech. - Daffynitions joe-ks.com
Government cannot and must not replace private initiative. - Kim Campbell
Honor is not the exclusive property of any political party. - Herbert Hoover
Politics is for the present, but an equation is for eternity. - Albert Einstein
An honest man in politics shines more than he would elsewhere. - Mark Twain
Democracy becomes a government of bullies tempered by editors. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
It's a terrible shame that politics has become show business. - Sydney Pollack
To deceive a diplomat speak the truth, he has no experience with it. - Greek Proverb
Every woman dreams of her own political career and her own place in life. - Raisa M. Gorbachev
American Politics: A form of socialism for the rich, including the politicians. - Gregory Nunn
A filmmaker we almost lost to politics... my friend and colleague, Warren Beatty. - Jack Nicholson
Personally, I'm against political jokes. Too often they get elected to office. - Henny Youngman
Work for the Lord. The pay isn't much, but the retirement plan is out of this world. - Unknown
That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves. - Thomas Jefferson
If I had only three years to serve the Lord, I would spend two of them studying and preparing. - Donald G Barnhouse
In Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Canada has at last produced a political leader worthy of assassination. - Irving Layton
The single most exciting thing you encounter in government is competence, because it's so rare. - Daniel P Moynihan
If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there'd be a shortage of sand. - Milton Friedman
At present, our country needs women's idealism and determination, perhaps more in politics than anywhere else. - Shirley Chisholm
I have certain rules I live by. My first rule: I don't believe anything the government tells me. Nothing. Zero. - George Carlin
“But it doesn't take a thousand men to open a door, my lord."
"It might to keep it open.” - Ursula K. Le Guin
I am sometimes a fox and sometimes a lion. The whole secret of government lies in knowing when to be the one or the other. - Napoleon Bonaparte
Very few of these panic-mongers have any personal knowledge of the countries that are already under blackshirt government. - Lord Rothermere
Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage. - Ambrose Bierce
The punishment which the wise suffer who refuse to take part in the government, is to live under the government of worse men. - Plato
Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book. - Ronald Reagan
The man who invented the zip fastener was today honoured with a lifetime peerage. He will now be known as the Lord of the Flies. - Ronnie Corbett
The workers' and peasants' government proposes to all warring peoples... negotiations leading to a just, democratic peace. - Lenin
Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first. - Ronald Reagan
In this year, King Aethelstan, Lord of Warriors, ring-giver to men... won eternal glory, in battle with sword edges, around Brunaburh. - Unknown
I see God in every human being. When I wash the leper's wounds, I feel I am nursing the Lord himself. Is it not a beautiful experience? - Mother Teresa
I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice? - C S Lewis
When I am abroad, I always make it a rule never to criticize or attack the government of my country. I make up for lost time when I am at home. - Winston Churchill
Our ancestors believed in magic, prayers, trickery, browbeating and bullying. I think it would be fair to sum that up as 'Irish politics'. - Flann O'Brien
Regarded simply as a politician, and compared with the other leading political figures of our time, how clean a smell he has managed to leave behind. - Mahatma Gandhi
see also Government & Religious Sections
 Senior Eye Exam |  Chubby Free |  Pirrows |  Young Rock Star |  Restored Beauty |
 Powerplant Swimsuit Models |  Watermelon Cake |  Sharkini |  Julyed |  Filet Minion |
 Better Singer |  Texas Basketball |  Grow Food, Not Lawns |  Nut Salesman |  Long Yellow Things |
 Ants Know When Something Is Fake |  Think Outside |  Despicable Wood Stove |  Engineering Flowchart |  Egotist |
02-Jul-2022 |