Kevin C. Shinn

I have a great life with a wonderful wife who takes care of me, three great kids, two fantastic granddaughters with another grandchild on the way, a son-in-law who works for the sheriff's office, and another son-in-law who works for Arvest, a mother who adores me, a mother-in-law who owns her own home, jobs that I love, friends I wish I could spend more time with, and ridiculous enemies. Who could ask for more?

The current rhetoric surrounding the issue as to whether the United States is a republic or a representative democracy has been sparked by those intent on dividing our people as a distraction from other, far more important issues and continues to be stoked by well-intentioned Americans whose passion has simply been misguided by nefarious forces. When the Founding Fathers came together to form what has become the most successful form of government for a free people in the history of our planet, they had no template to draw from and few sources to try and cobble together a new government to replace the failed Articles of Confederation. Few expected this new document to last forever, most notably Ben Franklin, one of the few Americans of the time with an international reputation. On Monday, September 17, 1787, during the last day of the Constitutional Convention, Ben wanted to give a short speech to the Convention prior to the signing of the final draft of the Constitution. Too weak to actually give the speech himself, he had fellow Pennsylvanian James Wilson deliver the speech. It is considered a masterpiece. The following is as reported in Madison's notes on the Convention for Monday, September 17, 1787.

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“Mr. President I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them: For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others. Most men indeed as well as most sects in Religion, think themselves in possession of all truth, and that wherever others differ from them it is so far error. Steele a Protestant in a Dedication tells the Pope, that the only difference between our Churches in their opinions of the certainty of their doctrines is, the Church of Rome is infallible and the Church of England is never in the wrong. But though many private persons think almost as highly of their own infallibility as of that of their sect, few express it so naturally as a certain french lady, who in a dispute with her sister, said "I don't know how it happens, Sister but I meet with no body but myself, that's always in the right — Il n'y a que moi qui a toujours raison." In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered, and believe farther that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in Despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic Government, being incapable of any other. I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution. For when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does; and I think it will astonish our enemies, who are waiting with confidence to hear that our councils are confounded like those of the Builders of Babel; and that our States are on the point of separation, only to meet hereafter for the purpose of cutting one another's throats. Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best. The opinions I have had of its errors, I sacrifice to the public good. I have never whispered a syllable of them abroad. Within these walls they were born, and here they shall die. If every one of us in returning to our Constituents were to report the objections he has had to it, and endeavor to gain partizans in support of them, we might prevent its being generally received, and thereby lose all the salutary effects & great advantages resulting naturally in our favor among foreign Nations as well as among ourselves, from our real or apparent unanimity. Much of the strength & efficiency of any Government in procuring and securing happiness to the people, depends, on opinion, on the general opinion of the goodness of the Government, as well as of the wisdom and integrity of its Governors. I hope therefore that for our own sakes as a part of the people, and for the sake of posterity, we shall act heartily and unanimously in recommending this Constitution (if approved by Congress & confirmed by the Conventions) wherever our influence may extend, and turn our future thoughts & endeavors to the means of having it well administred. On the whole, Sir, I can not help expressing a wish that every member of the Convention who may still have objections to it, would with me, on this occasion doubt a little of his own infallibility, and to make manifest our unanimity, put his name to this instrument.” What is lost on many in this debate is the reality of the circumstances surrounding the crafting of our federal government. We are unique. There is no other society like us. The best minds of the time, coming from a diverse array of circumstances, bound together by the single necessity of preventing their hard-won freedoms from being lost to the growing anarchy fostered as a result of the limited power of the Articles of Confederation, established a system of government that has become the beacon of freedom to the masses yearning to breathe free from around the globe and throughout history. The living quality of the document has been the true genius of its nature. A brief examination of the history of its amendments leaves no doubt as to the significance of the Constitution’s ability to adapt to the evolution of our political process while simultaneously providing a fixed point of  justice for our citizens to be judged. The United States is a representative democracy, but its system of government is much more complex than that. It is not a simple representative democracy, but a constitutional republic in which majority rule is tempered with a respect for the rights of political minorities. The Constitution of today is far different from the Constitution of 1787, yet it is still the rock upon which our freedoms rest. Before we get caught up in the false debate over names consider this list and ask yourself, "What is in a name?": Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Islamic Republic of Iran, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, People's Republic of China, Republic of Cuba, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Syrian Arab Republic, Republic of Colombia, Republic of Uganda, Somali Republic, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Republic of Iraq, and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Whether to use the label "representative democracy" or "republic" is not what is significant. As bullets fly around Libya and the people of Iran, Egypt, Tunisia, and other nations struggle to obtain what we take for granted; the real name we should all remember is that we are "Americans." We may not agree on the manner in which we believe government should work but surely, we can all agree that the system works as well as those who cast their ballots every single Election Day makes it work.  

To deny that fact is to deny what is undeniable. Elections matter and have consequences. Those who win power make policy; at least until they offend enough that the voters replace them with their opponents. At which time, the cycle begins again. God bless the United States of America because until the day we go to meet our Lord, America is the closest to heaven on Earth as man has ever been able to fabricate.

Bad Day

By Shannon O'Dell / Posted on 26 January 2011

Rebecca Thurman: “The HARRT program is a incredible program that gives high school kids the opportunity to experience the medical world and gives them some responsibility. They learn basic first aid and CPR. I joined the program my freshman year in high school and it was one of my favorite activities in high school. I was apart of this organization until I graduated from high school and was president my senior year. Most high school students usually don’t know what they want to do with their lives when they get out of high school but the HARRT organization gave me the opportunity to experience new things that i thought id never do. I knew what I wanted to do with my life after high school I am currently in college about to start my 3rd year. I am attending Northwest Arkansas Community College where i am currently getting my paramedic degree and later on I plan on going to nursing school. HARRT changed my life for the better. I encourage high school kids to be apart of this program even if they don’t plan on going into the medical field its a good experience for them and they learn basic skills that they could use someday that could save somebody’s life.” Anthony Blok: In my years as a member and office holder in the HARRT program I have learned many skills, life saving lessons, learned the benefits not just for myself but the benefit others get out of the team doing community service. Also the leadership qualities that I learned while being part of HARRT, whether it be doing training or participating in the team camps has helped me succeed in college, jobs, and my personal life. The Rapid Response Team Camp is a GREAT way for kids and adults to learn the skills in mapping, search and rescue, leadership, community service, etc. All in all the HARRT program is a wonderful and life changing program that has helped and benefited me greatly and I appreciate Mr. KC Shinn for founding this program. All the hard work and dedication he has put into this program and helping it grow shows a lot about his character and how his dedication pays off. I would not have had another person head this program. Kendra Westbrook: It is an awesome program ..... I love volunteering for it i will stay in it forever if i can !!! When i have kids they will be in this program it just helped me and if i got to met new people . It is a really good program I hope it gets better and bigger more events. Gabriella Cuellar: Rapid Response Camp has been one of the most meaningful experiences I have ever had. Not only did I meet adults who wanted to make a difference in the community, but kids my own age, kids from every area of Arkansas. These kids have become some of my best friends and I am honored to have shared this experience with them. The unique thing about the Rapid Response program is you don't just learn a set of life-saving skills but the fact that you are mentally, physically, and emotionally challenged. As much as I wanted to give up during some of the difficult activities (especially in the summer heat), defeating the tasks at hand was such an accomplishment and the knowledge gained was an incredible award. This camp helped me discover things about myself I never knew. It instilled a new confidence in me that didn't seem possible. Most of all, it allowed me to learn and practice CPR and First Aid skills as well as develop the courage to use these skills. These skills have proven useful in the everyday cuts and bruises, and will prove useful in the event of a disaster.  AJ Templeton: HARRT has made and extreme impact on my life through all the lessons we learned. I really didn’t think HARRT was really going to do anything for me besides look good on a college resume. Being in the Marine Corps I have noticed how much better leadership I have for my fellow marines. I have the confidence so if anyone of my marines go down fighting for our freedom I know i can help save him, and not lose a fellow marine. I loved being a part of the community service through HARRT. I find myself wanting to volunteer out here not just because I’m a marine, but because of how I was raised and the people in HARRT. Might not be perfect, but i hoped it helped.

Sincerely
LCpl Templeton USMC  Katie Harvey: Oh wow where to begin. I started HARRT in the middle of my freshman year of high school. I joined because earlier that year my grandma passed away. I saw how hard the paramedics fought to save her life even though they didn't even know her. From that day on my dream was to become a paramedic. The first meeting I went to I loved it. It was so great to be part of such an awesome team that made differences in people’s lives. The fact that we could help someone in need, it made me feel like I was really doing something worthy in my life. I was taught how to save someone's life and you can't imagine what a great feeling that is. Being in HARRT made my life have more meaning to it and to believe that one person can make a huge difference. It helped me see something good come from my grandma's death instead of just dwelling in sorrow if that makes sense. It's really hard to really put into words what HARRT has done to my life. Because of it I feel like I've done something really worth doing in my life and I'm proud of it. It's helped make me the person I am today. Shanna Darling: The Rapid Response Camp is like no other, amazing, and life changing! By being part of the Rapid Response team I was able to learn important life saving skills I would not have been able to learn in any other way. Having the ability to perform first-aid and CPR has made my life easier and given me more opportunities. The "dreaded" last day scenario way a blast, giving me a chance to put what I'd learned to use, making it easier to response in real life situations. I also love the friendship I made at camp. Although I have not been able to attend at Rapid Response Camp in about two years I have stayed close with friends I made at the camp. Learning from people my age made things more understandable, and keeping in touch with them since, I'm able to still learn from them. This camp was so much fun and life changing, learning important life saving skills that inspired me to look farther into a medical career. I would totally recommended Rapid Response Camp to others and would love to attend another camp, to learn and advance my skills more, my self.   Christian Davis: It has showed me that other people’s life is just important as mine. Now I’m more alert for disasters and people’s health. I would want to be a blue shirt one day...

I have been honored to be associated with Central Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross in Arkansas for over a decade. I followed former Arkansas First Lady Janet Huckabee as the chairman of the Rapid Response Team Project which was established in 2000 by the Executive Director of the Central Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross and Mrs. Huckabee. As chairman, I am privileged with the responsiblity for the organization of the state Rapid Response Team training camps and assist in the implementation and expansion of the program statewide.  Each summer at the camp, using college and high school age instructors, we train high school students from across the state of Arkansas in CPR, AED, 1^st Aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, Incident Command, problem-solving, and leadership skills.  To promote the program around the state, I have been able to work with sponsors from other schools in helping them establish their own teams. In January of 2008, I was asked to present a workshop at the national American Red Cross 2008 Volunteer Administration Institute in Minneapolis, MN describing the goals of the program and explaining the challenges involved in establishing a team.

Since 2001, I have been involved with the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross by being a supervisor for their Medical Spotters during the Razorback football games in Fayetteville. I am currently a member of the three-person leadership team tasked with the responsibility of creating a Community First Aid Team and was sent to Nebraska to observe the operations of their Community First Aid Team.

As a result of my association with the Rapid Response Team Project, I am the founder and director of the Huntsville Arkansas Rapid Response Team (HARRT) which is part of the American Red Cross Rapid Response Team Project.  HARRT was established, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, to train and organize high school students in emergency medical and rescue techniques. HARRT members are responsible for implementing and designing the emergency response plan for our high school. HARRT assists the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross in providing medical spotters at the Arkansas Razorbacks football games in Fayetteville and is active in numerous community service events. 

In 2001, I was selected as the Volunteer of the Year by the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross. In 2003, I was awarded the School and Community Award for Youth in Health and Safety by the Central Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross. In 2005, I was given the Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer Youth Services Department award, and in 2008, I was deeply honored to receive the Clara Barton Volunteer Leadership Honor Award from the Central Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross.

To have the privilege to not only be associated with an organization as well-respected as the American Red Cross, but to have a leadership role and to have been honored by two different Chapters in the state of Arkansas for my service to the organization, is an accomplishment for which I am exceedingly proud.