tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204923262024-03-14T03:54:55.116-04:00RightFaithWhere Everything Favors the Stewardship of Patrimony.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.comBlogger335125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-37135140098344866272007-07-02T09:43:00.000-04:002007-09-27T17:25:27.161-04:00I TRUST Duncan Hunter<a href="http://www.gohunter08.com/index.asp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069985834508876882" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_3hXeLfJS3OQ/Rlw1QSop_FI/AAAAAAAAABE/OFLKVYXEnS0/s320/watch_header.jpg" border="0" /></a>I trust Duncan Hunter on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3Jmmxg90IA"><strong><span style="color:#6666cc;">Immigration</span></strong></a>.<br /><br />I trust Duncan Hunter on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7VAnby4a6k"><strong><span style="color:#6633ff;">Trade</span></strong></a>.<br /><br />I trust Duncan Hunter on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krVSl8NVNr8"><strong><span style="color:#6633ff;">Fair Tax</span></strong></a>.<br /><br />I trust Duncan Hunter on<span style="color:#6633ff;"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r82xvlF4Ds"><strong><span style="color:#6633ff;">Iran</span></strong></a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RER9gasLtGM"><strong><span style="color:#6633ff;">Iraq</span></strong></a>.<br /><br />I trust Duncan Hunter on <strong><a href="http://www.gohunter08.com/inner.asp?z=4"><span style="color:#6633ff;">traditional values </span></a></strong>like life, marriage, property rights, parental rights, and educational choice.<br /><br />I can't trust the other candidates, but Duncan Hunter is clear, articulate, confidence inspiring, and a great American. I trust Duncan Hunter and support him in this Presidential campaign.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-69682779501861574062007-07-01T11:47:00.000-04:002007-07-01T12:48:25.543-04:00Engage, Condemn, or CombatI've stopped blogging here long enough to ensure that every consistent reader has seen <a href="http://rightfaith.blogspot.com/2007/05/i-trust-duncan-hunter.html">my endorsement </a>for the Republican Presidential Primaries.<br /><br />After this absence, I've returned with more ideas than ever on how to improve America. The first idea is to publicize stupidity--actually, the stupidest statement I've ever read. In Friday's Washington Times: <blockquote>A former Costa Rican ambassador is trying to make Congress understand that the United States has an obligation to help improve the lives of millions in Latin America... (James Morrison).</blockquote>If accurate, this ambassador is stupid. Not the polite 'laugh when he leaves the room' stupid--outright, blatantly, ridiculously stupid. Why? First, how can he expect America to solve Latin America's problems when it can even solve its own? The only offices of American government that work are the IRS (barely) and the military. Second, when did the world become our responsibility? An obligation for millions of Latin Americans? Come on.<br /><br />Now either Mr. Morrison recognizes this stupidity and wants to expose it, or he has been brainwashed by the "America is the problem; socialism is the solution" crowd. <br /><br />Here's another stupid bureaucrat (also from the Washington Times): <blockquote>Newark's [New Jersey] school district said Monday it regretted ordering a picture of a male student kissing his boyfriend blacked out from all copies of a high school yearbook and apologized to the student.</blockquote> Sexual practices, not to mention deviant ones, should not be given a platform in high school yearbooks! Why in the heck was there an apology?!!?!? Here's my response were I school administrator: Yes, I ordered the blackout and I'm going to continue to order the blackout of every sexual practice from the school yearbook. Children having sex is a bad thing for America.<br /><br />I was the victim of another stupid-American moment this week when Paris Hilton was exposed ad naseum this week. I just don't care about her. <br /><br />Here's the point: Quality leadership is needed now more than ever in America. We need intelligent politicians, quality journalists, and smart parents who have the courage to the protect their children. There are so many messages being thrown out, that the mind needs help from the Lord in discerning what to engage, condemn, and what to combat. How can social conservative bloggers work together on this?Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-48325353865348298012007-05-29T00:04:00.000-04:002007-05-29T12:07:08.542-04:00Oh my! Hillary's a Communist<blockquote><em>The Democratic senator said what the Bush administration touts as an "ownership society" really is an "on your own" society that has widened the gap between rich and poor.<br /><br />"I prefer a 'we're all in it together' society," she said....It can promote the great American tradition of opportunity for all and special privileges for none."</em></blockquote><br /><br />Except her. Read more <a href="http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070529/clinton_economy.html?.v=1">here</a>.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-11325131652101730382007-05-27T14:03:00.000-04:002007-05-27T14:27:55.938-04:00Creationists Battle BackFighting against Government and secular humanist indoctrination, <a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/">Answers in Genesis</a> has finally opened their <a href="http://www.creationmuseum.org/">Creation history museum</a>. Several years ago, I was privileged to give about $25 (I think) to this effort. <br /><br />Finally, there is an established presence to fight back against the years of fear, intolerance, abridgment of academic freedom, preference to communistic indoctrination, limiting free speech, the lack of understanding the difference between endorsement and recognition, the hatred of any authority that questions naturalistic secular-humanism, and the utter hatred to all things that smells faith-based--whether it is or not--associated with Intelligent Design. I celebrate this momentous event in the history of Christianity. <br /><br />Evolution has more than one unanswered fault. Seven of the 10 Candidates for the Republican nomination are too weak minded to resist the indoctrination they've been served for their entire life--I don't blame them too much, but nevertheless, it exposes huge personal faults.<br /><br />How can I be so confident? See, to be a good evolutionist, you must believe that randomness produces thought, that chaos produces information, unconsciousness produces consciousness, and non-reason produces reason. Listen to what they say, <blockquote><em>"No one, certainly not the Darwinian as such, seems to have any answer to [why...a bunch of atoms have thinking ability]....The point is that there is no scientific answer."</em> --Dawinist philosopher Michael Ruse.</blockquote>To suggest that consciousness is a product of matter and neural networks contradicts that scientific discoveries of the father of modern neurosurgery, Wilder Penfield who said, "a non-physical reality interacted with the brain". Penfield's findings were later confirmed and built upon by Roger Sperry and Laurence Wood. <br /><br />Complete naturalism also rejects the findings of Nobel Prize winner Sir Charles Sherrington and neurophysiologist John Eccles who both spoke of the distinction between the natural and consciousness. Perhaps secular naturalists could explain how a 2001 study of clinically brain-dead people were found to have manifested evidence of consciousness (2001, Resiscitation). <br /><br />There are no laws of nature that govern consciousness; there is no atom in the body that when removed separates a person from their consciousness. According to their own experts (also Geoffrey Medell and Colin McGinn for example) evolution <strong>can not account for consciousness</strong>. They can't answer this question, "How...do you get something totally different--conscious, living, thinking, feeling, believing creatures--from materials that don't have that" (I forget where that quote came from).<br /><br />They've tried and failed to theorize about the relationship of matter and soul; creating mental potentials, panpsychism, proto-mental states. All of these lead to faith (in something) and are quickly rejected.<br /><br />Evolution simply can't explain human consciousness. Beautifully, it makes complete sense in a Christian worldview. Humans were made in the image of a thinking, fully conscious God. He created us different from animals and more than matter. He imbued the gifts of thought, free-will, and creativity into humanity. Consciousness shows that we are more than just a collection of atoms.<br /><br />HT: The proudly evolutionistic <a href="http://www.boingboing.net/2007/05/26/creation_museum_open.html">Boing, Boing</a>.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-3477076007663001792007-05-22T21:30:00.000-04:002007-05-26T20:57:27.162-04:00Harnassing America's Conservative Ideas<a href="http://www.cantorforcongress.com/solutions/stw.php"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_3hXeLfJS3OQ/RlObryop_DI/AAAAAAAAAA0/kVr8RuXCXsw/s200/solutions.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067565182350916658" /></a>Representative Eric Cantor wants to harness the power America's true conservatives--not the blowhards in Congress--YOU. <a href="http://www.cantorforcongress.com/solutions/">The Solution Factory</a> is set up to allow you to post new ideas and rate existing ones that address problems influencing Americans. <br /><br />The idea is not novel. Florida used a similar forum, <a href="http://www.100ideas.org/">100 ideas</a>, to establish their legislative agenda. As of today, their lawmakers have passed 40 of the top 100 ideas proposed by the people. <br /><br />This idea makes sense if you believe that the power to address the people's problems begins with the people--not government. I predict this will be the best thing to occur in the Republican part since Ronald Reagan.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-58364476489197851502007-05-22T21:04:00.000-04:002007-05-22T21:20:35.306-04:00Under New Management but the Corruption Continues...on both sides of the aisle. <br /><br />John Murtha violated the Congress's ethics rules when he threatened a colleague <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8P9NP7O0&show_article=1">saying</a>, "you will not get any earmarks now and forever." What would cause such a distinguished member of Congress to threaten a colleague? The Representative of the Michigan people moved to strike a $23,000,000 Murtha special project. <br /><br />John Murtha refused to disagree with the claim. The vote to do nothing passed mostly along party lines. Didn't democrat promise to condemn corruption?<br /><br />On another issue, Republican leader Ken Calvert has not been demoted from one of the most powerful positions in the Congress; the republican leadership is lining up alongside of him.<br /><br /><br />While democrats lack integrity enough to keep their own ethical rules, republicans lack common sense and promote a law breaking sicko. What in the heck in going on in DC!?!!?Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-73954727685486444172007-05-21T19:13:00.001-04:002007-05-21T20:03:11.909-04:00"We CAN do Better, Senator Graham!"<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_3hXeLfJS3OQ/RlIzNCop_CI/AAAAAAAAAAs/JQMJcop9Rko/s1600-h/050824_clintongraham_hmed_6a_hmedium.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_3hXeLfJS3OQ/RlIzNCop_CI/AAAAAAAAAAs/JQMJcop9Rko/s200/050824_clintongraham_hmed_6a_hmedium.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067168829883939874" /></a>Yesterday on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace, Senator Lindsey Graham said, "If you've got a better idea, you can lead us to a better solution." And again after a speech to his home state, <a href="http://lonestartimes.com/2007/05/21/grahams-immigration-stance-draws-boos-in-home-state/">where he was boo-ed</a>, "if you don’t like President Bush’s proposal (on immigration) come up with one of your own."<br /><br />Chris Core, a center-right conservative talk show host near Washington DC, opened up his phone lines and crafted a better version of the immigration bill. Click <a href="http://www.wmal.com/showdj.asp?DJID=2173">this link</a>; it's about half way down the page.<br /><br />I share in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/mf_TCdzryD8">Duncan Hunter's concern </a>to the immigration bill. Listen for "my fence"--I love it. <br /><br />Update: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgaDXFfStk8">This is the You Tube</a> of the SC GOP convention. The immigration point is about minute 3:30.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-71641225460810572342007-05-21T18:42:00.000-04:002007-05-21T18:57:55.870-04:00Gingrich Book Tour<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_3hXeLfJS3OQ/RlIjpyop_AI/AAAAAAAAAAc/GVK2lMVxJVQ/s1600-h/gingrich.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_3hXeLfJS3OQ/RlIjpyop_AI/AAAAAAAAAAc/GVK2lMVxJVQ/s320/gingrich.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067151731619134466" /></a>I met Newt Gingrich this week when he made a stop at a local bookstore to discuss and sign copies of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pearl-Harbor-Novel-December-8th/dp/0312363508/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-5278197-9527805?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1179787540&sr=8-1">his new book</a>. It was an enjoyable evening and I'm enjoying the book.<br /><br />Though I want Newt to run for the Republican nomination, I don't know that he is my top primary candidate. By running, I think he would elevate the quality of the national discussion and would introduce some great ideas; but, I walked away not trusting his character. I don't know whether it was a memory of his assorted past that crept back into my psyche, but watching him interact with the audience convinced me that we have different values though agree on many policy issues. <br /><br />I'd vote for him for President over any democrat--easily; but for the primaries, will a better candidate please come forward?Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-65266734215963032992007-05-21T18:29:00.000-04:002007-05-21T18:36:43.054-04:00The Giuliani Line in the Sand<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_3hXeLfJS3OQ/RlId-Cop--I/AAAAAAAAAAM/OpZPAz8tR3Q/s1600-h/giuliani.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_3hXeLfJS3OQ/RlId-Cop--I/AAAAAAAAAAM/OpZPAz8tR3Q/s200/giuliani.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067145482441718754" /></a><br />After 34 years of fighting to end abortion and over 42 million babies dead, how could the Republican party consider endorsing a pro-choice candidate. Victory after victory has been won including the most recent ban on partial birth abortion; now is not the time for a retreat on this issue.<br /><br />Sometimes we must be stubborn and this is one of those issues. <strong>Even if there is no other candidate on the ticket, I will not vote for Rudolph Giuliani.</strong><br /><br />Update: Apparently, neither will <a href="http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55743">James Dobson</a>.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-36703374139702152342007-05-21T17:18:00.000-04:002007-05-21T17:20:29.340-04:00Conservative LeadershipIt is the natural disposition of conservatives to disengage from political involvement. Disengagement is typical because political action demands a great sacrifice from the family—especially in today’s acerbic environment. According to conservative thought, it is from healthy families, the church, and community, where true solutions to America’s future lies. <br /><br />This is where I have been the past many months: investing in family, community, and church. Along with a transition to a new job, my life has been enjoyably consumed. Now, I’m sensing that re-engagement is necessary. <br /><br />When I look at the contenders for the republican nomination, I am uneasy. While I like the commitment to a strong national defense, American sovereignty in her own affairs, and fiscal conservatism, I also see husbands lacking integrity, missing traditional values, and no new ideas to support traditional institutions. <br /><br />Reluctantly, now is the time for involvement. Out of a sense of necessity instead of desire, the time for reorganization and equipping has come. For however long it takes and with whatever strength I am granted, ideas that support the bedrock of social conservatism must be granted a platform. Until I am replaced, I will lead.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-65294784600941605772007-04-08T14:40:00.000-04:002007-04-08T14:42:15.881-04:00My new favorite website<blockquote>In 2005 alone, the number of earmarks grew to over 13,000 and totaled nearly $18 billion. Even worse, over 90 percent of the earmarks never make it to the floor of the House and the Senate; they're dropped into committee reports that are not even part of the bill that arrives on my desk.</blockquote><br /><br />I'll be hanging out <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/earmarks/preview-public-site/statesc49e.html?source=APP&mode=agencies">here </a>for a while.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-26480364695848182922007-02-11T07:53:00.000-05:002007-02-11T11:50:55.944-05:00Rudy: Like George Bush, Except when He's NotRudy appears to be taking the exact same positions as George W. Bush except on social issues. Is this a winning strategy? I doubt it. First, the only reason Bush has the popularity he does have, is because social conservatives has remained consistently supportive. The rest of the conservative party has abandoned Bush. But, there are other things. <br /><br />Could you ever imagine George W. Bush saying, "I don't agree with myself 100%." I can't. While the President is noted for saying a variety of crazy things, hearing him say, "I don't agree with myself 100%," would floor me. This is what Rudy Guiliani said on Hannity & Combs and it seems as though he lacks internal character. But, it makes sense when you look at his other misstatements.<br /><br />Rudy not only affronts the social conservative group, he mischaracterizes the pro-life folks by saying, "I hate [abortion]...however, I believe in a woman's right to choose. I think you have to ultimately not put a woman in jail for that." What! I don't know of any political position since my birth that wants to jail pregnant mothers who got stung in a backalley abortion crackdown. <br /><br />Furthermore, in 1999 he made this statement: <blockquote>“I’m pro-choice. I’m pro-gay rights,” Giuliani said. He was then asked whether he supports a ban on what critics call partial-birth abortions. “No, I have not supported that, and I don’t see my position on that changing,” he responded. Source: CNN.com, “Inside Politics” Dec 2, 1999</blockquote> Then, on the videos below, he made this statement: <blockquote>Partial birth abortion. I think that ban is going to be upheld. I think that ban is going to be upheld. I think it should be. I think as long as there is provision for the life of the mother...then that's something that should be done....If it doesn't have provision for the life of the mother then I wouldn't support the legislation."</blockquote>In addition, Rudy obviously has too much faith in the courts. Where has he been for the last 30 years? He hesitated last night when Sean asked him about whether he would nominate justices like Scalia. Can you imagine him nominating the next Scalia--I don't think so. He did use words like 'strict constructionist' (which Scalia has not liked as a descriptor of justices, but is a popular among politicians). I just don't think Rudy has the character to be trusted on this issue of nominations to the Supreme Court. <br /><br />He also said that he was for the 2nd amendment, except when he wasn't. He basically said, I could use restrictions on guns to lower crime. Hmmm.....<br /><br />His comments on gay marriage were disturbing. In New York City, he elevated gay couples to the status of marriage through the domestic partnership law. No gay marriage, except where there should be. <br /><br />Sean did a great job hitting some hard issues, just like Rudy's camp wanted. One of his questions posed to Rudy was George Will's seven minute question. Rudy, at this point and only this point, was believable. It's on the second clip.<br /><br />Rudy is like George W. Bush on non-conservatives issues. He's like a Hillary on every other issue. Why does he gain any support from the Republican Party?<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VMAXw3ZZuYU"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VMAXw3ZZuYU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2bM-r3dDMd8"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2bM-r3dDMd8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-60805671001384234582007-02-02T08:01:00.000-05:002007-02-02T08:01:58.291-05:00Supreme Court to Address Establishment ClauseIn an attempt to squelch the successes of faith-based social programming, the atheistic group, The Freedom from Religion Foundation will present their case to the Supreme court this month. This is the first real legal challenge to Bush's Office of Faith Based Initiatives and the first significant case regarding the Establishment Clause in years. <br /><br />This will be great opportunity to hear the current justices philosophy regarding issues of religion, faith, and the non-existence of the "separation of church and state." One of the legal issues is whether or not 'concerned citizens' have legal standing as taxpayers; however, this case also could define and free some of the restrictions on the practice of faith in the public square. <br /><br />My concern is that no government program can change behavior. Only a change of the heart, can change behavior. Changes of the heart don't come from government program. Government programs don't offer hope for a better life; only faith can do this in a person's life.<br /><br />We should pray for this significant case.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-49320625946362519462007-02-02T07:36:00.000-05:002007-02-02T07:45:16.637-05:00"Culture of Life" moves ForwardAs state legislatures open their sessions, there are several reasons to hope for progress on issues of life. While our federal government in the hands of liberals, conservative efforts have rightly shifted toward state law.<br /><br /><strong>South Dakota:</strong> No abortion except in the case of rape or incest.<br /><strong>Utah:</strong> No abortion except in the case of rape, incest, or danger to life.<br /><strong>North Dakota:</strong> 4 bills were proposed, only 1 remains that has the excpetion to save the life of the mother.<br /><strong>Viriginia:</strong> "Felony-ize" forcing under-age girls to have an abortion.<br /><strong>Georgia:</strong> No Abortion. This was my favorite bill to read because it explains the rationale behind the bill. Here is an excerpt:<br /><blockquote>The State of Georgia has the duty to protect all innocent life from the moment of conception until natural death. We know that life begins at conception. After three decades of legal human abortion, it is now abundantly clear that the practice has negatively impacted the people of this state in many ways, including economic, health, physical, psychological, emotional, and medical well-being. These, too, are areas of legitimate concern and duty of the state."</blockquote>In December, <a href="http://www.theonerepublic.com/archives/Columns/Hughes/20070202HughesRoe.html">Zogby </a>conducted a poll that shows, "by a 53% to 36% margin, the public supports the statement, "Abortion destroys a human life and is manslaughter." This is a radical change from the seventies where over 75% favored abortion on demand. <a href="http://rightfaith.blogspot.com/2007/02/does-peace-or-life-garner-more-media.html">Yesterday</a>, I blogged about how the MSM did not cover the March for Life in Washington DC this year, but did cover the "Peace March". Doesn't this make sense? They know they abortion is a losing issue and don't want to introduce it back into the consciences of Americans for fear they may lose more ground.<br /><br />I think conservatives have the opportunity to make this an issue in the 2008 campaign. Maybe not a nation issue, but certainly for state legislatures and executive positions. If republicans in my state were to sign a conservative agreement of their intent to, among other thins, make abortion illegal, I'd even consider donating to the cause. In fact, it may be fun to watch democrats writhe in agony over their dedication to the culture of death; all the while, the Culture of Life moves forward.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-80634862671569145502007-02-01T21:53:00.000-05:002007-02-01T21:54:58.457-05:00Bush: Prayer is the Greatest Gift of Citizens to their Leaders<em>The greatest gift a citizen of this country can give those of us entrusted with political office is to pray for us. And I thank those in our nation who lift all of us up in prayer...<br /><br />Many in our country know the power of prayer. Prayer changes hearts. Prayer changes lives. And prayer makes us a more compassionate and giving people. When we pray we surrender our will to the Almighty, and open ourselves up to His priorities and His touch. His call to love our neighbors as we would like to be loved ourselves is something that we hear when we pray. And we answer that call by reaching out to feed the hungry and clothe the poor and aid the widow and the orphan. By helping our brothers and sisters in need, we find our own faith strengthened, and we receive the grace to lead lives of dignity and purpose.</em><br /><br /><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/02/20070201.html">More here.</a>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-1170334834154510782007-02-01T07:54:00.000-05:002007-02-01T08:02:35.743-05:00Senate Considering Ratification of UN TreatyA treaty signed by President Carter is awaiting ratification by the Senate. Known as CEDAW, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women gives the UN the right to monitor American families. From the <a href="http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/">CEDAW </a>website: <blockquote><em>The Convention is the only human rights treaty which affirms the reproductive rights of women and targets culture and tradition as influential forces shaping gender roles and family relations.</em></blockquote>More about the dangerous treaty:<blockquote>The committee monitors everything from relationships between husbands and wives, to educational content in the schools, to employment and hiring practices --- even how many women are elected to local state and national offices. Abortion is a key issue for the committee. <br /><br />"They have directed 37 countries to change their laws on abortion," Ruse said. "What we could easily see, if we ratify CEDAW, is pressure to strike down parental-notification laws, to strike down laws against partial-birth abortion, to strike down any regulation on abortion drugs like RU-486." <br /><br />Abortion isn't the only issue the committee has spoken on. It also directed China to legalize prostitution -- even though the treaty condemns it. <br /><br />"They directed Kyrgyzstan to legalize lesbianism," Ruse said. "They criticized Belarus for establishing Mother's Day because they said Mother's Day promotes 'a negative cultural stereotype.' They directed Libya to reinterpret the Koran to fall within committee guidelines. They criticized Ireland for allowing the Catholic Church to have too great a say in public policy."</blockquote>This is a nightmare for American sovereignty and traditional families. God help us all. <a href="http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000003782.cfm">More information here. </a>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-1170334080181877912007-02-01T07:32:00.000-05:002007-02-01T07:52:59.723-05:00Does "Peace" or "Life" Garner more Media Attention?<a href="http://www.dominicanfriars.org/2007/01/23/pro-life-march/">This is a video</a> from Dominican participants in the March for Life. <br /><br />This is a video from the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg7XMlPOrhE">Peace March</a>. <a href="http://dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/137573/index.php">This is article</a> about them smashing the windows of a military recruitment office. <a href="http://www.spooneradvocate.com/placed/index.php?sect_rank=4&story_id=229750">This is the article</a> about spray painting the Capitol Building.<br /><br /><strong>Who do you think is the more "Peaceful" Crowd?</strong><br /><br /><br /><br />Just as important, how were these events covered on our sources for accurate and timely news? "The Big Three networks offered five full reports and six anchor briefs on the Bush-bashing rally. So the contrast in stories was 11 to 2, or if you only count full stories instead of anchor briefs, the contrast was 5 to 0." <br /><br />These networks don't report news; they push agendas. This is just the latest evidence. <a href="http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/jan/07013104.html">More about this bias here. </a>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-1170332990117985032007-02-01T07:23:00.000-05:002007-02-01T07:29:50.143-05:00Dutch Best Selling BooksAs evidence of a post-secular, that's right a post-secular (i.e. Christian), Dutch nation, the second best selling book from the past decade is by a Calivnist author with deeply religious overtones in her fiction novel, "Kneeling on a Bed of Roses". <br /><br />After I caught the significant of the phrase Post-Secular Europe, this opened up a whole new line of thinking about the causes of Christianity's comeback (did Muslim bashing cartoons play a role?) and the future significance of a Christian Dutch nation (as a member of the EU?). How will the Lord use such a radical turn from recent history?<br /><br />I don't know, but I look forward to seeing it. Oh, and the best-selling book of the last decade is a new translation of the Bible.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-1170245708937028902007-01-31T07:06:00.000-05:002007-01-31T07:15:08.940-05:00Salvation not found in EducationIn South Africa, the number of rich and well-educated who have AIDS is increasing. "This could represent a whole new wave of the epidemic," says Carel van Aardt, director of UNISA's Bureau of Market Research. Sadly, the African continent is being ravaged by this deadly disease. <br /><br />And what is the solution most frequently offerred? Education and free protection. But here is the paradox of this new movement of the AIDS virus: it's spreading among the rich and well-educated. <br /><br />I believe in the value of education; it's changed my life dramatically. But whether it's gangs, immigrants, or those beind bars, education does not have the power to change our heart. Until heart's change, Africa will continue to be a nation ravaged with the results of human sinfulness. <br /><br />Ultimately, our salvation is not found in education. It is found in the power of God changing making something better out of our heart.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-1170244975740962492007-01-31T06:57:00.000-05:002007-01-31T07:02:55.743-05:00The Role of the Bible in forming legislation?The results of <a href="http://www.citizenlink.org/fnif/A000003741.cfm">this Gallup poll </a>are startling. When asked, What role should the Bible play in forming legislation?’ 55% of Americans said that the Bible should "play some role in forming legislation." <br /><br />In America, I think we are well aware of the difference between right and wrong. The problem is that it is impossible to live up to the standard within our own strength, so instead of doing what Christian's do and depend on Christ's goodness to get us to heaven, they just throw the baby out with the bathwater. <br /><br />The Bible has good news in it, but apparently the church has miscommunicate this news over the years. At least America, hasn't quite forgotten.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-1170244578306066622007-01-31T06:54:00.000-05:002007-01-31T06:56:18.933-05:00GOP heading for the Wilderness...or so says this article in The Politico. Frankly, I think it's one of best articles about the lack of enthusiasm of social conservatives for the current GOP Presidential contenders. <br /><br />With my compliments, enjoy it <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0107/2509.html">here</a>.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-1170159999685151942007-01-30T08:26:00.000-05:002007-01-30T08:08:20.870-05:00Bush Leadership Widely Favored<em><blockquote>"If we look at President Bush's approval ratings over the last year, a period of time when his standing has supposedly plummeted, the results are actually rather consistent. In December 2005, Bush's approval rating stood at 45%, with disapproval at 54%. This was at the end of what Bush described in his State of the Union speech, correctly, as a pretty good year in Iraq. In Rasmussen's most recent survey, after a year of relentless bad news from Iraq, Bush scores 42% positive and 56% negative--a swing of a mere two to three points. (<a href="http://powerlineblog.com/archives/016638.php">cite</a>)"</blockquote></em>This is a rather encouraging analysis. Indeed, the cut-and-run strategy of center-left republicans may not be the wisest.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-1170162352183433562007-01-30T08:05:00.000-05:002007-01-30T08:06:49.363-05:00Guiliani Nomination to Purify Conservative PoliticsIn one way, I would truly love to see the Republican party <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/01/30/how_appealing_is_giuliani/">nominate Rudy Guiliani</a>. By nominating Rudy, the Republican party will have made a gesture to social conservatives that we are no longer needed or respected. Which is fine with me. By nominating such a liberal candidate, social conservatives will look for political leadership elsewhere. 2008 will become the year of conservative purification.<br /><br />Gone are the days of fiscal conservatism. Congressional Republican have rejected conservative economics in favor of pork and soaring deficits. They failed to make permanent the Bush tax cuts, inflation is up, and they barely mustered enough votes to cut the growth in spending from 7.3% to 7.0%. Fiscal conservatism in the Republican Party is beginning to look like a fairy tale: a long, long time ago in a land far, far away. One begins to wonder if the term “fiscal conservatism” was not so much a principled position as much as it was a stand against the Democrat-controlled purse strings for the 40 years prior to the Reagan administration. <br /><br />Meanwhile, legislative leaders in the GOP are waning on issues close to the heart of social conservatives such as the marriage amendment; they are slow in rejecting embryonic stem-cell research and hate-crimes legislation. Republican leader and Virginia Representative Tom Davis manifested to social conservatives a lack of integrity by suggesting a negative political consequence to the moral issue of abortion. Regardless of his intent, to publicly consider the political consequences of morally right decisions is translated by social conservatives: “fake and unprincipled." Political calculations were at the heart of President Bush’s stealth nomination of Harriet Meirs; social conservatives responded and it cost him dearly.<br /><br />On the other hand, Democrats have pigeon-holed their agenda through the incremental placation of their wacky, far-left base over the past 5 years and, losing all touch with reality, now look like phony ideologues to the average American. It would take a revolution in the Democrat party occurring through the replacement of Dean, Durbin, Reid, Kennedy, Bayh, and Biden, for this to occur. While Hillary will have stiff competition, she will probably win the Democratic nomination; but, assuming this, not even she will be able to separate herself from, or her need for the support of, Hollywood, the ACLU, George Soros, and Michael Moore. <br /><br />If Republicans lose in 2008 to Clinton, it’s not going to be because of Clinton’s moderate positions; it will be because they have alienated either fiscal or social conservatives. The primary question (pun completely intended) for Republicans to consider is which nominee eliminates the foothold of a third-party candidate? Consider the following: <br /><br />Guliani and McCain, the poll leaders for the Republican primaries, including Pataki and Romney, alienate social conservatives by waffling on abortion, homosexuality, and/or stem-cell research. Turn the disappointment with Harriet Meirs into apathy and multiply it by twenty and you begin to understand the social conservative response to these individuals. While they may have good leadership skills, they leave room for a third-party presidential candidate like Alan Keyes or Roy Moore to capture a few thousand social conservative votes in each state.<br /><br />The diarrhea of the budget is a direct result of Republican legislators’ lack of fiscal leadership. Those who have rejected social conservatives by supporting embryonic stem cell research and fiscal conservatives by the lack of leadership in the Senate, have no chance of gaining credibility. While Tom Tancredo (most likely) and Sam Brownback (definitely) have the support of social conservatives, they along with McCain (another strike) are part of the problem in the Senate. Their nominations leave room for a libertarian candidate, or someone like Ross Perot, to claim the votes of fiscal conservatives in 2008.<br /><br />While a third-party candidate may never win, the Republicans currently leading in the primary polls alienate some portion of the conservative base. To alienate fiscal or social conservatives, on top of the hypocrisy these groups are already enduring, allows room for a third-party candidate to capture their devotion. Given the current political environment, a third-party candidate may even appear above the fray and capture more votes. If such a candidate emerges it will be the fault of Republican leadership; and, while conservatism will be purified, Hillary Clinton will be the next President.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-1170160905156205982007-01-30T07:41:00.000-05:002007-01-30T07:41:45.190-05:00The State of Iranian Presidential PoliticsThe <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2001703,00.html">analysis</a>, ahem, is intriguing and rare. His main point is that every domestic policy position is Iran is a failure; that political pressure is rising inside and even includes talk of impeachment. Where he goes moonbat is that he blames Bush thatAhmadinejad's claim on the Iranian presidency is ensured.<br /><br />Despite this, here are a few interesting Iranian domestic failures:<em><blockquote>Ahmadinejad was elected on a platform of anti-corruption and financial transparency, and few appreciated how rapidly he was intoxicated with the prerogatives of his office.<br /><br />...the oil reserve fund was spent on cash handouts to the grateful poor, and the central bank, normally a bastion of prudence, was instructed to cut interest rates for small businesses. These had the effect, as Ahmadinejad was warned, of pushing up inflation. The rationale for high interest rates was to encourage the middle classes to keep their money in Iran. Now they decided to spend it. Richer Iranians, worried about rising international tension, decided it would be prudent to ship their money abroad [further raising inflation]. <br /><br />Much to their irritation, not only has Ahmadinejad singularly failed to consolidate and extend his political base, the recent municipal elections saw his faction defeated throughout the country<br /><br />...with biting weather, shortages of heating fuel are further raising the political temperature, while his political opponents point to the burgeoning international crisis for which the globetrotting president seems to have no constructive answer. Talk has turned to impeachment.<br /><br />Traditional conservatives and reformists reorganised and hit back, ingeniously using technology to work round the various obstacles placed in front of them. </blockquote></em>Technology, eh? Maybe the <a href="http://www.thenation.com/blogs/edcut?pid=2947">blogosphere</a>?Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20492326.post-1170036029532026422007-01-28T19:52:00.000-05:002007-01-28T21:05:59.546-05:00Huckabee Declares Presidential IntentionsMike Huckabee declared this weekend that, "Over the past several months, there has been growing encouragement from conservative activists and leaders for me to become a candidate for President...The journey begins and I hope you'll be with me for every step of the way!" No one doubts that he would be better than the best democrat--and many of the Republican contenders; but I have some foundational concerns. <br /><br />First, as Jon Stewart alludes to in this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VklB57N-Yns">video</a>, do his ideas create the opportunity for more government or less? Additionaly, this statement comes out of a townhall <a href="http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/fe33507f-23f0-47ed-ad7c-637e3034137e">blog</a>: <blockquote>According to the Washington Post, the Arkansas governor, "championed tax increases for public schools, expanded state insurance programs for the children of the working poor and opposed banning state services for illegal immigrants."(cite)</blockquote>His recent <a href="http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZGU2NjE3ZTRjMTI0NDE4NjVmZjFlODYwZmMxMGU4MzU=">NRO interview </a>includes this statement: "“[Huckabee] would be the kind of Republican who doesn’t scare the living daylights out of people who are in the center or slightly to the left.” (cite). Why not? Coupled with his book, what exactly are his intentions--not just the rhetoric--toward liberal views of government? Is it more of the same?<br /><br />Also, John Hawkins has <a href="http://www.rightwingnews.com/archives/week_2007_01_07.PHP#007148">stated </a>that he has closely aligned with Bush's immigration/amnesty plan--with which I have a real problem. From May, 2006:<blockquote>`You can't ignore the breaking of a law, but you also should make laws realistic,'' said Huckabee, who described calls by some fellow Republicans to expel 12 million illegal aliens as unworkable. </blockquote>What does that leave? Amnesty? A fine? As Newt Gingrich has said, if they have enough money to pay a fine, they have enough to get back to Mexico and back.<br /><br />I do like Huckabee on issues of life, parental choice for education, and traditional marriage. I think he has promise and look forward to watching his campaign develop.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860913092498084036noreply@blogger.com0