Adam's Thoughts

Press Release: Pro-Life Leader Endorses Ron Paul

2007-05-12T12:33:00.000-07:00

[From the Paul Campaign:]

Barbara Hagan to Chair Ron Paul's New Hampshire Pro-Life Coalition

Top right-to-life advocate will head up statewide efforts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 10, 2007

ARLINGTON, VA – Long time right-to-life activist and former two-term New Hampshire state representative Barbara J. Hagan has endorsed Ron Paul for president of the United States. Mrs. Hagan will head up the Paul campaign's outreach to the New Hampshire pro-life community.

"The Ron Paul campaign is honored to have Barbara Hagan's support" said campaign chairman Kent Snyder. "Barbara is one of the most respected activists in New Hampshire and a giant in the pro-life community. There is no one better to lead our outreach to the right-to-life voters of the Granite State."

Barbara Hagan, the wife of Robert M. Hagan and mother of seven children, has been involved in politics since the age of 16. She has served as president and chairman of the New Hampshire Right to Life Committee and is a former vice chairman and long time member of New Hampshire Eagle Forum. In addition to vast political campaign experience, Barbara Hagan was one of four New Hampshire Pro Life and Pro Family Delegates to attend the White House Conference on Families and has devoted much of her public life to the right to life issue.

Mrs. Hagan says pro-lifers from all political persuasions can and should support Congressman Ron Paul for president because of his impeccable voting record, understanding of our constitutional republic and the inalienable right to life for all.

-30-

NumbersUSA: Based on immigration issues -- WHO SHOULD GET YOUR VOTE NEXT TUESDAY?

2006-11-04T20:00:00.000-08:00

Roy Beck of NumbersUSA fame sent an E-mail with resources to compare candidates' positions on border security. Please read this before you vote this Tuesday:

From:
Roy Beck, President, NumbersUSA

Date:
Tuesday 31oct06

9 p.m. EDT

Based on immigration issues -- WHO SHOULD GET YOUR VOTE NEXT TUESDAY?

"When you listen to all these political ads, it sounds like everybody is going to get tough on immigration. But you need to let everybody know who has a record that shows they can be trusted to do it."

----------Gary, Chicago

"Whom does NumbersUSA support in the upcoming elections? This information would be extremely valuable to me as a voter."

----------G. Kidd

"God bless you for what you are trying to do. I am trying to prepare for the upcoming election and although you are not partisan, and I appreciate that, I think we need a voter guide. Is it possible that you could do it or send us to a place where we could find out the truth about a candidate's position? The media is very crooked and the issue we care about is being covered up and neglected on purpose."

----------William Schroeder

"Why don't you tell voters to vote for those people in Congress and the Senate WHO OPPOSED AMNESTY AND GIVE THEM LISTS? Otherwise the tiny progress we've made thus far can be flushed away."

----------M. Schiele

WHO SHOULD GET YOUR VOTE NEXT TUESDAY?

Almost everything you need to know can be found by going to:

Immigration Grades and Candidates Pages at www.CongressGrades.org

Which candidates would refuse to reward illegal immigration? Who would punish outlaw businesses who hire illegal aliens? Who would fight to protect American workers from having their occupations collapsed by foreign labor importation? Who would oppose the federal government using high immigration to force massive population growth and congestion?

Your NumbersUSA staffers have provided you with the best immigration campaign guide you can find anywhere.

We have all kinds of information to help you know which candidates (1) have a record of responsible immigration decisions and/or (2) have pledged to take responsible immigration actions in the future.

I hope you won't go into the voting booth next Tuesday without at least checking on our special web pages to know exactly how the candidates for the U.S. House and Senate, and for your state's Governor, compare on immigration issues.

A scientific national poll released last week found that 53 percent of likely voters said immigration was either their most important issue or one of their top three issues -- while just 8 percent said it was not at all important.

If you are one of those 53 percent, our information about who is GOOD, WISHY-WASHY or a FRAUD in toughness on immigration is of essential importance before you decide how to vote.

NumbersUSA is known for being doggedly non-partisan. We employ on our staff committed Democrats, Independents and Republicans -- Conservatives, Moderates and Liberals.

Our registered membership also covers the entire political spectrum (and includes immigrants and children of immigrants from every continent).

We are united on only one issue -- and only one issue gets our action -- reducing annual illegal and legal immigration from more than 2 million a year back toward America's traditional average (before 1970) of only a quarter of a million a year.

1. SEND THIS EMAIL TO ALL

OF YOUR VOTING FRIENDS AND RELATIVES

Most Americans do not realize that there is such an easy way to know which candidates truly favor the American majority's wishes for cracking down on illegal immigration and halting increases in foreign labor importation.

Please send this email to everybody who may looking for an easy way to check on candidates related to immigration issues.

You know how the internet works. We will send this email to the 1.1 million American voters on our email list. If half of you on that list send to 10 people on your email list, we're up over 10 million. And those of you who are getting this email as a pass-along, can incredibly increase the exposure by sending it on to YOUR list.

Many people say it is too late to make a difference.

But what if we make sure that the 53% who really care about getting immigration under control see which candidates can do that? And we do it over the next few days?

Let's do our best to reach 70 million people just before they go into that voting booth.

2. LOOK AT IMMIGRATION GRADES

OF INCUMBENTS SEEKING RE-ELECTION

Your NumbersUSA staff has kept track of every single immigration action of all 535 Members of Congress since 1989 or when they arrived in Washington after that.

http://grades.betterimmigration.com/

Click on the state on the map of the Member of Congress whose record you wish to inspect.

If you are considering an incumbent, probably nothing is a better indicator of what he/she will do if re-elected than the Immigration Grades each of the Members of Congress has earned.

Unless the Challenger in a particular race is demonstrably better on immigration, it is very important to our issue that every Incumbent with a grade of A+ down to even a B-minus gets returned to Congress to continue to help us in our fight. They are proven entities.

But most incumbents with below a B-minus probably have forfeited any claim on returning, as far as our hopes for overall illegal and legal immigration reductions are concerned. In fact, a case could be made that it might be okay to elect somebody who seems even worse because of the political lessons it would show by defeating incumbents who try to get by with C or below efforts.

You can take a look at the whole list of Incumbents With Good Immigration-Reform Records for the current Congress.

Nearly half of the incumbents have grades of B-minus up through A+ during the current Congress. Many of them have much better grades this Congress than in previous Congresses because of constituency pressure.

3. CHECK TO SEE WHICH CANDIDATES ARE RUNNING

AS 'TRUE IMMIGRATION REFORM CANDIDATES'

Click to See List of True Immigration-Reform Candidates for Congress & Governor

We made multiple requests of every single congressional and gubernatorial candidate since spring to fill out our immigration survey.

Most campaign offices declined.

But the candidates (shown in bright green) who filled out the form and met our minimum standard for being declared a TRUE IMMIGRATION REFORM CANDIDATE do indeed deserve a close look from you.

These are people who proactively have sought to get our seal of approval and to publicly tie themselves to some very aggressive reform positions.

You can still make a big difference for a True Immigration Reform Candidate by volunteering to help him/her get out the vote next Tuesday.

You can find out how to call or email each candidate by simply clicking on his/her name in the list of True Immigration Reform Candidates.

4. U.S. HOUSE ENDORSEMENTS BY THE OLDEST IMMIGRATION REFORM POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Immigration Reform Political Action Committee (USIRP) announced last week that it is endorsing 304 candidates in contested races for the House of Representatives, after endorsing in a number of Senate races earlier.

The list of House endorsements includes 194 incumbents 95 challengers and 15 candidates for open seats in the November election.

NumbersUSA never endorses candidates. We only help voters know which candidates might do the best job in reaching NumbersUSA's immigration goals (our only issue is immigration reduction).

But you can see what this immigration PAC has done in endorsements at:

Click here, and then click on "06 Elections" in the navigation bar, and on the next page click on links for House and Senate endorsements.

USIRP communications director Phil Kent said the endorsements were based on three criteria: incumbents’ immigration report cards, ten-question candidate surveys USIRP mailed out to several hundred challengers, and public positions taken by the candidates on campaign websites and in statements to the media.

Kent said, "The cat is out of the bag as far as the immigration issue is concerned. Americans increasingly realize that uncontrolled immigration is a major cause of many of the ills that afflict their society from the rising cost of health care to the quality of education, traffic congestion, urban sprawl, pollution, and the threat of terrorism and crime."

"Regardless of which party controls Congress after the election, regaining control of our borders and restoring common sense to our immigration policies are going to intensify as political issues until our elected leaders find the courage to deal honestly with the problem," Kent added.

5. SMALLER, TOUGHER LIST OF ENDORSEMENTS FROM A NEW IMMIGRATION REFORM POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

Click for list of endorsements

The Americans for Legal Immigration Political Action Committee (of Raleigh, N.C.) decided to give only a few endorsements to incumbents who have not disappointed and challengers with an aggressive reform stance.

6. WE NEED TO SHOW THE ELITE MEDIA

THAT IMMIGRATION DOES MATTER

Most of you know that I spent most of my adult life in journalism -- primarily in newspapers. I'm a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

All of that makes me pretty embarrassed, if not downright ashamed, of the unprofessional coverage of immigration issues by most news media.

The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and other elite media are unabashedly passionate in their promotion of (a) citizenship for illegal aliens, (b) opening the gates to massive additional flows of foreign labor, and (c) using immigration to force even faster population growth and congestion in our local communities.

Whether liberal or conservative, Republican or Democrat, the overwhelming majority of opinion leaders agree on virtually open borders, in opposition to the overwhelming majority of American voters who do not.

Those elite media have been pounding a theme the last few days that Americans will not vote on the basis of wanting tougher enforcement of immigation laws and reduced flows of foreign workers. They say gleefully that the next Congress will be far more open to legalizing illegal aliens and drastically increasing the flow of new foreign workers. They say they are confident that voters will go into the polling booths next week and vote out enough True Immigration Reformers so the next Congress can pass the Senate's open-borders legislation.

You know that I know that many of you have one or two issues that are more important to you than immigration. That may cause you to vote for a candidate who is not the best immigration-reform candidate in a race. Still, I hope you will consider very carefully before you vote for somebody who might be the deciding vote in passing an amnesty and doubling foreign workers next year.

7. SEND SOME FREE FAXES TO YOUR ELECTED LEADERS

To send free faxes over the internet to your Members of Congress to make sure they know how you feel, click on the following link:

SEND FREE FAXES

Some of you have already sent all the faxes that were available, but more will go up soon.

If you have never sent a NumbersUSA fax, you will find it is very easy. And NumbersUSA has never broken its promise (in 9.5 years of operation) that it will not share, rent or sell any names, email addresses, etc. of anybody who uses its faxing system.

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE NEXT TUESDAY,

--ROY BECK

Guard the Borders Blogburst

2006-05-23T05:55:00.000-07:00

by Heidi at Euphoric Reality

Our Open Borders Will Be The Death Of Us Yet

I live in Texas, and sometimes I think people don't truly grasp the fact that the chaos on our borders is not a border state issue - it threatens them directly, no matter where they live. The fact is that our border chaos is directly linked to our national security. Terrorists already have and continue to illegally cross our border, blending in with illegals from Mexico and Central America, or brazenly crossing over with an armed escort of gang members or even the Mexican military.

Watch this video of an ongoing investigation done by the news team from KGRV TV serving
Harlingen-Weslaco-McAllen -Brownsville, Texas. (Video will open in your media player - it's a news segment.) It is part of an ongoing series highlighting the culmination of months of investigative research into the flow of terrorists over our borders. Fred Burton, a counter-terrorism expert of Stratfor, was interviewed on camera. He stated that now is the perfect time for terrorists to sneak across the border. Escalating violence and an unprecedented flood of illegals is distracting law enforcement and stretching it thin. Zapata County sheriff, Frederigo Gonzales Jr. says that as for WMDs, it is not a matter of "if", but "when".

About one in every 10 caught border jumpers is an Arab. I don't think I need to point out that if they are sneaking into the country illegally, they fit the profile and are probably terrorists. Unfortunately, we only catch about 25-33% of the flood of illegals, and estimates are that we absorb 3 million illegals (Time Magazine, September 2004 and Bear Stearns July 2005) that do make it through each year. That could mean that about 10% of the illegals that DO make it across are possible terrorists. Do the math: that's potentially 300,000 terrorists making it into our country free and clear. Let's get really skeptical and downgrade that so we feel better about it - let's say only 1% of those that make it through are possible terrorists. That is only 30,000 - per YEAR. Is that OK? Considering it took 18 terrorists to wreak the terror of 9/11, is 300,000 or even 30,000 terrorists OK with you?

If that's a reasonable risk for you, then consider the percentage of potential terrorists that have already crossed the border and are living among us - sleeper cells in our own neighborhoods. The low estimate of illegals inside our border is 20 million, the high is 29 million. What's 10% of that figure? Is a few million potential terrorists a reasonable risk?

For some strange reason, the smaller number of 30,000 is almost scarier to me. Maybe it's just easier to grasp a few thousand insane killers bent on our destruction, instead of an army of millions. Maybe it's because we can do still something about thousands - IF we act swiftly and ruthlessly - but a few million is an almost insurmountable...and it's possibly far too late. Fred Burton agrees with that assessment – he said the numbers of terrorists that have been caught is nothing compared to those that have made it through – those numbers are huge.

If you are an open borders type and think it's wrong to build any barrier along the border, or in any way militarize our border; or if you think illegal immigration is just about nice, poor people who want jobs, you need a wake-up call. Let's look at some of the issues raised by the investigation in the video above as well as some others I've written about in the past year.

1. Several months ago, according to KGRV TV, two IEDs and components for 33 more were discovered in Laredo. It won't be long before we face here in America, what our brave soldiers face every day in Iraq. And IEDs may be the least worrisome. If it's a simple matter to smuggle 3,000 pounds of drugs across the border, as the sheriff mentioned, how much easier is it to carry across a suitcase bomb - a dirty nuke?

“Several al-Qaeda leaders believe operatives can pay their way into the country through Mexico and also believe illegal entry is more advantageous than legal entry for operational security reasons,” Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Admiral James Loy testified on February 16 before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. “At home, we must prepare ourselves for any attack, from IEDs (improvised explosive devices) to Weapons of Mass Destruction…from soft targets like malls to national icons.”

2. A terrorist jacket, with patches depicting an Arab military and 9/11, was found in Hebbronville, TX. Finding terrorist garb is nothing new. In 2005:

Ms. Garner, who grew up here in Naco, population 7,000 says..."It is more dangerous and pernicious, with a growing number of people of different nationalities coming across the border, including from the Middle East, India, and Afghanistan."

The evidence of that comes in Islamic prayer rugs found in the desert dust, Arabic literature left by still-warm campfires, and Afghani head garb caught on cactus quills. The FBI also recently found a drug tunnel beneath the bedroom of a schoolmate of one of the Garner girls, with $250,000 cash hidden inside.

3. In November 2005, a confirmed al Qaeda operative was arrested near the Mexican border and turned over to the FBI. He had been living in Mexico for six months and making notes of the movement of people and police officers.

4. Also in November of last year, A congresswoman from NC went on the record as noting that three al Qaeda operatives were being held in a jail in Texas, after being apprehended on the U.S.-Mexican border.

5. In 2005, in southern Texas alone, 51 suspected terrorists were captured while crossing the border [from the KGRV news report]. They came from countries such as Iran, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and Pakistan, and were arrested on various charges of gun smuggling and illegally wiring large sums of money. We do not know where they are today. That's a problem.

6. In 2005, 10 Egyptians were arrested in Douglas, Arizona.

7. In 2004, a high-level al Qaeda operative (comparable to Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the mastermind of 9/11) was arrested in McAllen, Texas attempting to make her way to New York after illegally crossing the border by swimming the Rio Grande. Though she was on a terrorist watch list, she had illegally entered into America at least 250 times before being caught!!!

8. In September of 2004, Action 4 News in Harlingen, Texas, learned that Al Qaeda cells - each group having from seven to fifteen suspected terrorist members were found just across the Rio Grande Valley in Mexico.

"We know from intelligence reports that there are middle easterners that are making their way in our direction," said U.S. Congressman Jim Turner during a news conference at the Veterans Memorial International Bridge in Brownsville.

"We don't know their purpose, but we do know that they are there and those reports are coming in increasing numbers. So it should be a wake-up call."

9. In July of 2004, Adnan El-Shukrijumah, a high-ranking Al-Qaeda leader and one of the most wanted terrorists in the world, was spotted in Honduras meeting with members of the MS-13 gang. By August, he had may his way north and was spotted in north Mexico.

By the way, if you need proof that al Qaeda is working hand-in-glove with Latino gangs, go here - there's plenty of reading.

10. In October of 2004, an intelligence report supplied to the Department of Homeland Security by Russian security services said that a group of 25 backpack-carrying Chechen terrorists - all white - illegally entered Arizona by way of Mexico last summer.

11. In September 2001, 10 Yemenis were arrested by Mexican police before trying to cross from Agua Prieta into Douglas, Arizona. They were released and they returned to Agua Prieta to try again, where they were joined by several other unidentified Arabs.

12. In November 1998, over 100 Iranians were apprehended in Arizona because of a tip called in by a border rancher.

Those are just a few examples. Our border security is non-existent, and our enemies are well aware of that fact.

While entry into the U.S. is their primary goal in establishing a base in Latin America, Islamist terrorists -- well-aware of the allure Marxism once held for many south of the border -- also see the region as a potential breeding ground for Islamic converts due to its poor economic and social conditions and corrupt governments.

For instance, the Shia terrorist group Hezbollah wields a strong presence in the tri-border region, a lawless, crime-ridden area where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay intersect. Both Osama bin Laden and 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed are also said to have spent time there, during the 1990's.

It was Mohammed who in 2002 encouraged alleged dirty bomber Jose Padilla to 'enter the United States by way of Mexico' in order to carry out attacks on U.S. targets, according to Deputy Attorney General James Comey.

Ironically, before converting to Islam and volunteering his services to Al-Qaeda, Padilla belonged to the Chicago chapter of the Latin Kings -- like MS-13, a violent Hispanic criminal gang.

Although U.S. agents were able to collar Padilla before he could carry out a terrorist attack, the U.S. border strategy, as presently construed, may one day soon yield a much less savory result.

Hm, do you think so???

Nevertheless, as stated in the KGRV news report, our government does not want us to know of the terror threat flowing over our border. Homeland Security refused to respond to KGRV's requests for an interview on the subject. And the government is doing everything they can to shut down the citizens who were once the greatest intelligence asset to to the Border Patrol in stopping terrorists crossing the border: American ranchers living along the border.

Perhaps the most valuable asset that the Border Patrol has is the aid of rural Cochise County (AZ) citizens. Many have attempted to help, in accordance with Arizona law. Through that legal process, landowners may execute a citizen’s arrest for individuals or groups trespassing on their property. However, even that has been nullified.
[...]
Rural citizens here have met with savage recriminations for exerting their legal rights. Immigration advocacy groups howl in protest, as does the Mexican government. Their lawyers have demanded that the ranchers be prosecuted for false arrest, kidnapping, intimidation, criminal assault and violation of civil rights...Illegal immigrants have now sued some Cochise County citizens in American courts.
[...]
Ben Anderson, a retired U.S. Army colonel who lives in Sierra Vista, Ariz., has made a detailed study of the border danger since the flood of illegals began through Cochise County in 1997.

“There is only one way to handle this,” the colonel says firmly. “In a world now filled with biowarfare agents, backpack nuclear devices and chemical weapons like Sarin gas, we must militarize the border. There is no other way to stop the flow.”

Congressman John Culberson (R-TX) concurs:

FBI Director Robert Mueller had previously "confirmed" in testimony before [a Congressional] committee "that there are individuals from countries with known al-Qaeda connections who are changing their Islamic surnames to Hispanic-sounding names and obtaining false Hispanic identities, learning to speak Spanish and pretending to be Hispanic immigrants."

"And these are clearly Arab terrorists," Rep. Culberson added, "from countries like Yemen, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. They're crossing the border, pretending to be Hispanic immigrants, and then disappearing."

Rep. Culberson said news of al-Qaeda’s penetration of the U.S.'s southern border has him worried that the next terrorist plot could involve setting off simultaneous truck bombs in major urban centers.

"The day they blow us up," he predicted, "the border will be sealed tighter than the Berlin Wall and you'll have armed United States military forces" enforcing immigration laws.

That will be too late.

_________________________________

This has been a production of the Guard the Borders Blogburst. It was started by Euphoric Reality, and serves to keep immigration issues in the forefront of our minds as we’re going about our daily lives and continuing to fight the war on terror. If you are concerned with the trend of illegal immigration facing our country, join our Blogburst! Just send an email with your blog name and url to euphoricrealitynet at gmail dot com.

Romans 15:4 Project: U.S. Citizens Betrayed by Their Government!

2006-05-23T05:19:00.000-07:00

In his May 11 blog, Mick Dobra points out where Border Patrol resources maintain political information on American citizens in a non-border state, Illinois. Furthermore, he appeals to his elected representatives to stop this waste. This is something we all need to to.

Private citizens are out defending the country and upholding the laws that
our elected officials will not. Are you hearing this Congressman LaHood, Senator Durbin, Senator Obama? Private citizens are doing the job you have failed to do!

The Campaign for Your Life

2006-03-19T10:37:00.000-08:00

Mark Estes, a brother in Christ, is preparing to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in an upcoming service at Beechwood Baptist Church. Here is the text of his promotional poster:

ANNOUNCING
THE CANDIDACY
OF
JESUS CHRIST
FOR YOUR
SAVIOR AND LORD
SUBJECT TO YOUR ATTENDANCE SUNDAY
EVENING: MARCH 26th at 6:00 PM

BEECHWOOD BAPTIST
CHURCH201 BILTMORE ROAD
LOUISVILLE KY 40207
(502) 895-3439

SPECIAL MUSICAL GOSPEL CONCERT

FEATURING: ADAM DORSEY

Guard The Borders Blogburst: Illegal Aliens March on Chicago

2006-03-16T16:43:00.000-08:00

Freedom Folks: Illegal Aliens March on Chicago

by The Freedom Folks

"Si, se puede!" was the cry of the crowd in Chicago today -- "Yes, we can!" Thousands upon thousands of illegal aliens and their supporters gathered in Union Park, then marched down Jackson Street to The Loop. Jamming the plaza, as well as the surrounding streets and sidewalks, they rallied to cheer on those who had come to speak.

They demanded legalization for all immigrants. They patted each other on the back for working hard and having dreams. They lauded politicians who devote themselves to representing "the people," which evidently, in their minds, includes "the people" who have come here illegally and don't get to vote. They demanded justice. They jeered HR4437, the House bill passed last December that would make coming here illegally a criminal offense, rather than a civil one, that calls for a fence on the border, and that would penalize anyone who hires and/or helps someone to come or stay here illegally.

Mayor Daley even got up to add his support, which made no sense:

"Don't let anyone tell you you're an immigrant," he shouted. "We're all immigrants!"

???

"Si, se puede!" Yes we can WHAT, one wonders?

Yes we can...make demands of the government, even though we're here illegally? Yes we can...break your laws then demand to not only not be penalized, but to be rewarded for it? Yes we can...take taxpayer-funded services like education and healthcare, and in exchange we'll drive down wages and refuse to assimilate? Yes we can...shout loud enough about our civil rights that the politicians will forget that civil rights are, by definition, for citizens?

Watching these people flood the streets of Chicago today, shouting angrily for what is not theirs to ask, let alone demand, I listened. Amid the shouts of "Si, se puede!" and among the signs and banners calling for legalization and guest worker programs, I listened.

I listened for an answer from within myself and found that, walking along with these thousands of people cheering and yelling and demanding, my answer hadn't changed.

No, you can't.

Vignettes From The Reconquista

I noticed this lady was crying so I asked permission to snap a photo and then asked why she was crying. She informed me that she had been working with "these folks" for a number of years and she wanted them to feel at home here.

Let me start by saying this was a very nice lady, she truly was. I'm sure those who know her would say she has an enormous heart.

But she's an idiot and indicative of a phenomena I noticed along the marches path. Upper crust white women lined the path and had a look on their faces I can only describe as a mother watching her child. It was a species of pride that galled my soul.

It was almost unbelievably arrogant, but arrogance cloaked in compassion. And this type of empty headed compassion is killing this country. We can't allow every person on the planet to enter so where do we draw the line?

While attending the illegal immigrant reconquista march today I made a point of stopping every so often and chatting with observers.

Which leads us inexorably to our second vignette. I came upon a bank where most of employees had gathered on a raised brick planter to watch the march pass by. A gentleman in his mid-thirties stood nearest the end where I hopped up to join him.

I asked him his thoughts on the march. He replied that he thought it was great, that these people definitely deserved to hold a march like this. He was waxing quite eloquent when he uttered an oopsie. He went on to say that we should welcome everybody.

I queried, somewhat astonished, everyone on the planet? It was fascinating to me to watch his facial expressions cycle through surprise to astonishment. I honestly don't think he'd ever thought it through before, that we can't welcome every person on the planet no matter how much the president might want to. My interviewee had just bumped nose first into a hard reality. I noticed over and over how many people merely recited cant whenever you asked them questions about immigration, nation of immigrants, immigration has always been good, etc., etc., etc.

Yet if you followed up and began asking hard questions such as "well, should we just allow a couple of billion people to move here then?" Their eyes would get big and they'd stammer for a bit before saying no. I'd ask, so where do you draw the line? They never had a cogent answer.

I think that really sums up the public debate on immigration in America today. We want to be a nation of immigrants, yet realize this may no longer be possible as it was in the past.

A young black gentlemen provided a slightly different take. When I asked him his thoughts on the march he at first tried to avoid answering but I kept at it and finally he allowed that he thought it was a good thing. Again, that they should be allowed to march, then he uttered his own oopsie. He said he thought they should be allowed to march because they came from a poor country. When I pointed out that in terms of the whole world Mexico was actually a fairly rich country with a decent standard of living compared to many countries he was literally dumbstruck.

If today's march taught me anything it was just this. In terms of the average Jane and Joe American, the two biggest enemies proponents of sane immigration policies face are rank ignorance and romantic notions.

Immigration: An Ending And A Beginning

We've been posting about the march and rally supporting ILLEGAL immigration in Chicago today. I've really been thinking about a feeling I had as we were fighting our way out of the crowd of 100,000+. We spent about 40 minutes pushing through half a city block of the throng to make our way to public transportation.

As we finally made it through the shouting, chanting horde, we turned the corner to walk past Berghoff, which sadly shut its doors at the end of last month. For those not familiar with Chicago, Berghoff was a traditional, family-run German restaurant, an institution famous for holding the first liquor license issued by the city after Prohibition ended.

Gazing into the darkened windows of the restaurant, I felt a real sense of something ending and something beginning. Many who disagree with me on the need to fight ILLEGAL immigration often bring up our country's history of immigration and diversity, as if I am somehow maligning them by speaking out against ILLEGAL immigration.

One of the things I love most about Chicago, my favorite city and current home, is the great diversity of its residents and neighborhoods. Berghoff embodied how immigration is supposed to work in my mind. It honored the traditions of its owners' cultural history while celebrating the opportunities and freedoms of America.

That is what I did not see much of in the crowd today, and certainly did not hear from the speakers who egged them on to demand legalization and denounce HR4437. As I listened to Gutierrez and Daley and Blagojevich, I did not hear an enticement to become Americans in any real sense.

What I heard was a call to demand rights and opportunities that have to be earned. These are precious gifts bestowed upon those who are born here, and those who come here legally. They are most certainly not something to be unrightfully demanded or stolen by those who would disrespect this country and its citizens by those who choose to come, stay, and work here ILLEGALLY.

What I saw today was a defiant mission to impose a mass of people, their culture, and their language on another country. There were many claims of loving America, but talk is cheap. It is your actions that truly speak. If anyone loves this country, they will show it by their efforts to make it a better place. Since when do lawlessness, a constant breech of national security, and economic and cultural destruction make this a better place?

I love this country. I embrace and appreciate our melting pot of cultures and traditions. But our country only works when our country and its citizens come first. I would never ask another nation to put the interests of America before their own -- it's ridiculous!

It makes me angry and sad when people come here ILLEGALLY and demand that of America.

__________________________________________
This has been a production of the Guard the Borders Blogburst. It is syndicated by Euphoric Reality, and serves to keep immigration issues in the forefront of our minds as we're going about our daily lives and continuing to fight the war on terror. If you are concerned with the trend of illegal immigration in our country, join the Blogburst! Send an email with your blog name and url to euphoricrealitynet at gmail dot com.

The Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

2006-03-08T12:39:00.000-08:00

Travis Sheehan of Beechwood Baptist Church will be presenting the historical and Biblical evidences of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

This message will be given in the sanctuary of Beechwood Baptist Church on Thursday, April 13, 2006, at 6:30 PM. You are invited. For more information, call 502-895-3439.

Guard the Borders Blogburst: Abolish the EOIR!

2006-03-07T04:08:00.000-08:00

Abolish The EOIR!
By Juan Mann

There is a dangerous misconception lurking in America’s growing public consciousness about immigration law enforcement. From the man on the street to the halls of Congress, the fatal error persists in the belief that if only current immigration laws were just enforced, the illegal alien invasion of these United States would be over for good.

All would be well if we put the legal mechanisms in place into effect . . . right?

Wrong.

Few Americans even recognize that there’s any problem at all with HOW the federal government goes about deporting illegal aliens and criminal alien residents. Securing the Arizona desert was a piece of cake in comparison—remember that the volunteer Minuteman Project showed the world that they could do it in a month!

So what’s the problem?

It’s too many lawyers, too much litigation and a four-letter word called EOIR.

The problem that hides in plain sight in the current immigration "catch and release" controversy is the litigation bureaucracy of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).

The EOIR is a little-known federal agency within the U.S. Department of Justice. It comprises the nationwide U.S. Immigration Court system and its appellate body, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) in Falls Church, Virginia. The EOIR is the centerpiece of a largely unknown de facto stealth permanent amnesty and non-deportation program for illegal aliens and criminal alien residents.

The hidden truth about the EOIR is that America’s deportation process for illegal aliens and criminal alien residents is designed for failure. What starts out as deportation becomes perpetual litigation - and relatively few deportable aliens ever leave.

Other than the few summary removal provisions implemented at ports of entry, the deportation of foreign nationals in the United States is largely voluntary.

With the complicity of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the EOIR litigation bureaucracy forms the concealed piece in the puzzle of institutionalized mass immigration sponsorship by the federal government.

The lengthy EOIR system of hearings and appeals enables illegal aliens and criminal alien residents to remain in the United States both legally and illegally for years, often in perpetuity.

The EOIR and the DHS bureaucracy enable thousands of detained aliens facing deportation to be released back to the streets on an immigration bond or paroled out of federal custody during the EOIR hearing process - giving them the option of disappearing back into the United States regardless of the outcome of their Immigration Court hearings.

The lack of physical security on the land border exposes the EOIR process for the charade that it is. Deported aliens just walk back in.

The EOIR literally makes a federal case out of every illegal alien and criminal alien resident in deportation proceedings by offering a litigation gateway to the federal circuit courts of appeal, and, sometimes, even to the U.S. Supreme Court.

With endless available options for filing appeals and motions available to a competent immigration lawyer, EOIR hearings and appeals are never really over until the alien wins.

Considering the never-ending nature of federal litigation, as well as the laundry list of relief from deportation available in Immigration Court, EOIR "removal" proceedings are really "get to stay" proceedings.

[...]
Although alleged to be a system for determining whether particular illegal aliens and criminal alien residents are deportable under the law, in reality the EOIR hearing system is designed to give aliens a mechanism to apply for relief from removal and remain in the United States. The EOIR’s immigration judges routinely award "green cards" (lawful permanent resident status) to illegal aliens through adjustment of status, and also allow convicted criminal aliens to remain in the United States.

While virtually unknown in the major media, the EOIR is the four-letter word of federal immigration policy.

EOIR litigation represents the livelihood of thousands of immigration lawyers, whose interests are represented by their nationwide lobbying group, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). The country's over 200 EOIR immigration judges earn from $109,587 to $142,500 per year, plus generous federal benefits.

The bottom line for America’s taxpayers is that the EOIR is just one more monumental waste of government resources. The EOIR unnecessarily formalizes simple review processes that already are entrusted to specially-trained (and most likely lesser-paid) federal employees including consular officers, district adjudications officers, immigration inspectors, special agents, immigration agents, deportation officers and asylum officers all over the country and the world.

A system dedicated to giving formal hearings and appeals for even previously-deported illegal aliens and criminal aliens is a system begging to be abolished - if only immigration reformers in Congress knew it existed.

So after twenty years of fostering federal litigation instead of deportation, it is high time that the EOIR's specific functions be parceled out to federal law enforcement personnel already in the Department of Homeland Security who can do the job of deporting illegal aliens and criminal alien residents.

In reality, the EOIR litigation bureaucracy is the antithesis of real homeland security. As a deportation system, the EOIR is designed to fail, and it does. But as a machine for facilitating mass immigration, the EOIR is a raging success.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

Peter Brimelow, editor of VDARE.com, identified the solution in so many words in his 1995 book, Alien Nation—Common sense about America’s Immigration Disaster (page 260). According to Brimelow:

"Deportation procedures, for both legal and illegal aliens, should be streamlined, and criminal aliens automatically deported. . . .

U.S. immigration law has already been significantly weakened by activist judges. But there is nothing sacred about a wrongheaded ruling. The answer is to pass another law. When Americans do seize control of their immigration policy again, it will inevitably take the form of an epic clash between legislative and judicial branches."

So how does Congress go about creating a process to actually deport aliens?

Here are the nuts-and-bolts details:

Take away the EOIR’s jurisdiction piece-by-piece in a move towards abolishing the EOIR’s nationwide U.S. Immigration Court system and Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).

Institute summary removal of all illegal aliens and pre-determined classes of criminal alien residents by federal immigration officers without judicial review.

Abolish all stealth amnesty adjustment of status provisions that reward law-breaking (as well as all discretionary "second chances" for criminal aliens) in the Immigration and Nationality Act that are currently administered by the EOIR.

Eliminate the immigration benefit fraud magnet of U.S.-based asylum processing at DHS asylum offices run by its Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) division. Create a system where all asylum processing is done exclusively at U.S. Consulates abroad, or by the U.S. State Department for those countries where the U.S. does not have a consular presence.

Eliminate non-immigrant visa-jumping from one category to another, as well as adjustments from non-immigrant to lawful permanent resident status for aliens already in the United States. All aliens wishing an adjustment of status or change of status should be required to exit the United States and receive a valid visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad, in order to make another lawful entry into the United States. Upon reentry, all applicants must then be able to satisfy the requirements for admissibility to the United States once again, including the unlawful presence grounds of Immigration Act Section 212(a)(9).

The most expedient strategy for handling the EOIR litigation bureaucracy and the candy store of immigration benefits it administers (such as asylum and adjustments of status) comes from the playbook of General Colin Powell. It’s the same plan he used for the Iraqi army in 1991—"first we’re going to cut it off, and then we’re going to kill it."

The EOIR is already marooned.

It is an orphaned agency. Ensconced in Falls Church, Virginia, the EOIR oversees a nationwide Immigration Court system and a Byzantine appellate body, the Board of Immigration Appeals. With the INS abolished and cast out of the Department of Justice, the EOIR now represents a complete mismatch among remaining DOJ agencies, including the FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service and the United States Attorneys.

In the deportation abyss of EOIR litigation, attorneys haggle over "orders of deportation," while over 300,000 fugitives from those orders and as many as 20 million illegal aliens [as estimated by Bear Stearns—PDF] remain loose on the streets.

In short, the EOIR process is the major reason that the federal government remains paralyzed in confronting the millions of illegal aliens and criminal alien residents running free in the United States, despite the supposed intent of policy, and the existence of at least somewhat appropriate laws.

Congress can threaten to "close the border" all it wants, but as long as the EOIR remains in place, all is well for open borders. The system will remain sabotaged behind the scenes.

If the borders are hemorrhaging illegal aliens every day, and there is no reasonably efficient process in place to detain and summarily deport foreign nationals who do not belong on our shores, no one is going to be leaving anytime soon . . . and more aliens will keep coming.

The damage created by the EOIR on federal immigration policy is a scandal of monumental proportions. But so far, the first journalist to call for the EOIR to be abolished was Michelle Malkin. She wrote as much in her book, Invasion (pages 232-33):

"End deportation delays: Abolish the EOIR and BIA—The most under-recognized obstacle to deporting illegal aliens is the shadowy immigration court system and it unaccountable appellate body, which routinely puts aliens’ rights over citizens’ safety. Attorney General John Ashcroft should abolish the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the Board of Immigration Appeals and transfer their functions to existing law enforcement officers within the immigration bureaucracy."

The EOIR is just another example of criminals’ "rights" being expanded and glorified to overwhelm an entire law enforcement process. Under current federal law, all illegal aliens and criminal alien residents have the "right" to a hearing before an EOIR immigration judge, as well as the "right" to appeal their case to the BIA—and then on to the federal courts . . . and back-and-forth almost indefinitely. That’s the problem with expecting to expel illegal aliens and convicted foreign criminals from our country through litigation. It just doesn’t work.

But even though the mainstream media has maintained strict radio silence about the EOIR, the truth about the EOIR bureaucracy manages to leak out one illegal alien at a time.

As aliens benefiting from the EOIR’s "catch and release" process continue to wreak havoc on America, slowly but surely the picture comes into focus . . . that the EOIR bureaucracy is a detriment to the "homeland security" mission of immigration law enforcement.
[...]
Just as building a physical barrier is absolutely necessary to stop illegal immigration across the southern border, summary removal of illegal aliens and criminal alien residents is the silver bullet for real immigration reform.

Legislation expanding summary removal and taking jurisdiction away from the EOIR would be a laser-guided missile down the main air conditioning vent of America’s entrenched non-deportation system. Abolishing the EOIR through summary removal would be the vampire-repelling garlic to ward off the legions of AILA lawyers making a living from federal immigration litigation.

Summary removal of illegal aliens by federal officers, with the cooperation of state and local law enforcement, would upset the existing rigged immigration litigation apple cart by simply kicking illegal aliens and convicted criminal alien residents out of the country.

[ER editor's note: The EOIR, and the laws that are supposed to uphold our immigration process are irrevocably broken. It's not the sexiest of topics, but it's important to know that we can't just talk about "enforcing our current immigration laws" without fully realizing that there is a revolving back door that completely undermines our laws. How many times have you heard somebody grumble that illegals know our laws better than WE do? It's true! They know how to work the system and milk it for all it's worth. Nevertheless, it's our concern, and our duty to become more aware, even though the topic itself may be kind of "dry". To learn more about issues concerning the EOIR, go here for a comprehensive wrap-up, including the following subjects:

THE CASE FOR SUMMARY REMOVAL

FEDERAL COURT MEDDLING IN IMMIGRATION LITIGATION

REINSTATEMENT OF REMOVAL STRUCK DOWN

SAVING THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT

EXPEDITED REMOVAL PROVISIONS SHELVED

EXISTING ALTERNATIVES TO EOIR LITIGATION

DISMANTLING EOIR JURISDICTION PIECE-BY-PIECE

[/editor's note]

The Department of Justice’s EOIR is the power behind the scenes in immigration law enforcement and the greatest obstacle to real immigration reform in the federal government. The EOIR is the legal bureaucracy that regulates, and in effect cripples, the deportation of illegal aliens and criminal alien residents in the United States.

Summary removal, not EOIR litigation, should be the future of immigration law enforcement.
[...]
In analyzing the entire jurisdiction of the EOIR piece by piece—reviewing all types of relief from removal—every single component is already accomplished by other federal government divisions. And if not already covered, the particular form of relief could be easily moved out of the country for overseas adjudication, or abolished outright as being an ill-conceived reward for criminal behavior in the first place.

Summary removal in effect represents the other side of the coin from the "summary visas for all" impulse of the Bush Administration, exemplified by its ongoing drive for a non-deportation amnesty for existing illegal aliens under the guise of a "guest worker" or "temporary worker" program. By seeking to implement open-ended immigration status hand-out, the Bush Administration apparently sees nothing wrong with making a policy decision about which illegal aliens to let in the country, and then summarily carrying it out on a massive scale.

So why not do the same for summary removal?

We as a nation, through Congress as our policy-makers, should make a decision once and for all on which foreign nationals are going to be let into the country, who remains here, and who is going to be kicked out. Congress should overhaul the Immigration and Nationality Act and decide once and for all which clearly-defined classes of aliens to summarily prevent from entering the United States, as well as which clearly-defined classes of aliens to summarily deport from the United States.

Congress should make its decision, implement a summary process, and stick to it. No questions asked. No EOIR Immigration Court hearings. No redundant BIA review. No federal litigation.

Under the current state of affairs, the EOIR’s decides its own case-by-case personal "amnesties" being decided behind closed doors every day. Congress has abdicated its responsibility by leaving immigration policy to the whim of executive agency bureaucrats and power-hungry federal appellate courts to grant relief one case at a time to illegal aliens and criminal alien residents.

So rather than posturing about "closing the border," Congress should strike a blow for real immigration reform by abolishing the EOIR litigation bureaucracy once and for all.

************************

ABOUT Juan Mann:

Juan Mann is an attorney and the proprietor of DeportAliens.com. He writes a weekly column for VDARE.com and contributes to Michelle Malkin’s Immigration BLOG.

__________________________________________
This has been a production of the Guard the Borders Blogburst. It is syndicated by Euphoric Reality, and serves to keep immigration issues in the forefront of our minds as we're going about our daily lives and continuing to fight the war on terror. If you are concerned with the trend of illegal immigration in our country, join the Blogburst! Send an email with your blog name and url to euphoricrealitynet at gmail dot com.

Another Passage To Memorize

2006-03-07T03:35:00.000-08:00

Here are some words of encouragement from the Word of God:

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
- Isaiah 55:10-11

"They Are Not Guests" - Guard the Borders Blogburst

2006-02-27T15:55:00.000-08:00

As a parent with two kids in Texas schools, I have a pet peeve. I really, really resent that their education is hampered by kids who can’t speak English. I’ve seen classes that move mind-bogglingly slow as teachers have to work one-on-one with children who shouldn’t be there in the first place. It’s enough to make me grind my teeth in frustration!

I am a big proponent of the immersion method of learning a language. It is my firm belief that once in America, immigrants should learn our language, and the best way is by complete and total immersion. When we lived in Mexico, we placed my son into a public school in the local village so that he could learn the language more rapidly. I continued to teach him at home what he needed to know to keep his education above American standards, and his classroom experience was for language purposes only. We asked for no special considerations, we just did what was necessary. It was not easy, but it worked.

That is only one of the reasons it is so offensive to see our tax dollars paying for immigrants, many of them here illegally, to receive special dispensations because they can’t (or won’t) learn our language! But why should they learn, when almost everything is bi-lingual anyways?

Recently in Arizona, an activist judge has ruled that it’s not enough that American citizens pay for a free education for the children of illegal aliens, and it’s not enough that the classes are dumbed-down for non-English speakers, but now the taxpayers must pay exorbitant funds to provide special classes for children who don’t speak English!

One of the most outrageous examples of out-of-control judges is the case called Flores v. Arizona, now pending in federal court in Tucson. Originally filed in 1992, plaintiff lawyers claim to represent an estimated 160,000 children of illegal immigrants attending Arizona public schools.

The case seeks to force Arizona taxpayers to pay for bringing these children, euphemistically called English Language Learners, up to grade level. The lawyers are trying to accomplish this by turning a state legislative issue into a federal judicial command.

The background for attempting to accord special “rights” to non-American, non-English speaking residents was predicated on a case in Alabama where liberals tried to add the word “language” to the Civil Rights Act, thereby making it illegal to discriminate on the basis of language. While the case was originally successful in the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, it was reversed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Based upon that, Arizona Judge Alfredo C. Marquez, appointed by Jimmy Carter, ruled against the Arizona taxpayers, but had enough restraint to recognize that he could not substitute the court's "educational values and theories for the educational and political decisions reserved to state or local school authorities." Nevertheless, he tasked the legislature with performing a cost study.

Over the next few years, the Arizona legislature passed three bills for this special funding. However, none of them were as large as Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, a Democrat, wanted and so she vetoed all three. Governor Napolitano wanted the Arizona Legislature to appropriate nearly $1,200 per immigrant child, totaling $192 million, without accountability for how it was to be spent. Obviously, the governor, with the judge’s ruling on her side, could sit and wait until the legislature saw things her way.

Unfortunately, the next judge in succession of Marquez, upped the ante. Appointed by Bill Clinton, Judge Ramer C. Collins, decided to punitively fine the Arizona State Legislature for not funding special accommodations for non-English speaking students.

In December 2005, Collins imposed fines of $500,000 a day, escalating to $2 million a day, for every day that the legislature fails to authorize funding acceptable to the governor.
[…]
Since Jan. 25, millions of dollars in court-ordered fines have been accumulating. If this continues to the end of the legislative session, the fines will total more than $77 million.

Who knew that an activist judge could legislate taxes and state funding?

If there is any issue that should be clearly and exclusively a function of the legislature elected by the people it is the matter of raising taxes and spending the people's money. Unfortunately, there are many supremacist judges who think they (in this case, a judge and a governor) can order the legislature to raise taxes and tell them how to spend taxpayer money.

While many Americans in other states think that these problems are confined to the four states with Hispanic majorities (TX, CA, AZ, and NM) - think again. Small towns across America are finding their educational systems utterly compromised by an influx of illegal workers and their families: Melrose, MN; Delavan, WI; Herndon, VA; Wassau, WI; Des Moines, IA; Raleigh, NC; Fort Myers, FL; Sioux Falls, SD; Grand Rapids, MI and North Platte, NE. Still think it’s not your problem?!

As one small town resident has said, “I, along with millions of other American citizens, am sick and tried of the politicians and others treating illegal aliens like honored guests! They are not honored, and they are not guests.”

H/T: American Daughter

__________________________

This has been a production of the Guard the Borders Blogburst. It is syndicated by Euphoric Reality, and serves to keep immigration issues in the forefront of our minds as we're going about our daily lives and continuing to fight the war on terror. If you are concerned with the trend of illegal immigration in our country, join the Blogburst! Send an email with your blog name and url to euphoricrealitynet at gmail dot com.

Laus Deo

2006-02-27T09:50:00.000-08:00

I received this information in E-mail today:

Subject: A Little History Lesson

LAUS DEO: A little history lesson you may enjoy.

One detail that is not mentioned, in DC, is that there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument.

With all the uproar about removing the Ten Commandments, etc... This is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this historical information.

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, 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.

Once you know the history of Laus Deo, you will want to share this with everyone you know. But these words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched top the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.

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.

So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say "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 with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo, Praise be to God!"
From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily 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 to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

A cross you ask? 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. So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.

Praise be to God! 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 our unique democracy .."One Nation, Under God."!

I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you never read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!

"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 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."

Laus Deo!

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo", its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these 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)

It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every sister, brother, father, mother or friend. They will not find offense, because you have given them a lesson in history that they probably never learned in school. With that, be not ashamed, or afraid, but have pity on those who will never see this because someone failed to send it on.

Our Memory Verse

2006-02-25T00:25:00.000-08:00

Last June I shared a little of our Scripture memorization process.

We are in the process of memorizing this sentence from Isaiah (55:9):

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

"SECURE OUR BORDERS" Guard the Borders Blogburst for February 20

2006-02-21T22:00:00.000-08:00

MINUTEMAN CIVIL DEFENSE CORPS
ANNOUNCES NATIONWIDE ‘SECURE OUR BORDERS’ OPERATION FOR APRIL 2006

(PHOENIX, AZ) February 16, 2006 – Chris Simcox, President of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps (“MCDC”), today announced plans for the group’s nationwide “Secure Our Borders” campaign in April 2006. Simcox also announced a new operational structure for the original Minuteman Border Project to meet the growing needs of the continued expansion of Minuteman border security operations.

Thousands of MCDC volunteers, augmented by the new national support team, will hold border watch patrols in northern and southern states along an estimated 800 miles of international borders during the month of April. The Minutemen will observe and report suspected illegal border crossings to the proper authorities. As always, they will maintain a “no contact” policy with the exception of providing emergency water to those illegal aliens found in distress in the wilderness.

Last year, MCDC revolutionized the national debate about border security and illegal immigration by focusing the nation’s attention on the dangers of America’s wide-open borders in a post 9/11 world. The Minutemen have demonstrated that the borders can be secured with sufficient political will and dedication.

Since the MCDC 23-mile border watch in April, 2005, interest in joining and supporting the Minutemen has exploded nationwide. MCDC chapters have been formed in southern and northern border states, as well as interior states. To date, 6,500 men and women have passed the required background check and interviews to qualify to become official Minuteman Border Project volunteers – with more waiting in the queue for approval. Over 120,000 people have become friends of the Minutemen through their support and volunteer work.

Given the success of the Minuteman Border Project efforts, and two successful month long 24/7 operations conducted in April and October of 2005, a new national volunteer operational structure has been launched to support the Minutemen. The new structure is necessary to respond to these thousands of volunteers and supporters asking what they can do to help.

MCDC has asked for and accepted the help of experienced border volunteers who have been on the front lines, some for as long as four years. With this expansion we will be ready for the thousands of volunteers who will participate in the “Secure Our Borders” operation in April 2006. This expansion further solidifies MCDC’s ability to continue the largest neighborhood watch effort in American history. The Minutemen will continue their civil defense operations assisting authorities in securing the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada until properly relieved.

Contact MCDC at (520)829-3112 or info@minutemanhq.com

For more information about MCDC: www.minutemanhq.com

__________________________

This has been a production of the Guard the Borders Blogburst. It was started by Euphoric Reality, and serves to keep immigration issues in the forefront of our minds as we're going about our daily lives and continuing to fight the war on terror. If you are concerned with the trend of illegal immigration facing our country, join our blogburst! Just send an email with your blog name and url to euphoricrealitynet at gmail dot com.

Blogs already on board:

Euphoric Reality	Curley's Corner	TMH's Bacon Bits
Part-Time Pundit	The Right Track	Cao's Blog
Mover Mike	In The Bullpen	Stuck on Stupid
NIF	Kender's Musings	Freedom Folks
Parrot Check	Gribbit's Word	Right on the Right
Team Swap	Gina's Rantings	The Irate Nation
Publius Rendezvous	Watchman's Words	Bear Creek Ledger
Something and Half of Something	Ogre's Politics and Views	Independent Conservative
The Neo-Con Blogger	Ravings of a Mad Tech	Third World County
A Lady's Ruminations	Mensa Barbie Welcomes You	Intergalactic Source of Truth
Woman Honor Thyself	Adam's Thoughts	Amboy Times
Gun Toting Liberal	Right on! Blog	American Daughter
Right Truth	Universe and Other Things	A Tic In The Mind's Eye
Jarhead's Firing Range	Nova Townhall Blog

Guard the Borders Blogburst

2006-02-13T11:09:00.000-08:00

By Darnell McGavock at Independent Conservative

Contrary to popular belief, most illegals coming to the USA already had jobs in the country that they left. Also, they are seeking much higher paying jobs than some might believe. Their days of trying to just pick fruit are over!

Here are some details, although it is best to read this entire article:

Study: Most illegal immigrants had jobs

The research, believed to represent the largest-ever study of undocumented migrants, contends that the vast majority of illegal immigrants from Mexico were gainfully employed before they migrated to the United States, and failure to find work in their native Mexico did not seem to be the primary reason for their departure, said Rakesh Kochhar, associate director for research at the center and author of the report.
…
In fact, the majority of new migrants will look for work with higher wages in industries such as construction, hotels or sales, said Roberto Suro, director of the Pew Hispanic Center.
…
Only 5 percent of the 4,836 migrants surveyed were unemployed in Mexico before moving to the United States - a significantly lower number than in past studies and theories about migrants, Suro said.
…
Ironically, Kochhar added, immigration status (in the United States) has little to do with finding employment. Migrants without identification had the same chance of landing a job as those with valid U.S. IDs.
…

So much for all that talk about illegals needing to find work. They already had work where they came from. They just come to the USA for a higher wage. And so much for all that talk about illegals only filling jobs "that Americans will not do". As I've previously explained, Americans did those jobs and can do them again. And never mind "those jobs", now the illegals are going for YOUR JOB. They want to move up the pay scale. The illegals coming in now are better educated than prior generations and so they are seeking higher paying jobs that require a higher skill set.

The actual report is available here.

The complete report mentions:

Once they arrive and pass through a relatively brief period of transition and adjustment, migrants have little trouble finding work. Family and social networks play a significant role in this; large shares of migrants report talking to people they know in the U.S. about job opportunities and living with relatives after arrival. They easily make transitions into new jobs, even though most find themselves working in industries that are new to them.
…
There is a steady and strong demand for migrant workers from Mexico in agriculture, construction, manufacturing and hospitality. These four industries employ about two-thirds of the survey respondents, irrespective of their background in Mexico or their year of arrival.
…
Migrants from Mexico are responsive to regional variations in demand for their services. Construction is the dominant industry for employing migrants in Atlanta, Dallas and Raleigh; hospitality is the major employer in New York City; manufacturing in Chicago; and agriculture in Fresno.
…
The percentage of survey respondents employed in agriculture in the U.S. has dropped from 17% of those in country more than 15 years to 9% of recent arrivals. At the same time, the percentage employed in construction and hospitality has increased from 23% to 42%.
…

The time is now to close our borders to illegal immigration.

__________________________

Blogs already on board:

Euphoric Reality	Curley's Corner	TMH's Bacon Bits
Part-Time Pundit	The Right Track	Cao's Blog
Mover Mike	In The Bullpen	Stuck on Stupid
NIF	Kender's Musings	Freedom Folks
Parrot Check	Gribbit's Word	Right on the Right
Team Swap	Gina's Rantings	The Irate Nation
Publius Rendezvous	Watchman's Words	Bear Creek Ledger
Something and Half of Something	Ogre's Politics and Views	Independent Conservative
The Neo-Con Blogger	Ravings of a Mad Tech	Third World County
A Lady's Ruminations	Mensa Barbie Welcomes You	Intergalactic Source of Truth
Woman Honor Thyself	Adam's Thoughts	Amboy Times
Gun Toting Liberal	Right on! Blog	American Daughter
Right Truth

Pro-abortion Violence Against Adults

2006-02-11T06:34:00.000-08:00

According to LifeSite, "A pro-life student at William and Mary college in Williamsburg, Virginia was punched in the face and thrown to the ground while she was handing out literature at a demonstration."

Bill Claydon of Choice to Live points out that such violence is a consequence of a pre-existing approval of violent behavior:

Pro aborts believe it is acceptable to commit brutal acts violence against innocent and vulnerable human babies. Therefore, is it any wonder that they can also rationalize violently attacking born people who disagree with their evil?

The root problem is that we are all pre-disposed to sin and exaltation of self above God. This can be overcome through the power of Jesus Christ by turning away from our sin and following Him. As Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead, so we can partake of His saving power through faith in Him. Through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, believers are victorious over sin.

"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
- Romans 12:21

Hat Tip: ProLifeBlogs.com

Candidate of the Day

2006-02-10T19:17:00.000-08:00

As the 2006 elections approach, Third Party Watch will feature a third-party or independent candidates running for office in its daily blogs

Third Party Watch provides important coverage to identify voting options that lazy or partisan media often ignore or obscure.

Thank you, Austin Cassidy & the Third Party Watch team.

Worship Defined and Applied to God Revealed in the Bible

2006-02-10T02:52:00.000-08:00

Dr. Mohler offers a definition of worship and a premise necessary to worship God "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24):

Worship is the people of God gathering together to confess his worthiness, his worth-ship." How can we do that if we do not make clear who God is? Our very pattern of worship must testify to the character of God.

There is a polarity between the objective and the subjective. There is the subjective in worship. But what Scripture makes clear is that the subjective experience of worship must be predicated on the objective truth of the true and living God, and on an experience of the God who has revealed Himself in Scripture.

"God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."
- Jesus Christ

Are you worshipping the Lord?

2006-02-06T10:31:00.000-08:00

Today, Dr. Albert Mohler launched a commentary series entitled "The Whole Earth Is Full of His Glory: The Recovery of Authentic Worship". He evaluates definitions, discussions, and applications of worship in light of Scripture.

As I read this, I asked myself "Am I worshipping the Lord now?"

How would you answer that question as you browse the blogosphere?

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
I Corinthians 10:31

Baldwin: The Sanctity of Human Life

2006-02-01T12:51:00.000-08:00

Pastor Chuck Baldwin explores Bible references to life in the womb and offers a passionate plea to the church and to the government to defend the right to life.

The sermons can be downloaded with three different video resolutions:

56 Kbps, 256 Kbps, 1 Mbps

Hat Tip: Covenant News

"Death and Taxes Do Not Mix -- Help Defund Planned Parenthood!"

2006-01-31T21:47:00.000-08:00

The Center for Reclaiming America has launched a petition drive to stop federal funding of Planned Parenthood.

While I can not endorse everything CFRA does, I support this effort as this is an abuse of tax dollars that should not be taken from our income in the first place.

The federal government should not be funding abortionists.

If you agree, please sign the petition and/or contact your Representative directly with your concerns.

From Death to Life: Office Space for Abortion Clinic becomes a Crisis Pregnancy Center

2006-01-30T18:59:00.000-08:00

In the January 28 edition of The American View, Michael Peroutka interviews a counsellor for a Maryland crisis pregnancy center that moved into the former office space of an abortuary.

Click here for the audio interview.

This program also talks about how some pro-life leaders contradict their message and aid the abortion industry.

"New" blog: Exposetheleft.com

2006-01-30T18:27:00.000-08:00

The Political Teen has morphed into a new blog with a focus "dedicated to exposing the liberal bias in the Main Stream Media."

Coverage of liberal bias also includes the blogosphere and other political news and commentary.

Hat tips: Expose the Left, Michelle Malkin

Alito's Abortion Points

2006-01-27T23:16:00.000-08:00

More details are emerging about how Judge Samuel Alito opposed the right to life and/or supported Roe v. Wade.

Here are some examples:

In 1985 as a lawyer, Mr. Alito recommended against the Reagan Justice Department asking the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. (Source: Townhall.com, downloaded 1/28/2006)
Elizabeth Blackwell Health Center For Women (and others) v. Catherine Baker Knoll, Treasurer of Pennsylvania (and others) relaxed restrictions on federal funding of abortion. Judge Alito voted for this. (Source: The American View, downloaded 1/28/2006)
In 2000, Judge Alito voted to strike down New Jersey's ban on partial-birth abortion in Planned Parenthood Of Central New Jersey v. John Farmer, Jr.. (Source: The Christian Science Monitor, downloaded 1/28/2006)
In the 2006 Senate Confirmation Hearings, Alito said that he did not agree that "the Constitution always trumps stare decisis," allowing for the possibility of putting court opinion such as Roe v. Wade above Constitutional law. (Source: The American View, downloaded 1/28/2006)

Further information about Alito's record on abortion would be appreciated.

This entry is a participant of Right Wing Nation's Weekend Open Trackbacks.

Roe v. Wade in Retrospect

2006-01-27T22:07:00.000-08:00

In 33 Years Later ... , Daisy Cutter evaluates the impact of Roe v. Wade on American government and the political process.

The entire article is worth reading, along with the discussion in the reader comments.

This gem is worth repeating and considering:

Simply put, how can we give the benefit of the doubt to the accused criminal but not the innocent unborn?

John's Blog on Alito Hearings

2006-01-26T19:26:00.000-08:00

John Lofton, co-host of The American View, offers important insights to the Alito hearings in his blog.

Here are some of them:

To their everlasting shame, supposedly Christian/conservative leaders, pro-life Senators, commentators and publications have failed miserably to tell the truth about Judge Samuel Alito’s pro-abortion voting record as a judge and what he said in his Senate confirmation testimony.
...
What Alito’s pro-abortion record “indicates” is exactly what Hausknecht says it “hardly” indicates — that he endorses a legal right to abortion!!!
By voting pro-abortion Alito was not following statutes or the Constitution.
...
"By voting for abortion, Alito has proved he is not for the little guy — at least not for the little guy, or gal, in the womb."
...
Bowing the knee one more time to stare decisis (precedent), Alito said he did not agree with the “theory” that “the Constitution always trumps stare decisis.”
...
But, the supremacy of the Constitution is not a “theory.” It is what Alito will take an oath to uphold. It is what Alito will swear to God to obey. Thus, even before he is sworn in as a high court justice, Alito has repudiated his oath!
...
As a lower court judge he, in effect, voted in favor of infanticide by supporting a ruling striking down a ban on partial-birth abortion. And in his lower court rulings he has, approvingly, invoked Roe v. Wade which has led to the slaughter of more than 40 million innocent, unborn human beings.
...
Judge Samuel Alito should have been opposed because of the very things Francis Schaeffer mentions. By voting for abortion (including a vote to strike down a ban on partial-birth abortion, which is infanticide), by saying in his hearings that his Christian religion would have nothing to do with his judging, Alito has revealed himself to be a de facto secular humanist who has no Christian worldview.

The latest entry clearly exposes where many prominent professing Christians are denying Alito's record on abortion in their endorsements. Please read this if you want more information with specific examples.

Lofton also poignantly points out some doublespeak from Senator Kennedy as he questioned Judge Alito:

Kennedy badgered him about a case involving the alleged misbehavior of some U.S. arshals who went into a home and, among things, shoved a man’s wife making her sit down in a chair. Years ago, when Robert Bork was nominated to the Supreme Court, Kennedy criticized Bork’s record on women saying he was “wrong on equal rights for women.”

Kennedy is concerned about the mistreatment of women?! Yep, that’s what he wants us to believe. But, his own record on women — for example his first wife Joan — is not really all that good, to put it charitably.

More of Alito's Abortion Politics

2006-01-11T22:43:00.000-08:00

In legal redux: Alito plays politician, Jonathan asks what exactly is Samuel Alito's view on the Bork nomination. This is a good question as Alito's answers have not made this clear.

John Lofton notes where Senator Arlen Specter agreed with Judge Alito on Griswold v. Connecticut, a case of legislation from the bench. This decision asserted a "right to privacy" and "Gave Us Roe v. Wade."

Hat Tip: Pro-Life Blogs, The American View

ADDENDUM:
In "A 'sick sideshow,' stare decisis revisited", Mr. Calvin responds to the conversation on stare decisis in (and surrounding) the Alito confirmation hearings. Calvin laments, "the baseless attacks of certain senators have gone way too far." I agree.

This post is a participant of Choose Life's Weekend Open Post and Stop the ACLU's Weekend Open Trackbacks. The former blog referred me to the latter.

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES: A Response to Alito's Record for Abortion

2006-01-11T12:36:00.000-08:00

I received this in E-mail today.

This essay recounts decisions in which Judge Samuel Alito reportedly ruled against the right to life. It also offers explanations of why some nominally pro-life Christians have endorsed the nomination in spite of this record.

----- Original Message -----
From: Missionaries to the Preborn, Milwaukee WI
To: Missionaries to the Preborn
Sent: Tuesday, 10 January, 2006 5:45 PM
Subject: The Emperor & Alito

Dear Friends of the Preborn,

We have heard from people who want to know what we think of the Alito nomination. Below is an article which addresses it. Would to God that we are wrong in our assessment, but the facts demand that we say what we have written.

Pastor Matt Trewhella
http://www.missionariestopreborn.com

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES
or
The Alito Nomination
by Pastor Matt Trewhella

In the story about the Emperor's new clothes, people from all over the nation stood around and talked about how wonderful the Emperor's clothes were, how beautiful the emperor's clothes were, and how magnificent the Emperor's clothes were even though he was standing in his underwear.

When it comes to the Alito nomination we have heard pro-life and Christian leaders from across the nation talk about how wonderful Alito's nomination is, how beautiful Alito's nomination is, and how magnificent Alito's nomination is even though the man stands naked with no pro-life clothing on whatsoever.

Not only has Alito repudiated his pro-life statements from the early 80's as simply being things he said to obtain a job, and not only has he repeatedly stated that Roe v. Wade is decided law which needs to be respected, but he has also ruled on actual abortion cases and he has sided with the pro-abortion side!

In 1995, in the Elizabeth Blackwell Health Center for Women v. Knoll case, Alito ruled for federal funding of abortion for the poor who say they were pregnant by rape or incest.

In 2000, in the Planned Parenthood v. Farmer case, Alito ruled to strike down New Jersey's partial-birth abortion ban.

We do not have to sit around and wonder if Alito will be pro-life, we already know. He has said it with his mouth that he is pro-abortion and he has clearly said it with his actions.

When confronted with the facts about Alito, those who support him usually fall back and hide behind the "then why are all the pro-aborts attacking him" defense. First off, all the pro-aborts are NOT attacking him. The pro-abortion ABA has already
given him their highest recommendation and the Democrats have already declared
that they will not filibuster his nomination.

Secondly, the pro-aborts hold their convictions purer than our side does. They won't speak well of anyone who was nominated by a Republican and who does not cheer baby-murder on with pom-poms in their hands.

And finally, many of the pro-aborts want to fill their coffers with money by simply going through the motions of making Alito out to be an anti-choice bogeyman so that their minions give, give, give.

Others confronted with the facts want us to simply hold on to the elusive phantom of hope and trust that the President has done the right thing in nominating Alito (we were told the same thing about O'Connor, Souter, and Kennedy). The evidence reveals he has done the wrong thing.

The facts are Alito will keep the status quo on abortion i.e., more dead, innocent babies. Meanwhile the pro-life and Christian leaders will, yet again, betray these helpless ones and continue to reveal their fealty to a political party rather than to Christ. This charade has been going on for over 30 years now.

Please take time to read our article How Many Republican-Appointed Supreme Court Justices Does it Take to Overturn Roe v. Wade? if you doubt what we're saying at http://www.missionariestopreborn.com/default.asp?fuseaction=supremecourt.

In the story about the Emperor's new clothes, those who did not see the wonderful, beautiful, magnificent new clothes did not see them because they were supposedly incompetent and stupid. Let us reveal our incompetence and stupidity by declaring as the little boy did - "the man is naked!"

It is incumbent upon all of us to contact our U.S. Senators and tell them to oppose Alito's nomination. We hope you take time to do so.

To read more about Alito and what he actually wrote in his rulings, go to:
http://www.theamericanview.com and read the article "Alito Not Pro-life."

You can call our office at 414-462-3399 if you would like a free Alito is pro-abortion bumper sticker.

More Sources for Alito Hearings

2006-01-10T12:21:00.000-08:00

C-Span broadcasts and webcasts live coverage.

ParableMan is summarizing each interview.

TheAmericanView.com forums have running commentary and discussion.

Michelle Malkin links and logs with ALITO WATCH: DAY 2.

Denny of VITAL SIGNS responds to the Senators' statements.

LibertyPost links current articles with live discussion.

Hat Tip: Pro-life blogs, Myopic Zeal

Sources for Alito's Record on Abortion and other issues

2006-01-10T11:29:00.000-08:00

As the Senate confirmation hearings for Judge Samuel Alito unfold, we are learning more about his past performance on key issues in addition to his present views.

The Wikipedia entry is adding key points with references and links.

The Christian Science Monitor provides this excerpt on his past support for abortion along with case examples:

For example, of the four abortion cases in which he participated as an appeals court judge, he voted on the pro-choice side in all but one. A 1995 Alito vote striking down a Pennsylvania abortion restriction in particular is raising eyebrows among some legal scholars.

Pray for the Senate and for President Bush.

This blog and Myopic Zeal (among many others) are summarizing, compiling, and analyzing.

Hat Tip: Myopic Zeal

PHILLIPS ASKS JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN ARLEN SPECTER TO CORRECT HIS STATEMENT

2006-01-10T04:11:00.000-08:00

This timely statement came from www.howardphillips.com. Phillips is a true historian that not only records history, but learns from it.

News Release - Alito Hearings January 9, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For further information, contact:

Charles Orndorff,
703-281-6782
PHILLIPS ASKS JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN ARLEN SPECTER TO CORRECT HIS STATEMENT

Howard Phillips, Chairman of The Conservative Caucus, who led pro-life opposition to the Senate confirmation of Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O’Connor in 1981 and David Souter in 1990 has released the following statement:

"In his opening statement at the Judiciary Committee hearings concerning the nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court of the United States, Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Penn.) has brazenly misrepresented the facts concerning preconfirmation positions on abortion advocated by Sandra Day O’Connor and David Souter.

"As an Arizona State Senator, O’Connor, on more than one occasion, took a pro-abortion stance. Moreover, she was a strong supporter of Planned Parenthood", Phillips stated.

"David Souter, as the Trustee of two New Hampshire hospitals, Concord Memorial and Dartmouth Hitchcock, helped change the policies of those hospitals from zero abortion to convenience abortion.

"Senator Specter should correct the record and acknowledge that he misrepresented the facts in his opening statement concerning Judge Alito."

The Conservative Caucus, founded in 1974, is a non-partisan, grass-roots public policy action organization.

Alito Audio Audit

2006-01-09T14:55:00.000-08:00

In a recent press conference call sponsored by the Family Research Council, John Lofton inquired why certain pro-life activists assert that Judge Samuel Alito is pro-life when he has ruled in favor of partial-birth abortion and affirmed Roe v. Wade .

Lofton played a recording of this discussion on the latest installment of The American View radio program. (Click here for the mp3 download.)

This is the best political talk show on the air and on the Internet, particularly for national issues.

Human Events RE Alito: Jerry Falwell Didn't Do His Homework

2006-01-07T11:29:00.000-08:00

Here are some key excerpts from the January 4 article by Robert B. Bluey, Jerry Falwell Didn't Do His Homework:

LOFTON: [...]"Samuel Alito, while a judge, has voted to strike down a ban on partial-birth abortion, he has repeatedly cited approvingly Roe v. Wade, which he didn’t have to do, and in a wrongful-death negligence case involving an 8-and-a-half month stillborn baby, he ruled against the mother, saying the unborn baby was not constitutionally a person. I’d like to ask Dr. Falwell: Upon what is your view based that Samuel Alito is pro-life?”

Click here for the full article with Dr. Falwell's response.

Hat Tip: John Lofton

Should Samuel Alito Be Confirmed?

2006-01-07T06:16:00.000-08:00

Share your opinion on the Madison Journal's online survey.

Blogs4Life: I Wish I Could Be There

2006-01-07T05:32:00.000-08:00

I am encouraged by those who speak out for the right to life in their webspace. May our heartfelt words and concerns translate into actions.

Hat Tip: ProLifeBlogs.com.

Lofton: Alito voted to strike down a ban on Partial Birth Abortion

2006-01-06T10:32:00.000-08:00

In the 38th edition of The American View radio program, John Lofton explores decisions and statements by Samuel Alito which opposed protection of the right to life and defended taxpayer-funded abortion.

Click here to listen to the mp3 recording.

First Thoughts of the New Year

2005-12-31T20:58:00.000-08:00

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you"
-- Jesus Christ
Matthew 6:33

"The Shepherd's Song" Musical

2005-11-14T22:37:00.000-08:00

The choir of Beechwood Baptist Church will be presenting "The Shepherd's Song" at the following times. This program celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ in music.

Admission is free and you are welcome to come to any of these presentations:

Sunday, December 4, 6:00 PM
Friday, December 9, 7:00 PM
Sunday, December 11, 10:45 AM

All presentations are in the sanctuary of Beechwood Baptist Church, 201 Biltmore Road, Louisville, KY.

For more information contact Beechwood at 502-895-3439.

Implexant is Back

2005-11-11T18:46:00.000-08:00

Welcome back, Chris.

While Gun Owners of America is a good organization, I'm glad you're still blogging!

Newsworthy

2005-10-28T02:09:00.000-07:00

CONSERVATIVES SAY IT'S TIME TO LEAVE THE UNITED NATIONS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For further information, contact:

Charles Orndorff, 703-281-6782

CONSERVATIVES SAY IT'S TIME TO LEAVE THE UNITED NATIONS

Conservatives overwhelmingly agree that it is time "to get the U.S. to out of the United Nations", according to a poll conducted by The Conservative Caucus Foundation (TCCF).

Withdrawal from the U.N. had the support of 95.2% of the respondents, while only 2.1% favored staying in and 2.7% were undecided.

TCCF President Howard Phillips, when releasing the poll, pointed out that President Bush acknowledged the danger posed by the U.N. when he expressed concern over its International Criminal Court, Kyoto, Landmine, and Test Ban treaties. Later, Bush correctly declared that decisions on national security are not subject to the control of the UN Security Council.

However, the President has failed to recognize that the UN's actions show its fundamental hostility toward the independence and liberty of the United States.

The United Nations poll was conducted by mail from throughout 2005, and included about 1,500 responses.

The Conservative Caucus Foundation, founded in 1976, has published studies on many foreign policy and defense issues, including China policy, the Panama Canal, the START treaties, and SDI.

Two GOP legislators targets of anti-abortion ads [OregonLive.com]

23rd “American View” Discusses John Roberts’ Shocking Repudiation Of The Bible As The Standard For His Judging [The American View]

Minuteman founder hopes to ride fame to House seat [The Washington Times]

Jim Gilchrist to run for Congress! [Jim Gilchrist for Congress]

“The Last Honorable Politician” and Presidential Candidate, Howard Phillips, Speaks On Judge John Roberts [LifeSiteNews.com]

18th “American View” Program Continues Analysis Of Bush Nominee John Roberts [The American View]

Images From the Battleground
Ranchers 75 miles from Tucson say bad border policies have resulted in a daily invasion of drugs, death, pollution and violence [Tuscon Weekly]

Michael New wins a round, case still alive --
Rumsfeld's motion to dismiss is denied [Michael New Action Fund]

Critics Rally Against Planned Parenthood's Cartoon [Choose Life]

Dallas law cracks down on feeding the homeless
Mobile units won't be parked outside City Hall or they'll face fine [Houston Chronicle, Hat Tip to carenot of EFnet #conservative]

The Republican Congress Wastes Billions Overseas [Ron Paul's Speeches and Statements]
EXCERPT:

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this foreign relations authorization bill. Something has gone terribly wrong with our foreign policy when we feel we must take almost 21 billion dollars out of the pockets of the American taxpayer and ship it overseas.

Christian Exodus banned from Google ads [WorldNetDaily]

Group pushes Moore for high court [BIRMINGHAM POST-HERALD]

CAFTA Threatens Sovereignty [AG Weekly Online]

Conservatives Fear Souter Repeat in Supreme Court Choice [NewsMax.com]

A Few News Items… [Third Party Watch]

The Nomination of Harriet Miers

2005-10-12T20:25:00.000-07:00

Paul Deignan at Info Theory is surveying blogger positions on the Miers nomination.

Here is my reponse:

I am currently opposed to the nomination of Harriet Miers to the U.S. Supreme Court. Her positions regarding the right to life and Roe v. Wade are unclear.

Howard Phillips summarizes other reasons for concern with which I agree, and other sources have corroborated his summary: "Among the matters we considered were her reported support for (1) the International Criminal Court (ICC), (2) homosexuals in the U.S. military, (3) homosexual adoption, (4) women in combat, (5) the "No Child Left Behind Act" ( http://www.howardphillips.com/ ) .

I would love to see some concrete information about her record and positions on all of these issues that would show that they are different from those stated above. Her record seems to contradict President Bush's statements about her being a "strict constructionist." Therefore, she should not be confirmed.

Pray for the U. S. Senate, President Bush, and these United States of America.

LifeChain 2005

2005-10-06T12:08:00.000-07:00

The Life Chain has become an important event to speak on behalf of innocent lives in danger of death. Pro-lifers literally go to the streets to demonstrate their concern to passersby, often in the form of holding a sign with simple statements such as "Abortion Kills Children." Christians encourage this as a time of prayer for the protection of anyone threatened by abortion.

Covenant News has provided several good synopses of coverage of Life Chain across the country. I am echoing the headlines here:

Abortion Foes Hold Rally In Plantation As Part Of National Event, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Thousands form anti-abortion chain, IndyStar.com

Annual Life Chain held in downtown Gainesville, AccessNorthGa.com

Thousands join in 'Life Chain' to decry abortion, The Ocala Star-Banner

Midlanders form 'life chain' against abortion, MyWestTexas.com

Abortion foes show views at Life Chain on Sunday, Texarkana Gazette

Anti-Abortion Event Gets Word Out Despite Weather, StatesmanJournal.com

'Life Chain' Abortion Protest, Dayton Daily News

Demonstrators Put Abortion Views On Display, The Digital Collegian

For more information about Life Chain, see LifeChain.Net .

"Superior Reasoning Power"

2005-10-03T22:05:00.000-07:00

Today I discovered Dr. William Dembski's weblog.

On October 1, 2005, Dr. Dembski quoted columnist Mary Ellen Symon's response to a universal negative assertion that "anyone who considers ID `is not a scientist.'":

I let it lie there. But something I once read, written by a man who was not a Christian, came to mind: “My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble minds.

“That deeply emotional conviction of a presence of a superior reasoning power, which is revealed in the incomprehensible universe, forms my idea of God.”
That was Albert Einstein. Not a scientist?

Hat Tip: Vital Signs Blog

Dr. Albert Mohler Defends Charity from Socialists

2005-09-28T12:18:00.000-07:00

Citing reports that FEMA "plans to use taxpayer money to reimburse churches and other religious groups for aid suppied in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita,' Dr. Mohler provides this warning:

This is a horrible precedent that distorts Christian charity and wrongfully entangles churches and the government. With the tax-funded reimbursement will inevitably come government intrusion and all the rest. Christians should give the aid out of love and concern, without expectation of reimbursement.

A taxpayer-funded reimbursement has no constitutional authority, violating the First and the Tenth amendments of the Supreme Law of the Land. At this point, further federal redistribution also violates the pocketbooks of present and future Americans in terms of gross deficit spending.
Churches should steer clear of becoming complicit in federal abuses such as these which are essential attacks on religious freedom and the reserved powers of the states and the people. We need to continue to encourage charitable giving to help those in need and prevent government abuses in the process.

I am giving to hurricane relief through my local church and its mission network, and I encourage others to do the same for the glory of God.

The Bible on Government

2005-09-16T12:19:00.000-07:00

This article was originally published in January of 2000. I am reposting it here to keep it online on an active server.

The Bible On Government

Political Commentary by Adam Valle

According to Edmund Burke, "The only way for evil triumph is for good men to do nothing."

I was just reading Proverbs 14:19, "The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous."

This verse seems indicate the positive side to Edmund Burke's famous quotation.

When the good are involved in governing, the wicked will cooperate (whether by force or by reason, they will cooperate with the rule of righteous law). When good men fail to govern morally, evil will rule.

I'm convinced that the reason hedonists have such a strong influence upon Congress and other branches of government on all levels is because believers have left a political void for the wicked to fill. This theory, as put forth by Burke, appears to be rooted in Proverbs 14:19.

Verses 22, 23, and 34 also attest to the positive effects of God's people being involved in government. Though these truths certainly apply to other spheres of life, there is enough context in the chapter to indicate that they most certainly can be applied to the political realm.

"Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them
that devise good.

"In all labour there is profit: but the talk of lips tendeth only to
penury.

"Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."

My conclusion from this is that Solomon is teaching that God's people need to be pro-actively involved in government in order to keep evil in subjection. To do any less is to allow the wicked to have unfettered control of society. For Christians, who are aware of how Biblical morality needs to be applied in government, to avoid getting involved would be sin according to James 4:17.

A Question of Justice

2005-09-09T21:13:00.000-07:00

Blakes7, a participant in the chat room #conservative on the EFnet IRC network, asked me to post his point on my blog, so here it goes:

If native Americans can vote in our elections, shouldn't they abide by our laws?

Here is the deal. Because of my physical handicap, they are taking my job away. Since they are a sovereign nation, the Americans with Disabilities Act doesn't apply on the reservation.

Teenage Mother Forgoes Abortion after Reading “Abortion Stops a Beating Heart” Bumper Sticker

2005-08-16T07:40:00.000-07:00

Praise the Lord, a life was saved!

MILLINOCKET, Maine, August 15, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A bumper sticker saved a baby’s life, as reported by an e-newsletter. Pro-lifers Dave and Mary Labun came out of the house to their parked car to find a handwritten note on the windshield thanking them for their “Abortion Stops a Beating Heart” bumper sticker.

Click here for the full article. (Hat Tip: Pro-Life Blogs)

Why Blog?

2005-08-13T22:44:00.000-07:00

Hat Tip: The Narrow

Are Conservatives Waking Up?

2005-08-11T16:54:00.000-07:00

Myopic Zeal quotes RedState.org about a Congressional appropriation of $223 million to an Alaskan bridge construction project.

I agree with RedState.org:
If the Democrats had engaged in this level of wasteful spending, every Conservative in America would be raising their voice. We must not do less when the Republicans act like Democrats, lest we been seen - rightly - as political hacks having no principles, only concerned with power. The price of silence is hypocrisy.

I also agree with this excerpt. Our representatives need to know our concerns about spending excesses, and if they don't represent us, we should replace them.

Heustis: Three strikes against John Roberts

2005-08-03T23:33:00.000-07:00

In Three strikes against John Roberts, Reed Heustis evaluates remarks of Supreme Court Nominee John Roberts regarding the right to life and how faithful he would be in applying the Constitution.

Here is an excerpt of a concise commentary:

If Roberts will strictly interpret the Constitution, then why does he fail to interpret Article I, Section 1 strictly? The most strict interpretation of that section would exclude any rationalization that Supreme Court decisions are somehow “settled law.”
Here's a little secret for you. That tiny three-letter-word that you find in Article I, Section 1, "all," actually means exactly that: all! A strict interpretation would mean the same.

Moreover, Perkins' statement that Roberts "will not legislate from the bench" is totally unintelligible in light of the fact that Roberts implicitly believes that the bench may legitimately make law.

Conservatives Call for Caution on Court Confirmation

2005-07-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

As mentioned earlier, Ann Coulter has noted that the lack of public knowledge about the Roberts nomination parallels the "stealth" candidacy of the Souter nomination. She addresses some of the supporting arguments made for Roberts and warns that history could be repeated if Roberts were confirmed.

Citing Richard A. Serrano from the Los Angeles Times, Dr. Albert Mohler blogs that John Roberts' position on abortion is "unclear". Serrano showed how "Judge Roberts' public positions on abortion and Roe vs. Wade appear to be inconsistent."

In response, Mohler advises, "Keep a close watch on the maneuvering."

Howard Phillips says, "Let’s be judicious in evaluating President Bush’s choice of John G. Roberts, Jr. to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court."

Phillips shares concerns about other fundamental issues beyond the right to life:

Areas of possible concern include his tenure with the liberal establishment law firm Hogan & Hartson and his work with the left-wing Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. A big red flag for me was the fact that he twice referred to the United States government as a “Constitutional democracy”, whereas the Constitution makes clear that we are a “republic” and that a republican form of government is guaranteed to each state.

Author Daniel J. Flynn echoes the concerns of both Phillips and Coulter in several articles on his blog:

It is reasonable to desire a nominee with a paper trail to give us an indication of where he stands on federalism, property rights, judicial activism, civil liberties, and other important questions of judicial philosophy. Sorry Judge Roberts, you may turn out to be a great Supreme Court justice, but I don't know that from your two years as a judge. The time for a stealthy nominee is not when the opposition party holds just 44 Senate seats.
If the robed ghosts of Supreme Court Justices Robert Bork, Clement Haynesworth, and Harold Carswell counsel silence, the reality of John Paul Stevens, Anthony Kennedy, and David Souter calls conservatives to demand more information.

This is a time to pray for wisdom for our President and Senators, as well as all eligible American voters as we consider their replacements.

Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin

AFB

2005-07-23T08:52:00.000-07:00

In the IRC world, we abbreviate "Away From Keyboard" to briefly indicate that we won't be immediately available to respond to anything posted in a chat room or private message.

I will be Away From my Blog for a few days.

As a parting note, here is a message from the Word of God:

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Psalm 37:4

My Supreme Court Picks

2005-07-20T15:43:00.000-07:00

Questions abound from across the spectrum regarding the nature of John Robert's judicial philosophy. Jim Rudd, Ann Coulter (also see "SOUTER IN ROBERTS CLOTHING"), Don Quixote, and others remind us that Republican assurances of conservative loyalties prove to be unreliable as is the case with nomination of David Souter.

There is no law that limits the Supreme Court size to 9 or 10 Justices. If President Bush is earnest about appointing strict constructionists, he should make some additional nominations to restore constitutional fidelity to the third branch.

While, as Cory Burnell puts it, "the jury is still out on John Roberts," here are some strict constructionists who I recommend. All are fine Constitutional scholars, and many have legal experience at varying levels.

Robert Bork (if he is able, even if he only lasts 3 or 4 years)
Darrell Castle (or his wife, Joan)
David Gibbs
Roy Moore
Michael Peroutka
Stephen Peroutka
Phyllis Schlafly
Kenneth Starr
Herb Titus
Walter Williams
John Whitehead

Judicial Doublespeak?

2005-07-20T04:02:00.000-07:00

According to recent AP reports, President Bush has nominated John G. Roberts to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The President had said that he would appoint "people who will strictly interpret the Constitution" and hailed Roberts as such.

Such rhetoric is encouraging, but Roberts' own rhetoric is contradictory on the matter as he sees Roe v. Wade as "law of the land". Since Article I Section 1 of the Constitution says "All legislative powers" are vested in Congress, a strict interpretation would not accept a court decision as law.

Apparently in President Bush's mind a strict constructionist would not legislate from the bench, but would still accept previous court decisions as legislation. This duplicity is not surprising from a politician who aims to promote a "culture of life" while funding abortion advocacy groups with our tax dollars (along with other unconstitutional spending).

Pray for President Bush.

Hat Tip: Lee Shelton.

Release: News Conference - Roy Moore for U.S. Supreme Court

2005-07-13T20:36:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 13,
2005

CONTACT:
Charles Orndorff
703-938-9626

Statement of Howard Phillips
Chairman, The Conservative
Caucus
News Conference

Roy Moore for U.S. Supreme Court
University
Club
Wednesday, July 13, 2005

My friends, this is a crucial moment in the history of the American republic. The character and the undaunted courage of one faithful man seated on the U.S. Supreme Court could bring about a turning point in our jurisprudence and in our culture, back to Biblical morality and forward to a restoration of the Constitutional design and system of liberty set forth by American’s founding fathers.

I speak of that great patriot, that exemplary jurist, God’s man for these times, the Honorable Roy Moore.

Roy Moore sacrificed his position as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court rather than submit to an unconstitutional demand by Federal judges to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the rotunda of the Alabama Judicial Building.

Judge Moore is a graduate of West Point, a decorated Vietnam vet, a comprehensively knowledgeable student of the Constitution and a dedicated family man.

He is truly a great man whose courage has helped awaken millions of Americans to the assault on our heritage, our beliefs, and our religious liberty, and he has inspired God-fearing, freedom-loving Americans in every part of our nation to join the fight to liberate our Constitutional Republic from judicial tyranny.

After West Point, Judge Roy Moore served our country as a U.S. Army Company Commander in Vietnam before earning a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Alabama Law School.

A highly respected Constitutional scholar, Judge Moore served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama since 2001 until he was suspended for refusing to remove the Ten commandments from his courthouse and insisting that, as Chief Justice, he would continue to acknowledge God.

Judge Moore has been recognized as a “tireless defender of individual liberties”, “Christian statesman of the Year”, “Defender of the Bill of Rights”, and was named “Champion of Liberty” by the U.S. Taxpayers Alliance. Roy Moore was first thrust into the national spotlight in the 1990s when he successfully held his ground against another unconstitutional court order demanding that he remove a tablet of the Ten Commandments, which he had carved by hand and hung on the wall alongside his court bench in Etowah County, Alabama.

Judge Moore has been vilified in the media, betrayed by the Alabama Republican hierarchy (including tax-hiking GOP Governor Bob Riley and Karl Rove’s judicial candidate, Bill Pryor, the Alabama Attorney General).

Through it all, Judge Moore conducted himself with modesty, humility, and courage. And while, sadly, he was removed from his position as the elected Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court - - - knowledgeable Americans are grateful that Roy Moore took a principled stand against the usurpation of authority by Constitutionally defiant judges. Chief Justice Moore upheld the rule of law against judges and bureaucrats who flagrantly moved to set aside the U.S.
Constitution in favor of their personal prejudices.

Most public figures would have wilted under pressure, but Judge Roy Moore fears God, not man

Roy Moore has conducted himself with courage and integrity, never surrendering, never wavering - - - and his example may prove to be a turning point in American history.

I have been encouraged by the enthusiasm of the many thousands of freedom-loving, God-faring Americans who have rallied behind this great man and his righteous cause.

More and more God-fearing, freedom-loving Americans correctly see Roy Moore as a man of principle standing up for faith, freedom, and the rule of law, as America’s Founding Fathers understood it.

Already more than 85,000 have signed Petitions urging President Bush to appoint him to the U.S. Supreme Court.

What a great victory for God, family, and country it would be if Roy Moore were nominated and confirmed as a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court!

As a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Judge Moore would strictly interpret the law according to the U.S. Constitution.

He would defend our right to acknowledge God - - - in public prayer, in the Pledge of Allegiance, and in displays which have the Biblical message of God’s Ten Commandments.

Judge Moore has kept his oath to the Constitution of Alabama and to the Cnstitution of the United States. He has upheld the law. He has obeyed his duty to God, to the people of Alabama and to the citizens of the United States of America. I urge President George W. Bush to nominate the man best qualified in our entire nation to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the laws of God on which that Constitution is premised.

"7/11: A Day of Fasting & Prayer. A Response to 7/7 London Bombings."

2005-07-08T01:50:00.000-07:00

The first and best response to national and international crises is to pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Followers of Christ should be in a constant attitude of prayer, and sometimes it takes major events to remind us of our need of His healing. I confess that I have often failed in this by setting my affections on the things of the earth, not on things above (Colossians 3:2).

A good way to renew prayer is to support the efforts of those who set aside specific days to call people to prayer. Hal of The Great Separation has just done that:

Go before the throne.- In light of the terror attack on our alley and her innocent people in the city of London, I think we Christian brothers and sisters should make a special effort to hold this situation up before the Lord of Hosts, our Father in Heaven.
I believe it would be an exceptional idea if we were to hold a day of fasting and prayer this coming Monday for all those effected and for those who organized this terrible act.

We know that this terror war is more than a physical battle. It is spiritual warfare and if it is to be overcome, it must be attacked on that level first and foremost.

So spread the word on your blogs. Let's make this coming Monday, 7/11, a day of fasting and prayer.

Hat Tip: Exploring The Mystery

GOP vs. Conservatives

2005-07-06T04:01:00.000-07:00

The national Republican Party leadership (?) is trying to quiet conservative criticism of Alberto Gonzales as a potential Supreme Court nominee. They apparently want "subjects like abortion, public support for religion and same-sex marriage" off the table.

According to the New York Times, " The White House and the Senate Republican leadership are pushing back against pressure from some of their conservative allies about the coming Supreme Court nomination, urging them to stop attacking."

The "attacking" here is being done by the Bush administration itself. Conservatives have been working for years to undo the usurpations of the Constitution and attacks on religious freedom perpetrated by people like Alberto Gonzales and Sandra Day O'Connor.

This is just one of many examples of how the Republican Party "works with" conservatives to woo their votes with rhetoric during election years and then tries to suppress them afterward.

Some other examples of Republican liberalism include the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform act, numerous deficit spending increases, socialistic funding of Planned Parenthood, and abandonment of border security.

Concerned citizens need to remind the President of his intent to appoint strict constructionists and build a culture of life. Meanwhile, we should learn from history and only support candidates and organizations that promote fidelity to the Constitution and our God-given rights.

Hat Tip: Outside the Beltway

Happy Independence Day

2005-07-04T21:55:00.000-07:00

In many of the United States, it still Independence Day.

At our church yesterday, we sang a forgotton stanza of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by Francis Scott Key, written in the wake of the War of 1812:

O thus be it ever, when free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!

Blest with victry' and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just;
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

I would love for this to be sung with the more popular premier stanza with sincerity in keeping with America's tradition at major athletic events.

I thank God that I live free by His grace in this land.

Supreme Court Appointments: Learning from History

2005-07-02T20:53:00.000-07:00

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
- George Santayana

The announced retirement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has prompted court watchers to glean lessons from her tenure.

In two blog articles, Doug Phillips gives synopses of the impact of her "two decade-long reign of terror against unborn babies, the biblical family, and the Constitution of the United States of America" and recommends an approach to restore Constitutional fidelity to the Supreme Court.

Here are some highlights:

O’Connor should be best remembered for her opinion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992) in which she offered Supreme Court sanction for the vivisection of precious babies on the grounds that abortion rights are necessary to help women stay in the workforce...

O’Connor will also be remembered for her decision undermining nearly two thousand years of Western legal tradition concerning marriage, by advancing the cause of sodomite marriages in Lawrence v. Texas, 539 U.S. 558 (2003) for her commentaries on the propriety of using international law to interpret the constitution...

Both articles linked above are worth thoughtful review and response.

On the other end of the spectrum, today I heard Hugh Hewitt comment on WFIA that MoveOn.org is campaigning to replace O'Connor with a similar "moderate." There is nothing moderate about killing innocent human life or condoning such behavior.

Hat Tip: Mark Jurries provides further comments and links .

Transcript: Hugh Hewitt Interviews Jim Gilchrist and Michelle Malkin on Border Security

2005-06-30T18:52:00.000-07:00

Radio Blogger reports an interview of Michelle Malkin and Jim Gilchrist by Hugh Hewitt. They share key points regarding the restoration of the security of the United States of America at their national borders.

Thank you, Conservative Grapevine, for the link.

Review of a Book Review Review: The Truth About Hillary

2005-06-30T16:18:00.000-07:00

The Truth About Hillary is making waves across the political spectrum. The "mainstream" media's intentional lack of coverage has had little effect in stopping the public interest in this critical biography. If anything, the news of some media coverups have heightened other media's attention to Ed Klein's book.

Amidst the criticism, suppression, and acclaim of The Truth About Hillary, Dr. Albert Mohler, Jr. recommends that Christians avoid this book and spend their time on more worthwhile tasks. Mohler makes no attempt to defend Senator Clinton, nor would we expect him to, but he does warn against an unhealthy joy in mudslinging and speculation.

I agree with bryanm's analysis:

Edward Klein's new book about Hillary Clinton, The Truth About Hillary is sure to have no problems selling. But, how should we as Christians think about this book? Albert Mohler has some very interesting comments on this.

The set-up for the book is a sure winner. To cultural conservatives--and especially to Christian conservatives--Hillary Clinton is representative of everything that is wrong with liberalism. Her ideological feminism, her early work developing a radical concept of children's rights, her "it takes a village" approach to raising children, and her activism for abortion and an entire constellation of liberal causes is enough to place her right at the center of conservative concern. The fact that she is married to former President Bill Clinton just adds fuel to the fire--and anxiety to the picture. The fact that she appears poised to enter the presidential race
raises the stakes even further. For all these reasons, Edward Klein's book seems just the thing--a repository of documentation that can justify and intensify Hillary hatred. What's wrong with this picture? Just about everything.
Ok, be honest, after reading that description of Hillary, you're ready to run out and buy the book aren't you? But let's consider a few other things.

Christians should repudiate this book and determine to take no pleasure in it. Why?
First, because we are morally obligated to tell the truth, to honor the truth, and to respect the truth. A quick look at The Truth About Hillary is enough to reveal the lack of documentation that would justify many of his charges and 'revelations.' Rumor is no substitute for evidence, and unnamed sources that dish out personal dirt are morally reprehensible and worthless in terms of credibility.

Christians need to carefully consider this first point. It is because we are morally obligated to tell the truth that we shouldn't be interested in a book that sets up a false truth at worst and an unsubstantiated one at best.

Second, because taking pleasure in this book will divert our attention from what really matters--the battle of ideas and the hard work of intellectual engagement. We should direct our energies to engaging the policies, proposals, and ideological commitments represented by Hillary Clinton--not to dirt-throwing contests over scandals without evidence.

This is a great point. In our current political and religious climate, it's very easy to lose focus. Given the stereotypes that Christians already have to deal with, it's imperative that we stay focused.

Third, because we know that character really does matter--and this means the character of those on both sides of a political contest or controversy. Those who oppose Hillary Clinton's policies and ideas will reveal true character by focusing on those policies and ideas--not on scandalous rumors. Inevitably, character will reveal itself, especially in the crucible of a heated political contest.

The fact that character will reveal itself, is actually quite comforting. As most reading this may in fact oppose Hillary as a political candidate, it would be detrimental to corrupt our Christian character for any reason.

Fourth, as Christians, we are not to take pleasure in the real or imagined wrongdoing of others. We must not give ourselves permission to read a book that will encourage us to feel morally superior about ourselves, even as it poisons our hearts about someone seen as a threat to what we cherish.
Read something edifying this summer. So many books . . . so little time.
Don't waste your time--or tempt your heart--with The Truth About Hillary.

This last point may be the most difficult for many to swallow. I think it's accurate though. Reveling in somone else's misfortune and moral misgivings will not get us anywhere in this, or any other debate.

Rally In New London

2005-06-28T16:37:00.000-07:00

This is from Mud & PHuD (For more information, see Supreme Court Expands Eminent Domain Rules):

Rally In New London

The rally is going to happen! Fred Paxton was kind enough to send me this:

FORT (For Our Rights Today) is holding a RALLY on Tuesday, July 5 at 6PM on the steps of City Hall on State Street in New London. There is a Parking Garage on the corner behind City Hall. Scott Bullock, the lead attorney from the Institute of Justice who argued the Kelo v New London case in front of the Supreme Court will be present. We are hoping to have a few other interesting speakers. Please do everything you can to be there. A strong showing is important not only for the Fort Trumbull residents but people across the nation.

If you would like more information, please contact Susette Kelo at 860-447-0466 or Kathleen Mitchell at 860-701-0023 or the email address above.

Remember: If not now then when, If not us then who! Please share this information with family and friends. Be there!

MIT Blogger Survey

2005-06-27T09:39:00.000-07:00

Here is a request from MIT to all bloggers:

The larger our sample is, the better chance we have of being unbiased. Help us spread the word, and have your friends with weblogs take the survey as well!

Thanks to News from the Great Beyond for the tip.

This post participates in the Beltway Traffic Jam.

Commendable Press

2005-06-26T23:38:00.000-07:00

Established news disseminators have developed a reputation for painting the culture of death in a positive light, masquerading killers of the innocent as healthcare providers or keeping their crimes out of the news in many instances.

The pro-life community and other diligent media have published accounts of a killer who allegedly cannibalizes his victims and recently lost his clinic closed because of various health violations. The closing itself is good news, but established media sympathetic of or apathetic toward the culture of death offer little or no coverage of these dangerous activities.

Such reporters and commentators covered this article to varying degrees of detail. Some might consider the contents as "too much information" due to the graphic nature of the reports, but these sources deserve credit for their vigilance:

Articles:

Covenant News
Operation Save America
religionjournal.com
Christian Communication Network
FreeRepublic.com
EtherZone
The Crusader
The Great Separation
Gimmie Back My Bullets
WorldNetDaily
The Pulpit Pounder

Links:
Townhall.com
Drudge Forum
Pro-Life With Christ

"Blogdom of God"

2005-06-25T23:02:00.000-07:00

Adrian is collecting URLs for a list of Christian bloggers and a link to his request. I'm happy to oblige.

Thank you, CrosWords for sharing.

Voices of Reason

2005-06-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

The June 15 broadcast of the Political Cesspool provides a good analysis of the crime of illegal immigration.

One key point was the fact that illegal immigration is a crime, such as theft, drug trade, or murder. Thus, requests for government accommodations to illegal immigrants are requests to accommodate a crime, and suits for services to illegal immigrants promote lawbreaking. A host noted that another term for "flow of illegal immigrants" is "a flow of criminals."

A windows media recording of this program is online, and The Political Cesspool web site provides information about how to order program recordings on tape.

Press Release: CONSTITUTION PARTY CONDEMNS SENATE APPROVAL OF MORNING AFTER PILL

2005-06-25T11:02:00.000-07:00

Editorial Note: Now that this blog is aggregated with ProLifeBlogs.com, I will be submitting more pro-life news such as the one below. Thank you, The Yonkers Insider.

Press Release: CONSTITUTION PARTY CONDEMNS SENATE APPROVAL OF MORNING AFTER PILL

The following press release is being sent to all media in New York:

June 23, 2005

Mr. Burr Deitz, chairman of the Constitution Party of New York, announced today the Constitution Party's extreme disappointment in the Republican–controlled state senate's passage of a bill that allows women and underage girls to obtain morning-after pills from
pharmacists without a physician's visit or prescription and without parental consent.

Mr. Deitz said "We applaud Senator Ruben Diaz and others who voted against this abomination. We are disgusted with Republican Senator Nick Spano and the other senators who voted in favor of this bill. This event demonstrates more than ever why the Constitution Party is needed in New York. Our party will not endorse candidates who do not pledge and act to defend and promote the inviolable right to life of innocent human beings, from the moment of conception to
natural death – without exception."

The Constitution Party platform states `The pre-born child, whose life begins at fertilization, is a human being created in God's image.' Emergency contraceptives act to prevent implantation of a conceived human being that is created in God's image upon fertilization. Their sale and use results in a premeditated killing
of a preborn human child. Our platform also states, `We oppose the distribution and use of all abortifacients.' Morning-after pills are abortificients.

Mr. Deitz continued, "We stongly urge Governor Pataki to veto this bill. Since Governor Pataki is a 'pro-choice' governor who supports the murderous killing of pre-born babies, we realize that he is extremely unlikely to veto the bill. This pro-abortion governor was endorsed by both the Republican and Conservative parties in New York. Elected officials and judges have a moral, if not legal obligation to uphold the Constitution and defend the republic by protecting the innocent."

"We urge New Yorkers who are against abortion to join with us, and to vote for our candidates as the only way to end the continued butchering of America's most innocent children. Our platform and its principles can be found at: www.nyconstitutionparty.com"

Submitted by: Mr. Paul Henderson, Communications Director, Constitution Party of New York
Contact: (877)571-5479

Newsworthy Blog Entries

2005-06-23T10:56:00.000-07:00

The Internet is full of news, and appropriately so. However, much of the news is written poorly and is often a waste of time to read.

Web sites exist to filter through the releases so that an editor or contributor can highlight their favorite articles.

With this blog, I am going to add my voice to identify articles that I find newsworthy for any (but not necessarily all) of the following reasons:

The article has important information.
I like the article.
I agree with the article.
The article exemplifies thorough or balanced journalism.

This may simply consist of a link reference, excerpt, and/or a copy where legally appropriate.

Many Media Blackout Abortion Atrocities

2005-06-18T12:34:00.000-07:00

Mark Jurries and others point out how many media outlets are circumventing coverage of the cannibalism of a child killer, whose abortion clinic was recently shut down due to hazardous conditions:

What's just as interesting as the story is the lack of coverage it's getting. I searched CNN, ABC, MSNBC, CBS, and FOX, and didn't find a mention of the story. Why? Either they're too busy yapping about Michael Jackson or they're not interested in covering the story because it would run against their agenda.

It's true that many media outlets (including those above) are silent or sympathetic about the atrocities of the abortion industry. An online friend of mind was monitoring the AP feed via Yahoo since Wednesday and saw no coverage of this investigation. Apparently the only AP coverage neglected to mention the improper storage of cadavers and evidence of cannibalism (see the article if you think you can stomach the details. It's not pretty, but the story needs to be told as people are literally getting away with murder among other vices).

Mr. Jurries reminds us that we do have other means of obtaining critical news:

But that's what makes internet journalism (i.e. WorldNetDaily and the blogosphere) so great - you can find the stories they don't want you to find.

I did notice this story in the blogosphere and other online media. They deserve credit for covering news like this, and I Lord-willing I will credit them in a later blog update.

Geocaching, Episode II

2005-06-16T17:35:00.000-07:00

On Monday I spotted my first "find", and I was along for the ride when my friend located another in Clarksville, IN.

More Good News

2005-06-16T16:08:00.000-07:00

My friend Jon shared this message of how God offers us forgiveness of sin and an abundant life now and for eternity in His loving hands. Jon wanted me to share this and I am glad to help spread the Word.

I have placed my trust in Jesus Christ to free me from my sin and adopt me into God's family. I pray that you do, too.

There are many people that are lost from God’s love, many who probably have been led away from Jesus through deception. I am certain in Christ Jesus that many people search for something that is empty in their own heart. They are sad, and incomplete in their lives. Perhaps they believe in no God, perhaps ALLAH, perhaps one of the many Buddhist gods. One thing is for certain. There is no excuse for us to ignore them. These people feel the emptiness only Jesus; the Prince of Peace can fill. Jesus wishes us to be His living tools, so all those who are lost may know the Joy He brings!

20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal
power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what
has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Romans 1:20

Truly none of us deserve any good thing from God, If we expected God to look at us as we look upon each other. As the common phrase is, “Nobody is Perfect”

To the people of the world that do not believe in Adam and Eve and the original sin; even they cannot dispute that at times in their lives they have acted out or even thought in their minds that which is not good. For if God is perfect (which He is) and time is eternal (which it is) then just one time in our lives that we have fallen short of perfection, we must be held guilty by an eternally perfect God!

10as it is written,” THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,THERE IS
NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; 12ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME
USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE." Romans 3:10-12

You and I take joy in the free Gift from God. We can live our lives with the blessed assurance that we are with Christ and Christ with us. How horrible we were, and are. Yet in all that we are loved by God!

8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

Our knowledge of Jesus’ willing sacrifice, and resurrection from the dead is a flame on our hearts, and in our mouth, and seen with our eyes. For us there is no excuse. This flame is passed on to us by those before us, and can be seen being passed down all the way back to Jesus Christ Himself! We must pass this flame unto others! PRECIOUS are the words below:

16"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17"For God did not send
the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved
through Him. 18" He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe
has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God.
Saint John 3:16-18

Are we single minded? Are we arrogant; thinking we are the only ones who could be correct in our beliefs? If it is God’s will for the world to see us as such, then we must suffer such names! The world would have us to believe that what ever is good for you may not be for me. Such words dilute the perfect statement from Our Lord Jesus:

6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to
the Father but through Me.
Saint John 14:6

Take comfort in your faith, and know that Christ loves you, and
shall return for us all. Those who believe in the one Living God, and His
Son, Jesus Christ:

2"In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would
have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3"If I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am,
there you may be also.
Saint John 14:2-3

16"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another
Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17that is the Spirit of truth, whom the
world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him
because He abides with you and will be in you.
Saint John 14:16-17

It is good for us to be confident in Christ Jesus. To have faith in Christ is to acknowledge His awesome power. To acknowledge that He is the only God is to acknowledge His sovereignty. We should never be afraid to tell people about Jesus Christ, for He is the gift of salvation to the whole world:

8"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord
God, " who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
Revelation 1:8

Many people will feel this emptiness, and also know that there is a desire in their heart concerning knowing Jesus. Such a precious gift Jesus has for us. Eternal life without pain, worries, or fear. Yet a free gift to all who will believe:

9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart
that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9

If you see friends or family that have such questions or feel emptiness. PLEASE tell them what you know! Pray this prayer with them and thank God for the miracle that just happened inside them, If you feel the need to pray this prayer, then do not hesitate to pray:

God, I have done wrong in my life! I believe in your son Jesus. That He died on
a cross to wash away my sins. To never be seen again in your eyes. That He rose
from the dead and now reigns in Majesty. God forgive me, and save me -Amen

If you have turned from your sins to follow Jesus Christ today, please let me know so that I could rejoice with you and encourage you in your faith. (E-mail address is avalle789( at) sbtsstudents dot net) .

This blog is for me to share thoughts to benefit the reader, and if this leads you to follow Jesus Christ, your benefit will last for this life and for the life to come in God's grace.

Geocaching

2005-06-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

I went geocaching tonight.

I can almost hear you say geo-what?

Geocaching is a hi-tech version of scavenger hunting aided by a Global Positioning System and a Web browser. For those with any explorational instincts, this is a great way to enjoy the outdoors.

My friend Bill introduced me to a Geocache quest in Cherokee Park, where we had a successful find. He logged our results on http://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?LUID=baed597c-0ea9-4569-9551-9aa82d2a6d35 .

I enjoyed the little hike.

Thanks, Bill.

"The Entrance of Thy Words Giveth Light"

2005-06-11T14:01:00.000-07:00

Our Sunday School class is doing a study on Bible intake, including Bible memorization.

This prompted me to review the verse that my wife and I are in the process of memorizing. Writing text by hand and typing are useful memorization tools, and I am now adding "blogging" to my toolbox.

It has been many minutes since I last attempted to quote the verse, so I will give it a try here.

Psalm 91:15
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble~~, and deliver him.~~ ; I will deliver him, and honor him.

The editing above shows where I need some work. Now that it is in my immediate memory, I will type it again for reinforcement:

Psalm 91:15
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.

That quotation was made without reading another while typing (verified by the honor system), so I'm making progress.

As Christians we need to be not just hearers and quoters, but
doers of the Word. Please pray that this would be the case for you and me.

Introducing ProLifeBlogs

2005-06-07T22:03:00.000-07:00

Last week I discovered ProLifeBlogs.com:

The objective of this site is to raise awareness and support for the pre-born and the sanctity of human life by communicating pro-life news and materials and by enabling a community of pro-life bloggers to promote their sites, interact with one another and influence internet readers.

After using the site for a few days, I have found this claim to be true. It addresses various right to life issues from various perspectives (philosophical, practical, political, and non-political), and provides links to a wide variety of resources.

Out of gratitude for all who defend the right to life, I have placed an iconic link to ProLifeBlogs.com in the sidebar.

Bumper Sticker Theology

2005-06-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I saw a black-and-white bumper sticker with the following quotation:

I don't bless governments, I don't bless countries, and I don't bless wars. - God

This seems to indicate a stingy god in contrast to the compassionate God of the Bible. In the following passages He reveals Himself to be more generous with His blessings:

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. (Galatians 3:8)
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. (Proverbs 14:34)
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (II Chronicles 7:14 )
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD (Psalm 33:12)

Another bumper sticker on this vehicle advertised John Kerry's 2004 presidential bid.
I wonder if Howard Dean was driving.

Pray that they would get to know the God revealed in Scripture, and for all of us, pray that He would truly be Lord of our lives.

Alternatives to the Culture of Death - "Choose Life"

2005-05-31T04:52:00.000-07:00

Mr. Lawrence concisely reminds us that there are better options than government funding of embryonic stem-cell research:

Even when better possibilities exist our culture of death marches on true to form fueling its abominable industries.
How can our churches remain silent on this issue? A tree is known by its fruit and I have to say the deafening silence on things like this tells us exactly who church most of the modern church really serves… and it is not Christ.

President Bush has an opportunity to cut burdensome spending and promote the right to life at the same time by vetoing federally-funded stem cell research. Pray that he will do so.

This link reciprocates the Beltway Traffic Jam, sponsored by Outside the Beltway.

David Ward in Concert May 29

2005-05-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

Songwriter David Ward will present a concert during the evening worship gathering of Beechwood Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky on Sunday, May 29, at 6:00 PM.

The concert is free, and will feature hymn lyrics set in David's original music.

As part of the Beechwood's "Fifth Sunday Singspiration," other members of Beechwood will precede David with special music. One of David's goals is "provide songs that are rich in biblical content and are set to appropriate and quality music."

I have been blessed to hear David do this in the past, and I look forward to seeing him and hearing again. If you are anywhere in the Kentucky area, please join us for this evening of worship in song.

One way to get to Beechwood is to take I-264 to Shelbyville Road. Go west on Shelbyville Road, and turn right on Stonehenge Drive after passing Outback Steakhouse. Beechwood's building is at the next corner.

Preliminary Presidential Poll

2005-05-27T12:01:00.000-07:00

Speculation, and no doubt, preparation, is in progress for the 2008 presidential elections.

While nobody has formally declared candidacy, this poll lists people who in some form or fashion have shown an interest in idea or others have shown a desire for these people to run.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE:
http://mychan.searchirc.com/efnet/conservative
Pray for America that we would respond to God's grace in choosing our public servants.

Who else should we consider?

This link reciprocates the Beltway Traffic Jam, sponsored by Outside the Beltway.

Of the Right to Life and Reserve Powers

2005-05-27T05:09:00.000-07:00

In "FUNDING EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH", Mr. Olasky makes the case "not to have federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research."

We can and should distinguish among different governmental objectives. The federal government is constitutionally obliged to provide for the national defense, so Washington can't opt out on that issue. On discretionary questions, though, it's much better to let private individuals and organizations make decisions on funding, rather than have the government steamroll those with ethical objections.

The U.S. Constitution does not authorize medical research, so federal embryonic stem-cell research spending should be eliminated as soon as possible. I believe that a human life begins at conception, but even those that do not share this view should respect the reserved powers of the states and the people and stop the federal expense in this medical matter.

Preserve Our Borders: Say NO to AMNESTY and the FTAA!

2005-05-26T09:45:00.000-07:00

Jonathan Grubbs' Blog carries the clarion call for preserving our America's national sovereignty and restoring defensive integrity:

Your influence is urgently needed to give Congress the backbone to resist dangerous proposals that would further undermine our national borders. As a first step, please read and send the following petition to your congressman and two U.S. senators. Then send this message to others in your circle of influence so that they can do likewise.

...
Click here to Read and Send the Petition

Bloggers Backlash

2005-05-25T20:01:00.000-07:00

... and they should.

Several Senate Republicans have ceded their rightful Constitutional power to vote. They gave away the opportunity for the Senate to approve of 7 of 10 of President Bush's judicial appointees.
Led astray by Senator John McCain's off-the-floor deal-making, they have deferred to the Democrats as if the Democrats were the majority.

There is a bright side to this fiasco: renewed accountability of public servants by the people.

The most harmful actions taken by elected officials often take place during odd years, when elections are not the newsmaking issues that they are in even years, when pending elections raise public scrutiny of politics. Voters need to archive significant odd-year behavior and pull these out of the file when official campaigns commence.

In "`Moderate”' Reps settle for three out of ten, the editors of The Unalienable Right advise, "remember their names, McCain, DeWine, Snowe, Warner, Graham, Collins, and Chafee - have made a deal that achieves an up-or-down vote for three out of President Bush’s ten filibustered nominees." Other blogs have echoed this important reminder to take these memories to the voting both.

Several have indicated that they would no longer fund the Republican Party or the RSC, including Hugh Hewitt.
Slublog takes this a step further to withhold donations from any Republican.

Remembering past usurpations, such as the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act (yet to be undone), Patterico resolves opposition to McCain's prospective candicacy.

Others have blogged their criticism, including, but by no means limited to, Michelle Malkin, John Hinderaker, Christopher Adamo , and Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

The redstate.org staff give the most concise and correct analysis of the compromise of the Senate:

The Senators, ON BOTH SIDES, who fail to provide such a vote for pending nominees have sacrficed fairness (to Saad and Myers) for expedience and political advantage.

Pastor Chuck Baldwin adds further perspective with the point that many judicial nominees of Republican presidents, including those of George W. Bush, are not pro-life and/or are not really strict constructionists.

I pray that as we become more active in holding our legislators accountable, we will also through them hold the President and inferior courts accountable in the framework established by America's founders.

"The Fashion of the Christ"

2005-05-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday David Alan Black gave us a new look a God's offer of salvation through the work of Jesus Christ. It is all worth repeating in its entirety, so I will do so here.

The Fashion of the Christ

David
Alan Black

People begged just to touch the hem of Jesus’
garment. When they touched it, they were made well.

In Jesus’ day, the hem of one’s garment was highly
significant. It was often interwoven with tassels. These tassels
were not for decoration. They reminded the wearer of God’s commandments.
Numbers 15:13-41 states:

Again the LORD spoke to
Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels
on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put
a blue thread in the tassels of the corners. And you shall have the
tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the
LORD and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your
own heart and your own eyes are inclined, and that you may remember and do
all My commandments, and be holy for your God. I am the LORD your God, who
brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your
God.”

Likewise, in the book of Colossians we are told what
garments to put off, since in Christ we have died to the old man, and what
clothing to put on, in view of the fact that we are new creatures in
Christ and are being renewed in righteousness after the image of Himself.
Again, in Isaiah 64:6 we are told that all of our righteousnesses are as
filthy rags, by which is meant that no matter how righteous we may think
we are, before God we are adorned in filth. It is only as we “put on the
Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 13:14) that we can be clothed in garments clean
and white.

Just as a horseman puts on a riding habit, so the
Christian is to put on Christian habits. Our character is to be adorned
with the clothing of the new man in Christ. Christian song writers
throughout the centuries have recognized this wonderful truth. Edward Mote
noted: “When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be
found, Dressed in His Righteousness alone, faultless to stand
before the throne.” Charles Wesley wrote: “No condemnation now I dread,
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine! Alive in him, my living head, And
clothed in righteousness divine.” And in the classic hymn Rock of
Ages, Augustus Toplady prayed: “Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to
Thy cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress, Helpless, look to
Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly, Wash me, Savior, or I die!”

A popular saying goes, “Clothing makes the man.” This
is a biblical truth. While obedience to the commandments of God cannot
bring salvation, those who are saved ought to live in a manner worthy of
their salvation. The way to holiness is the same as the way to salvation –
not through self-effort, but by the virtue and in the power of the blood
of Christ and His resurrection life.

Oh to touch the hem of His garment and be healed!

May 20, 2005

David Alan Black is the editor of
http://www.daveblackonline.com/.
If you would like to know more about becoming a follower of King Jesus,
please feel free to write Dave.

William Jefferson Clinton, a Centrist?

2005-05-20T16:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Dennis Prager said "Bill Clinton was a centrist". To his credit, he immediately added "except for his first two years" in the White House.

I have come to expect such revisionism from the decreasingly mainstream media which have tried to tone down the regressive elements of the Clinton legacy, but Dr. Prager's label needs to be more consistent with the ideology he conveys in his analysis of current issues, or at least more accurate.

Stuart Rothenberg, via CNN, describes the first two years as "more or less liberal". Since that time, President Bill Clinton did nothing to stop federal funding of abortion or even restore the limits on abortion spending that he removed his first day in office. Rather, he increased federal funding of abortion and other socialistic activities. He even vetoed legislation to stop one procedure that kills children at birth.

Even someone in the ideological "center" should at least remain bound to the Bill of Rights, which he swore to uphold. However, this was not the case throughout Bill Clinton's career. As late as his last term, his appointee Janet Reno used SWAT teams to perform a warrantless search and seizure. He did nothing to correct this offense. Ask Lazaro Gonzales.

CNN, the Washington Post, and their talking heads have repeated their claims of a move from radical left to center by President Clinton. They might be able to make a case that his rhetoric changed. In talk Bill Clinton may have glanced rightward, but in policy and performance he continued moving left.

The media's misrepresentative marketing of Bill Clinton's ideology obscures the harm his legacy inflicted upon the pocketbooks of Americans, the integrity of our Constitutional republic, and those "deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law" (see U.S. Constitution, Amendment V).

We should not forget the immediate and long-term effects of Clinton's legacy of liberalism. It appears that CNN, the Washington Post, and other liberal "news" services have ignored these, and Dennis Prager apparently has forgotten.

Star Wars Online Resources

2005-05-18T04:20:00.000-07:00

One of my hobbies has been keeping up with developments in the Star Wars world. Some sources and Expanded Universe stories are better than others, but my favorite Star Wars zine is theforce.net. The close runner ups are the official site, starwars.com and JediNet, another thorough fan site.

These sites referred me to source material for my previous posts.

Star Wars and Politics, Entry II

2005-05-18T03:43:00.000-07:00

Since Saturday, the online and offline media have exploded with reports and reviews of George Lucas' statements at the Festival de Cannes where he reiterated the political points of Star Wars.

In anticipation of the widespread distribution of Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, in progress with the general cinematic release at midnight, bloggers across the spectrum are scrambling with their spin.

After reading or hearing several of these reports from various ideological perspectives (e.g. Chuck Baldwin, The Washington Post, and Vox Day), I suggest that anyone reading the reviews also consider the statements from George Lucas himself. The commentators (sometimes styling themselves as reporters) use Star Wars to make important political statements, and Lucas harnesses political issues to add depth to his dramas.

Here are some of my excerpts from Science Fiction Weekly. These highlight the main points, but to really get Lucas' perspective, please read it for yourself along with his comments from Cannes.

[Dykstra:] The Star Wars films seem prescient in their explorations of democracy and dictatorships. Was that always your plan?

Lucas: ...The whole point of the movies, the underlying element that makes the movies work, is that you ... start out in a democracy, and democracy turns into a dictatorship, and then the rebels make it back into a democracy.

[Dykstra:] You actually have the line, "This is how we lose a democracy." How personal a comment was that?

Lucas: That was pretty much there 30 years ago. It really came out of the Vietnam War. It came out of Nixon wanting to change the rules so that he could get a third term, and with that—I'm a big history buff—I was beginning to study Caesar... I'm not really saying why as much as how it gets done, because it always gets done in the same way.

In making Star Wars, Lucas draws upon a wide gamut of religious and mythological literature to connect the audience with his story, and he does the same with political history. We need to bring balance to our analyses of the writers' purposes as they interact with each others' product genre.

Star Wars and Politics

2005-05-14T22:02:00.000-07:00

The Star Wars prequel trilogy adds political subthemes to George Lucas' sci-fi / fantasy "space opera" saga.

Author James Luceno, in collaboration with Lucas, highlights and expands these themes in his prequel novels, Cloak of Deception, Labyrinth of Evil, and upcoming Dark Lord. He weaves the plots of corruption, abusive power, and the decline of accountable government into a tyrannical empire.

Here is an excerpt of an interview with James Luceno that The Unofficial Clone Wars Site just published about his Star Wars stories:

The political subtext of the prequel films deals with the growth of dictatorships. Lucas has mentioned Caesar and Hitler. Some readers have accused me of including President Bush in the mix, but this is not the case. I borrowed the term “Homeworld Security” from one of the Dark Horse Republic comics, and my play on “Axis of Evil” was not an attempt to draw parallels between Bush and Palpatine, but to pay light-hearted homage to what I consider a very interesting phrase. Personally, I’m more concerned about censorship-obsessed individuals like Tom DeLay and Joe Lieberman -- who even resembles Palpatine!

Lucas and Luceno intersperse lessons from history in their tale of "a galaxy far, far, away." Their political undercurrents add depth to the Star Wars epic, giving value beyond what some minimize as escapist fantasy with innovative, eye-catching effects.

Thank you, Ms. Malkin

2005-05-13T20:42:00.000-07:00

Kudos to Michelle Malkin for promoting civil dialogue, particularly among conservatives.

In "Why I'm Not A 'South Park Conservative'," Malkin politely refuses the label dubbed in a well-intended compliment about her success as a writer and speaker.

On May 4, Malkin writes, "`South Park' may be `politically incorrect.' But `politically incorrect' is not always a synonym for `conservative.'"

"My discomfort with `South Park's' increasingly mainstream vulgarity is not a matter of nitpicking. We're not just talking about a stray curse word here or there."

Malkin's commentary on CNSNews is a very worthwhile read in its entirety, warning where supposed conservatives miss the moral mark in public discourse.