Really good stuff from WND:
...Columnist Anna Quindlen posits a scurrilous argument when she compares the rejection of same-sex marriage to anti-interracial marriage laws of the past. Her argument is without merit because she conveniently omits the most important point. Anti-interracial marriage laws, while appallingly egregious, were laws forbidding marriage between a man and a woman, color notwithstanding. Anti same-sex marriage bans are in opposition to man-man, woman-woman marriages – which no society in the history of mankind can point to as a successful component in the sustentation of that society. Same-sex marriage is in no way comparable to persons of different skin color entering into a heterosexual union.
Homosexual activist Wayne Besen goes so far as to vent his frustration and anger out on blacks who oppose same-sex marriage, saying their actions were "particularly galling and repugnant" because blacks themselves had suffered discrimination.
As I have written before:
Civil rights and homosexual rights are not synonymous. Civil rights focus on the right to vote, the guaranteed access to public accommodations, and the desegregation of public facilities and schools. They have never been, nor should they ever be, about attempting to have the federal government mandate acceptance of a [chosen] lifestyle.
Homosexuals and cross-dressers may in fact be a lot of things, but an oppressed minority they are not. And I, for one, resent their temerity in suggesting that a rejection of their chosen lifestyle is in any way equivalent to what truly oppressed peoples in this country went through for the right to vote, sit at a lunch counter and/or stay in the hotel of their choice.
Homosexuals are not immutable – there is a difference between refusing to change one's behavior and being unable to change the color of one's skin. They are no more economically deprived than others, and they certainly do not have a history of political and historical powerlessness. Ergo, sexual orientation is not a civil right. Homosexual activists represent one of the most powerful lobbies per capita in the country. ("Homosexuality is not a civil right"; Sept. 25, 2007)
There were homosexuals and Klansmen chairing committees in Congress long before there was a black president. They latch onto the civil rights movement because their movement cannot stand on its own. They are only interested in using said movement to further their own condemnable agenda. ...(more)
Thursday, November 27, 2008
What Is the Separation of Church and State?
From TownHall:
...In the First Amendment we see the balance between the federal government’s role in protecting religious practice and not coercing it. The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, which guarantees all Americans the freedom of speech, religion, press, petition and assembly, has this to say about religious practice: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”
The federal government cannot mandate a religious practice, nor can they prohibit religious practice. Unfortunately, in the last few decades we have seen many judicial rulings that demonstrate a desire to uphold the establishment clause of the First Amendment at the expense of the free exercise clause. This is completely contrary to the purpose of the First Amendment and a violation of it as well.
The first major case that undermined the balance between the establishment clause and the free exercise clause occurred in 1947. In Everson vs. Board of Education the Supreme Court, led by Justice Hugo Black, an FDR appointee and member of the Ku Klux Klan, reinterpreted the meaning of the First Amendment of the Constitution. This decision set in motion an unconstitutional chain of events that has undermined our First Amendment liberties ever since.
Just what did Justice Black and the other FDR appointees to the Supreme Court do? They hijacked a phrase used by President Thomas Jefferson, “separation of church and state,” found in a letter he wrote to the Danville Baptist Association in Virginia (1802). Jefferson’s letter was actually used by the court to limit religious freedom.
By taking completely out of context the phrase used by Jefferson in his letter, "separation of church and state," the Supreme Court ruled that the freedom of religious expression in the public square was a violation of the “separation of church and state” found in the Constitution. This is an astounding ruling, as the phrase “separation of church and state” is not even found in the Constitution. ...(more)
...In the First Amendment we see the balance between the federal government’s role in protecting religious practice and not coercing it. The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, which guarantees all Americans the freedom of speech, religion, press, petition and assembly, has this to say about religious practice: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”
The federal government cannot mandate a religious practice, nor can they prohibit religious practice. Unfortunately, in the last few decades we have seen many judicial rulings that demonstrate a desire to uphold the establishment clause of the First Amendment at the expense of the free exercise clause. This is completely contrary to the purpose of the First Amendment and a violation of it as well.
The first major case that undermined the balance between the establishment clause and the free exercise clause occurred in 1947. In Everson vs. Board of Education the Supreme Court, led by Justice Hugo Black, an FDR appointee and member of the Ku Klux Klan, reinterpreted the meaning of the First Amendment of the Constitution. This decision set in motion an unconstitutional chain of events that has undermined our First Amendment liberties ever since.
Just what did Justice Black and the other FDR appointees to the Supreme Court do? They hijacked a phrase used by President Thomas Jefferson, “separation of church and state,” found in a letter he wrote to the Danville Baptist Association in Virginia (1802). Jefferson’s letter was actually used by the court to limit religious freedom.
By taking completely out of context the phrase used by Jefferson in his letter, "separation of church and state," the Supreme Court ruled that the freedom of religious expression in the public square was a violation of the “separation of church and state” found in the Constitution. This is an astounding ruling, as the phrase “separation of church and state” is not even found in the Constitution. ...(more)
Possible Geopolitical Consequences of the Mumbai Attacks
From StratFor:
...the Indian government has two choices. First, it can simply say that the perpetrators are a domestic group. In that case, it will be held accountable for a failure of enormous proportions in security and law enforcement. It will be charged with being unable to protect the public. On the other hand, it can link the attack to an outside power: Pakistan. In that case it can hold a nation-state responsible for the attack, and can use the crisis atmosphere to strengthen the government’s internal position by invoking nationalism. Politically this is a much preferable outcome for the Indian government, and so it is the most likely course of action. This is not to say that there are no outside powers involved — simply that, regardless of the ground truth, the Indian government will claim there were.
That, in turn, will plunge India and Pakistan into the worst crisis they have had since 2002. If the Pakistanis are understood to be responsible for the attack, then the Indians must hold them responsible, and that means they will have to take action in retaliation — otherwise, the Indian government’s domestic credibility will plunge. The shape of the crisis, then, will consist of demands that the Pakistanis take immediate steps to suppress Islamist radicals across the board, but particularly in Kashmir. New Delhi will demand that this action be immediate and public. This demand will come parallel to U.S. demands for the same actions, and threats by incoming U.S. President Barack Obama to force greater cooperation from Pakistan.
If that happens, Pakistan will find itself in a nutcracker. On the one side, the Indians will be threatening action — deliberately vague but menacing — along with the Americans. This will be even more intense if it turns out, as currently seems likely, that Americans and Europeans were being held hostage (or worse) in the two hotels that were attacked.... (more)
...the Indian government has two choices. First, it can simply say that the perpetrators are a domestic group. In that case, it will be held accountable for a failure of enormous proportions in security and law enforcement. It will be charged with being unable to protect the public. On the other hand, it can link the attack to an outside power: Pakistan. In that case it can hold a nation-state responsible for the attack, and can use the crisis atmosphere to strengthen the government’s internal position by invoking nationalism. Politically this is a much preferable outcome for the Indian government, and so it is the most likely course of action. This is not to say that there are no outside powers involved — simply that, regardless of the ground truth, the Indian government will claim there were.
That, in turn, will plunge India and Pakistan into the worst crisis they have had since 2002. If the Pakistanis are understood to be responsible for the attack, then the Indians must hold them responsible, and that means they will have to take action in retaliation — otherwise, the Indian government’s domestic credibility will plunge. The shape of the crisis, then, will consist of demands that the Pakistanis take immediate steps to suppress Islamist radicals across the board, but particularly in Kashmir. New Delhi will demand that this action be immediate and public. This demand will come parallel to U.S. demands for the same actions, and threats by incoming U.S. President Barack Obama to force greater cooperation from Pakistan.
If that happens, Pakistan will find itself in a nutcracker. On the one side, the Indians will be threatening action — deliberately vague but menacing — along with the Americans. This will be even more intense if it turns out, as currently seems likely, that Americans and Europeans were being held hostage (or worse) in the two hotels that were attacked.... (more)
The Indignity of Giving Thanks
"..Show me a person whose life is characterized by gratitude, and I will show you a person whose soul is poised to worship God. "
A Thanksgiving devotional from RZIM:
The spirit of thanksgiving runs against the temptation we face as human beings to assert our self-sufficiency. Few of us enjoy the feeling of indebtedness; a fact easily demonstrated by our oft-unsolicited readiness to return a favor once someone has expressed kindness to us. I owe you one, I will return the favor, and I am in your debt are some of the ways in which we express this attitude. Such responses, together with the more modest one, please let me know what I can do for you, allow us to express gratitude without acknowledging the chronic shadow of dependence that so rudely dogs our entire threescore and ten. Not only does this inability to express gratitude without our own autonomy stealing the show sometimes rob of us of the joy of affirming the contribution of others to our wellbeing, it also shrivels up our desire to worship God. An unexamined sense of self-sufficiency instills in us a subtle but false attitude of entitlement, thus making it difficult for us to accept the sense of vulnerability that is part of true gratitude. Ever since the tempter said to Adam and Eve in the Garden, “You will be like God,” human beings have never given up the temptation to either elevate ourselves to the level of God or pull God down to our level, so we can deal with Him as equals. We are always looking for a chance to say to God, “I can take it from here.” ...
(more)
A Thanksgiving devotional from RZIM:
The spirit of thanksgiving runs against the temptation we face as human beings to assert our self-sufficiency. Few of us enjoy the feeling of indebtedness; a fact easily demonstrated by our oft-unsolicited readiness to return a favor once someone has expressed kindness to us. I owe you one, I will return the favor, and I am in your debt are some of the ways in which we express this attitude. Such responses, together with the more modest one, please let me know what I can do for you, allow us to express gratitude without acknowledging the chronic shadow of dependence that so rudely dogs our entire threescore and ten. Not only does this inability to express gratitude without our own autonomy stealing the show sometimes rob of us of the joy of affirming the contribution of others to our wellbeing, it also shrivels up our desire to worship God. An unexamined sense of self-sufficiency instills in us a subtle but false attitude of entitlement, thus making it difficult for us to accept the sense of vulnerability that is part of true gratitude. Ever since the tempter said to Adam and Eve in the Garden, “You will be like God,” human beings have never given up the temptation to either elevate ourselves to the level of God or pull God down to our level, so we can deal with Him as equals. We are always looking for a chance to say to God, “I can take it from here.” ...
(more)
Food to Laugh At -
Just what we need to get through the day- a warped sense of humor via Creative Minority Report
India Under Attack
A break from the Thanksgiving festivities fro a couple of articles (both from the Economist) on the terror attacks in India. A reminder, that as we give thanks for our blessings there are those who seek our destruction and those who fight for our protection.
TERRORISTS who struck in Mumbai, the commercial capital of India, causing the deaths of at least 100 people and wounding some 250 others, were said to be hunting in particular for Western targets. Reports on the evening of Wednesday November 26th suggested that a series of attacks had been co-ordinated in a variety of locations in the wealthy south of the city. Gunmen burst into train stations, restaurants, luxury hotels and even hospitals; at least one bomb exploded, destroying a taxi.
According to eye-witness accounts from people who escaped the attacks, hostages had been taken in two five-star hotels, with Westerners—in particular Britons and Americans—singled out for capture. Café Leopold, a well-known restaurant that is frequented by tourists and other foreign visitors, was attacked by gunmen. A witness at the Taj hotel described how two young men with guns and bombs were demanding foreigners, in particular anyone with British or American passports. (more)
According to eye-witness accounts from people who escaped the attacks, hostages had been taken in two five-star hotels, with Westerners—in particular Britons and Americans—singled out for capture. Café Leopold, a well-known restaurant that is frequented by tourists and other foreign visitors, was attacked by gunmen. A witness at the Taj hotel described how two young men with guns and bombs were demanding foreigners, in particular anyone with British or American passports. (more)
THE sheer scale and audacity of the assault were staggering. Gangs of well-armed youths attacked two luxury hotels, a restaurant, a railway station and at least one hospital. Gunfire and explosions rang through Mumbai overnight on November 26th-27th and through the next morning. By Thursday November 27th more than 100 people were reported to have been killed, and the toll seemed likely to rise. Several foreigners, including some from America, Japan and Britain, were among the dead. So were over a dozen policemen, including Mumbai’s chief counter-terrorism officer. Up to 100 hostages, including selected American and British guests, were alleged to be held hostage inside a hotel.
Even in a city—and country—with a grim record of terrorist violence, these were extraordinary scenes. The attacks started at around 10.30pm on Wednesday, when gunmen started shooting and throwing grenades at Mumbai’s main Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station. Television footage showed two men shooting at random as they drove through nearby streets in a stolen police jeep. (more)
Even in a city—and country—with a grim record of terrorist violence, these were extraordinary scenes. The attacks started at around 10.30pm on Wednesday, when gunmen started shooting and throwing grenades at Mumbai’s main Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station. Television footage showed two men shooting at random as they drove through nearby streets in a stolen police jeep. (more)
First U.S. Thanksgiving Proclamation
Happy Thanksgiving.
From STR:
Henry Laurens as President of the Continental Congress issued the country's first Thanksgiving Day proclamation on Dec. 18, 1777.
Henry Laurens as President of the Continental Congress issued the country's first Thanksgiving Day proclamation on Dec. 18, 1777.
That at one Time and with one Voice, the good People may express the grateful Feelings of their Hearts, and consecrate themselves to the Service of their Divine Benefactor; and that, together with their sincere Acknowledgments and Offerings, they may join the penitent Confession of their manifold Sins, whereby they had forfeited every Favor; and their humble and earnest Supplication that it may please GOD through the Merits of JESUS CHRIST, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of Remembrance; That it may please him graciously to afford his Blessing on the Governments of these States respectively, and prosper the public Council of the whole.
1777 was about a year and a half into the Revolutionary War, when the outcome was still far from known. In fact, the U.S. army under the command of General Washington had experienced significant losses that year. This was the winter George Washington and his men billeted at Valley Forge. (read the rest here)
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
18 Women From Iraq Suicide Bombing Network Surrender to U.S. Forces
Something else to be thankful for...
From FoxNews:
BAGHDAD — Eighteen young women purportedly belonging to a suicide bombing network in northern Iraq surrendered to U.S. forces on Wednesday, a top U.S. commander said.
Maj. Gen. Mark Hertling, who leads U.S. forces in northern Iraq, said the women turned themselves in after a local cleric and their families persuaded them that suicide attacks violated the tenets of Islam....More
God bless that cleric and those families. 18 young women are alive.
From FoxNews:
BAGHDAD — Eighteen young women purportedly belonging to a suicide bombing network in northern Iraq surrendered to U.S. forces on Wednesday, a top U.S. commander said.
Maj. Gen. Mark Hertling, who leads U.S. forces in northern Iraq, said the women turned themselves in after a local cleric and their families persuaded them that suicide attacks violated the tenets of Islam....More
God bless that cleric and those families. 18 young women are alive.
Gratitude
Giving thanks in times of trouble.
A good article from NRO- Happy Thanksgiving
...I’m grateful for people who, although they voted for the other guy, and are depressed and even angered by how the presidential election turned out this year, pray and wish the president-elect well, for the sake of the country. I’m grateful for all of you who have practical skills, especially medical skills. I am grateful for those who opt for low-salaried positions in religious schools because they know it takes good teachers — at home and at school — to raise a child with a moral conscience who will serve his fellow humans well. I’m grateful for those who fight for and err on the side of life. In Massachusetts, a teenage girl named Haleigh Poutre was allegedly beaten to near-death by her stepfather and determined to be a lost cause. Because someone bothered to fight for her right to stay on life support, she’s alive and doing well today....(read it all here)
A good article from NRO- Happy Thanksgiving
...I’m grateful for people who, although they voted for the other guy, and are depressed and even angered by how the presidential election turned out this year, pray and wish the president-elect well, for the sake of the country. I’m grateful for all of you who have practical skills, especially medical skills. I am grateful for those who opt for low-salaried positions in religious schools because they know it takes good teachers — at home and at school — to raise a child with a moral conscience who will serve his fellow humans well. I’m grateful for those who fight for and err on the side of life. In Massachusetts, a teenage girl named Haleigh Poutre was allegedly beaten to near-death by her stepfather and determined to be a lost cause. Because someone bothered to fight for her right to stay on life support, she’s alive and doing well today....(read it all here)
Kindergartners given homosexual 'pledge cards'
From OneNewsNow:...The pledge cards were produced by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, or GLSEN, and featured oaths that students would not use "anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender language or slurs," that students would intervene on behalf of homosexual students when possible, and that they would actively support safer schools efforts. Tara Miller is a kindergarten teacher at Faith Ringgold School of Arts and Science in Hayward, California. She passed out the pledge cards to her students, which she then asked them to sign....
The Preposterous Premise for Gay Marriage
What I've said for some time but of course this guy says it so much better.
From TownHall and Frank Turek:
...We’re all playing by the same rules—we all have the same right to marry any non-related adult of the opposite sex. Those rules do not deny anyone “equal protection of the laws” because the qualifications to enter a marriage apply equally to everyone—every adult person has the same right to marry.
Homosexuals want the court to believe that because of their sexual desires they are a special class of persons that is being discriminated against. In other words, they think that sexual desires guarantee people special legal rights.
That’s a preposterous premise! It would mean that men born with a desire for many women (i.e. most men) are having their rights violated because marriage laws provide no means for polygamy. Likewise, it would mean that people desiring to marry their close relatives don’t have “equal rights” because our marriage laws have no provision for incest. And bisexuals could object because existing marriage laws don’t allow them to marry a man and a woman!
If desires alone guarantee someone special rights, why no special rights for pedophiles and gay bashers? The answer is obvious—because desires, even if you were “born” with them, do not justify behavior, do not make anyone a special class, and should have no impact on our laws (see Born Gay or a Gay Basher: No Excuse). ... (read it all here)
From TownHall and Frank Turek:
...We’re all playing by the same rules—we all have the same right to marry any non-related adult of the opposite sex. Those rules do not deny anyone “equal protection of the laws” because the qualifications to enter a marriage apply equally to everyone—every adult person has the same right to marry.
Homosexuals want the court to believe that because of their sexual desires they are a special class of persons that is being discriminated against. In other words, they think that sexual desires guarantee people special legal rights.
That’s a preposterous premise! It would mean that men born with a desire for many women (i.e. most men) are having their rights violated because marriage laws provide no means for polygamy. Likewise, it would mean that people desiring to marry their close relatives don’t have “equal rights” because our marriage laws have no provision for incest. And bisexuals could object because existing marriage laws don’t allow them to marry a man and a woman!
If desires alone guarantee someone special rights, why no special rights for pedophiles and gay bashers? The answer is obvious—because desires, even if you were “born” with them, do not justify behavior, do not make anyone a special class, and should have no impact on our laws (see Born Gay or a Gay Basher: No Excuse). ... (read it all here)
Feds Warn of Possible NY City Subway Attack by Al-Qaeda
H/T DoctorBulldog:
NewsMax
Federal authorities are warning law enforcement personnel of a possible terror plot against the New York City subway system during the holiday season.
An internal memo obtained by The Associated Press says the FBI has received a “plausible but unsubstantiated” report that al-Qaida terrorists in late September may have discussed attacking the subway system.
The report indicates that al-Qaida terrorists “in late September may have discussed targeting transit systems in and around New York City. These discussions reportedly involved the use of suicide bombers or explosives placed on subway/passenger rail systems,” according to the document....(more)
NewsMax
Federal authorities are warning law enforcement personnel of a possible terror plot against the New York City subway system during the holiday season.
An internal memo obtained by The Associated Press says the FBI has received a “plausible but unsubstantiated” report that al-Qaida terrorists in late September may have discussed attacking the subway system.
The report indicates that al-Qaida terrorists “in late September may have discussed targeting transit systems in and around New York City. These discussions reportedly involved the use of suicide bombers or explosives placed on subway/passenger rail systems,” according to the document....(more)
Islamo fascist news
20.000 Muslims Attack a Church in Cairo :
AINA, CA November 26 2008
One thousand Christians were today trapped inside the Coptic Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary in West Ain Shams,Cairo, after more than twenty thousand Muslims attacked them with stones and butane gas cylinders. ...
...The mob were chanting Jihad verses as well as slogans saying "we will demolish the church" and "We sacrifice our blood and souls, we sacrifice ourselves for you, Islam", while the entrapped Christians chanted "Lord have mercy".
The incident started on the occasion of the inauguration of the Church today, when the Muslims hastily established a Mosque in the early hours of this morning, by taking over the first floor of a newly-built building facing the Church and started praying there...
Are Israeli Children Legitimate Military Targets?
excerpts from a TV debate featuring Dr. Kamal Al-Hilbawi, introduced on the program as director of the LondonCenterfor the Study of Terrorism, and political analyst Dr. Nabil Yassin. Dr. Hilbawi is also former spokesman of the international Muslim Brotherhood in the West. [1] The debate aired on BBC Arabic TV on October 17,
Police protecting church from Bosnian Wahabis
Two Bosnian Muslim men have been arrested after attempting to break into Sarajevo’s Catholic church on a late evening demanding to silence the church bell which was disturbing them....
Beheading videos found in Wahabi laptops
Digital videos of beheadings have been found on the laptop seized by the Serbian authorities from the arrested Wahabis charged for plotting attacks in Serbia, including an attack on the US Embassy in Belgrade....15 Wahabis have been arrested earlier this year by the Serbian police. Their camp was found on a top of the mountain containing weapons, explosives and outdoor training facility for terror. Maps and photos of potential targets, including the US Embassy in Belgrade were also seized.
AINA, CA November 26 2008
One thousand Christians were today trapped inside the Coptic Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary in West Ain Shams,Cairo, after more than twenty thousand Muslims attacked them with stones and butane gas cylinders. ...
...The mob were chanting Jihad verses as well as slogans saying "we will demolish the church" and "We sacrifice our blood and souls, we sacrifice ourselves for you, Islam", while the entrapped Christians chanted "Lord have mercy".
The incident started on the occasion of the inauguration of the Church today, when the Muslims hastily established a Mosque in the early hours of this morning, by taking over the first floor of a newly-built building facing the Church and started praying there...
Are Israeli Children Legitimate Military Targets?
excerpts from a TV debate featuring Dr. Kamal Al-Hilbawi, introduced on the program as director of the LondonCenterfor the Study of Terrorism, and political analyst Dr. Nabil Yassin. Dr. Hilbawi is also former spokesman of the international Muslim Brotherhood in the West. [1] The debate aired on BBC Arabic TV on October 17,
Police protecting church from Bosnian Wahabis
Two Bosnian Muslim men have been arrested after attempting to break into Sarajevo’s Catholic church on a late evening demanding to silence the church bell which was disturbing them....
Beheading videos found in Wahabi laptops
Digital videos of beheadings have been found on the laptop seized by the Serbian authorities from the arrested Wahabis charged for plotting attacks in Serbia, including an attack on the US Embassy in Belgrade....15 Wahabis have been arrested earlier this year by the Serbian police. Their camp was found on a top of the mountain containing weapons, explosives and outdoor training facility for terror. Maps and photos of potential targets, including the US Embassy in Belgrade were also seized.
Sharia law should be introduced into legal system, says leading barrister
Apparently the Brits have their share of loony lefties as well...
From the Telegraph:
Stephen Hockman QC, a former chairman of the Bar Council, reportedly suggested that a group of MPs and legal figures should be convened to plan how elements of the Muslim religious-legal code could be introduced.
After speaking at an event organised by the website Islam4UK at the National Liberal Club, Whitehall, Mr Hockman reportedly told The Daily Express: “Given our substantial Muslim population, it is vital that we look at ways to integrate Muslim culture into our traditions. Otherwise we will find that there is a significant section of our society which is increasingly alienated, with very dangerous results. ...(more here)
Hello!? alienation comes from failure to assimilate and incorporation of Sharia would simply aggravate that. This idea is not about integrating Muslim culture into our (British) traditions but rather integrating British culture into Muslim traditions.
From the Telegraph:
Stephen Hockman QC, a former chairman of the Bar Council, reportedly suggested that a group of MPs and legal figures should be convened to plan how elements of the Muslim religious-legal code could be introduced.
After speaking at an event organised by the website Islam4UK at the National Liberal Club, Whitehall, Mr Hockman reportedly told The Daily Express: “Given our substantial Muslim population, it is vital that we look at ways to integrate Muslim culture into our traditions. Otherwise we will find that there is a significant section of our society which is increasingly alienated, with very dangerous results. ...(more here)
Hello!? alienation comes from failure to assimilate and incorporation of Sharia would simply aggravate that. This idea is not about integrating Muslim culture into our (British) traditions but rather integrating British culture into Muslim traditions.
Obama Names Bill Clinton to Presidential Post
WASHINGTON DC - Ending weeks of speculation and rumors, President-Elect Barack Obama today named Bill Clinton to join his incoming administration as President of the United States, where he will head the federal government's executive branch.
Funny stuff from iowahawk..more here..
Funny stuff from iowahawk..more here..
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Health News- Vitamins, Cancer and Living Longer
No they really aren't related and maybe not even too interesting but here they are anyway-a smattering of health news:
From Well:
News Keeps Getting Worse for Vitamins
From Well:
News Keeps Getting Worse for Vitamins
The best efforts of the scientific community to prove the health benefits of vitamins keep falling short.
Consumers don’t want to give up their vitamins. (Tony Cenicola/The New York Times)
This week, researchers reported the disappointing results from a large clinical trial of almost 15,000 male doctors taking vitamins E and C for a decade. The study showed no meaningful effect on cancer rates.
Another recent study found no benefit of vitamins E and C for heart disease.
In October, a major trial studying whether vitamin E and selenium could lower a man’s risk for prostate cancer ended amidst worries that the treatments may do more harm than good.
And recently, doctors at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York warned that vitamin C seems to protect not just healthy cells but cancer cells, too. (more)
Consumers don’t want to give up their vitamins. (Tony Cenicola/The New York Times)
This week, researchers reported the disappointing results from a large clinical trial of almost 15,000 male doctors taking vitamins E and C for a decade. The study showed no meaningful effect on cancer rates.
Another recent study found no benefit of vitamins E and C for heart disease.
In October, a major trial studying whether vitamin E and selenium could lower a man’s risk for prostate cancer ended amidst worries that the treatments may do more harm than good.
And recently, doctors at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York warned that vitamin C seems to protect not just healthy cells but cancer cells, too. (more)
That Vitamin C could give aid and comfort to cancer cells is scary but I thought E and C were for colds not heart disease...oh well
Well, here's some good news from the NYTimes:
But then it turns out that maybe they do or maybe they don't but probably not...:
Cancer researchers have known for years that it was possible in rare cases for some cancers to go away on their own. There were occasional instances of melanomas and kidney cancers that just vanished. And neuroblastoma, a very rare childhood tumor, can go away without treatment.
But these were mostly seen as oddities — an unusual pediatric cancer that might not bear on common cancers of adults, a smattering of case reports of spontaneous cures. And since almost every cancer that is detected is treated, it seemed impossible even to ask what would happen if cancers were left alone.
Now, though, researchers say they have found a situation in Norway that has let them ask that question about breast cancer. And their new study, to be published Tuesday in The Archives of Internal Medicine, suggests that even invasive cancers may sometimes go away without treatment and in larger numbers than anyone ever believed.
At the moment, the finding has no practical applications because no one knows whether a detected cancer will disappear or continue to spread or kill.
And some experts remain unconvinced.
But these were mostly seen as oddities — an unusual pediatric cancer that might not bear on common cancers of adults, a smattering of case reports of spontaneous cures. And since almost every cancer that is detected is treated, it seemed impossible even to ask what would happen if cancers were left alone.
Now, though, researchers say they have found a situation in Norway that has let them ask that question about breast cancer. And their new study, to be published Tuesday in The Archives of Internal Medicine, suggests that even invasive cancers may sometimes go away without treatment and in larger numbers than anyone ever believed.
At the moment, the finding has no practical applications because no one knows whether a detected cancer will disappear or continue to spread or kill.
And some experts remain unconvinced.
But there is good news after all:
Attend Religious Services, Live Longer
From WebMD
Nov. 25, 2008 -- Going to church -- or any kind of religious service -- may prolong your life.
A new study shows that older women who regularly attend religious services reduce their risk of death by 20%. The study was published in Psychology and Health.
Researchers from Yeshiva University's Albert Einstein College of Medicine grouped all religions together, looking only at whether the women attended services regularly and whether those services brought them comfort.
Organized religion creates a social network with regular routines, which is known to enhance well-being. However, even when researchers adjusted for that factor, the women going to services were still less likely to die.
"Interestingly, the protection against mortality provided by religion cannot be entirely explained by expected factors that include enhanced social support of friends or family, lifestyle choices, and reduced smoking and alcohol consumption," lead author and clinical assistant professor of psychology Eliezer Schnall says in a news release. "There is something here that we don't quite understand. It is always possible that some unknown or unmeasured factors confounded these results."
A new study shows that older women who regularly attend religious services reduce their risk of death by 20%. The study was published in Psychology and Health.
Researchers from Yeshiva University's Albert Einstein College of Medicine grouped all religions together, looking only at whether the women attended services regularly and whether those services brought them comfort.
Organized religion creates a social network with regular routines, which is known to enhance well-being. However, even when researchers adjusted for that factor, the women going to services were still less likely to die.
"Interestingly, the protection against mortality provided by religion cannot be entirely explained by expected factors that include enhanced social support of friends or family, lifestyle choices, and reduced smoking and alcohol consumption," lead author and clinical assistant professor of psychology Eliezer Schnall says in a news release. "There is something here that we don't quite understand. It is always possible that some unknown or unmeasured factors confounded these results."
ah yes, those unknown or unmeasured factors. But some of us know, don't we. And we'd love to share..
Coercion Culture Begins
Remember the post The Coming Culture of Coercion?
Well, it's here...
Inquiry Set on Mormon Aid for California Marriage Vote
Well, it's here...
Inquiry Set on Mormon Aid for California Marriage Vote
SAN FRANCISCO — California officials will investigate accusations that the Mormon Church neglected to report a battery of nonmonetary contributions — including phone banks, a Web site and commercials — on behalf of a ballot measure to ban same-sex marriage. (more)
And of course the eHarmony Fiasco reported over at BeetleBabee:
Gay Rights Advocates Breaking out the Bully Tactics Against American Business
Foxnews reported on eHarmony’s capitulation to demands that they provide dating services to the gay community even though eHarmony’s formulas are based on years of research into traditional relationships between a man and a woman…not homosexual relationships. Not only is eHarmony building a brand new business from the ground up, complete with new research and methods aimed at matching homosexual couples, but the agreement includes cash incentives and free memberships for the plaintiffs as well as mandating that eHarmony increase “gay awareness” in the workplace.
“Gender Mainstreaming”: A Silent Revolution Dismantling Civilzation
From LifeSite:
November 25, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – “Gender mainstreaming,” an ideology that proposes to erase the foundational unit of western society, the natural family, is being infiltrated into laws and institutions around the world under the rubric of “equality” legislation and guidelines, says author Gabrielle Kuby...
...“Behind the facade” of equality, “lurks the general attack on the moral standards to which we owe the Western culture. Without it, neither the family nor Christianity can survive.”
In her article, “Gender Mainstreaming – The Secret Revolution,” to be published in German in this month’s edition of Vatican magazine, Kuby warns that the new ideology is being carefully inculcated into international law and particularly into the materials made available to educators to create school curricula. Kuby writes, “This view of freedom and sexuality, according to the will of the UN, EU and most European governments is to be imprinted onto the minds of children from the nursery onwards.”..(more)
(To read the complete article by Gabriell Kuby, see: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008_docs/GenderMainstreamin...)
November 25, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – “Gender mainstreaming,” an ideology that proposes to erase the foundational unit of western society, the natural family, is being infiltrated into laws and institutions around the world under the rubric of “equality” legislation and guidelines, says author Gabrielle Kuby...
...“Behind the facade” of equality, “lurks the general attack on the moral standards to which we owe the Western culture. Without it, neither the family nor Christianity can survive.”
In her article, “Gender Mainstreaming – The Secret Revolution,” to be published in German in this month’s edition of Vatican magazine, Kuby warns that the new ideology is being carefully inculcated into international law and particularly into the materials made available to educators to create school curricula. Kuby writes, “This view of freedom and sexuality, according to the will of the UN, EU and most European governments is to be imprinted onto the minds of children from the nursery onwards.”..(more)
(To read the complete article by Gabriell Kuby, see: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008_docs/GenderMainstreamin...)
Marine Makes Insurgents Pay the Price
Marine News from Military.com:
...“The biggest thing to take from that day is what Marines can accomplish when they’re given the opportunity to fight,” the sniper said. “A small group of Marines met a numerically superior force and embarrassed them in their own backyard. The insurgents told the townspeople that they were stronger than the Americans, and that day we showed them they were wrong.”
During the battle, the designated marksman single handedly thwarted a company-sized enemy RPG and machinegun ambush by reportedly killing 20 enemy fighters with his devastatingly accurate precision fire. He selflessly exposed himself time and again to intense enemy fire during a critical point in the eight-hour battle for Shewan in order to kill any enemy combatants who attempted to engage or maneuver on the Marines in the kill zone. What made his actions even more impressive was the fact that he didn’t miss any shots, despite the enemies’ rounds impacting within a foot of his fighting position....
...“The biggest thing to take from that day is what Marines can accomplish when they’re given the opportunity to fight,” the sniper said. “A small group of Marines met a numerically superior force and embarrassed them in their own backyard. The insurgents told the townspeople that they were stronger than the Americans, and that day we showed them they were wrong.”
During the battle, the designated marksman single handedly thwarted a company-sized enemy RPG and machinegun ambush by reportedly killing 20 enemy fighters with his devastatingly accurate precision fire. He selflessly exposed himself time and again to intense enemy fire during a critical point in the eight-hour battle for Shewan in order to kill any enemy combatants who attempted to engage or maneuver on the Marines in the kill zone. What made his actions even more impressive was the fact that he didn’t miss any shots, despite the enemies’ rounds impacting within a foot of his fighting position....
Disillusioned by Islam
The Story of M A GabrielThe former professor of Islamic history at Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
From Arab Bible:
Fifteen years ago I was the imam of a mosque in the city of Giza, Egypt, which is where the famous Egyptian pyramids are located. (Imam of a mosque is a position similar to pastor of a Christian church.) I preached the message of the week on Fridays from 12 to 1 in the afternoon, as well as performed other duties....
...However, I knew that what I was teaching at the mosque and at Al-Azhar was not what I’d seen in the Quran, which I had memorized in its entirety by the age of twelve. What confused me the most was that I was told to preach about an Islam of love, kindness and forgiveness. At the same time, Muslim fundamentalists—the ones who were supposed to be practicing true Islam—were bombing churches and killing Christians....
...I had been raised in a family that was well established in Islam, and I had studied Islamic history. I was not involved in any radical groups. But one of my Muslim friends was a member of an Islamic group that was actively slaughtering Christians. Ironically, he was a chemistry student and had only recently become serious about his faith. Nevertheless, he was active in jihad. One day I asked him, “Why are you killing our neighbors and countrymen whom we grew up with?”He was angry and astonished at my challenge. “Out of all Muslims you should know. The Christians did not accept the call of Islam, and they are not willing to pay us the jizyah (tax) to have the right to practice their beliefs. Therefore, the only option they have is the sword of Islamic law.”...(read his entire amazing testimony here)
Good companion articles can be found at Culture Watch:
Jesus, Muhammad and Violence
and the honest answer over at Islam Q&A as to the punishment of the one who leaves Islaam:
From Arab Bible:
Fifteen years ago I was the imam of a mosque in the city of Giza, Egypt, which is where the famous Egyptian pyramids are located. (Imam of a mosque is a position similar to pastor of a Christian church.) I preached the message of the week on Fridays from 12 to 1 in the afternoon, as well as performed other duties....
...However, I knew that what I was teaching at the mosque and at Al-Azhar was not what I’d seen in the Quran, which I had memorized in its entirety by the age of twelve. What confused me the most was that I was told to preach about an Islam of love, kindness and forgiveness. At the same time, Muslim fundamentalists—the ones who were supposed to be practicing true Islam—were bombing churches and killing Christians....
...I had been raised in a family that was well established in Islam, and I had studied Islamic history. I was not involved in any radical groups. But one of my Muslim friends was a member of an Islamic group that was actively slaughtering Christians. Ironically, he was a chemistry student and had only recently become serious about his faith. Nevertheless, he was active in jihad. One day I asked him, “Why are you killing our neighbors and countrymen whom we grew up with?”He was angry and astonished at my challenge. “Out of all Muslims you should know. The Christians did not accept the call of Islam, and they are not willing to pay us the jizyah (tax) to have the right to practice their beliefs. Therefore, the only option they have is the sword of Islamic law.”...(read his entire amazing testimony here)
Good companion articles can be found at Culture Watch:
Jesus, Muhammad and Violence
...Here I want to look more closely at the two founders of these religions: Jesus and Muhammad. It goes without saying that they are both central figures in their respective religions, and the life, teaching and example of each become crucial for their followers.
Jesus of course never killed anyone, never ordered the killing of anyone, and never shed anyone’s blood. Neither did any of his New Testament disciples. One will look in vain throughout all 27 books of the NT to find even a hint of killing, bloodshed or religiously-motivated violence conducted by Jesus and his followers.
The story about Muhammad of course is quite different. However, before I proceed any further, let me mention a few words about Muhammad’s place in Islam. Jesus is regarded by Christians as God, as divine, and as the object of their worship. Muhammad does not occupy such a place in Islam.
Muhammad is not considered to be God or the son of God. He is not declared to be sinless, nor is he to be worshipped. He is simply the final and fullest revelation and prophet of Allah. But he is nonetheless held up as “the ideal man”, and as the example and role model for every Muslim to follow....(more)
Jesus of course never killed anyone, never ordered the killing of anyone, and never shed anyone’s blood. Neither did any of his New Testament disciples. One will look in vain throughout all 27 books of the NT to find even a hint of killing, bloodshed or religiously-motivated violence conducted by Jesus and his followers.
The story about Muhammad of course is quite different. However, before I proceed any further, let me mention a few words about Muhammad’s place in Islam. Jesus is regarded by Christians as God, as divine, and as the object of their worship. Muhammad does not occupy such a place in Islam.
Muhammad is not considered to be God or the son of God. He is not declared to be sinless, nor is he to be worshipped. He is simply the final and fullest revelation and prophet of Allah. But he is nonetheless held up as “the ideal man”, and as the example and role model for every Muslim to follow....(more)
and the honest answer over at Islam Q&A as to the punishment of the one who leaves Islaam:
The punishment for apostasy (riddah) is well-known in Islaamic Sharee’ah. The one who leaves Islaam will be asked to repent by the Sharee’ah judge in an Islaamic country; if he does not repent and come back to the true religion, he will be killed as a kaafir and apostate, because of the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): "Whoever changes his religion, kill him."
Black leaders: De-fund 'racist' Planned Parenthood
Let's hope this catches on...
From WND:
A Republican congressman joined black pastors and pro-life activists in a demonstration at Planned Parenthood offices in the nation's capital today to protest an alleged pattern of racist practices by the abortion provider.
"African-Americans are having abortions at a hugely disproportionate rate according to their population, and Planned Parenthood has no shame whatsoever in accepting money that specifically targets our community," said Day Gardner, president of the National Black Pro-Life Union...
...The leaders presented documentation of an undercover investigation, reported by WND, in which a pro-life student magazine at UCLA found Planned Parenthood staffers in seven states were willing to accept a financial donation targeting the destruction of an unborn black baby.
The letter says the conversations with the Planned Parenthood workers "are haunting and chilling, sounding more like 1958 than 2008."
Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson at Planned Parenthood protest in Washington, D.C., offices (Courtesy Students for Life)
"Planned Parenthood's questionable, and possibly criminal, business practices are having a profound effect on African-American communities all across this nation," the leaders write....
(more)
Meanwhile...
College threatens pro-life students with arrest
From WND:
A Republican congressman joined black pastors and pro-life activists in a demonstration at Planned Parenthood offices in the nation's capital today to protest an alleged pattern of racist practices by the abortion provider.
"African-Americans are having abortions at a hugely disproportionate rate according to their population, and Planned Parenthood has no shame whatsoever in accepting money that specifically targets our community," said Day Gardner, president of the National Black Pro-Life Union...
...The leaders presented documentation of an undercover investigation, reported by WND, in which a pro-life student magazine at UCLA found Planned Parenthood staffers in seven states were willing to accept a financial donation targeting the destruction of an unborn black baby.
The letter says the conversations with the Planned Parenthood workers "are haunting and chilling, sounding more like 1958 than 2008."
Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson at Planned Parenthood protest in Washington, D.C., offices (Courtesy Students for Life)
"Planned Parenthood's questionable, and possibly criminal, business practices are having a profound effect on African-American communities all across this nation," the leaders write....
(more)
Meanwhile...
College threatens pro-life students with arrest
Believing in ghosts and little green men from outer space easier than faith in God
England Proves Chesterton Right...Again - From CMR: "When people stop believing in God, they don't believe in nothing- they believe in anything.'"
Monday, November 24, 2008
Survey finds most Obama voters remembered negative coverage of McCain/Palin statements struggled to correctly answer about Obama coverage
From Zogby and actually included in the Mein Kampus article below (from American Thinker)but worth it's own post:
...83% failed to correctly answer that Obama had won his first election by getting all of his opponents removed from the ballot, and 88% did not correctly associate Obama with his statement that his energy policies would likely bankrupt the coal industry. Most (56%) were also not able to correctly answer that Obama started his political career at the home of two former members of the Weather Underground.
Nearly three quarters (72%) of Obama voters did not correctly identify Biden as the candidate who had to quit a previous campaign for President because he was found to have plagiarized a speech, and nearly half (47%) did not know that Biden was the one who predicted Obama would be tested by a generated international crisis during his first six months as President.... (more)
...83% failed to correctly answer that Obama had won his first election by getting all of his opponents removed from the ballot, and 88% did not correctly associate Obama with his statement that his energy policies would likely bankrupt the coal industry. Most (56%) were also not able to correctly answer that Obama started his political career at the home of two former members of the Weather Underground.
Nearly three quarters (72%) of Obama voters did not correctly identify Biden as the candidate who had to quit a previous campaign for President because he was found to have plagiarized a speech, and nearly half (47%) did not know that Biden was the one who predicted Obama would be tested by a generated international crisis during his first six months as President.... (more)
The hell of global warming is freezing over
From over at the Steady Drip:
Ice Age Coming - I Told You So!
After 2 centuries of shrinking, Alaska glaciers got thicker this year.
Or you can read it at the Anchorage Daily News
According to IBD it's been a bad year for global warming alarmists:
Record cold periods and snowfalls are occurring around the globe. The hell that the radicals have promised is freezing over. the Swiss lowlands last month received the most snow for any October since records began. Zurich got 20 centimeters, breaking the record of 14 centimeters set in 1939. Ocala, Fla., experienced its second-lowest October temperature since 1850.
October temperatures fell to record lows in Oregon as well. On Oct. 10, Boise, Idaho, got the earliest snow in its history — 1.7 inches. That beat the old record by seven-tenths of an inch and one day on the calendar.
In the Southern Hemisphere, where winter was winding down, Durban, South Africa, had its coldest September night in history in the middle of the month. Some regions of the country had unusual late-winter snows. A month earlier, New Zealand officials reported that Mount Ruapehu had its largest snow base ever.
At the top of the world, the International Arctic Research Center reported last month, there was 29% more Arctic sea ice this year than last. (more)
It's funny really except that we have much more to fear from global cooling than from warming, and much more to fear from governments trying to "save" us from ourselves with carbon credits and other such fertilizer masquerading as sound policy...
Ice Age Coming - I Told You So!
After 2 centuries of shrinking, Alaska glaciers got thicker this year.
Or you can read it at the Anchorage Daily News
According to IBD it's been a bad year for global warming alarmists:
Record cold periods and snowfalls are occurring around the globe. The hell that the radicals have promised is freezing over. the Swiss lowlands last month received the most snow for any October since records began. Zurich got 20 centimeters, breaking the record of 14 centimeters set in 1939. Ocala, Fla., experienced its second-lowest October temperature since 1850.
October temperatures fell to record lows in Oregon as well. On Oct. 10, Boise, Idaho, got the earliest snow in its history — 1.7 inches. That beat the old record by seven-tenths of an inch and one day on the calendar.
In the Southern Hemisphere, where winter was winding down, Durban, South Africa, had its coldest September night in history in the middle of the month. Some regions of the country had unusual late-winter snows. A month earlier, New Zealand officials reported that Mount Ruapehu had its largest snow base ever.
At the top of the world, the International Arctic Research Center reported last month, there was 29% more Arctic sea ice this year than last. (more)
It's funny really except that we have much more to fear from global cooling than from warming, and much more to fear from governments trying to "save" us from ourselves with carbon credits and other such fertilizer masquerading as sound policy...
When Science Points To God
From Townhall:
If you want to know why atheists seem to have given up the scientific card, the current issue of Discover magazine provides part of the answer. The magazine has an interesting story by Tim Folger which is titled “Science’s Alternative to an Intelligent Creator.” The article begins by noting “an extraordinary fact about the universe: its basic properties are uncannily suited for life.” As physicist Andrei Linde puts it, “We have a lot of really, really strange coincidences, and all of these coincidences are such that they make life possible.”
Too many “coincidences,” however, imply a plot. Folger’s article shows that if the numerical values of the universe, from the speed of light to the strength of gravity, were even slightly different, there would be no universe and no life. Recently scientists have discovered that most of the matter and energy in the universe is made up of so-called “dark” matter and “dark” energy. It turns out that the quantity of dark energy seems precisely calibrated to make possible not only our universe but observers like us who can comprehend that universe.
Even Steven Weinberg, the Nobel laureate in physics and an outspoken atheist, remarks that “this is fine-tuning that seems to be extreme, far beyond what you could imagine just having to accept as a mere accident.” And physicist Freeman Dyson draws the appropriate conclusion from the scientific evidence to date: “The universe in some sense knew we were coming.” ...
If you want to know why atheists seem to have given up the scientific card, the current issue of Discover magazine provides part of the answer. The magazine has an interesting story by Tim Folger which is titled “Science’s Alternative to an Intelligent Creator.” The article begins by noting “an extraordinary fact about the universe: its basic properties are uncannily suited for life.” As physicist Andrei Linde puts it, “We have a lot of really, really strange coincidences, and all of these coincidences are such that they make life possible.”
Too many “coincidences,” however, imply a plot. Folger’s article shows that if the numerical values of the universe, from the speed of light to the strength of gravity, were even slightly different, there would be no universe and no life. Recently scientists have discovered that most of the matter and energy in the universe is made up of so-called “dark” matter and “dark” energy. It turns out that the quantity of dark energy seems precisely calibrated to make possible not only our universe but observers like us who can comprehend that universe.
Even Steven Weinberg, the Nobel laureate in physics and an outspoken atheist, remarks that “this is fine-tuning that seems to be extreme, far beyond what you could imagine just having to accept as a mere accident.” And physicist Freeman Dyson draws the appropriate conclusion from the scientific evidence to date: “The universe in some sense knew we were coming.” ...
Mein Kampus
From American Thinker:
...I thought that I could not be shocked any more by the Stalinist mindset on college campuses. I was wrong.
My wife's friend, a middle aged woman going back to school to get a degree in Criminal Justice, took a course entitled "Ethics and Criminal Justice." She lives in a very conservative community in a very conservative state. The university she attends would never be considered a hotbed for radicals. Her course of study is not political science, sociology, psychology or some other field which may naturally attract idealistic Leftists. She rather took a course in criminal justice, more of a hard-line conservative discipline.
So imagine my surprise when she shared with me "Course Paper / Fall 2008" instructions. The mandatory topic of this paper was the firing of U.S. Attorneys by the Attorney General. The "Bush White House" is accused of using the Justice Department to suppress voter turnout (perhaps this professor never heard of ACORN registering Mickey Mouse and household pets to vote in presidential elections, or perhaps this is not an ethical problem.)
The professor's written instructions harangue students to rely upon facts, not political opinions, in writing the paper and to use at least fifteen different sources. All sources, however, were not equal. Three of those fifteen sources were required to come out of the New York Times; five of those sources were required to come out of the Washington Post; two of those sources had to be the Guardian. Ten of the fifteen mandatory sources, in other words, had to come from periodicals rabidly hostile to President Bush. Three of the citations had to come from articles by Dana Priest of the Washington Post. But that was not all. No credit at all would be given for using sources that "have a reputation within the news industry for distributing their own political views at the expense of the facts, e.g. Fox News." ...(more)
...I thought that I could not be shocked any more by the Stalinist mindset on college campuses. I was wrong.
My wife's friend, a middle aged woman going back to school to get a degree in Criminal Justice, took a course entitled "Ethics and Criminal Justice." She lives in a very conservative community in a very conservative state. The university she attends would never be considered a hotbed for radicals. Her course of study is not political science, sociology, psychology or some other field which may naturally attract idealistic Leftists. She rather took a course in criminal justice, more of a hard-line conservative discipline.
So imagine my surprise when she shared with me "Course Paper / Fall 2008" instructions. The mandatory topic of this paper was the firing of U.S. Attorneys by the Attorney General. The "Bush White House" is accused of using the Justice Department to suppress voter turnout (perhaps this professor never heard of ACORN registering Mickey Mouse and household pets to vote in presidential elections, or perhaps this is not an ethical problem.)
The professor's written instructions harangue students to rely upon facts, not political opinions, in writing the paper and to use at least fifteen different sources. All sources, however, were not equal. Three of those fifteen sources were required to come out of the New York Times; five of those sources were required to come out of the Washington Post; two of those sources had to be the Guardian. Ten of the fifteen mandatory sources, in other words, had to come from periodicals rabidly hostile to President Bush. Three of the citations had to come from articles by Dana Priest of the Washington Post. But that was not all. No credit at all would be given for using sources that "have a reputation within the news industry for distributing their own political views at the expense of the facts, e.g. Fox News." ...(more)
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The confused dogmatism of the "I'm pro-God, anti-organized religion!" crowd
Good points over at InsightScoop:
Rev. Dr. Susan K. Smith is the senior pastor of Advent United Church of Christ in Columbus, Ohio. She attended two different seminaries (Yale and United Theological Seminary) and has written four books. Her message, according to this post on the Washington Post "On Faith" blog?
Organized religion is too often a turn-off for people trying to figure out life. Religions tend to be dogmatic, too doctrinaire, with policies, premises and practices which honor the human spirit at the expense of the God mandates.
On this side, the Bad Stuff: organized religion, dogma, doctrine, policies, premises, and practices. On that side, the Good Stuff: the God mandates. Since Smith, the critic of organized religion, is the senior pastor of a church, I do wonder: is her church organized? Does it have set meeting times? (Yes, it does.) Does it have recognized leadership? (Of course!) Does it have any clearly defined beliefs, doctrines, policies, premises, and practices? (I bet so.) And did it take time at two seminaries to learn that organized religion is bad, while "God mandates" are good? (Probably.) While complete answers to those questions might not be readily available, some of Smith's dogmatic, doctrinaire remarks suggest that those answers, if available, would not make much sense:
God says love everyone; religions at least imply that it's OK to love some people and treat others badly.
How, I wonder, does Smith know that God says we are to love everyone? I hope she doesn't say, "The Bible," since the Good Book is, by all accounts, both a product of organized religions (Judaism and Catholicism) and full of dogma and doctrine (Ten Commandments, anyone? Sermon on the Mount? Paul's Epistle to the Romans?), not to mention policies (see Acts 15, for example), premises (how about John 1:1-3?), and practices (read, say, 1 or 2 Corinthians, or James). And if not the Bible, what? On what premise does she base her claim about God and love? And on what factual basis does she say, carte blanche, that all religions "at least imply" it's okay to treat some people badly? Really how, what does she mean by that? (more)
Rev. Dr. Susan K. Smith is the senior pastor of Advent United Church of Christ in Columbus, Ohio. She attended two different seminaries (Yale and United Theological Seminary) and has written four books. Her message, according to this post on the Washington Post "On Faith" blog?
Organized religion is too often a turn-off for people trying to figure out life. Religions tend to be dogmatic, too doctrinaire, with policies, premises and practices which honor the human spirit at the expense of the God mandates.
On this side, the Bad Stuff: organized religion, dogma, doctrine, policies, premises, and practices. On that side, the Good Stuff: the God mandates. Since Smith, the critic of organized religion, is the senior pastor of a church, I do wonder: is her church organized? Does it have set meeting times? (Yes, it does.) Does it have recognized leadership? (Of course!) Does it have any clearly defined beliefs, doctrines, policies, premises, and practices? (I bet so.) And did it take time at two seminaries to learn that organized religion is bad, while "God mandates" are good? (Probably.) While complete answers to those questions might not be readily available, some of Smith's dogmatic, doctrinaire remarks suggest that those answers, if available, would not make much sense:
God says love everyone; religions at least imply that it's OK to love some people and treat others badly.
How, I wonder, does Smith know that God says we are to love everyone? I hope she doesn't say, "The Bible," since the Good Book is, by all accounts, both a product of organized religions (Judaism and Catholicism) and full of dogma and doctrine (Ten Commandments, anyone? Sermon on the Mount? Paul's Epistle to the Romans?), not to mention policies (see Acts 15, for example), premises (how about John 1:1-3?), and practices (read, say, 1 or 2 Corinthians, or James). And if not the Bible, what? On what premise does she base her claim about God and love? And on what factual basis does she say, carte blanche, that all religions "at least imply" it's okay to treat some people badly? Really how, what does she mean by that? (more)
The "Who woulda thunk it?" statement of the day
Surprise, surprise, surprise...
From Insightscoop
From Catholic News Agency:
As President-elect Obama builds his new administration, his list of new appointees makes it even more apparent that he is comfortable with the pro-abortion lobby. This became even more clear on Saturday when Ellen Moran, executive director of EMILY’s List, was named White House communications director.
For a candidate to be considered for funding from EMILY’s List there are three requirements: The candidate must be a woman; she must be a Democrat; and she must support unrestricted access to taxpayer-funded abortion-on-demand.
From Insightscoop
From Catholic News Agency:
As President-elect Obama builds his new administration, his list of new appointees makes it even more apparent that he is comfortable with the pro-abortion lobby. This became even more clear on Saturday when Ellen Moran, executive director of EMILY’s List, was named White House communications director.
For a candidate to be considered for funding from EMILY’s List there are three requirements: The candidate must be a woman; she must be a Democrat; and she must support unrestricted access to taxpayer-funded abortion-on-demand.
Some Thoughts From the Heritage
Congress Undermines America's Infrastructure by Looting the Highway Trust Fund
Recent projections by the Office of Management and Budget and the Congressional Budget Office reveal that the highway trust fund will run out of money during FY 2009. Unless the fund is replenished soon, federal spending on highways could decline significantly as the fund reverts to a spend-as-you-earn basis until a permanent remedy is enacted. Until then, one solution is to re-concentrate the fund's focus on highway investment and safety by abandoning the many low priority and non-transportation diversions that now encumber the federal program. (more)
and
Why Government Spending Does Not Stimulate Economic Growth
In a throwback to the 1930s and 1970s, Democratic lawmakers are betting that America's economic ills can be cured by an extraordinary expansion of government. This tired approach has already failed repeatedly in the past year, in which Congress and the President:
Recent projections by the Office of Management and Budget and the Congressional Budget Office reveal that the highway trust fund will run out of money during FY 2009. Unless the fund is replenished soon, federal spending on highways could decline significantly as the fund reverts to a spend-as-you-earn basis until a permanent remedy is enacted. Until then, one solution is to re-concentrate the fund's focus on highway investment and safety by abandoning the many low priority and non-transportation diversions that now encumber the federal program. (more)
and
Why Government Spending Does Not Stimulate Economic Growth
In a throwback to the 1930s and 1970s, Democratic lawmakers are betting that America's economic ills can be cured by an extraordinary expansion of government. This tired approach has already failed repeatedly in the past year, in which Congress and the President:
- Increased total federal spending by 11 percent to nearly $3 trillion;
- Enacted $333 billion in "emergency" spending;
- Enacted $105 billion in tax rebates; and
- Pushed the budget deficit to $455 billion in the name of "stimulus."
Every one of these policies failed to increase economic growth. Now, in addition to passing a $700 billion financial sector rescue package, lawmakers have decided to double down on these failed spending policies by proposing a $300 billion economic stimulus bill. Even though the last $455 billion in Keynesian deficit spending failed to help the economy, lawmakers seem to have convinced themselves that the next $300 billion will succeed. (more)
Update: Nationwide Homosexual Anarchist Organization Behind Attack on MI Church Planning Further Disruptions
LANSING, Michigan, November 14, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – According to their blog, the radical homosexual anarchist group known as "Bash Back!", which on Sunday disrupted a church service in Lansing, Michigan, planned the disruption at least a month in advance, and affiliated internet sites indicate that similar disruptions are in the works.
The group's Washington, DC branch is currently advertising a rally in the nation's capital today. They intend to protest "neoliberal domination" through a general disruption:
"At 10am on the 15th there’s a Rally and Carnival at Judiciary Square Metro,” says the memo on the event, “and we’ll have a rowdy, raucous queer prescence at the march immediately following, which’ll be themed around a festive celebration of the downfall of capitalism.
"Hope radical queers from all over this crazy land will join us!"
The group touts a history of systematized rebellion against law enforcement to advance an extreme left-wing anarchic agenda. The group was created in April 2007, with the original intention of disrupting both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions this year. At the Republican convention, mounted police forced Bash Back! radicals attempting a road blockade to disband.
Sunday's assault on the Mt. Hope Church attracted little media attention, despite its bizarre and inflammatory nature (http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/nov/08111104.html).
“It is important that law enforcement from all quarters address this issue," said Catholic League president Donohue, commenting on the group's activities.
The Mt. Hope Church incident is part of a steady trend of disruptive measures by homosexualists in recent weeks against institutions promoting true marriage. (more)
The group's Washington, DC branch is currently advertising a rally in the nation's capital today. They intend to protest "neoliberal domination" through a general disruption:
"At 10am on the 15th there’s a Rally and Carnival at Judiciary Square Metro,” says the memo on the event, “and we’ll have a rowdy, raucous queer prescence at the march immediately following, which’ll be themed around a festive celebration of the downfall of capitalism.
"Hope radical queers from all over this crazy land will join us!"
The group touts a history of systematized rebellion against law enforcement to advance an extreme left-wing anarchic agenda. The group was created in April 2007, with the original intention of disrupting both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions this year. At the Republican convention, mounted police forced Bash Back! radicals attempting a road blockade to disband.
Sunday's assault on the Mt. Hope Church attracted little media attention, despite its bizarre and inflammatory nature (http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/nov/08111104.html).
“It is important that law enforcement from all quarters address this issue," said Catholic League president Donohue, commenting on the group's activities.
The Mt. Hope Church incident is part of a steady trend of disruptive measures by homosexualists in recent weeks against institutions promoting true marriage. (more)
With Homosexual 'Marriage' Christian Freedoms Will be Under Greatest Threat in Hawaii, Wisconsin
WASHINGTON, November 14, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A new study by The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty has found that over 350 separate state anti-discrimination laws would likely be affected by the legal recognition of same-sex “marriage.” The organization surveyed over 1,000 state anti-discrimination laws -- specifically those prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender, or marital status -- to assess how those laws would affect religious dissenters to same-sex “marriage” if same-sex “marriage” were to be legally recognized. Based on the data, The Becket Fund concluded that if same-sex “marriage” is recognized by courts or legislatures, people and institutions that have conscientious objections to facilitating same-sex “marriages” will likely be sued under existing anti-discrimination laws, despite the fact that those laws were never intended for that purpose. Based on an analysis of the laws and what has transpired in other jurisdictions with similar laws, such as Canada, the Becket Fund warned: "Lawsuits will likely arise when religious people or religious organizations choose, based on their sincerely held religious beliefs, not to hire individuals in same-sex marriages, refuse to extend spousal benefits to same-sex spouses, refuse to make their property or services available for same-sex marriage ceremonies or other events affirming same-sex marriage, or refuse to provide otherwise available housing to same-sex couples. This wide-ranging conflict between governments and conscientious citizens would take years of litigation to resolve, assuming that it could be resolved." (more)
Why Care about Marriage?
From STR:
Maggie Gallagher answers that question in the L.A. Times. The first paragraph below struck me as simple but incredibly profound in the context of the public discourse today. Marriage is something in particular with a definition that transcends our time and culture. Marriage predates our cultural rules. Marriage has a purpose embedded in the physical union of a man and a woman. Marriage has a definition that can't be redefined because we want to because we can't change the nature of reproduction, the fundamental need of society for marriage.
Maggie Gallagher answers that question in the L.A. Times. The first paragraph below struck me as simple but incredibly profound in the context of the public discourse today. Marriage is something in particular with a definition that transcends our time and culture. Marriage predates our cultural rules. Marriage has a purpose embedded in the physical union of a man and a woman. Marriage has a definition that can't be redefined because we want to because we can't change the nature of reproduction, the fundamental need of society for marriage.
It's simple: Government did not create marriage. Marriage is older than the U.S. Constitution, older even than the Bible or the Koran. Marriage's deepest roots are in human nature and human experience. Marriage, as a judge on the Connecticut Supreme Court wrote in his compelling dissent to that court's recent ruling allowing gays to wed, is rooted "in biology, not bigotry."
How To Steal An Election- Part #
The Franken monster on the loose in Minnesota...
Minnesota Ripe for Election Fraud -the story is a little late in being posted here but still..
Minnesota Ripe for Election Fraud -the story is a little late in being posted here but still..
When voters woke up on Wednesday morning after the election, Senator Norm Coleman led Al Franken by what seemed like a relatively comfortable 725 votes. By Wednesday night, that lead had shrunk to 477. By Thursday night, it was down to 336. By Friday, it was 239. Late Sunday night, the difference had gone down to just 221 -- a total change over 4 days of 504 votes.
Amazingly, this all has occurred even though there hasn’t even yet been a recount. Just local election officials correcting claimed typos in how the numbers were reported. Counties will certify their results today, and their final results will be sent to the secretary of state by Friday. The actual recount won’t even start until November 19. (more at Fox)
Amazingly, this all has occurred even though there hasn’t even yet been a recount. Just local election officials correcting claimed typos in how the numbers were reported. Counties will certify their results today, and their final results will be sent to the secretary of state by Friday. The actual recount won’t even start until November 19. (more at Fox)
With ACORN filing more than 43,000 registration forms this year, 75 percent of all new registrations in the state, Minnesota was facing vote fraud problems even before the election. Even a small percentage of those registrations resulting in fraudulent votes could tip this election.
To many, it just seems like too much of a coincidence that Minnesota's one tight race just happens to be the race with the most "corrected" votes by far. But the real travesty will be to start letting election officials divine voter's intent. If you want to discourage people from voting, election fraud is one sure way of doing it.
To many, it just seems like too much of a coincidence that Minnesota's one tight race just happens to be the race with the most "corrected" votes by far. But the real travesty will be to start letting election officials divine voter's intent. If you want to discourage people from voting, election fraud is one sure way of doing it.
The Death of Catholic Culture and the Election of Barack Obama
Sad, if true as it seems to be, based on post-election polls. The flip side is that orthodox Catholics have found their voice again and are speaking out and preparing a response (such as this one-four options for dealing with Catholic legislators who support FOCA:) to such evils...
Commentary by Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, President, Human Life International
November 21, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - It is impossible to speak of a "Catholic culture" in America any longer. A whole segment of the populace who call themselves "Catholics" do not feel bound by any standard of Catholic orthodoxy or sanity. In fact, it is impossible to even speak of a Catholic culture in most parishes!
At a recent "ministry faire" of a large Catholic parish in south Florida, the Respect Life ministry of the parish displayed its pro-life materials next to the table of the "social justice" committee of the same parish. Any commonality between the two ministries was simply in the space they shared. Their worldviews could not have been further apart, but they both call themselves Catholic.
In fact, the "social justice" people were positively aglow about the election of their new messiah, Barack Obama. Several of them were speaking of their plans to attend the Inauguration and were utterly unaware that there would be 100,000 people marching on the nation's Capitol two days later for the right to life of unborn Americans which they had just voted into irrelevancy by electing Obama to the highest office of the land. One of them even expressed shock at the provisions of the upcoming Freedom of Choice Act until he was confronted with the nasty little fact that his messiah had been a sponsor of that pernicious bill in the last Congress. True to form, he steadfastly refused to allow that truth to have any effect on his euphoria. His mind was made up, and he would not let himself be confused by facts. Needless to say, the orthodox, practicing, believing Catholic pro-lifers will not be attending the Inauguration....(more)
Commentary by Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, President, Human Life International
November 21, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - It is impossible to speak of a "Catholic culture" in America any longer. A whole segment of the populace who call themselves "Catholics" do not feel bound by any standard of Catholic orthodoxy or sanity. In fact, it is impossible to even speak of a Catholic culture in most parishes!
At a recent "ministry faire" of a large Catholic parish in south Florida, the Respect Life ministry of the parish displayed its pro-life materials next to the table of the "social justice" committee of the same parish. Any commonality between the two ministries was simply in the space they shared. Their worldviews could not have been further apart, but they both call themselves Catholic.
In fact, the "social justice" people were positively aglow about the election of their new messiah, Barack Obama. Several of them were speaking of their plans to attend the Inauguration and were utterly unaware that there would be 100,000 people marching on the nation's Capitol two days later for the right to life of unborn Americans which they had just voted into irrelevancy by electing Obama to the highest office of the land. One of them even expressed shock at the provisions of the upcoming Freedom of Choice Act until he was confronted with the nasty little fact that his messiah had been a sponsor of that pernicious bill in the last Congress. True to form, he steadfastly refused to allow that truth to have any effect on his euphoria. His mind was made up, and he would not let himself be confused by facts. Needless to say, the orthodox, practicing, believing Catholic pro-lifers will not be attending the Inauguration....(more)
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