Author Archives: Editor

U.S. Bailout Foreign Companies, but What Happened to Peace and Prosperity?

Yesterday, Newsmax ran a story about the federal government bailout of overseas banks and other foreign corporations. Part of the reason was attributed to global reach of AIG. Because we are all part of a global economy, a global bailout was to be expected.

I don’t remember hearing the Obama administration, Congressional politicians, or the media ever mentioning that part of $787 billion would help save foreign banks or General Motors, do you?

To save the world, globalists on Capitol Hill seem to believe Americans on Main Street should welcome state approved robbery. The Washington-run Empire, like all past empires, impoverishes millions of its people for the grand cause of power, status, and the flow of wealth. Remember, most of the imperialists on Capitol Hill are millionaires.
Anyone familiar with the history of bailouts funded by the federal government (including the Federal Reserve) knows this has been going on for decades.

In one sense, global economy is just another nice but deceptive phrase for the increasing reach of American economic empire. It appears that the goal of Democrats is to increase the burden of empire to the point of America’s bankruptcy.

That is one important factor that led to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.

Are the elites among the Republican Party any different? I doubt it. Can you remember any America president or Congressional majority ever proposing to end the American military presence around the world? Only Ron Paul proposed such a thing. Doing so would put billions of dollars back in the pockets of Americans. A large scale-back of U.S. military’s global presence would also mean leaving America’s global corporation vulnerable to the dictates of foreign governments and the interests of their people. Not that the wealth given to foreign government by American corporations is used to prosper all of their citizens, but its does keep foreign dictators willing to dance to America’s green tunes. Think of how much that would save taxpayers if Congressional politicians were not so willing to travel to all of those subjected nations.

I know; we are the leader of the world. World peace and prosperity is dependent upon our government. Millions at home and certainly abroad are still are wondering when real peace and prosperity will be achieved. Maybe the elite’s utopian vision is flawed. Just consider the achievements of that bastion of global peace, the United Nations–not very impressive. No lasting peace in Israel, genocide in Sudan, massacres in Africa, wars in the Middle East, Europe, Central America and elsewhere, and now terrorism. Don’t misunderstand me, sincere efforts toward peace are honorable, but repeating failed policies and strategies of the past is to demonstrate stupidity.

Again, the lessons of failed empires of the past demonstrate egalitarianism, multiculturalism, moral relativity, immorality, and much debt are all co-factors in what social scientists call structural violence, which includes poverty. The peace waged by all empires has been most won and maintained by the merciless power of their armies. Empires have never been very effective at creating real peace or prosperity for masses of non-elite peasants. America is no exception.

American exceptionalism inherited from its founder’s vision has been fading away for a long time. Maybe it’s not too late to revive it.

Ohioans ready for Big Fixes

On July 28, the Buckeye Institute released a statewide poll of 1,800 registered voters that shows Ohioans are at odds with their government leaders on the major issues of the day, especially regarding government compensation, regulations, and Ohio’s pro-union policies. Magellan Data and Mapping Strategies of Broomfield, Colorado, conducted the poll on July 19, 2010, via an autodial survey of registered voters from across Ohio. Because of the large sample, the survey has a margin of error of 2.31%.

Here are some top-line numbers:

·    50% think government leaders should first reduce government worker
     compensation to eliminate the $8 billion budget state deficit;

·    Only 16% think taxes should be increased to eliminate the Ohio deficit;

·    52% think Ohio’s state and local taxes are too high;

·    56% think Ohio’s regulatory environment makes it harder for businesses to
     create jobs and grow;

·    85% think workers should be free to choose whether to join a labor union to get      jobs;

·    67% think we should stick with coal or add nuclear and natural gas energy.

Source: Buckeye Institute Reports, August 9, 2010.

Show Us God Before You Go

By Daniel Downs

In the fourteenth chapter of John’s gospel, three questions are raised and answered. The subject matter concerning Jesus’ statements about is leaving them to a place where he will be glorified. (13:31-35) His disciples did not know what the heck he was talking about. They were not sure they understood where he was going. As all good Jews, they began asking questions.

Peter respectfully raised the first question that is recorded in the previous chapter and it was reiterated by Thomas here. The question is this: What do you mean? Where are you going, and why can I not follow you right now? (13:36, 37) Jesus responding by saying, “Don’t worry about it. You will follow later. I’m going to my Father’s house where I will prepare a place for you. I will come again to take you to where I am now going. Come on guys, don’t act dumb, you know the way to where I’m going. Don’t you?” (13:36-14:4)

Expressing his usual point of view, Thomas, the proverbial skeptic, pipes up and says, “What! We neither know where you are going nor how to get there” (v. 5).

Jesus’ infamous retort is “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but though me. If you really knew me you would have known my Father also. So look here guys. You now know Him, and have seen Him. Get it?” (vv. 6-7)

While listening Philip is going hmm. He says, “No Lord, I still don’t think we get it. I do not remember having seen God. How about showing us the Father. Yeh, show us God. That should do the trick” (v. 8).

Jesus seemed very surprised. No doubt he was thinking these guys are bunch of numb skulls. It shows by his question that follows. “Have I been so long with you, and you have not come to know me, Phillip?” Let me make it real simple and plain for you. “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” So, “how can you say, ‘Show us the Father?” (v. 9)

From verses 10 through 21, Jesus explains how he reveals the Father and how they will also. In essence, it is because of their intimate spiritual relationship and works that the unseen God is manifested to the world. Their relationship to Jesus and Jesus’ relationship to the Father lived out in daily life is the way God is made known. Of course, God is seen through their lives lived according to the commandments of God and ministry of the Messiah.

At the end of his explanation, Jesus says, “He who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me and will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will disclose myself to him” (v. 21). To which Judas responds, “Why only disclose yourself to us and not to the world?” (v. 22)

In order to understand Judas’ question, one need to know a little more about him. Judas was a member of the Zealot party. Zealots wanted to overthrow Rome’s control over Jerusalem and do away with Jewish traitors who helped them. The Messiah was and still viewed as a political and military leader who will lead Israel to defeat all oppressors and enemies. To Judas, Jesus’ Messiahship was naturally one that would be evident to Rome and all the world. Christians believe that is soon to be revealed.

Jesus seems to ignore Judas’ actual question. Instead, he picks up were he left off. Jesus continues to explain that he is going to where the Father is (v. 28). However, they (God and Jesus) will come back to make their abode with those who love him. How? Through the promised helper. Jesus describes this helper as the Spirit of Truth (v. 17) and the Holy Spirit (v. 26). The disclosure questioned by Judas will happen by means of the Helper. He will teach them what Jesus reveals (v. 26; 15:26;16:13-15). He will remind them of the things Jesus has already disclosed to them (v. 26;.15:27; 16:4). He will administer the peace of Jesus, which why the Holy Spirit is called Helper, Comforter and Advocate (v. 27). These adjectives derive from the Koine Greek word parakletos and is descriptive of a relationship in which one comes to the side of another in order to aid him or her. It connotes the martial relationship explained in Genesis 2:18-24. In ancient society, it also was used to describe legal counsel or social advocacy for others. And, in the context of John 14-17, Jesus also is speaking of comfort. For example, Jesus begins and ends by saying, “Do not let your hearts be troubled” (14:1, 27). In chapter 15, Jesus deals with others hating them for carrying on the message and work of Jesus, but the Holy Spirit will testify to them of Jesus. And in chapter 16, the same Spirit will himself convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, the judgment while at the same time leading the disciples, teaching them, and manifesting God’s love to and through them.

When people see and hear God, they either attracted or repulsed. The blessed saps who are the medium of the message or “the showing” often get the brunt of human guilt or hate toward God. Jesus was crucified. All of the disciples except John were killed for their testimony to Jesus’ resurrection. People around the globe still get kicked by states, other religions and their followers, and even by those who claim to be of Christ. But, as present as He was with Moses, the prophets and Jesus, God is still a present witness.

Medical Studies Prove These Drugs Make Your Brain Stop Working

If the post boggled the mind, you might want to take one of the following listed below. Why? Well, medical researchers have discover that they can make your brain stop working. The medical journal Neurology published their finding as did Physorg. What better way to escape the reality of young people winning court case in the of defending the right of life. First, it was student lead prayer in public schools. Gasp! Now, it is pro-lifer victories. What’s next,shutting down Planned Parenthood abortion mills? (Lil Rose, you go girl.)

May be a hooray is in order.

Anyway, here is a list of over-the-counter drugs capable of making humans nearly brain dead (as if secularism qua socialism qua liberalism could be improved on):

Benadryl
Dramamine
Excedrin PM
Nytol
Sominex
Tylenol PM
Unisom
 

Some prescription drugs that are about brain deadening as the above include:

Paxil
Detrol
Demerol
Elavil
 

Everyone has seen the commercial about firing your brain on drugs. People no longer need cocaine, heroine, PSP, marijuana, or for that matter, Jack Daniels liquor. The FDA and drug companies have made it convenient and legal.

No wonder their has been a pandemic of ADD.

Sweet dreams, but tried to get them with the above sleep aids.

Source: Dr. Mercola Newsletter, August 3, 2010

Victory! Pro-Life Students Vindicated After Posting FFL’s Pro-Woman Ads!

Youth Protecting Youth, a pro-life student group at University of Victoria, British Columbia, paid a heavy penalty for posting Feminists for Life’s College Outreach ads on their campus. The University of Victoria Student Society accused YPY of “harassment” and revoked YPY’s official club status and funding several times between 2008 and 2010.

Feminists for Life offered assistance and encouraged FFL members to stand in solidarity with Youth Protecting Youth, supporting their rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association. The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA), a pro-choice organization, also came to the defense of the pro-life organization

On May 3, 2010, YPY filed a petition with the Supreme Court of British Columbia requesting restoration of the club’s official status and funding and asking that the UVSS’ harassment policy be revised to remove recent amendments that applied to pro-life groups.

We are pleased to announce that a July 13 settlement awarded YPY the restoration of status and funding, including all funds they had been denied since 2008. The settlement further allows YPY to resubmit their petition if it becomes necessary in the future. The UVSS board also voted to amend the harassment policy.

FFL President Serrin Foster said, “Congratulations to Youth Advocating Youth, and our thanks to all those who refused to choose between women and children, between their education and families, and supported them during this struggle.”

YPY President Anastasia Pearse said, “It’s a great victory, and the terms of settlement show that the UVSS acknowledges YPY has been treated wrongly over the past two years.”

FFL President Serrin Foster agrees, adding “It’s an impressive victory. Thanks to YPY, women, especially those who are pregnant and parenting while in college, are the ultimate winners.”

The University of Victoria incident is one of many attacks on pro-life student groups who are using FFL ads or implementing FFL’s woman-centered mission, advocating services and support for pregnant women and parents. A mother’s discussion of the challenges of being a student parent, scheduled by the pro-life group at Duke University, was recently cancelled by the Duke Women’s Center because the event was part of a “traumatizing” Life Week sponsored by the pro-life group. University officials deemed the discussion of student parenting “too upsetting” for students.

“We hope this is a turning point and there will be no more undermining of our efforts to find meaningful solutions for student mothers, fathers, and birthparents making adoption plans.

“There should be no debate,” Foster added, “when it comes to free speech or developing resources and support for pregnant and parenting students.”

Source: Feminist For Life

Statewide Poll of 1,800 Registered Voters Shows Ohioans Ready for Big Fixes

The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions today released a statewide poll of 1,800 registered voters that shows Ohioans are at odds with their government leaders on the major issues of the day, especially on government compensation, regulations, and Ohio’s pro-union policies. Magellan Data and Mapping Strategies of Broomfield, Colorado, conducted the poll on July 19, 2010, via an autodial survey of registered voters from across Ohio. Because of the large sample, the survey has a margin of error of 2.31%.

Here are some top-line numbers:

· 50% think government leaders should first reduce government worker compensation to eliminate the $8 billion
budget state deficit;
· Only 16% think taxes should be increased to eliminate the Ohio deficit;
· 52% think Ohio’s state and local taxes are too high;
· 56% think Ohio’s regulatory environment makes it harder for businesses to create jobs and grow;
· 85% think workers should be free to choose whether to join a labor union to get a job; and
· 67% think we should stick with coal or add nuclear and natural gas energy.

Other than for government workers who think cutting compensation and cutting services are equally appealing, every other demographic group chose cutting government compensation as the top choice to cut the deficit. Except for one group, every demographic group thinks Ohio’s taxes are too high by a majority or plurality.

On Ohio’s regulatory environment, every demographic group by a majority or plurality feels our regulations make it harder for businesses to create jobs and grow. The most stunning result is that all demographic groups support a worker’s freedom to choose whether or not to join a union to get a job with all but five groups polling at over 80 percent. A whopping 93% of Republicans, 87.7% of Independents, and 77.2% of Democrats want workers to have the freedom to choose.

Buckeye Institute President Matt A. Mayer noted, “It is clear Ohioans believe that business as usual is not sustainable. As always, common sense Ohioans are ahead of the politicians. I hope our elected officials follow the people and don’t just say, but do the right thing to get Ohio growing and prosperous again.”

Cincinnati Public Schools Blocked from Discriminating Against Charter and Private Schools

The 1851 Center halted Cincinnati Public Schools’ (CPS) efforts to suppress competing charter and private schools with an important victory in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court.

In CPS v. Conners, Judge Robert P. Ruehlman ruled CPS’ policy of prohibiting already sold and unused public school buildings from being used as private or charter schools violated state law. The 1851 Center litigated the case on behalf of the Theodore Roosevelt School, a Cincinnati charter school, and its owner Dr. Roger Conners, who was sued by Cincinnati Public Schools on the eve of the school’s August opening.

Dr. Conners purchased an unused school building located in Cincinnati’s Fairmount neighborhood, where all CPS schools are in academic emergency, and 80 percent of families are of minority status and live in poverty.

CPS sued to enforce a deed restriction prohibiting the use of previously-taxpayer-owned school buildings for use by a charter or private school. The 1851 Center asserted such a restriction is void by Ohio’s public policy in favor of school choice, and cheats taxpayers of sales revenue from the buildings. The court agreed.

In his ruling, Judge Ruehlman called CPS’ deed restrictions “anti-competitive.” The judge asserted CPS was merely attempting to suppress competition from charter and other alternative schools, and thwart school choice for the parents and children of Cincinnati.

On July 6, Judge Ruehlman denied Cincinnati Public Schools’ desperate last-ditch effort to derail Theodore Roosevelt School’s opening, denying CPS’ Motion to Stay. This clears the way for the school to open in August. Area families have already enrolled over 200 children. The school will employ approximately 40 people.

A Public Records Request by the 1851 Center revealed that CPS has already paid its hand-picked law firm over $32,000 in Cincinnati taxpayers’ money for the case, at an average rate of approximately $200 per hour, and at times as much as $256 per hour.

This is quite a sum, considering that Dr. Conners only paid $30,000 for the school building. Moreover, the 1851 Center offered CPS an opportunity to settle before it initiated the litigation against Dr. Conners it eventually lost. The amount spent by CPS does not include the fees to be paid for the pending appeal.

Source: 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, July 22, 2010

Presbyterian Church In-Bed With Spirit of the Age

Presbyterian Church (USA) is the latest protestant denomination to ordain homosexuals. The act of ordaining is supposed to signify a human recognition of the Jesus Christ’s calling of individuals to serve as His special representative. As representatives of God and Christ, ordained church leaders function a visible ambassadors of the divine will and purpose. As Jesus represented God during his earthly work, so too ordained church leaders are expected to fulfill the mission of the Lord Jesus.

Ordination is thus a multi-fold process. The qualifications include becoming a citizen of God’s kingdom through the merits of Jesus Christ. The life transforming event is intellectual but rather relational. People are confronted by the presence of God within an environment of learning about God, his kingdom, laws, justice, mercy, love, and holiness. The divine confrontation is an invitation to a change of life as well as citizenship. In the presence of God’s loving holiness, individuals become aware of unholy aspects of their lives. Adults often misinterpret this to mean they must work harder at being better to alleviate the guilt after God’s visitation. They misconstrue the part God is to play in that change: God is the actual source of achieving mature righteous living. However, God invites individuals to become members of His kingdom through the merits of Jesus alone. Training in citizenship comes after accepting the invitation. The church and its leaders serve as role models. Before God calls individuals to that role, they must first be members of His kingdom and have become citizens of good moral standing.

The standard the Church is supposed to use the same criteria to validate people called of God to ordained service. God reveals his chose of individuals to others, especially other ordained leaders, in the Church who in turn are to evaluate the same by God’s law and gospel. In other words, the book on citizenship, which is the Bible.

When consider what that book states about homosexuality and other immoral practices, it soon discovered that God and Jesus Christ are opposed to it. God’s chosen representative, Moses, taught the Israelites God’s laws concerning it. In the book titled Leviticus, Moses is quoted as saying, “You shall not lie with men as with women; it is an abomination…. If a man lie with man, as he lies with a woman, both have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death…. Do not defile yourselves by doing these things: for in [this] the nations are defiled which I cast out before you.” (Leviticus 20:10-20;18:24) In the book of Revelation, Jesus’ word to the Church reaffirmed the divine law against such behaviors. (see Revelation 2:6, 14-15, 20; 9:20-21; 21:7-8)

Some attempt to use the absence of any mention of sodomy in the gospels as positive affirmation that neither God nor Christ was against it. This erroneous argument ignores the fact that the Mosaic law was Jewish law during the Second Temple era. No mention was necessary because the death penalty was a sufficient deterrent.

Like other mainline protestant denominations, the Presbyterian has succumbed to the flirtations of the spirit of the age. The alluring politics of social acceptability propagandized by many different secular schemes, ideological and party agendas, and religious argumentation, the political Church has blindly embraced liberal democracy’s moral relativity. Sleeping with the devil may be too harsh an indictment. In keeping with actual crime against the Lord Jesus, it is more realistic to charge those leaders with sleeping with the devil’s children and with one another. Just as Israel played the harlot with surrounding nations, so her daughter, the Church, is now betraying her lover for others.

A little sensuality, a little drunkenness, a little dancing, and a little flirting add up to a lot of immorality and apostasy.

The gospel of tolerance preached by those ravaging wolves pretending to be children of God in His kingdom apparently dulls the keen senses of spiritual discerners causing many a sheep (over half of Presbyterians) blindness.

Even so, come soon Lord Jesus.

Ohio Republicans Ask Gov. Strickland to Stop Abortion Funding in Health Care

In the wake of a dustup last week that saw pro-life groups uncover how the Obama administration planned to fund abortions in new high risk health insurance programs created by the new federal health care program, Republicans in Ohio have asked Gov. Ted Strickland to make sure there is no funding.

Ohio’s Republican congressional delegate today wrote a letter to Strickland asking him to ensure Ohio does not go down the same road as Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Maryland.

The National Right to Life Committee uncovered how those three states planned to use federal taxpayer dollars for abortions, and now the Obama administration has promised that will not happen.

The signers acknowledged the new promise to make sure the high risk pools cover only abortions allowed under the Hyde Amendment.

However, since the amendment does not apply to the new health care program Obama signed into law, they asked for Strickland to make sure Ohio doesn’t fund abortions since their is no formal prohibition of it in place federally.

“We are urging you to assure Ohioans that the final plan our state will submit to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services will not include elective abortion as a taxpayer-funded benefit,” they write in the new letter, according to a report in The Hill.

Their letter went on to say: “Furthermore we respectfully request that you direct the Ohio Department of Insurance to thoroughly review its negotiations with the third-party provider your administration designated to run Ohio’s high-risk pool plan to ensure that the use of federal funds to perform abortions is clearly and definitively prohibited under any coverage.”

House Minority Leader John Boehner signed the letter along with Reps. Steven LaTourette, Patrick Tiberi, Jean Schmidt, Michael Turner, Jim Jordan, Robert Latta and Steve Austria, The Hill indicated.

Source: LifeNews.com, July 19, 2010.

Judge to Hear Arguments on Whether Congress had Constitutional Authority to Enact ObamaCare

Federal District Court Judge George C. Steeh, agreeing “that a prompt resolution of the constitutional issue would serve the public interest, ” will hear oral arguments on the merits of the case challenging ObamaCare.

Judge Steeh ordered the consolidation of the Thomas More Law Center’s motion for a Preliminary Injunction to prevent enforcement of ObamaCare with trial on the merits.

“The significance of this court hearing cannot be overstated, ” said Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Law Center. The hearing will take place in Judge Steeh’s courtroom located in the Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse in Detroit.

Moments after President Obama signed the health care bill into law (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), on March 23, 2010, the Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and co-counsel Washington, D.C. lawyer David Yerushalmi filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of the Law Center and four Michigan residents who object to being forced by the federal government to purchase health care or face a federal penalty. The basis for the lawsuit and the motion is that Congress exceeded its authority under the Commerce Clause by mandating that private citizens purchase health care coverage or face a penalty.

Presenting arguments in support of the motion for Preliminary Injunction will be the Law Center’s Senior Trial Counsel Rob Muise and co-counsel David Yerushalmi.