Tuesday
IT'S LIKE DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN
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AN IMPORTANT UPDATE
It has been obvious -- we have certainly mentioned it
frequently -- that we have been having serious computer
problems. And since this newsletter is absolutely and
totally free, there is no income to use for replacement
of our defective equipment. Then one of our friends and
advisors who didn't want to see ANC cancelled brought
this need to some of our readers, and a few responded
by sending in contributions which will come close to
making possible some new computer equipment so we
can continue doing the the publishing work ANC entails.
The situation is looking much better, and we look for a
complete and permanent solution soon. We are now
deciding how best to move forward on this project. It
becomes increasingly evident that there is a distinct need
for ANC -- one of our readers, a strong and active
Christian leader, this week spoke of ANC as being an
an "inspired and infallible newsletter." It is our prayer
that God will help us to maintain truth in that evaluation.
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OCCASIONALLY WE REALIZE YOGI BERRA'S
COMMENTS OFTEN GOT IT RIGHT -- LIKE
HIS LONG TIME CLASSIC: "IT'S LIKE
DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN"
Yogi's sayings -- like "It ain't over till it's over," or "I knew
the record would stand until it was broken," or "Ninety
percent of all mental errors are in your head" -- are
probably best characterized as "malapropisms" and are
definitely not to be classed as "oxymorons."
But probably the best, and certainly the most applicable
to our national situation is "It's like deja vu all over again."
We can all remember -- and doubtless most of us have
done so recently -- the similarity between what President
Obama is facing at the end of his first year in office, and
what Bill Clinton experienced at the same time in his first
term. It's truly "deja vu all over again."
In the mid-term elections of 1994, after Clinton had been
in office for one year, the Democrat controlled Congress
suffered a sweeping loss, highlighted by Christine Todd
Whitman becoming Governor of NJ and Kay Bailey
Hutchison elected as Senator in Texas. In all, Republicans
gained 54 seats in the House and 8 in the Senate, taking
control of both houses for the first time since 1952.
This year's mid-term election day is still 279 days away,
built already the evidence of an oncoming change in the
political scene in America is becoming evident. In three
important and significant elections, the Democrats, the
Liberals, have lost: Obama campaigned for Jon Corrine
for Governor in NJ, and lost; he campaigned for Craig
Deeds for Governor in VA, and lost, and he campaigned
for Martha Oakley in Massachusetts to replace the late
Ted Kennedy in the Senate, and he lost. The leadership
"coat tails" that Bill Clinton proved not to have in 1994
also seem to be non-existent for Barack Obama in 2010.
Those are domestic national issues. In some international
efforts, Obama has proved equally ineffective; he failed in
Copenhagen in attempting to bring the Olympic games to
America, and also in Copenhagen he failed to win over
international support for his climate change theory. And
his attempts to bring Christian America in alignment with
his favored Muslim world have also failed -- the attacks
on America by Islamic terrorists continue unabated, and
the Obama administration response is to grant those Islamic
terrorists the advantages of American citizens by holding
their trials in federal courts.
Tonight the president will deliver the State of the Union
address. We shall have to wait to see if his losses and
defeats to date will be mentioned . . . or if the national
unemployment rate of over 10% will be explained . . .
or how it is a wise and prudent decision to continue to
increase the national debt well into trillion dollar levels . . .
or why it is in the nation's interests to pursue his health
reform proposals when the majority of the American
people have clearly indicated they do not like it or want
it . . . leading to the question: why the Democrat Congress
and the Obama administration completely ignore what the
American people (who elected them to office) want?
At the time of this State of the Union address, President
Obama's approval rating, according to CBS, has fallen
to 46 percent -- and his disapproval rating is the highest
ever recorded by Gallup polls at the beginning of an
elected president's second year. His current numbers are
down from a high of nearly 70 percent as recently as in
April of 2009. A year ago, he was leader of an apparent
liberal majority reign. A year ago, conservatism was dead.
A year ago, Obama was the most charismatic politician
on earth. Today doubts about the man and his message
of "change"are growing and are affecting the way the
American people vote in current day elections.
On Election Day, Nov. 2, 2010, we Christians have
enough voting power to reclaim this nation for God, and
refute Obama's claim that America is not a Christian
nation. With a new Congress we can stop the growth
of the anti-family, same-sex "marriage" effort . . . we can
slow the increase in the number of, and stop the federal
funding of, abortions . . . we can prevent the destruction
of American industry through Obama's cap and trade
legislation . . . we can slow the increase in our national
debt through his massive handouts . . . we can stop the
efforts to limit freedom of speech from American church
pulpits.
From time to time we will offer some specific thoughts
about action on Nov. 2. For example, in Massachusetts
our kind of people replaced the liberal candidate for the
Senate seat long held by Ted Kennedy with Conservative
Scott Brown. We urge our friends in California to consider
replacing Barbara Boxer in her re-election bid for the Senate,
and our friends in Indiana to support the potential Senate
campaign of strong Conservative Representative Mike
Pence to replace Evan Bayh. The point is: we Christians
can bring about real change -- change for the better.
As the Haiti disaster remains in the news: this could
be -- and yet may be -- Obama's Katrina. The "official"
government response has been faltering and disorganized,
upstaged by the response of scores of the world's
Christian churches and Christian aid agencies. Meanwhile,
little publicized has been the first international responder
to the Haiti disaster -- Israel. Probably the smallest nation
involved, and located over 6,000 miles away, Israel got to
Haiti first with nearly 200 medical professionals and at the
time the only fully functioning hospital. Haitians are still
reportedly lining up for the Israeli hospital because word
is being spread that “the best care available is from the
IDF (Israeli Defense Forces).”
Meantime, questions are being raised as to why God would
allow evil to overcome in such a disaster, and one former
nominal Christian TV personality blamed the earthquake on
a historical account of a pact some Haitians made with the
devil. Among the more reasoned responses is that of
Christopher Wright, associated with the John Stott
Ministries, in his book "The God I Don't Understand":
"When the reign of God extends over every corner of
the universe, when the earth is filled with the knowledge
of God as the waters cover the sea, when the kingdoms
of this world have become the kingdoms of our God
and of his Christ, when heaven and earth are renewed
and united under the righteous rule of Christ, when the
dwelling place of God is again with humanity, when
the city of God is the center of all redeemed reality --
then we will have been delivered from all evil forever.
The cross and resurrection of Christ accomplished it in
history and guarantee it for all eternity."
Our Christian worldview of the tragedy of disasters like
that in Haiti, has also to include the triumph of Jesus'
sacrificial death and resurrection. Despite current problems
which we may face, we are never left without hope.
As always, a few "One Liners" to brighten the day.
“Why would you hand the keys to the car back to the
same guys whose policies drove the economy into the
ditch and then walked away from the scene of the
accident?” (Chris Van Hollen, Chairman Democrat
Congressional Campaign Committee commenting on the
recent Massachusetts election.)
President Obama's first year in office represents a
"downward trajectory from divinity to mortality."
(Charles Krauthammer)
"Were we directed from Washington when to sow, and
when to reap, we should soon want bread."
(Thomas Jefferson)
"This was 'Teddy Kennedy's seat.' And it was in
Massachusetts. Now, no Democrat is safe. But the country
just got a lot safer." (Ann Coulter)
"He declined to participate--perhaps because he's too
busy trying to vindicate himself after a miserable first year."
(Tony Perkins on Mr. Obama being called for jury duty)
Others are saying -- a few comments noted this week:
Dick Morris: "Mitt Romney passed a bill when he was
governor that is very similar to the Obama legislation,
and Massachusetts is suffering under it. The average
waiting time to see a doctor in Boston is now 63 days.
In Miami it's six days, for example. So people are
beginning to see the impact of these health changes,
and that's redoubling their opposition to it."
Victor Davis Hanson: "The American people are losing
confidence in Team Obama because quite simply they
are tiring of being lied to, and treated like children in
need of Ivy-League Platonic guardians."
Michael Barone: "Obama was supposed to be a great
persuader. It turns out that's only half true. He did
persuade most of us that he should be president. But
in Year One, he has failed to persuade most of us to
support his major proposals. He's even moved us in
the other direction."
Michelle Malkin: "By early afternoon on Tuesday, several
hours before the polls closed on the special Senate
election in Massachusetts, the Democrats had already
thrown in the towel and started throwing punches. At
each other."
Frank Salvato: "Examples of intellectual malfeasance
exist on both sides of the aisle but it is dramatically
more prevalent on the political Left and since the
Progressives have hijacked the Democrat Party it has
gotten worse. There doesn't seem to be a day that goes
by where news comes out of Washington DC that is
literally unbelievable..."
Some random afterthoughts . . .
Looking back to the Obama inauguration, just a week
more than a year ago, one of the memorable lines in his
speech was: "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up,
dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking
America." That wasn't an Obama original. It was from a
duet sung by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in a 1936
film, "Swing Time," which included these words:
"Nothing's impossible I have found/ For when my chin
is on the ground/ I pick myself up/ Dust myself off/ And
start all over again." If that thought was appropriate at
the time of his inauguration -- it is even moreso today in
light of his defeats and failures during his first year in office.
So look for a more aggressive Obama in the days just
ahead. With all political and media power on his side, he
doesn't take well to failing to succeed in his plans. During
his speech in Ohio last week, "fighting" was very much on
his mind as he said he "wont stop fighting to protect you
from ... some we've seen in the financial sector" . . . that
he "won't stop fighting to open up government" . . . and
that he "won't stop fighting to cut waste and abuse in
Washington." Those are all battles which we hope he will
start to fight.
Obama's first year by the numbers: 29 golf outings;
178 teleprompted speeches (52 on Obamacare); 5 formal
press conferences during the first 6 months (none since
July 22); 158 news interviews, 90 on TV, 11 on radio,
57 with the press; 46 out of town trips to 58 cities in 30
states; 10 foreign trips to 21 nations (more than any other
president); 160 trips on Air Force One, including taking
his family to London, Paris and Moscow. And despite
promising, "I will not rest until all Americans who want
work can find work," he did manage to squeeze in those
29 golf outings and date nights with his wife at upscale
bistros in New York and Paris.
The Algore "Global Warming" theory is dying, and
not slowly. As one report put it: "The crack-up of the
global warming fraud is picking up speed." In Nov.
2009, the Climate Research Unit of the University of East
Anglia was reported to have rigged, buried or destroyed
data which didn't agree with their political views. Now the
UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change admits an
error in the widely circulated prediction that the Himalayan
glaciers would melt by 2035 because of man-made global
warming. The IPCC has since withdrawn the report.
Our Founding Fathers often warned about the national
debt, and occasionally combined humor with their wisdom.
"The same prudence which in private life would forbid
our paying our own money for unexplained projects,
forbids it in the dispensation of the public moneys."
--Thomas Jefferson, 1808
"I think we have more machinery of government than
is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of
the industrious." --Thomas Jefferson, 1824
Wednesday
THE MORE THINGS CHANGE
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IMPORTANT NOTE
Last week, after our word of apology for missing the Jan.
13 issue date, we managed to get that issue published and
circulated on Saturday, Jan. 16. We thought it might offer
you some useful weekend reading. We are deciding how
best to use the contributions we have received, and hope
that we will soon have adequate and functioning computer
equipment. If you haven't done so recently, now would be
a very good time to forward this issue to your friends, and
urge them to subscribe -- as always, no subscription fee.
It is conceivably true that there has never before been a
more urgent need for a critical evaluation of our nation's
politics as seen from a Conservative Christian Evangelical
viewpoint. That is what you will find in ANC every issue.
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IT'S TIME TO REFLECT ON AN OLD SAYING:
"PLUS CA CHANGE, PLUS C'EST LA MEME \
CHOSE" -- "THE MORE THINGS CHANGE
THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME"
We are all familiar with that self-contradictory saying from
French author Alphonse Karr in the mid-nineteenth century,
and we recall also the question raised in Jeremiah as to
whether the Ethiopian could change his skin color, or the
leopard change its spots.
The fact is that Obama was elected because many our
citizens accepted his promise -- some might call it a threat --
repeated again and again during his campaign, that he
intended to change America. He sharpened that promise
in a speech in the University of Missouri on Oct. 30, 2008,
just a few days before election day, with a new disclosure
of his underlying intent: "We are five days away from
fundamentally transforming the United States of America."
This new statement is not about simple change. This
is about "fundamentally transforming" our nation. The
implications are both threatening and frightening -- to alter,
or transform the fundamentals of America; the principles
upon which the Founding Fathers established this new
nation . . . the principles which for 230 years have made
us the greatest, most successful nation on earth, and the
envy of all the rest of the world.
And on today's anniversary of inauguration as president,
how has Mr. Obama fared in his promise to change, to
fundamentally transform America? One year ago he was
the leader of a liberal, left-wing concept of government
which seemed destined for a long run. Now, according to
a new CBS poll, his approval rating has dropped to 46%
from 70% in April of 2009. His disapproval rating is the
highest ever recorded by Gallup polls at the beginning of
an (elected) president's second year. The two factors
which contribute most to his low approval ratings are the
economy and healthcare. In the CBS survey conducted
earlier this month, only 41% approve his handling of the
economy, and only 36% approve his handling of the
healthcare reform issue.
Just yesterday the whole nation witnessed Obama's
weakened influence in the national political arena when
despite his last minute personal appeal to Massachusetts
voters, a virtual unknown Scott Brown handily defeated
the Kennedy and Democrat-hierarchy picked candidate
for the Senate seat of the late Teddy Kennedy. The state
had not elected a Republican Senator since 1972, and
Brown will be the only Republican among the state's 12
federal legislators. In hockey terms, Obama has achieved
a negative "hat trick" -- his personal support failed in the
November election for Governor in New Jersey, with
Republican Chris Christie winning, and in the November
gubernatorial election in Virginia, with Republican Bob
McDonnell winning. Now his influence has failed in one
of the most solid Democrat states in the nation.
What went wrong? The all-powerful united efforts of the
Administration and the Democrat control of both Houses
of Congress, have demonstrated how successful the
strategy so often used by the radical left can be -- the
creation of crises to scare the voting public into accepting
their solutions to the pending catastrophes. Pause for just
a moment and reflect on the year just passed. The Obama
plan to "transform" America has already created havoc
in our traditional capitalist, free-enterprise system by
taking over banking, auto manufacturing and next, the
healthcare industry. They have multiplied the national
debt to amounts which can only be paid off by gross
inflation which is essentially theft through taxation of the
American people.
Another crisis has been developed out of the Obama
administration's embrace of Al Gore's scientifically
discredited "global warming" theory, and are following
the "cap and trade" philosophy to kill American industry.
They have reduced our national security to a point where
individual Muslim terrorists feel confident enough to
murder a dozen military in one of our major army bases,
or attempt to blow up a passenger plane at one of our
major airports. And when Islamic terrorists face trial, they
are given all the rights of US citizens in a federal court in
an American city.
Obama has been unrelenting in his efforts to destroy
the reputation and heritage of America, declaring that we
are no longer a Christian nation . . . by apologizing for our
role in opposing aggressors through the years . . . by humbly
bowing before rulers of other nations . . . by insulting long
time allies like Great Britain, France and Israel . . . and by
capitulating in meeting after meeting with foreign leaders,
so that America is increasingly being seen as a second
rate nation, no longer worthy of respect by other nations.
The liberal affronts on the Christian faith which has always
been the strength of America are alarming and may become
disastrous. Their plan includes the repeal of DOMA, the
Defense of Marriage Act, which will then allow same-sex
"marriage" to negatively transform the God ordained plan
of marriage and the family into a politically correct,
cultural farce. They are intent on using federal funds
(taxpayer dollars) to support the abortion industry which
has already killed over 50 million babies. Through their
support of LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transvestites)
they can classify as a "hate crime" any preaching on Bible
texts condemning homosexuality.
But we should not be surprised. Obama warned us of his
plans just before the election which put him in the White
House: "We are just five days away from fundamentally
transforming America." He is doing what he warned he
would do. And he has only just begun. He has had only
one year to create crises and wreak havoc on America.
The conclusion to the saying about "change?" In
review we can conclude that the old French saying does
not apply in our present situation. There have been many
changes, and things have not remained the same. And
the American people are beginning to realize that the sort
of change Obama is creating is not for the better.
So what can we, as Christians, do in this new year?
A few issues ago we pointed out that many Christians --
nominal Protestants, Evangelicals, Roman Catholics --
and Jews -- had voted for Barack Obama. Estimates
vary, but a middle-of-the-scale estimate puts the number
of self-confessed Evangelicals at 102 million. Another
estimate indicates that probably only half of the nation's
Evangelicals are registered to vote.
In the 2008 election, Obama won with 66.8 million votes
against McCain's 58.3 million votes -- a victory margin
of 8 1/2 million votes. Do the arithmetic: we Evangelicals
can be the winning factor in any election. There will not
be a presidential election until 2012 -- but on Nov. 2 of
this year -- just 286 days from today -- there will be an
election for all of the House of Representatives, and for
about one third of the Senate. We Evangelical Christians
can affect that election . . . we can take a major step
toward reclaiming this nation for God and the Judeo-
Christian principles upon which it was founded.
On the Internet there is often a touch of humor:
this past week the news ticker was running across the
screen, as usual, and since there is no normal punctuation
in the ticker, the term "U.N. Security Council" appeared
as: UNSECURITY COUNCIL. Probably makes sense.
We have found a few new "One Liners" for you . . .
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
-- Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Obama is a man of first-class intellect and first-class
temperament. But his character remains highly suspect."
(Charles Krauthammer)
"If the life of an activist holds so much discouragement
and risk, why get involved at all? Because a Christian
understanding of the world compels us to combat
injustice and promote truth." -- Chuck Colson
"Any inquiry aimed at discovering the nature of marriage
must must ultimately arrive at one of two conclusions:
Either marriage is something with an absolute nature
ordained by God and thus unchangeable, or it is an
artificial thing, created by human beings..."
(Terence P. Jeffrey)
Some random afterthoughts . . .
A quick look at some of the latest polls . . . Mr. Obama's
daily approval rating index remains in double digit negative
numbers, where it has been stuck for a few months. We
have earlier shown that Obama's approval percentage is at
46%, but his Secretary State, Hillary Clinton, last week
had an approval percentage of 58%. As for the proposed
Obamacare health reform is concerned, 56% of Americans
oppose it, and only 38% (the lowest to date) approve it.
"Others are saying": a few comments noted this week.
Historian Shelby Steele (concerning this week's Martin
Luther King day): "Some of King's chief lieutenants, like
Jesse Jackson, tolerate no dissension from their liberal
ranks now. They have abandoned King's dream, and
aligned themselves with political and social agendas
obsessed with color at the expense of character."
Dr. Mark Reynolds of Biola University: "Jerusalem gave
the world truth; Athens gave it a valid way to express that
truth. Out of this creative harmony came the classical
Christian civilizations that shaped most of the world in
which we live.”
H.L. Mencken: "A Galileo could no more be elected
president of the United States than he could be elected
Pope of Rome. Both high posts are reserved for men
favored by God with an extraordinary genius for swathing
the bitter facts of life in bandages of self-illusion."
Robert Ringer: "Rupert Murdoch, Roger Ailes, and Fox
News have given libertarians and conservatives the
greatest boost in the history of television, but freedom
lovers would be foolish to sit back and rely on them
alone to do the job. Better to hope for the best for Fox
News, but be prepared for the worst - and take it upon
ourselves to continue to educate the American public,
one person at a time, on the evils of progressivism and
the sanctity of libertarian-centered conservatism and
free markets."
The Founding Fathers often spoke of the importance
of God and the Christian faith in the life of this new nation
they were forming. Their words are meaningful today.
“In circumstances as dark as these, it becomes us, as
Men and Christians, to reflect that whilst every prudent
measure should be taken to ward off the impending
judgments …at the same time all confidence must be
withheld from the means we use; and reposed only on
that God rules in the armies of Heaven, and without
His whole blessing, the best human counsels are but
foolishness." -- John Hancock, 1775
"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the
liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have
removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds
of the people that these liberties are a gift from God?
That they are not to be violated but with His wrath?
Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God
is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.”
-- Thomas Jefferson, 1781.
“Providence has given to our people the choice of their
rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and
interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer
Christians for their rulers.” -- John Jay, 1816
Friday
ONE YEAR OF BARACK OBAMA AS PRESIDENT
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* * * * * * * * * IMPORTANT NOTE * * * * * * * * *
A major word of thanks: On Jan. 6 in announcing the
issue of "Vol. 14, No. 1," and the beginning of 7 years of
weekly publication, these words also were noted: "We may
be forced to cease publication soon." The reason behind
that statement was purely financial. From day one we have
never charged any subscription fee . . . have never asked
for any financial support . . . and we do not sell books or
any other product. But there are obviously costs incurred
-- and one of those costs involves adequate functioning
computer equipment. Our computer equipment is simply
worn out due to heavy over use . . . and we do not have
the funds to replace it. Rather than stand by and watch
ANC cease publication, one of our long time readers who
also serves (at no charge) as a senior consulting advisor,
decided to share this need with just a very few readers.
The response was very encouraging! Not in the multi-million
dollar range which a prominent mega-church pastor has
been bragging about recently, but in an amount promised
by several friends which, when received, will enable us to
either purchase a new computer with adequate capacity or
have our present computer repaired and updated so we can
continue to publish ANC every week -- for as long as the
Lord leads, and indicates He wants us to continue. We are
using the best professional advisors and will be doing what
is the best way to solve our problem. Our thanks to those
who responded . . . and our thanks to our Lord who has
given this assurance of approval and encouragement.
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IN JUST A FEW DAYS WE WILL HAVE HAD ONE
YEAR OF BARACK OBAMA AS PRESIDENT;
WHAT WILL THE NEXT YEAR BRING?
The opening line of Shakespeare's "King Richard III"
is a very familiar one -- and particularly appropriate for
American citizens at this moment in our history: "Now
is the winter of our discontent..." A "winter of discontent"
seems to be an accurate description of American public
opinion at this point in time.
At the end of his first year President Obama has watched
his performance approval rating plummet to a lower level
than for any president in several decades at the end of one
year in office, and sinking to a new low just this past week.
And despite his over exposure on TV, utilizing his ever
present teleprompter, the people just don't like him, and
more serious than that -- they don't trust him. That feeling
was expressed by Congressman Joe Wilson of South
Carolina, in September when, during Obama's speech to
Congress, Wilson shouted "You Lie." An unfortunate
remark at an inappropriate moment, but it seemed to
capture a widely held public opinion, which the president
has done little to overcome. A contributing factor is his
failure to have any press conference since last July --
that's 6 months without any open exposure the the nation's
media. Not exactly a procedure to inspire confidence.
And all that negative public opinion has been reinforced
by Obama's cohorts in the Congress. Against his own
performance approval rating of below 50%, the Congress
has a public approval rating of +27%. Nancy Pelosi has
a public approval rating of +33%, with Harry Reid at +25%.
The lack of confidence and trust in this administration by
the American public has been highlighted recently by the
way the "Obamacare" health reform proposal has been
conducted. We have all seen on TV the 8 times where
he promised that all health care reform issues would
be debated and disclosed to the American people via
C-Span TV coverage. It was part of his pledge to make
openness and transparency a priority of his administration.
Instead, all negotiations are being carried on in secret,
behind closed doors with only Democrat members of the
Senate and House meeting with representatives of the
president's staff. Joe Wilson's shouted comment seems
totally justified.
Nancy Pelosi promised "the most honest, most open and
most ethical Congress in history," and concerning the way
the health reform proposals are being handled, declared,
"There has never been a more open process for any piece
of legislation." All this despite the CEO of C-Span formally
offering Obama and the heads of Congress the opportunity
to allow C-Span to cover the negotiations. Secrecy prevails.
So it is clear that President Obama begins his second year
in office with performance approval ratings hitting new
lows, and with both houses of Congress earning even less
public confidence and trust in their procedures.
As Christians, what should our concerns be? There
are many developments to concern us in the Obama
plans to transform America. He has promised to revoke
the federal DOMA, (Defense of Marriage Act) signed
into law by Bill Clinton. Already a trial is going on in
California before a Federal judge on this very issue --
its decision will almost certainly be appealed to the US
Supreme Court. The trial's implications for marriage are
tremendous. If U.S. District Court Chief Judge Vaughn
Walker declares that Proposition 8 violates the constitution,
not only will same-sex marriage become law in California,
but traditional marriage laws in every state will be open to
federal legal challenges. Obama has promised to enact
FOCA (Freedom of Choice Act) which will greatly enhance
the use of abortions to kill more babies. Tucked away --
almost hidden in the huge defense spending bill authorization
-- was a federal "hate crimes" act, signed into law by Mr.
Obama in October. Many observers of the religious scene
in America are concerned that this law can be used to
make criminal acts out of preaching on Conservative and
Evangelical principles like abortion and homosexuality.
And there is ENDA (Employment Non Discrimination Act)
which when made law will mandate that no Christian
organization can refuse to employ homosexuals, bisexuals,
transvestites, etc. Former President George W. Bush had
threatened to veto a similar measure, but President Obama
has brought a reversal of that policy to the White House.
Those are just a few concerns which we as Christians face
with respect to the present administration.
A reflection on the First Century Christian Church.
"In order for the church to be relevant in 2010 it must
find its identity in Jesus and become scripturally literate.
As it returns to its original mission the focus will not be
on self but on others. Not on wealth but on worship and
the worth of the soul. The early church was known as
being composed of those who turned the world upside
down. In other words, they challenged the status quo.
They effected change by focusing on the person of Jesus.
Their goal was not self advancement but the advancement
of the Kingdom of God." -- Bill Shuler, pastor of Capital
Life Church in Arlington, VA
Once again we remind our readers: On Election Day,
Nov. 2, 2010, we can replace enough of the members of
the House and Senate to weaken the power of Mr. Obama,
and begin the reclaiming of this nation for God and the
Judeo-Christian principles upon which it was founded.
We can, as did the New Testament Christians, turn the
world upside down.
Remember this feature of ANC in the past?
Some random afterthoughts . . .is back
again, as we try to touch on other events of concern to
us in the current news.
How times (and perceptions) change! After the collapse
of the Soviet Union, Russians took down their statues of
Josef Stalin, the mass murderer who killed millions of
people, including millions of Orthodox Christians who
were also exterminated or put into concentration camps
by Stalin because of their faith. Now it is hard to believe
that the National D-Day Memorial will be honoring Stalin
by placing his bust on a pedestal at its museum in Bedford,
VA, displayed alongside those honoring Franklin Roosevelt
and Winston Churchill. Stalin's killing machine murdered
more people than the Nazis under Adolph Hitler, yet here
in America we have fallen to the point of honoring him.
The Obama administration's turn-about on Israel.
Last week Obama's Envoy to the Middle East, former
Senator George Mitchell, threatened to end US financial
support for Israel unless Israel acts in violation of God's
word, and yields to the demands of the Islamic terrorists
who are committed to Israel's complete destruction. This
new US demand is ironic, since Palestine has refused to
share in any peace process unless Israel unilaterally turns
over to the Islamists land that God promised to Israel
forever. Mr. Obama and Senator Mitchell should reflect
upon the fact that Jerusalem is the only city God claims
as His own: "In the Temple and in Jerusalem which
I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel. I will put my
Name forever." (I Chron. 37:7)
A sobering thought for President Obama: California
has one of the harshest laws in the U.S., mandating 25
years to life in prison for a defendant convicted of any
third felony offense if he or she has two previous "strikes"
on his or her record. In this instance a "strike" is any
criminal offense that is a violent or serious felony. Consider
putting California's "3rd strike" law into effect on a nation
wide basis. We have just had at least 2 serious felonies --
in Nov. Major Nidal Hasan walked into a crowded area at
Fort Hood, TX, shouting the Muslim rallying cry, "Allah
is Great," and murdered more than a dozen military and
civilians. Then on Christmas Day Umar Abdulmutallab,
acting under instructions from Al Qaeda, attempted to
blow up a US passenger plane in Detroit. And even more:
on New Years Eve, a suicide bomber killed 8 US civilians
in our CIA headquarters in Pakistan. Anyway you look at
it -- we have had the background of at least "2 strikes" --
and California's mandated most severe penalty applies.
But are we ready, and will we do anything to punish those
offenders? And, of course, these may not even be considered
as serious felonies.
As long as you tell us you enjoy them, we will keep
finding "One Liners" to bring to you . . .
"Socialism’s greatest lie is that it promises the people
something for nothing." (Daniel Greenfield)
"President Obama's foreign policy agenda and efforts
have proven to be a series of failures as he jets around
the world bowing to foreign leaders and apologizing
for America." (Townhall Magazine)
"When you elect a 'community organizer,' you end up
with a 'national disaster.'" (Gene Jeffries)
"If loose lips sink ships, Vice President Joe Biden and
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid could take down a
carrier division." (Doug Patton)
And a "one liner" from responses to the poll question:
"Why the angry reaction to Brit Hume's comment that Tiger
Woods will find forgiveness in the Christian faith?" An
overwhelming 87.73% of more than 12,000 responders
chose this answer: "The so-called tolerant are displaying
their intolerance."
A few examples of what "Others are Saying:"You may
find they may express your opinions on what is happening.
John Hawkins: "When Barack Obama was on the campaign
trail, he promised Americans hope, change, and unity.
Whatever else may be said about the man, you at least
have to give him credit for delivering on all counts. After
all, as the year has progressed, more and more Americans
have united against his agenda. As for the change, well,
just look at the unemployment rate, the economy, and the
national debt. We've seen quite a bit of change in those
areas under Obama's watch. Then, of course, there's the
prevalence of the word 'hope' when people talk about our
president. 'Gosh, I really hope he knows what he's doing.
I hope Obama's weakness doesn't encourage the terrorists.
I hope we can undo all the damage Obama is doing to the
country right now. I hope our children will forgive us one
day for electing this guy.' So we're in the midst of an historic
presidency..."
Tony Perkins (On the "don't ask - don't tell" policy in the
military): "Our servicemen are sacrificing their lives to
wipe out global terrorism, and their commander-in-chief's
biggest worry is throwing a coming out party for gays
and lesbians. The top brass in Iraq and Afghanistan are
juggling two wars with limited troops and supplies, and
Washington is focused on social engineering."
The Founding Fathers had much to say about debt
and corruption in government on the part of this new
nation they were forming.
"The essence of Government is power; and power,
lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be
liable to abuse." (James Madison, 1788)
"But with respect to future debt; would it not be wise
and just for that nation to declare in the constitution
they are forming that neither the legislature, nor the
nation itself can validly contract more debt, than they
may pay within their own age, or within the term of
19 years." (Thomas Jefferson, letter, 1789)
"The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity,
under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a
large scale." (Thomas Jefferson, letter, 1816)
"The multiplication of public offices, increase of expense
beyond income, growth and entailment of a public debt,
are indications soliciting the employment of the pruning
knife." (Thomas Jefferson, letter, 1821)
"Public affairs go on pretty much as usual: perpetual
chicanery and rather more personal abuse than there
used to be..." (John Adams, 1776)
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