Tuesday
WE CAN'T RELY ON OUR NEWS
MEDIA TO TELL US THE TRUTH?
`
WHY WE OFTEN QUOTE OUR "FOUNDING FATHERS?"
That is a reasonable question . . . and one of those quotes which you
will read in just a few seconds, is the basis for the principal subject of
this week's issue. But first, here is the answer to that question: we
quote the Founding Fathers because of who they were -- the men
who founded this nation -- and because in declaring independence
from Great Britain, and in writing a book of rules for this new nation
to follow (the Constitution), they expressed very clearly how they
intended this new republic to function. It is sort of like the Christian
faith -- that "rule book" begins with the words "In the beginning,
God ..." So we go back to the origins of our faith, to learn what
God intended it to be. It is a basic premise that you have to go back
to the beginning of any venture or any concept to learn what the
founders intended it to be. And now here is, from one of our
Founding Fathers, the quote which sets the theme for this issue of
ANC: "The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be,
first to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to
discern, and most virtue to pursue, the common good of society;
and in the next place, to take the most effectual precautions for
keeping them virtuous whilst they continue to hold their public
trust." (James Madison, 1788)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
That is a reasonable question . . . and one of those quotes which you
will read in just a few seconds, is the basis for the principal subject of
this week's issue. But first, here is the answer to that question: we
quote the Founding Fathers because of who they were -- the men
who founded this nation -- and because in declaring independence
from Great Britain, and in writing a book of rules for this new nation
to follow (the Constitution), they expressed very clearly how they
intended this new republic to function. It is sort of like the Christian
faith -- that "rule book" begins with the words "In the beginning,
God ..." So we go back to the origins of our faith, to learn what
God intended it to be. It is a basic premise that you have to go back
to the beginning of any venture or any concept to learn what the
founders intended it to be. And now here is, from one of our
Founding Fathers, the quote which sets the theme for this issue of
ANC: "The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be,
first to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to
discern, and most virtue to pursue, the common good of society;
and in the next place, to take the most effectual precautions for
keeping them virtuous whilst they continue to hold their public
trust." (James Madison, 1788)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
HOW CAN WE KNOW IF OUR NATIONAL LEADERS
ACT WITH WISDOM AND MORAL INTEGRITY IF
WE CAN'T RELY ON OUR NEWS MEDIA
TO TELL US THE TRUTH?
This is important. In just a few minutes you can consider what we
have been, what we are now, and what we are going to be. . . and
how to determine that.
The Founding Fathers were clear and definite in their intention that
the leaders of this new nation would have wisdom to know what is
best for the common good of the citizens, and the moral values to
achieve what was best for that common good. Toward achieving
those affiliated goals, the Founding Fathers recognized the importance
of a well informed citizenry -- so much so that they included in the
First Amendment to the Constitution the provision for freedom of the
press. In expressing his views in this regard, Thomas Jefferson wrote
in 1787, "The basis of our government being the opinion of the
people, the very first object should be to keep that right, and
were it left to me to decide whether we should have a
government without newspapers, or newspapers without a
government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter."
Other founders of our nation shared Jefferson's views; Benjamin
Franklin said in 1789 that we ought to "leave the liberty of the
press untouched, to be exercised in its full extent, force, and
vigor." In 1792 George Washington spoke about the importance
of the press in "facilitating the circulation of political intelligence
and information." Later, in 1810, Jefferson wrote, "No one more
sincerely wishes the spread of information among mankind than
I do, and none has greater confidence in its effect towards
supporting free and good government."
It is clearly evident that the Founding Fathers intended that our
nation's leaders should govern with wisdom and moral integrity,
responsive to the opinions of the people, and with their common
good always in mind. They saw the free press as an instrument of
public information and public criticism, holding our leaders to
account, and enabling the people to decide if the government was
fulfilling its obligations to operate in the best interest of the people
who elected them to serve.
That was the Founding Fathers' intent. It was their dream, and
their vision for America. It was what they were willing to put their
lives on the line to achieve. They were united in declaring their
independence from Britain, and in creating a rule for governing
that they called the Constitution. But that is not the America
that we see today. Just consider these recent polls reflecting
American thought and opinion today.
Against poll results showing that a solid majority -- over 60% --
did not want the president's health care reform bill, the Liberal
controlled Congress forced it through to enactment, under the
philosophy of Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, "We have
to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it." Today
63% of Americans favor repeal of the bill, and at least 20 states
have joined in a joint legal challenge as to the bill's constitutionality.
Concerning the present Congress, 72% of Americans are not
confident that Congress knows what it is doing with respect to the
economy, and 41% feel that a random selection of names from the
telephone directory would do a better job than the Congress.
With respect to President Obama, 44% approve of the job he is
doing, which represents a continuous decline from the 65%
approval rating right after the January, 2009 inauguration. The daily
presidential performance rating is still in double digit negative numbers,
where it has been for almost the entire past year.
And despite those poll results from half a dozen polling organizations,
the recent media coverage of the present administration, including the
Congress, has been 51% favorable, with virtually no mention at all
of some of the unfavorable aspects.
The health care reform act mentioned above is one instance --
another one very much in the news is the new Arizona law on illegal
immigration. There has been only very rare, very limited mention in
the media of anything at all favorable to the law, but rather almost
total criticism of it -- highlighted, of course, by the threat of the
Obama administration to challenge the law on a constitutional basis,
followed by the confession of the Attorney General, Eric Holder,
in testimony before Congress that he had not even read the law . . .
and a similar confession from Homeland Security head Janet
Napolitano that she had not read the law, but was certain that it is,
in her words, "a bad law."
Here, also, the various polls present a different viewpoint from that
of the media -- 71% of Arizonans support the new law, and on a
national basis, 55% of the American people favor an Arizona type
law for their state, and 55% also say the views of Arizona political
leaders are closer to their views than are the views of the political
leaders in Washington, DC. And despite Mexican President
Calderon's insulting criticism of the Arizona illegal immigration law,
with President Obama joining him in condemning the law, 67% of
Americans do not feel that Mexico wants to do anything to stop
illegal immigration into America. But as is more often than not the
case, the media has ignored the facts and the opinions of the
American people, and has emphasized the inaccurately perceived
provisions of the Arizona law, and the federal failure to control the
flood of illegal immigrants. (It appears that like some of the key
officials in the Obama administration, the critics of the Arizona law
have also not read it. For the record: we here at ANC have read the
law, and the Federal law on immigration which it so closely parallels.)
David Martin, of Media Research Center, summarized the national
media situation very succinctly: "In every instance, the leftist
agenda trumps the truth resulting in distortions, falsehoods and
propaganda. This is what today's media have become -- a PR
department for the left and their increasingly radical agenda."
So by way of quick review: That is what we started out to be,
what we used to be: a nation governed by leaders who acted in
accord with the expressed opinions and viewpoints of the citizens.
And the press provided political intelligence to keep the people
informed. But that is not what we have become under the Obama
administration. The federal government now disregards the opinions
and viewpoints of American citizens and the Liberal, left-wing,
Democrat controlled Congress forces through, and the president
signs into law, legislation to which the American people, by
substantial majorities, strongly object. And the media, obviously
controlled by the same Liberal, left-wing elements, interprets the
news according to the dictates of the Obama administration. The
most recent survey indicates that the media by a 51% majority is
currently expressing approval of the present administration. And to
compound the problem, President Obama has not had an open
press conference since last July -- that is, a press conference where
he takes questions and and responds to them. But that is
understandable -- he seems lost without his teleprompter as an
assist in speaking. That is what we are at present . . . and now we
must consider the third aspect: as a nation, what are we going to be?
And that gives rise to the often expressed question: What can
we, as Christians, do about the tremendous gap between the views
of the American people and the leaders of the federal government?
First, we have to accept the fact that as Christians we have a definite
responsibility to react to what has been done, and is being done, to
the nation our Founding Fathers created and handed to us -- a
nation which recognized the rights given to us by God, and which
operated under the rule of law which guaranteed liberty and freedom
under the Constitution.
The recent primary elections have demonstrated that there is a wide
spread discontent with the present Congress, and already some
long-term officials have been effectively removed from office. On
Election Day, November 2, we will have opportunity to take the
first step in reclaiming America to the nation which was established
on Christian-Judeo principles.
Election Day is just 160 days away. During this period of preparation
we can pray for God to give wisdom to our leaders, and give wisdom
to our fellow Christians -- millions of them -- to make the right choices
when we vote on November 2. And remember that in order to vote,
you must be registered.
And so the future of America -- the what we are going to be --
depends on the votes of American Christians (who make up at least
86% of the nation's population) on November 2.
depends on the votes of American Christians (who make up at least
86% of the nation's population) on November 2.
We keep on the outlook for suitable "One Liners"...
"The Koran: It may be the most controversial book in the
world. Some see it as a paean to peace; others call it a violent
mandate for worldwide Islamic supremacy." -- Robert Spencer
"Liberals have a learning disability when it comes to the
impracticability of socialism." -- David Limbaugh
"I'm often asked whether I support Sarah Palin for president.
I don't. But I do very much support her as America's next Oprah."
-- Mona Charen
"Unless free men and women are fully and truly represented
and engaged in the process of government, we are going to lose
our freedoms and the system of government handed down to us."
-- Chuck Colson
If we omit some items,"What Others Are Saying" will be here.
Skip MacLure: "The whole White House is being run by rank
amateurs. It shows in everything they do. Domestic policy is
an absolute disaster, as Obama and the DeMarxist faithful in
the Congress pile economic atrocity upon economic catastrophe,
shouting to the rooftops that everything is fine and rosy and
please don't pay attention to all those foreclosures or all those
millions of unemployed."
Kevin McCullough (Columnist, Commentator):"In modern
history when it comes to forked-tongue-ness President Barack
Obama excels well beyond anyone's imagination... Because
President Obama is a liberal he cannot simply come out and say
what he wishes he could, for if he did, he would be impeached...
He is misguided at best, or a deceptive traitor at worst ...
Unfortunately, neither option brings 'We The People' much, if
any, consolation."
Charles Krauthammer: "The real news is that already notorious
photo: the president of Brazil, our largest ally in Latin America,
and the prime minister of Turkey, for more than half a century
the Muslim anchor of NATO, raising hands together with
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the most virulently anti-American
leader in the world. That picture is a crushing verdict on the
Obama foreign policy. It demonstrates how traditional American
allies, having watched this administration in action, have decided
that there's no cost in lining up with America's enemies, and no
profit in lining up with a US president given to apologies and
appeasement."
Editorial, Investors Business Daily: "The legal challenges to
the health care overhaul were immediate, and they continue...
Repeal bills have been introduced, and polls show more than
half of the country want the repeal effort to succeed. No other
legislation in our history has stirred as much hostility, both
among the political class and in the public. The American
people are rightly upset that the Democrats forced their will
upon them. The public is so incensed that the party of the left
will lose seats this November -- and maybe even its
congressional majority -- over it."
Byron York (in Beltway Confidential): "President Obama's
speech at West Point Saturday is the most sweeping statement
yet of his plan to create a national security policy emphasizing
education, clean energy, green jobs, anti-climate change
measures, the granting of full American constitutional rights to
accused terrorists, and 'engagement' with America's enemies."
New Gallup Poll shows "pro-life" as the "new normal." A new
Gallup poll discloses that 47% of Americans consider themselves
"pro-life" with 45% saying they are "pro-choice." This change,
reported for the second straight year, has led Gallup to call this the
"new normal" for America.
Another Obama "Czar" heard from: The administration's
"Information Czar," Cass Sunstein, says that the government should
ban internet websites from presenting what he calls "conspiracy
theories," such as that global warming is a hoax. In other words, the
Obama government seems to be aiming to take control of what we,
as Americans, are allowed to say, or even to think. Is this like "1984?"
We must never forget our long time ally, Israel. The Obama
administration has been very open in their siding with Israel's Muslim
neighbors, and has not hidden their contempt for Prime Minister
Netanyahu. (Contrast the treatment recently accorded Mr. Netanyahu
with the lavish state dinner for the President of Mexico.) However, it
appears that our Defense Department must have become aware of
the threat posed by Iran, and recently new military equipment has been
sent to Israel, and it has been announced that by mid-July we will have
perhaps as many as 4 or 5 carrier groups in the waters near Iran. But
observers caution that Israel should not trust Mr. Obama. As Skip
MacLure, writing in Conservative Outpost noted, "War is coming to
the middle-east, and it's becoming more apparent daily. Having a
full scale shooting war with Obama as Commander in Chief is,
quite frankly, frightening... He is waffling and indecisive, and
places our country in great peril by his weakness."
Consider the lessons to be learned from our Founding Fathers.
"Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible
for their only law book and every member should regulate his
conduct by the precepts there exhibited ... What a Eutopia --
what a paradise would that region be!" -- John Adams, 1756
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the
freedom of the people by the gradual and silent encroachment
of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpation."
-- James Madison, 1788
Wednesday
AS WE LOOK FORWARD
TO ELECTION DAY, NOVEMBER 2
`
THE START OF AN ANSWER TO A GOOD QUESTION.
Out of the messages from readers of last week's issue, this question
seemed very relevant: " You keep saying that as Christians our
main responsibility is to pray. What specifically should we pray
about?" It is true that our comments may have appeared to be
" Republican vs Democrat," (political issues), or " Obama vs
Americans," (national problems) -- but it has always been our intent
to keep in focus the fact that the ultimate conflict in American life
today is " Christian vs anti-Christian" (moral values). So let's review
a few issues before us right now as appropriate subjects for prayer.
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YESTERDAY'S PRIMARY ELECTIONS MAY HAVE
BEEN FEW IN NUMBER, BUT WERE VERY
IMPORTANT AS WE LOOK FORWARD
TO ELECTION DAY, NOVEMBER 2
This is all very timely news . . . but in the few elections held on
Tuesday there were very few surprises. Probably most important
was the defeat of Senator Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania as the
Democrat nominee in this Fall's election, with the result that the
Democrat nominee will be Joe Sestak. Pat Toomey won the
Republican nomination. In another Senatorial contest in Arkansas,
Senator Blanche Lincoln did not win 50% of the vote for the
Democrat nomination, and will have to face Bill Halter in a run-off
election on June 8. The Republican opponent will be John Boozman.
In Kentucky, Rand Paul, son of Congressman Ron Paul, won the
Republican nomination for Senator and will face Jack Conway in
November. In another race in Pennsylvania, Democrat Mark Critz
won the Congressional seat vacated by the death of John Murtha.
Overall, it was not a particularly encouraging night for President
Obama, who had strongly supported both Specter and Lincoln.
Let's move from "Political Issues" and "National Problems"
to consider the subject most important to Christians: "Moral Values."
Just two examples of cases in point are Abortion and Same Sex
Marriage, plus two other items much in current news: Obama's
Supreme Court nominee and Arizona's new immigration law. And
as a final subject to discuss, there are the ongoing attacks on the
Christian faith by the nation's atheistic minority.
Last week, the Pope spoke to 400,000 in Fatima, Portugal,
the village where in 1917 three shepherd children saw a vision of the
Virgin Mary, and he spoke of abortion and same sex marriage as
being " some of today's most insidious and dangerous threats."
The Pope had Catholic Canon Law to support his statement --
Canon Law 915 explicitly states that those who persist in manifest
grave sin cannot be admitted to receive Holy Communion. While he
was still Cardinal Ratzinger, before he became Pope Benedict XVI,
he wrote a document titled " Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion"
in which he stated that a politician who promotes the killing of children
through abortion "with obstinate persistence, still presents himself
to receive the Holy Eucharist, the minister of Holy Communion
must refuse to distribute it." Subsequently there has seemed to be
some relaxing of that firm principle by the Pope. This commentary is
unqualified to interpret or judge Catholic doctrinal positions, but there
are knowledgeable critics who speak of this as being " a good
example of how the present day Vatican worships at the altar of
public opinion." It is apparent that not all American Catholic bishops
have complied with Canon Law 915 and Cardinal Ratzinger's clearly
stated directive. This has been described as " the worst scandal in
America is in our nation's Capitol, where prominent child-killers
such as Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden receive Holy Communion,
while they promote child killing."
Although the Catholic church has been most outspoken on this issue,
it is true that every Christian must oppose abortion, and particularly
the use of federal funding to provide abortion through health care
legislation. This is a matter for prayer by every American Christian
that continuing the present situation which has already accomplished
killing of more than 50 million babies since the US Supreme Court's
Roe v. Wade decision must be opposed and stopped.
And there are Liberal efforts to legalize same-sex marriage.
One of Barack Obama's campaign promises was to support the
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual (LGBT) agenda, and that
promise included the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act
(DOMA) which had been signed into law by Bill Clinton, and to
enact into law the Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA)
-- both high on the list of must-do legislation by America's
homosexuals. To " change" the long held opinion of the American
people on the concept of same-sex marriage is not an easy task.
Already some 30 states have by solid majorities included in their
constitutions the traditional, Bible-based concept of marriage as
being between a man and a woman -- yet at the same time a few
states have joined the 5 or 6 European countries which permit
same sex marriage. The Catholic church has been outspoken in its
opposition to same sex marriage, as have been the American
Evangelicals -- although the American Episcopal Church, in its
huge Los Angeles diocese, has just last week installed an openly
lesbian bishop, Mary Douglas Glasspool, who will join Vicky
Gene Robinson as the other openly gay Episcopal bishop. His
election has caused a schism in the world Anglican Communion.
Among the spokespersons on this subject is the movie star and
former sex symbol, Raquel Welsh, who last week at age 70 made
this comment, " I'm ashamed to admit that I myself have been
married four times, and yet I still feel that it is the cornerstone
of civilization, an essential institution that stabilizes society,
provides a sanctuary for children and saves us from anarchy."
Related to this ongoing problem, and the breakdown in the
traditional family are these shocking statistics just released by the
Pew Research Center, showing that since the findings in 1990,
the number of children born out of wedlock have increased by
13%, from 28% in 1990 to 41% in 2008.
This, too, is an important subject for prayer, that the continuing
efforts of the nation's homosexual minority will be thwarted, and
that the Christian concept of homosexuality as a sin, condemned
by God in His word, might once again prevail in America.
On the subject of judges in our government, our Founding
Fathers were very outspoken . . . it would be a good idea for us
to follow their leading:
" Judges should be always men of learning and experience
in the laws, of exemplary morals, great patience, calmness,
coolness and attention. Their minds should not be distracted
with jarring interests; they should not be dependent upon
any man or body of men." -- John Adams, 1776
And they had strong opinions about the Judicial branch of
government, itself:
" The opinion which gives to the judges the right to decide
what laws are constitutional and what not ... would make
the Judiciary a despotic branch ... the germ of dissolution
of our federal government is the federal Judiciary."
-- Thomas Jefferson, 1804
Perhaps with those views from our Founding Fathers in mind,
these comments about Obama's nomination of Elena Kagan
for the Supreme Court by some knowledgeable observers of
the American legal scene seem very relevant: From David
Davenport (Hoover Institution Research Fellow), " Does
anyone really think that a young school administrator, with
little courtroom experience and no judicial experience is
the best possible candidate for a lifetime appointment to the
US Supreme Court?" Or from columnist Skip MacLure,
" Obama didn't pick her for her legal brilliance... He picked
her because she'll follow Obama's leftist agenda with the
dedication of a Zealot." Or from Mathew Staver of Liberty
Counsel, " Elena Kagan is one of the most dangerous
nominees President Obama could have selected for the
Supreme Court. Because she has no judicial experience
and has very little on public record to examine, she is a true
'stealth' candidate." And finally, this from Judicial Analyst,
Bruce Hausknecht, " There are glimpses into Kagan's legal
and constitutional views on several subjects near and dear
to pro-family groups, and those glimpses are frightening."
For the next few weeks the progress of this appointment will be
prominent in the news coming out of Washington. Already
headlines in the media have been sharply pro and con, and
subjected to responsive action by the Obama White House.
For example, CBS and the Washington Post used this headline:
" Obama nominates Lesbian Homosexual Elena Kagan to
Supreme C ourt." That prompted complaints from the White
House, and CBS corrected the report, noting that it was " odd
because her female partner is rather well known in Harvard
circles." The Daily Caller, DC based news-site, points out that
Kagan's policy record reflects extremist sexual views in matters
of l aw. And there is this to be said: President Obama has
expressed his goal of nominating justices who were closely in
touch with most Americans. The actual facts make this
appointment a strange way of achieving that goal, because
more than half of Americans claim to be Protestant, and with
Kagan's confirmation, the Justices of the Supreme Court will
include 3 Jews and 6 Catholics -- and not one Protestant.
Further, less than a quarter of Americans are Catholic, and less
than 2% are Jewish.
dangerous for the Christian faith and would rule as a pro-
homosexual, anti-Christian activist. Here, as in the the instances
already cited, prayer is needed for guidance as the Senate
considers this nomination.
There is another major story: the Arizona immigration law.
We have commented on this law in previous issues, and nationally
the poll results remain the same. According to the Pew Research
Center poll, 73% approve of requiring people to produce
documents verifying their legal status, upon police request ... 67%
approve of police having the right to detain anyone who cannot
verify their legal status. Concerning the new Arizona law specifically,
59% say considering everything, they approve of the law. Verifying
those poll results, a McClatchy/Ipsos poll reported that 61% of
Americans (64% of registered voters) approved the new Arizona
law. And an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll reported virtually the
same results, that 64% of Americans approve of the Arizona law.
But against the strong national support for the Arizona law, the
Obama administration has indicated it might enter a lawsuit against
the law as being unconstitutional -- but in Congressional hearings
last week when Congressman Ted Poe (R, TX) asked Obama's
Attorney General Eric Holder if he had read the law, Hiolder
replied, " I have not had a chance ... I've glanced at it. I have
not read it." Poe pointed out that the law is only 10 pages long,
and offered Mr. Holder a copy. In a similar situation in a Senate
hearing, Senator John McCain asked Janet Napolitano, Obama's
Head of Homeland Security, if she had read the law and she
answered, "I have not reviewed it in detail. I certainly know
of it," and continued to insist that it is a bad law. And another
Obama administration member, State Department spokesman
P.J. Crowley admitted that he had not read the law even as he
was defending diplomatic official Michael Posner for comparing
the law to Chinese rights violations.
Something to pray about here? Yes -- that some of these obviously
unqualified officials in the Obama administration might be replaced
with capable leaders who would serve America well.
relationship to our nation's life and culture. The ACLU has been
unrelenting in using the courts to remove memorial crosses from
sites honoring America's war dead. In one of their losses, on
April 28 the US Supreme Court ruled that the Mojave Cross,
which has stood atop Sunrise Rock in the Mojave Desert of
California since 1934, as a memorial to American military lost in
World War I, could remain. In legal action which began in 2001,
the ACLU of Southern California had argued that the presence
of the Christian symbol violated the First Amendment ban on an
establishment of religion. Then, just two weeks after the court
decision, during the night thieves cut through the steel and
concrete base of the cross and stole it. Liberty Institute,
representing veterans groups, has offered a $25,000 reward
for return of the cross.
But the atheists don't quit. Probably America's best known atheist,
Michael Newdow, who keeps losing his cases, has announced
that he will continue his fight to have the phrase" So help me God,"
and prayers removed from presidential inaugurations. Newdow's
latest defeat was in the US Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia, where the decision stated that neither the phrase or the
prayers co uld be considered as proselytizing. But Newdow is
petitioning for a rehearing, charging that " the executive branch
of government will henceforth be able to trample on individual
rights with impunity." And judging from his past actions, he
probably will do so.
And that brings back to mind the major news story of a couple of
weeks ago when Franklin Graham became a member of the
"Disinvited Club" when the Army canceled his scheduled
appearance at the Pentagon on the National Day of Prayer. Just
about everything which could be said about that anti-Christian
action, brought on by action of atheists, has been said, but now
Dr. Al Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
has brought the issue into sharp focus: "Clearly, for Christians the
most important issue here is the exclusivity of the gospel of
Jesus Christ... Evangelical Christians in the United States had
better see a big challenge staring us in the face... In reality,
every evangelical preacher and every individual Christian will
face this question — and probably sooner rather than later.
Franklin Graham will not be the last to be tested. Who will be
tested next?"
So the continued attacks on the Christian faith by atheists and other
anti-Christian activists is another subject for prayer.
In Washington, DC, starting last Friday, and continuing through
Saturday, May 22, each day from 12:00 - 1:00 PM there will be
a prayer vigil outside the Vatican Embassy at 3339 Massachusetts
Avenue, NW, to pray for the Vatican to hold firm in its position on
abortion and same sex marriage.
We have previously spoken of the new crusade by Dr. Michael
Youssef, founding rector of Church of the Apostles in Atlanta,
one of the nation's mega-churches which is true to the Scriptures
-- a crusade to enlist 100,000 believers who will promise to pray
daily for America, from July 4 to Election Day, November 2. You
can enroll by using this site: http://www.michaelyoussef.com
Good, appropriate "One Liners" are increasingly hard to find.
Maybe because everyone has so much to say about so many things.
" In the good old says, we taxed first and then spent. Today, we
spend first, then figure out how to tax." -- J.B. Williams, Canada
Free Press
" We're already planning to peel out of Iraq and Afghanistan; the
jihadists have the dates marked on their calendars."
-- Arthur Herman
-- Gilbert Keith Chesterton
One reason for offering each week "What Others Are Saying"
is because you won't find them in the main line media, Press or TV.
Steven Carr (Wooster 912 Project): " George Washington's
Continental Army was at one point down to a total of 2,500
men. Yet that small handful rose to the occasion and can be
credited with establishing the freest nation the world has ever
seen... The odds against us are staggering. We're the Americans
who must show up and fix this mess. We've been asleep for so
long... Our country is being hijacked. The cavalry ain't coming!"
Susan Dale (Conservative author): " Obama has proven that he
cannot govern; all that he is able to do is talk, and then only in
front of pre- programmed audiences guaranteed to be friendly to
him, and ably assisted by his teleprompters. He also goes to lots
of meetings, all either destructive or useless, and all costing the
American people yet another massive amount of money that we
do not have and do not want to spend it if we do have it. But
that is what community organizers do, don't you know?"
Pamela Geller (Writing in "Atlas Shrugged"):" Every time
there is a jihad attack (which is happening with increasing
frequency), they [the "politically correct" Liberals] start wailing
about Muslim sensitivities, and lecturing us about imaginary
affronts and insults. What could be more insulting and
humiliating than a monster mosque in the shadow of the World
Trade Center buildings that were brought down by an Islamic
jihad attack?... The only Muslim center that should be built in
the shadow of the World Trade Center is one that is devoted
to expunging the Koran and all Islamic teachings of the
violent jihad they prescribe, as well as all the hateful texts and
incitement to violence."
Newt Gingrich: "' Control the border first' ought to be the
battle cry of every citizen who is tired of left-wing elites trying
to use charges of racism to blackmail us into accepting
perpetually unsecured borders and amnesty for millions... The
President, as Commander in Chief, has a constitutional
obligation to control the border."
Frank Miele (Journalist, Historian): " One of the most
worrisome social trends today is that many Americans no
longer claim ownership of the Constitution ... Apparently we
are supposed to be comfortable with the idea of letting
President Obama, Harry Reid and the judges they appoint
and confirm tell us what the Constitution means. This is a
scary thought."
And here are a few " Random Afterthoughts" . . .
Among our nation's major church denominations, even the
largest have problems. According to the just released Annual
Church Profile (ACP), from Lifeway Christian Resources of the
Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant
denomination experienced both gains and losses. On the plus side,
they reported a 2.2% increase in baptisms in 2009, a 0.36%
increase in the number of churches, and a 0.37% increase in
Sunday worship attendance. On the minus side there was a
0.42% loss in total membership and a 0.04 decrease in Sunday
School enrollment. The denomination still has 16.16 million
members in 45,010 churches.
Let us never forget Jerusalem . . . while the Israelis prepare
to celebrate the reunification of Jerusalem -- Yom Yerusalayim --
on June 7, the Obama administration seems to waver between
supporting Israel or, in a manner of speaking, "throwing Israel
under the bus," by trying to take control of Jerusalem from them
and turning it over to the PLO. Dr. James Hutchens, respected
Bible scholar, commented, " How encouraging it would be if
the leaders of the nations would simply believe tat God would
never lie. What He has said are incontrovertible facts of future
history. Sadly, our leaders are Biblically illiterate.... What to
do? The prophet Amos has the only answer: ' Prepare to meet
your God.'" (Amos 4:12)
Kharrazi on Saturday said that the central aim of the political party
he leads, Hezbolla (Party of God), is to create an Islamic United
States, and said he envisions a Greater Iran which would stretch
from Afghanistan to Israel, and would bring about the destruction
of Israel. He linked the formation of the Islamic nation to the return
of the Mahdi, the "Hidden Imam." Meantime, Russia's foreign
minister, Sergei Lavrov, warned the United States against trying to
impose unilateral sanctions against Iran, while the Iranian president,
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, called the UN Seccurity Council's
resolutions worthless, and said Iran will not back down from
developing its nuclear program.
We ought never forget the views of our Founding Fathers:
" The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved
independence were the general principles of Christianity... I
will avow that I believed and now believe that those general
principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as
the existence and attributes of God." -- John Adams, 1776
" Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time;
they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose
morality is so sublime and pure... are undermining the solid
foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of
free governments." -- Charles Carroll, 1800
Tuesday
SO MANY THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
`
A FEW ISSUES AGO WE INTRODUCED A NEW SITE --
one in which we had complete confidence as being Conservative,
Evangelical and Christian: http://www.michaelyoussef.com. Now
we have learned that the originator of that site, Dr. Michael Youssef,
has embarked upon a new mission, to enlist 100,000 Bible-believing
Americans who will pledge to pray daily for our nation between July
4, Independence Day and November 2, Election Day. His urgent
appeal comes as a result of a significant shift in the direction America
is moving. You will remember that Michael Youssef is -- with two
other of the nation's leading Evangelicals, Franklin Graham and Tony
Perkins -- a charter member of the "Disinvited Club," those Christians
who were invited to speak or pray at a military event, and then had
the invitations canceled. We enthusiastically support Dr. Youssef's goal,
and urge all readers of ANC to join with us and with him in praying for
our nation, and then on November 2, vote to reinstate in America those
principles upon which this nation was founded, and bring a halt to the
movement toward socialism upon which we have now embarked. Use
the link given above to assure Dr. Youssef that you will be one of the
100,000 -- or more! -- who will pray daily for America prior to
Election Day, November 2.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SO MANY THINGS TO THINK ABOUT -- SOME TO WORRY
ABOUT, AND (FOR CHRISTIANS) ALL TO PRAY ABOUT;
BUT WHERE SHOULD WE START?
If ever there were a time for Christians to unite in prayer for our nation
and for the world and for one another -- surely this is that time. But as
our heading asks: "Where should we start?" And that is a difficult
question to answer. However, in random order, not based on relative
importance, here is a brief summary of some of the serious problems
which we face as a nation, and as individuals who make up this nation.
[1] The National Day of Prayer. It is strange to think of a National
Day of Prayer as being a problem -- but the problem rests in our Army's
reaction against the Christian faith that was focused upon by this national
observance of our trust in and our dependence upon God. The focal
point was the rescinding of the invitation for Franklin Graham to head
up the National Day of Prayer observance in the Pentagon. Although
dumping Graham was done by Chaplains, it would seem logical that
the orders came from much higher up, and although Mr. Graham spoke
directly to President Obama about it -- and was promised by the
president that he would look into it -- the Commander in Chief of our
military did absolutely nothing to correct this rejection of the Christian
faith. The net result was interesting: out of the thousands in the Pentagon,
an estimated 80 attended the "inclusive" prayer observance, while there
were hundreds attending the prayer service on Capitol Hill, led by
Franklin Graham. There was one other interesting point: the Legislative
and Judicial branches of our government were well represented in that
Day of Prayer observance -- but the Obama administration did not see
fit to send anyone to represent the White House. And although Mr.
Obama did issue a proclamation (it's not something done as a matter
of choice -- he is required by federal law to do so) he did not sponsor
any observance of the National Day of Prayer at the White House.
During World War II, as some of us oldies can remember, there was
a saying, "There are no atheists in foxholes." But today atheists
have tremendous influence in the American military -- enough to
prevent a Christian from leading a prayer observance in the Pentagon.
[2] The Muslim terrorist attempt in Times Square. Despite the
"politically correct" rules by the Obama administration and Janet
Napolitano's Department of Homeland Security, that the terms
"Muslim," "Jihadist," and "Islam" are not to be linked together with
the word "terrorism," the attempt to detonate a bomb in Times Square
on May 1was quickly labeled by the Obama White House as
"terrorism." When the perpetrator was revealed to be Faisal Shahzad,
a Pakistani-born, naturalized American citizen -- it was evident that
those forbidden terms were inseparably linked. Attorney General
Holder then confirmed that the Taliban was indeed responsible for the
attempt . . . and that Shahzad had made 13 trips to Pakistan in the past
few years. This should come as no surprise to any of us -- there have
been three terrorist incidents in the past 6 months, all involving Muslims:
the murders of American military by a Muslim US Army officer at Fort
Hood in November . . . the failed "under-wear" bomb attempt on the
Northwest Airlines plane in Detroit on Christmas Day . . .and now this
failed attempt in New York City on May 1. Even Mr. Holder was
forced to admit that we could very likely expect more similar attempts.
All this combines to mark a distinct shift in policy for a president who
first warned us not to "jump to conclusions" even after US Army
officer Nidal Malik Hasan had shouted "Allahu Akbar!" (Allah --
God -- is Great) and then began shooting and murdering American
soldiers and others in that room at Fort Hood.
[3] The BP rig oil spill in the Gulf off the Louisiana coast. The
extent of this disaster has only begun to be understood. News accounts
have labeled this "Obama's Katrina." That is an unfortunate comparison.
Inadequate as the Bush administration's response to Katrina may have
been -- it is a fact that just two days after the hurricane touched down,
President Bush flew over the area to survey the damage from the air,
and two days later was on the ground in Louisiana, walking around,
personally inspecting the damage. By contrast, Mr, Obama first visited
Louisiana on the 12th day after the oil rig exploded, and the oil spill
began to develop. The Obama administration's reaction has been
strange. After deciding to permit what would be almost miniscule
off-shore drilling projects, after the BP explosion, all such off-shore
drilling has come into question -- despite the fact that this is the first
such oil spill in 31 years. And stepping into oil well drilling in the
Caribbean, just off our coast, is China, working through Cuba. It
appears that China is more concerned about developing their own
source of oil than we are.
[4] The Arizona illegal alien immigration bill. Frustrated by the
failure of the Obama administration to enforce existing federal laws
restricting illegal (unlawful) immigration, and making Phoenix the
kidnapping capitol of the world, the Arizona Legislature developed
its own state version of the federal law, and it was signed by Gov.
Brewer. Aided by the liberal main line media, this attempt by an
afflicted state to do what the federal government has refused to do
has resulted in rioting, boycotts and threats of law suits against the
state by the Obama administration. But the strange thing is that
approximately 70% of Arizona citizens favor the law . . . and
nationally some 60% of Americans favor it. In neighboring
Colorado, 55% want a similar law in their state, and at least a
dozen other states have a law similar to Arizona's under
consideration. Very appropriate to this discussion is the comment
from Nancy Pelosi, while admitting that it is the federal government's
responsibility to secure the US-Mexico border, she said, "It is
cheaper to treat teens for drug abuse than it is to interdict
drugs being smuggled across the border."
[5] Our faltering (or failing) economy in the face of the Obama
administration's spin. This comment caught our eyes this week: "The
president who promised he'd stop the oceans from rising hasn't
been able to stop unemployment from doing the same." The
report released last week that the "official" unemployment figure
(which the Administration said would be held to 8%) had moved up
from 9.7% to 9.9%. But the "good news" spin put on those figures
by the White House emphasized that over 200,000 new jobs were
created in April. But one financial commentator used the word
"unconscionable" to describe the government release of those
unemployment figures. Just a little -- not exhaustive -- research
would demonstrate the the real unemployment number is closer to
22% -- that is the SGS Alternate Unemployment Rate, taking into
account long-term discouraged workers. But then there is the U-6
unemployment rate which includes people who have stopped looking
for work, or who can't find a full time job. That broader government
measure of unemployment rose in April for the third consecutive
month to 17.1%. So the 9.9% unemployment rate does take on the
aspect of "good news" for the administration, when the real figures
of 17.1% or 22% are staring them in the face.
[6] Bad economic figures aren't solely an American problem.
Greece has been hovering close to national bankruptcy, with massive
riots in the streets over the disastrous economic situation which has
gripped the country, and which has sent shock waves across the
world's financial markets -- including America's But now the Euro
currency, and Greece, have been promised relief from the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the familiar trillion dollar range.
But also facing similar severe economic distress are other European
nations including Portugal, Spain, Italy and Ireland . . . and potentially
also Great Britain, only beginning to recover from the recent "hung"
election, and with a new Conservative Prime Minister who must form
a government. And the country must face up to tremendous challenges:
economic, social and political, as the Muslim minority threatens to
disrupt centuries of British law with the introduction of Islamic
Sharia law.
Unquestionably, many of our current problems may be traced
to the Obama administration and the agenda of our apprentice
president. And for us who are Christians, the major point of concern
is his attitude toward us as infidels, and his rejection of the place
America's Christian heritage should have in our nation today. We
recall how, as a candidate, in July 2007 he told CBN, "Whatever
we once were, we are no longer a Christian nation -- at least not
just." Then, as president, in his speech in Turkey, in April 2009, he
moved further from his prior statement where he said we were no
longer just a Christian nation, to say instead, "We do not consider
ourselves a Christian nation." Aside from the fact that this belies
the actual statistics and every poll report, it goes against a ruling from
the US Supreme Court in 1892: "This is a religious people. This is
historically true. From the discovery of this continent to the
present hour, there is a single voice making this affirmation ...
we find everywhere a clear recognition of the same truth ... these,
and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume
of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that
this is a Christian nation." That was 118 years ago; a decision
which has never been challenged, modified or repealed. It is obviously
true today, as it was in 1892.
The important consideration for Christians: What can we do?
Tim LeFever of Capitol Research Institute (CRI) suggested this plan
in coping with a critical situation: "It's a pretty simple proposition:
make hard decisions and firm plans before a crisis. Then, when
disaster comes, stick to the plan." Well, as Americans and as
Christian Americans, we're facing a crisis, or a series of crises. So
here are some firm plans to use in this critical time: (1) Pray for our
nation and its leaders ... (2) Tell others and urge them to pray
... (3) Vote for better leaders.
Prayer is the most powerful asset for any Christian to use. It goes
right to the heart of who and what our God is. "Oh thou that
hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come." (Psalm 65:2)
First, God hears our prayers. "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father
in my name, He will give it you." (John 16:23) Second, God
answers our prayers. And just these few reminders about prayer . . .
"Pray without ceasing." (I Thess. 5:17) "The effectual fervent
prayer of a righteous man availeth much," James 5:16) and
Jesus' promise, "All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer,
believing, ye shall receive." (Matt. 21:22) And the words of
Paul, which we have cited so often, "I exhort therefore, that
supplications, prayers, intercessions ... be made for all men, for
kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet
and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." (I Tim. 2:1-2)
So we have a plan . . . to Pray . . . to Tell others: "Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations ... teaching them to observe all things,
whatsoever I have commanded you." (Matt. 28:19-20... and to
Vote. Here the Scriptures do not speak specifically on the subject
of voting. The word "vote" is not a Scriptural word, and the word
"elect" is used to speak of chosen ones. But as Christians who
have committed ourselves to accomplishing God's will, we have a
high level of responsibility in doing all we can to further His will for
America. The principles of governmental leadership are set forth in
the Old Testament, for example in Proverbs, at 14:34,
"Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any
people," and at 29:2, "When the righteous are in authority, the
people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people
mourn." It follows, logically that we have a responsibility to vote
out of office those who have brought us to this time of crisis, and
to elect to office decent and honest leaders who will respond to the
will of the American people, in a way that our present leaders have
refused to do. If we do not vote, then we will share part of the
blame for the kind of government we have left in power.
Remember our next election day is now just 174 days away,
on Nov2. Remember also that you cannot vote unless you have
registered. So follow the plan: Pray ... Tell others...Vote (but
be sure you register!)
A news story that may have escaped your attention this week:
Just two blocks away from "Ground Zero" where the World Trade
Center twin towers stood prior to the Islamic terrorist attack on
"9/11" a new 13 story Mosque and Islamic cultural center will be
built at a cost of $100 million. As weird as it may seem, the
Community Board's financial district committee unanimously endorsed
the proposal. The building will be called Cordoba House, and Imam
Feisel Abdul Rauf, one of the founders of the Cordoba Initiative, said
it was intended to improve relations between Muslims and the West.
The announcement said that prestigious groups like the Ford
Foundation and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund would pay for the
construction. Surviving family members of the thousands killed in the
attack have voiced strong opposition, and Pamela Geller in her
reaction in "Atlas Shrugs" to the announcement wrote: "What could
be more insulting and humiliating than a mosque in the shadow
of the World Trade Center buildings brought down by Islamic
attack?" And she added this comment, "Of course, the minute
someone complains about this, they will be labeled a racist
Islamophobic bigot for not respecting 'diversity.'"
And while we're on the subject of Islam and Muslims, Alan Caruba,
a frequent critic of environmentalism, Islam and global warming,
reminds us of President Obama's famous speech in Cairo, almost a
year ago, on June 4, 2009, when he attempted to reach out to
Muslims in the Middle East and throughout the world. As Mr.
Caruba points out, Obama said in that speech: "'I know, too, that
Islam has always been part of America's history.' The problem
is, he is dead wrong. Muslims were not here prior to or during
the Revolution. They did not participate in the Civil war though
for centuries they were notorious as slave traders. During
World War Two they were on Hitler's side..." Then with reference
to the three Muslim terrorist incidents in America during the past 6
months, Caruba concludes, "So, while not 'always' having been
part of American history, Muslims are currently leaving
their mark on it in the twenty-first century." (And he left out
any reference to "9/11!")
"One Liners" worthy of your attention are hard to find, but
here are a few for this week . . .
"The Obama National Security Policy: Hope their bomb don't
work." -- Ann Coulter
"University of Michigan awarded Obama an honorary 'Doctor
of Laws' degree, thereby recognizing his extensive experience in
doctoring laws." -- Joel McDurmon
"Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There's
no better rule." -- Charles Dickens
"The problem with Socialism is that eventually you run out of
other people's money." -- British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
"Obama wrestles with his Katrina moment. With water that
thick, anyone could walk on it." -- Jonathan Richards
Thanks for your appreciation of "What Others Are Saying."
Here are a few comments which we noted in our research this week:
William Greene (President, rightmarch.com): "President
Barack Hussein Obama is trying to SUE Arizona to BLOCK
their new law that makes it a state crime to violate federal law --
in other words, the law that says it's against the law to be an
illegal alien in Arizona."
Chuck Colson: "God has acted again and again through His
people to change history's course. But for that to happen, the
Church had better sober up, summon its spiritual resources,
expose the political illusion, and begin to defend and live the
Christian faith in our culture."
Paul R. Hollrah (Conservative columnist): "On November 4,
2008, the American people went to the polls and elected a
leader about whom they knew very little ... To date we have
seen no evidence that Obama has ever associated with anyone
who could be classified as a patriotic, mainstream American.
Instead, Obama's life is a tangled web of race-based hostility,
and leftist political extremism. What more does anyone need
to know? It's time we began the process of picking his life
apart, bit by bit, so that every American can know what a
complete charlatan he is."
Moody Adams (Christian evangelist): "The difference between
a Muslim terrorist and a Christian who commits acts of
terrorism, is that the Christian is disobeying his scriptures that
say 'love' your enemies, while the Muslim is obeying his
scriptures that command killing."
Mat Staver (President Liberty Counsel): "President Obama
has vowed to do 'whatever is necessary' to get the Employment
Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) enacted, and get the Defense
of Marriage Act (DOMA) repealed. Both of these agenda items
promote homosexuality, literally elevating GLBT (Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual, Transsexual) persons to 'protected status' under the
law -- all against the will of most Americans."
Michelle Malkin: "If America's homeland security policies
were subject to truth-in-advertising laws, the 'no-fly' list would
be known around the world by its right and proper name: the
'go-fly' list. As in : Go right ahead, jihadists, and fly our planes.
All aboard, evil-doers."
Some Random Afterthoughts ...
Where have all those atheists gone? Only a few weeks after that
federal judge in Wisconsin ruled that the National Day of Prayer is
unconstitutional, a USA Today/Gallup poll has reported that 92%
of Americans believe in God, and only 5% oppose the idea of a
National Day of Prayer..
You may have missed the latest Al Gore news -- The Nobel
Laureate and Academy Award winner, best known for his Global
Warming theory, has purchased a companion estate to go with his
Tennessee compound -- a $9 million mansion in what is called
"Oprah's Neighborhood," Montecito, CA. One wonders why, after
he was criticized so harshly for his huge energy consuming mansion
in Tennessee, his houseboat and his private jet. But it may be a bit
on the shabby side -- Oprah paid $52 million for her estate, which
was recently appraised at $85 million, and in the same neighborhood
Ellen Degeneres paid $17 for her place and then put it on the market
for $24 million. History buff, Victor Davis Hanson, commented,
"We can call this malady Gorism -- living not merely at odds
with your zealotry, but living entirely against your zealotry." On
the other hand, losing that presidential election to George Bush may
have been the greatest stroke of luck Al will ever experience. How
else could he have achieved the life style he now enjoys?
If you like interesting numbers, here are a few to consider . . .
(1) Poll numbers for respondees not favoring the Obama
administration have all passed the 50% mark. . . here are a few:
-- 55% rate the American health care system as good or excellent;
-- 52% think "Obamacare" will be bad for the country;
-- 54% favor its repeal;
-- 51% disapprove of Obama's performance as president.
(2) The 2010 edition of the Vatican statistical yearbook reported
the following:
-- between 2000 and 2008 world Catholic population grew 11.55%;
-- in Europe the Catholic growth was 1.17%;
-- in Africa the Catholic growth was 33.02%;
-- in Asia the Catholic growth was 15,6%;
-- in the Americas the Catholic growth was 10.9%;
-- Catholics in Europe make up a quarter of all Catholics;
-- Catholics in the Americas make up nearly half the world's total.
And a comment too good to miss, concerning the environmental
movement, from Harvey Wasserman, author of "Our Green
Powered Earth" -- "How such a devil's brew -- of drilling for oil,
digging for coal and big money for new nukes -- could save the
Earth conjures a corporate cynicism beyond the scope of the
human mind and soul."
In a day of so much change in the name of "progress," we
must never ignore the vision for America of our Founding Fathers.
"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of
a nation be thought secure if we have removed their only firm
basis: a conviction in the minds of men that these liberties are
the gift of 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; that His justice cannot sleep forever."
-- Thomas Jefferson, 1774
"I entirely concur in the propriety of resorting to the sense in
which the Constitution was accepted and ratified by the nation.
In that sense alone it is the legitimate Constitution."
-- James Madison, 1824
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