Wednesday
WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE?
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is to say that we don't go through all the hours researching, composing
and editing each week's issue of ANC just for something to occupy our
time. This may sound overly patriotic or overly pro-America -- neither
of which view is considered "politically correct" today -- but we really
are pro-America, and we really are patriotic. With this issue we complete
our 7th year of publication, and throughout those years we never failed to
stress the importance of reclaiming this nation to the Judeo-Christian
principles upon which it was founded. Today the left-wing Liberals who
control our government are ignoring our Constitution as they attempt to
reshape this nation into a socialist state. As we begin our 8th year we will
continue to focus on the goal of reclaiming America to its founding
principles. You have our word on that.
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PILATE ASKED JESUS: "WHAT IS TRUTH?" TODAY WE
CAN ASK: "WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE?"
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, founder of the Russian Communist Party, and
architect of the 1917 revolution which resulted in the Communist USSR:
"There are no morals in politics; there is only expedience...A lie told
often enough becomes the truth."
If memory serves you, on August 16, 2008, during his presidential
campaign, Barack (Hussein) Obama appeared on a national TV program
called "Saddleback Civil Program on the Presidency." It was hosted by
Rick Warren, the pastor of a Southern California "mega church." One of
the results of the program was that Obama appeared as a Christian,
embracing some of the traditional Christian positions. One question asked
by Warren was "Define marriage." To which Obama responded promptly:
"I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman." He
added that he did not favor a constitutional amendment to define marriage,
but on the basic issue, Obama and Warren agreed that marriage is between
a man and a woman. Obama was elected president. Rick Warren offered
the prayer at the inaugural ceremony.
Flash ahead just over 18 months to June 22, 2010. President Obama is
hosting a gala celebration in the White House, to mark the end of what
was formerly called "Gay Pride Month," until Obama renamed it "Lesbian
Gay Bisexual Transgender Pride Month." Speaking that night to those
assembled homosexuals he said, "I believe that gay and lesbian couples
deserve the same rights ... afforded married couples. I have called for
Congress to repeal the so-called 'Defense of Marriage Act' (signed into
law by President Clinton: Editor note) ... we are pushing hard to pass an
inclusive non-discrimination bill ... we're going to end 'Don't Ask, Don't
Tell.' ... And I want you all to know that as this work continues, I'm
going to be standing shoulder-to- shoulder with you, fighting by your
side every step of the way."
To repeat: "What are we supposed to believe?" Should we believe
the word of the candidate that marriage is the union of a man and a woman
. . . or should we believe the word of the president that he is working to
repeal the existing federal law that establishes marriage as being just that --
the union of a man and a woman?
We cited Lenin's views, showing that socialists/communists don't care
much for truth. Another international figure, a bit closer to American views,
Winston Churchill, held a position on truth much different from Lenin's: "The
truth is incontrovertible; malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it,
but in the end, there it is." And it appears as is so often the case, our
Founding Fathers perceived what might happen in this new nation they had
created; for example, James Madison said: "The truth is that all men
having power ought to be mistrusted."
Taking into account all the aspects of this departure from the truth, one has
to wonder why Obama, a complete political figure to whom votes represent
the currency in political transactions, wold go to such lengths to support the
homosexual cause, when they represent only perhaps 3 or % of the U.S.
population, and by so doing, oppose the Christian cause, when Christians
represent approximately 85% of the U.S. population? It doesn't make sense.
whenever Mr. Obama gets close to the subject of "religion," things seem to
become confused, and, as Rebecca West, the British author and critic wrote,
"When politics comes in the door, truth flies out the window." In March,
2008, in a Sunday campaign meeting in Nelsonville, Ohio, Obama delivered
what might pass for a "sermon," in which he said, "I am a Christian. I am a
devout Christian. I have been a member of the same church for twenty
years..." (That church was pastored by Jeremiah Wright, whom Obama
had frequently said was his "spiritual mentor." Mr. Wright gained national
notoriety when, as Obama's pastor, he instructed his congregation not to
say "God Bless America," but rather "God Damn America." Shortly after
that, Obama severed his twenty year church membership . . . there is no
record of his having joined or even spent much time in a church since. It
all makes his "devout" description of his faith a bit questionable.)
But against that affirmation of his Christian faith, is the report from the
Foreign Minister of Egypt that in a discussion with the president in January
of this year, Mr. Obama told him that he was still a Muslim ... the son of a
Muslim father ... the step-son of a Muslim step-father ... that his family
members in Kenya are Muslims and that he is sympathetic to the Muslim
agenda. The White House has not labeled Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul
Gheit a liar, and this disclosure from a fellow-Muslim has added new
meaning to Obama's occasional references to "my Muslim faith," and
to his very reverent mention of "the Holy Koran."
So again we ask: should we believe the word of the candidate that he is a
devout Christian, or should we believe the word of the president that he is
a Muslim who speaks of "my Muslim faith," and who quotes again and
again from the book he describes as "the Holy Koran.?"
There is nothing new here. Last week we discussed "Fact and Fiction,"
and even touched lightly on the other element involved in current events,
"Rumor." This week we are focusing on "Truth" -- not in every aspect of
our present administration's agenda, but in just a few instances. The result
is clear and unambiguous: President Obama does not have the trust,
respect and confidence of the American people. Just a week ago his
approval ratings had reached what was perceived as "rock bottom" (46%)
-- but as this week began, that number had slipped to 45%, with 50%
disapproving. Further, reports from half a dozen polls this week indicate
that only about 30% feel the country is headed in the right direction, with
60% or more feeling we are on the wrong track.
Last week we reported on a rumor that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
might consider opposing Obama in the 2012 election. Since then, polls have
indicated that she has considerable national support, with 57% saying she is
qualified to be president, and 34% saying she is not. By contrast, 51% say
Obama is qualified to be president and 44% say he is not qualified.
The usual question arises again: As Christians, what can we do now?
And the answer is a familiar one: November 2, 2010 is Election Day, and
every member of the House of Representatives, and approximately one-
third of the U.S. Senators will be up for election. It is our responsibility
to vote (remembering that first we must be registered). Gary DeMar,
president of American Vision, stated this fact extremely well: "As a nation,
we have drifted far from the principles we were founded on. Christians
have been trusted with the responsibility of bringing our nation back to
God." Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council, expressed it
slightly differently: "Faced with two wars, a devastating oil spill, and an
administration bent on forcing sexual perversion on America, how can
we possibly expect God to continue blessing this nation? ... The most
serious threat that America faces is the silence of the Church."
Those two statements represent the challenge, the responsibility, we here at
ANC face and try to meet in each issue. Right now we remind our readers
that Nov. 2 is now just 125 days away. On that day, together we can
change the present course upon which our nation is now embarked. This
time it can be a change for the better.
"What Others Are Saying" -- the place you turn to first, because, as
we often point out, you won't find the elite, main line media - press or TV -
citing knowledgeable people who don't accept the White House propaganda
line, and instead present current events in a factual -- truthful -- manner.
Charles Krauthammer (Nationally syndicated columnist): "When the
president of the United States announces the Afghan surge and, in the
very next sentence, announces the date on which a U.S. withdrawal will
begin, the Afghans -- from president to peasant -- take note. Just last
week, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel reiterated that July 2011 is a hard
date. And Vice President Joe Biden is adamant that 'in July of 2011,
you're going to see a whole lot of people moving out. Bet on it.'"
Tony Perkins (Family Research Council): "The Left's entire social
agenda -- counterfeit marriage, the drive to lift the ban on homosexuality
in the military, the push to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination
Act (ENDA), 'hate crimes' laws, abortion -- is now tied together by one
common thread. And that one unifying thread is aimed at the heart of
your religious freedom. The Left is committed to silencing Christians
and getting us out of the way."
Bill Kristol (Editor, Weekly Standard): "Barack Obama's commitment
[to Afghanistan] is famously and publicly uncertain. No one -- not his
lieutenants, nor his cabinet, nor his generals, nor the American people,
nor our allies, nor our enemies -- can be sure whether the president
wants to win the war or just to end the war ... The imposition of a troop-
withdrawal deadline, in particular, has poisoned our Afghan strategy."
Jose Maria Aznar (Spanish Prime Minister, 1996-2004): "The West
is what it is thanks to its Judeo-Christian roots. If the Jewish element
of those roots is upturned and Israel is lost, then we are lost, too.
Whether we like it or not, our fate is inextricably intertwined."
Nile Gardiner (Washington based foreign affairs analyst):
"Increasingly, political judgment as well as basic common sense is
being suspended at the White House. We are witnessing not only the
dramatic dumbing down of US policy under the Obama administration,
with cheap soundbites standing in for strong leadership, but also a
staggering inability to comprehend the scale of the global war the West
is engaged in."
Hugh Hewitt (Radio talk show host): "Democrats expect voters not
to notice, or care if they do notice, that legislators have not passed a
budget for next year's spending. The Pelosi-Reid 'leadership' team have
'gone off the grid' of congressional practice ... Humming 'que sera sera,
whatever will be will be,' they twirl toward summer vacation and the
November elections beyond."
Mark Steyn (Author and human rights activist): "I believe it was
Jean Giraudoux who first said, 'Only the mediocre are always at their
best.' Barack Obama was supposed to be the best, the very best, and
yet he is always, reliably, consistently mediocre."
Here are some Random Afterthoughts . . .
How soon they forget! High school graduates in New Haven, CT, this
year will receive "neutral" diplomas -- the phrase which has always been
used with the date, "in the year of our Lord," has been deleted after
one parent filed an objection with the Mayor. Superintendent of Schools,
Reginald Mayo, said "It's a religious thing ... We certainly don't want
to offend anyone," and the city spokeswoman, Jessica Mayorga, said it
was "an unnecessary description for a public document, being that
none of our other public documents have such a description." Obviously
the U.S. Constitution is not considered to be a "public document," or none
of the New Haven City and school officials were familiar with the Constitution,
which concludes with the phrase, "... in the Year of our Lord one thousand
seven hundred and eighty seven ..."
It is hard to accept the "peaceful" actions of followers of Islam. Every
day, reports from various countries of the Muslim world speak of torture,
rapes, murders, of Christian believers , and destruction of Christian homes,
schools and churches. But under the Obama administration the use of the
terms "terrorism," "Muslim terrorism," or "Muslim terrorists" are no longer
allowed. Without reminding us of all of the incidents from all over the world,
the story of the Nigerian massacre in March is still horrifying to recall. Looking
back, more than 500 Christians, 80% of them children, were slaughtered
in one night in three villages in northern Nigeria. One of the first doctors on
the scene, as he walked among the rubble of burned churches and homes,
and mass graves, "Dr. Kim" from Voice of Martyrs, summarized what he
found, "In more than three years of providing medical service for
persecuted Christians for VOM, this is the first time that 'carnage'
has come to mind. This is beyond anything I have seen in my 31 years
of medicine, including doing autopsies and working in emergency
rooms. We found that in one village there were only 20 or 30 survivors
in the entire village." As the persecutions continue, all over the world, just
this week in Indonesia, where Barack Obama was raised as a Muslim, on
June 28 in the "Jakarta Globe," this headline appeared: "Muslim Groups
Talk War Over Christianization." The story reported that a new coalition
of nine Muslim groups is trying to mobilize all mosques in Bekasi -- hundreds
of them -- to go to war against Christians. It is so easy to ignore the plight of
our fellow Christians in Muslim countries, and fail to pray for them.
U.S. Supreme Court to hear case against Arizona Immigration law.
But it's not the controversial law of a couple of months ago which has resulted
in boycotts of the state and lawsuits against the state -- one by the Mexican
government. This law to be considered by the Supreme Court is one signed
into law in 2007 by then Governor Napolitano. And it brings the spotlight of
attention on two currently prominent figures: Obama's appointed candidate for
the Court, Elena Kagan, and Obama's Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet
Napolitano. The draft of the case originated in Kagan's office as Solicitor
General, and may represent Napolitano's present opinion that federal law
supercedes state law -- which is directly opposite from her opinion when she
signed the law in 2007.
"Obamacare" is still in trouble with national public opinion, and with
individual states. Still virtually unchanged from the date of enactment are the
polls which show that 55% of American voters feel that the president's health
care reform law should be repealed. On a state by state basis, Missouri may
become the fifth state to opt out of using funds provided by the bill to pay for
abortions. Already Arizona, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana have
passed similar bills.
foresaw possible problems facing this nation they had established, and they
knew how to deal with those problems.
"The essence of Government is power, and power, lodged as it must be
in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse." -- James Madison, 1787
"When once a republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying
any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring
its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil."
-- Thomas Jefferson, 1808
SKIP THE FICTION - EMPHASIZE THE FACTS!
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SOMEWHERE BETWEEN FACT AND FICTION is the spot
called RUMOR . . . a subject to we do not give much, if any, space.
We read many such items, some created by Liberals, and others (or
perhaps even more of them) created by Conservatives, but we do
not report on or react to rumors, but do research to determine
whether they are probably going to move into FACT, or are
destined to die as FICTION. So if you do not find us hitting on
what some Internet sources present as "Hot Buttons," it is because
we have done extensive research on the subject. We do everything
possible to merit our reputation as being a reliable source for
discussions of issues we consider important to American Christians.
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IN DISCUSSING TODAY'S CURRENT
EVENTS, WE SKIP THE FICTION,
EMPHASIZE THE FACTS, AND
TOUCH JUST VERY BRIEFLY
ON THE RUMORS
"Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions
of body and mind will vanish like spirits at the dawn of day."
-- Thomas Jefferson, 1816
We used the words FACT and FICTION . . . we could have used
the words used by Snopes, one of the Internet verification sites:
TRUE and FALSE. But whatever words are used, there is a tremendous
effort under way by the opposing philosophies of government to sway
public opinion, one way or the other. It all makes for a very confused
impression for most Americans as to what is really happening. And the
main line media -- almost all of the press and TV -- are of absolutely no
help in providing a fair and balanced understanding of current events.
A classic example: everyone knows that the disastrous oil spill in the
Gulf has been badly handled, from day one or before. The fault
appears to lie mainly with BP, the giant British oil firm, and more
specifically with Tony Hayward, the BP CEO who was in charge of
the BP venture. After being unmercifully grilled (and possibly justly so)
in a hearing before Members of Congress, Hayward (who by then had
been relieved of his responsibilities in the Gulf) took a day off, and in
his native England watched a boat race. American politicians and
media launched scathing attacks on him for this day of relaxing. Yet
none of the media saw fit to offer even a word of criticism of Mr.
Obama -- who keeps saying that he is in charge of the oil spill disaster --
and who attended a baseball game with some key leaders in his
administration, and was pictured looking quite ridiculous in a baseball
cap, enjoying a beer as he sang along "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"
. . . and the next day found time for a round of golf. Nor did the Obama
controlled media point out that during the first 38 days of the oil spill
disaster, Obama spent a week on vacation, had two golf outings, and
played host to three sports teams at the White House -- yet visited the
Gulf only twice, for about 2 hours on each visit. That is just one
example of the tremendous imbalance we face in trying to find an
understanding of today's current events.
And the disastrous Gulf oil spill remains a major news story,
fulfilling the operative slogan of Obama's Chief of Staff, Rahm
Emanuel: "Never let a serious crisis go to waste." And Mr.
Obama has followed his chief's instructions to the letter, even
scheduling his first Oval Office speech to address the subject. In
case you watched that speech, and were disappointed -- you are
not alone. Politico reported, "President Barack Obama's Oval
Office address on the Gulf Coast catastrophe is being greeted
with a barrage of criticism ... the most intense negative reaction
to any major public appearance he has given as President."
You will find further evaluations of his speech under the heading:
"What Others are Saying."
But on the overall Gulf oil disaster, the American people -- whose
opinions have proved to be meaningless to the Obama administration
-- do not show approval of the president's handling of this disaster.
A new CNN poll reports that 58% of Americans lack confidence in
Obama's ability to handle another oil spill, and 68% doubt his ability to
restore the Gulf Coast after this one. And in a new USA Today/Gallup
poll asking who should be in charge, BP or the federal government,
49% said BP, with 45% favoring the government. And the overall
approval of his performance as president has fallen to a range between
41% and 46% (depending on the poll), while his daily approval rating
remains stuck in double digit negative numbers.
Maybe one reason for Obama's poor poll reports is found here:
Peter LaBarbera, president of Americans for Truth about Homosexuality,
spoke very frankly about Mr. Obama's pro-homosexual view of Father's
Day in these words: "Obama is the most pro-homosexual-agenda
president in American history, and is currently working to subvert
both the legal ban on open homosexuals serving in the military, and
the Defense of Marriage Act, which affirms traditional marriage in
federal law."
Mr. LaBarbera's views are right in line with concerns expressed by Tony
Perkins, head of Family Research Council, who listed the following among
Mr. Obama's "accomplishments" -- the impending destruction of the world's
most advanced healthcare system ... the normalization of deviant life styles ...
the establishment of taxpayer funded abortions ... the promotion of crippling
policies to destroy the world's greatest economy, and the demoralization of
the American military.
In that regard, it is obvious that in just the 18 months of his term of office,
Mr. Obama has ordered into effect many changes which have been of
special benefit to the homosexual community. Among those changes: gay
partners of federal workers now receive long term health insurance and
access to day care and other benefits . . . sexual orientation of the
applicants are no longer being considered by the Federal Housing
Authority . . . hospitals must now allow homosexuals to visit their partners
. . .federal child-care subsidies are available to children of same-sex
domestic partners . . . and the Labor Department plans to announce today
that federal employees may take leave time to care for a child with a
homosexual partner. Taken together, these changes represent extensive
benefits for homosexuals under new Obama enacted rules.
Those are a few of the facts involved in current events today; here
are two "facts" which have not yet played out to their ultimate effect. First,
there is the story appearing in the magazine "Israel Today" of the interview
by Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit on the "Roundtable"
program on Nile TV in mid January, where the Foreign Minister said that
during a one-on-one meeting with President Obama, the president told him
that he was still a Muslim ... was the son of a Muslim father ... the step-son
of a Muslim stepfather ... that his family members in Kenya are Muslims,
and that he is sympathetic to the Muslim agenda. Further, Gheit said Obama
asked the Arabs to show patience, and promised that when he had overcome
some domestic issues -- presumably the health care reform bill -- he would
show the Muslim world how to deal with Israel. It is known that just prior to
that TV interview, Foreign Minister Gheit was in Washington for mideast
peace talks with Obama and State Department officials, including Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton. How this "fact" will play out in the current events
scene is not yet obvious.
Second, Tim Adams, a graduate assistant teacher at Western Kentucky
University, says that he worked as a senior elections clerk for the City and
County of Honolulu in 2008, and that a long-form, hospital-generated birth
certificate for Barack Obama does not exist in Hawaii. "There is no birth
certificate," said Adams, "It's like an open secret. There isn't one.
Everyone in the government there knows this." Claims have been
made that Obama was born in Queens Medical Center, and also that
he was born in Kapi'olani Medical Center, but Adams said his office
checked with both centers, and neither one had any record of the birth.
Adams' view of the matter is that Obama's eligibility to be president
rests on the Democrat National Committee saying he is eligible, so he
must be eligible. Like the other "fact" outlined above -- how this fact
will play out in the current events scene is also not yet obvious.
Last week we spoke of needing an Evangelical Christian leader,
and regretted the fact that none was in sight. One of our readers sent
in an essay by former British traveling evangelist, Leonard Ravenhill,
who spoke to this subject some time before his death here in America
in 1994: "Millions have been spent on evangelism in the last twenty-
five years Hundreds of gospel messages streak through the air
over the nation every day. Crusades have been held; healing
messages have made a vital contribution ... Organizers we have.
Skilled preachers abound. Multi-million dollar Christian organizations
straddle the nation. But where, oh where, is the prophet? ... God's men
are in hiding until the day of their showing forth. They will come."
That is as encouraging a statement we as Evangelicals, looking for a leader,
could hope for.
Yes, all of the above is important -- but here is the most important!
President Obama presents many serious problems for all Americans, and
the traditional American way of life . . . but particularly so for Christians
who daily are aware of the Obama administration's anti-Christian agenda.
We can't do much about that -- he is scheduled to be president until
election day 2012. But Obama can only accomplish his agenda with the
help of the Democrat controlled Congress -- and every member of the
House, and about 1/3 of the Senate will be up for election this year --
November 2, 2010 . . . and that is just 132 days away! We should be
able to accomplish a real change for the better on that day -- the latest polls
show that only 12% of likely voters give Congress an "excellent" or "good"
rating, while 56% give the present Congress a "poor" rating. But to be able
to vote, you must be registered. So register . . . and vote. This is our great
opportunity to reclaim America for the principles which made it the leading
nation it has always been.
We're not the only ones who feel this way! Here are some quotes from
the newspaper "Prager Zeitung," published in Prague, in the Czech Republic:
"The danger to America is not Barack Obama, but a citizenry capable
of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency... The problem is much
deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom
of what ails America. Blaming the prince of fools should not blind
anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince..."
And what about the "rumors?"
When we began working on this issue, one of the rumors we were aware
of concerned some possible defections from the Obama administration's
key positions, including Peter Orzag, Obama's Budget Director -- but by
the time we had completed the issue, that announcement had been made
public, and his departure was no longer a rumor. Another rumor which
seems to be gaining strength, is that Chief of Staff Rahm Emanel will also
be leaving, and the most likely date is still a good 3 months away, or right
after the mid-term election. And another Cabinet post position is also in the
rumor mill: that Hillary Clinton will challenge Obama in the 2012 election.
In preliminary polls she tops potential Republican candidates as well as --
or occasionally better than -- Obama. And that is the extent of our brush-
off of today's rumors.
We get much appreciation for citing "What Others Are Saying."
That is probably because the elite media -- press and TV -- simply does
not offer these comments from knowledgeable individuals.
Lawrence Kudlow: "It was an indecisive Obama, a rather meek and
defensive Obama, in terms of reducing carbon dependence. Of course,
Obama knows that cap-and-trade politics will drive up Republican
numbers even more in the fall... But Obama's weak speech really
missed the point."
Chris Matthews and Keith Olberman (MSNBC Obama sycophants);
Matthews: "I didn't sense executive command." Olberman: "It was a
great speech if you were on another planet for the last 57 days. I don't
think he aimed low; I don't think he aimed at all."
Susan Estrich: "Managing disaster is all about taking responsibility
and taking charge -- sooner not later. It's about being perceived as
facing it, not downplaying it."
Robert J. Samuelson (Newsweek): "Just once it would be nice if a
president would level with Americans on energy. Barack Obama is
not that president. His speech was about political damage control --
his own."
Michael Barone: "Thuggery is unattractive. Ineffective thuggery
even moreso. Which may be one reason so many Americans have
been reacting negatively to the response of Barack Obama and his
administration to BP's Gulf oil spill."
Gail Collins (NY Times): "All we got from Obama was a vague
call for some sort of new energy policy ... Plus a reminder that the
secretary of energy won a Nobel Prize in physics ... Still it was a
disappointment. I was hoping for a call to arms, a national mission
as great as the environments disaster that inspired it."
Mike Pence: "It is morally wrong to end an unborn human life by
abortion. But it is also morally wrong to take the taxpayer dollars
of millions of pro-life Americans and use those funds to promote
abortion."
Ed Morrissey (Columnist and Talk Show host): "During the 2008
campaign, we repeatedly criticized Obama's lack of executive
experience, but perhaps even Obama's critics might be surprised to
see how badly Obama has performed in this crisis. He has nothing
left to offer; Obama is running on empty."
Donald Hanks (Renew America Columnist): "The Left's only
mission is to destroy all existing systems, traditions, science,
technology, business, religion, all things needed for life, because
these things run counter to its ideology of perpetual 'change,' its
designs on total control in general and on mind control over every
human being in particular."
Rabbi Yechiel Ickstein (President, Stand for Israel): "One of the
dangers of tumultuous times, whether that tumult is taking place
on the world stage or in our personal lives, is that we become so
preoccupied with worldly things that we succumb to despair,
forgetting that we have the greatest book of all to turn to for
guidance - the Bible."
And now a few Random Afterthoughts . . .
Sounds like the right man for the job! This is the exact news
release which ran on the Internet last week to announce Obama's new
choice for a major administration responsibility: "President Obama
has selected Michael Bromwich to head the Minerals Management
Service, the troubled agency that overseas offshore oil drilling,
according to senior administration officials. Bromwich served as
inspector general for the Justice Department under President
Clinton, and has a reputation for cleaning up embattled
organizations such as the Houston Police Department's crime lab.
He has no experience with oil and gas issues." (Emphasis ours.).
An interesting comment from a California psychotherapist -- she
uses the name "Robin of Berkley, and is located in Berkley, CA:
"Obama will not change. He will not learn from his mistakes. He
will not grow and mature from on-the-job experience. In fact, over
time, Obama will likely become a more ferocious version of who
he is today. Why? Because this is a damaged person.... Obama will
not evolve; he will not become the man he was meant to be.... He is
not capable of it."
Our Constitution's anniversary was observed this week: 222 years
ago, on June 21, 1788, the Constitution was finally ratified. The 55
writers of the Constitution consisted of 26 Episcopalians, 11 Presbyterians,
7 Congregationalists, 2 Lutherans, 2 Dutch Reformed, 2 Methodists,
2 Roman Catholics, 2 Quakers, and 1 Deist (Benjamin Franklin).
Question: where were the Muslims (Islamists) whom Obama claims
played such a major role in the founding of America?
Some thoughts on Mr. Obama's sorry Oval Office speech: The
Obama speech writer (official title "Director of Speechwriting") is 29 year
old Jonathan Favreau. His previous experience after graduating from college
was to work for failed presidential candidate, John Kerry. So he has
worked for a loser -- but there is more: he was recommended to Obama
by Robert Gibbs, the current Obama press agent -- who also worked for
Kerry. So you have two losers handling the public perception of Obaama.
Gibbs' shortcomings have already been obvious . . . Favreau's failures hit
the fan with the Oval Office speech. One is inclined to wonder how long
they will both be around?,
We never tire of quoting from our Founding Fathers.
"Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among
the people, who have a right, from the frame of their nature, to
knowledge, as their great Creator, who does nothing in vain, has
given them understandings, and a desire to know; but besides this,
they have a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine
right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge: I mean, of
the characters and conduct of their rulers." -- John Adams, 1765
Tuesday
COMPETENT LEADERSHIP -- A PROBLEM
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AN EXPLANATION AND A WORD OF APOLOGY . . . First,
this is the Explanation: we take present day events, and how they relate
to Christians, or how Christians should relate to them, as extremely
important. Thus we never try to serve as a news source, per se, but
rather we try to relate current events to our nation, its history and
purpose, and to suggest the Bible based response Christians should
demonstrate. You can count on us never to deviate from that
responsibility. Second, this is the Word of Apology: email on the
Internet has become a wonderful means of communication. In many
respects it has already surpassed traditional media -- press and TV --
in keeping America, and the world, informed. But there are problems --
some beyond our control. There are times when portions of our
newsletter/commentary are double spaced, and there is nothing we can
do about it. Each issue passes through a score or more of technical
services out there in what is called "Cyber World." If we are ever able
to correct this problem -- we assure you, we will. For now it is just one
of the problems we face. But we're trying. Thank you for understanding.
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COMPETENT LEADERSHIP -- A PROBLEM THAT
CONFRONTS US FROM BOTH RELIGIOUS
AND POLITICAL VIEWPOINTS
From the strict standpoint of leader, leaders or leading, the Bible isn't
quite as explicit as we might think -- and hope -- it would be. On the
other hand, the Bible is very clear on the subject of choose, choosing
or chosen, particularly with respect to God's choice of men for some
specific purpose.
And the Bible has much to say about the advantages of having a wise
and Godly man in control. In Proverbs, for example, God's views are
repeated again and again . . . "The way of the Lord is strength to
the upright ... The integrity of the upright shall guide them ...
Where no counsel is, the people fall ... Righteousness exalteth
a nation." (Proverbs 10 - 14)
First, concerning America's Christian leadership.
From time to time, throughout its history, America has been blessed
by strong Christian leaders. We would seriously err in attempting to
list such figures in America's Christian history, because we would
surely omit some that should be mentioned. But even with that very
meaningful caveat, there are a few names in the nation 's past that
must be named: Jonathan Edwards, who sparked the great awakening
of the 1730s, and is considered America's first theologian . . . D. L.
Moody, whose Bible based evangelism shook both America and
Britain, and whose Moody Bible Institute in Chicago opened the
doors of Bible study and Bible preaching to generations of American
pastors . . . W.B. Riley, who is considered the father of American
Fundamentalism, which led the way into the 20th century Evangelical
movement . . . and Lewis Sperry Chafer, the 20th century theologian
who legitimized from a scholarly theological standpoint the
dispensational school of Bible interpretation, and founded one of the
world's largest, most influential theological seminaries.
And in recent years, the Evangelical movement grew in importance
and influence under the leadership of two men, who both died in
2007: Jerry Falwell, on May 15, and D. James Kennedy, on
September 5. Falwell founded one of the nation's truly Biblically
sound mega-churches in Lynchburg, VA (pastored today by his son,
Jonathan), founded the world's largest Evangelical University (headed
today by his son, Jerry, Jr.), and founded the Moral Majority, a
Christian/political movement which was "Pro Family, Pro Life, Pro
Defense and Pro Israel." Falwell was the principal spokesman for
the Evangelical movement of our time. No one has emerged, or is
the Evangelical movement of our time. No one has emerged, or is
even on the horizon, to take his place. Dr. D. James Kennedy also
founded a Biblically sound mega church, founded a theological
seminary and founded the Center for Reclaiming America for Christ,
seminary and founded the Center for Reclaiming America for Christ,
and Evangelism Explosion International. As is the case with Jerry
Falwell, no one has emerged to take his place. In the loss of these
two recent day leaders, the true Evangelical movement has become
temporarily leaderless. But God has always had His man to fulfill His
purpose, and the words of the Lord in Ezekiel 22:30 come to mind:
"I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge,
and stand in the gap ..."
And concerning America's political leadership.
The Founding Fathers held very strong views on this subject. In 1816,
John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the US Supreme court, wrote:
"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.
Whether our religion permits Christians to vote for infidel rulers
is a question which merits more consideration ... It appears to
me that what the prophet said to Jehoshaphat about his
attachment to Ahab ('Shouldest thou help the ungodly and love
attachment to Ahab ('Shouldest thou help the ungodly and love
them that hate the Lord?' II Chronicles 19:2) affords a salutary
lesson."
In the April 4 issue of ANC, we quoted from Dr. Geoffrey Hunt
writing in the American Thinker: "Barack Obama is on track to
have the most spectacularly failed presidency since Woodrow
Wilson ... Obama is failing. Failing big. Failing fast." That was
two months ago. Dr. Hunt was right then. He is equally right today.
Every item of the Obama agenda is in trouble. "Obamacare," the
health care reform act which he forced through Congress against the
expressed views of the American people, today has 58% of those
people favoring its repeal. But his answer is to spend over $100
million for a tour where he will appear before carefully selected
audiences and try to persuade them that they really do like and want
this health plan. But the people don't like the man. They don't trust
the man. Only 46% approve of his performance as president. And his
daily approval rating index has been in double digit negative numbers
for months, standing at -18 today, a big drop from the +21 on his
for months, standing at -18 today, a big drop from the +21 on his
Inauguration Day.
Peter Ferrara, writing in the American Spectator, went further than
most: "Months ago, I predicted...that President Obama would so
discredit himself in office that he wouldn't even be on the ballot
in 2012... I am now ready to predict that President Obama will
not even make it that far. I predict that he will resign in
discredited disgrace before the fall of 2012."
Mr. Ferrara may have gone a bit too far, but, of course, November,
2012 is still a long way off. Well before that date is November 2 of
this year, and the results of those election races may play a major role
in the scenario Mr. Ferrera has proposed. This we do know -- that
the Obama domestic agenda is not meeting wide spread approval on
the part of the American people, with just about every part of it being
opposed by substantial majorities.
The international agenda has also fallen on hard times, as Obama
continues to drive a wedge between America and its long term allies,
like Great Britain, Israel and most recently Turkey, our long time ally
in the Middle East, which has now aligned itself with Iran. His boasts
to the Muslim world that America is not a Christian nation, and his
bowing in humble obeisance to Muslim rulers (something no American
president has ever done before) have not achieved the diplomatic
breakthroughs he had expected.
Meantime, his conduct, as president, has drawn severe criticism on
many home fronts. John Gibson, a trusted Conservative commentator,
summarized the present situation, pointing out that while the jobs report
was unfavorable and the stock market tumbled and the oil spill
threatened to doom the Gulf coast region, the parties at the White
House rolled on, including a picnic for members of Congress. Then he
adds, "All told, during the weeks of spewing oil and rampant
unemployment, he has frolicked and danced through three White
House music parties: * The black tie bash on the White House
South Lawn for Mexico's President Felipe Calderon, which
featured singer Beyonce. * The Paul McCartney hootenanny ...
which featured the president himself scooting on the dance floor
which featured the president himself scooting on the dance floor
to join the Jonas Brothers in the closing refrain of 'Hey Jude.'
*The Ford Theater event -- in which the president, taking a
break from 'kicking ass' on the oil spill, kicked back and
relaxed to the song stylings of one-time American Idol winner
Kelly Clarkson."
Gibson concludes with the reminder that it was one thing when the
president launched his White House days with Martini Wednesdays
and Stevie Wonder concerts, and suggests that now it's different.
"Now the president's carrying on with fun and parties in the
midst of crisis has reinforced a feeling he's out of touch."
Thus, as is the case with our nation's Christian leadership, so with
our political leadership, we are also lacking. And in similar fashion,
a new political leader has not yet become evident.
One of Mr. Obama's most unfortunate and ill advised acts has been
his decision last week to send a financial contribution of $400 million
to the Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, to provide fresh water
and shelter to the people in what Obama described as the
"unsustainable" Gaza Strip. "It is important for us to explore
new mechanisms so that we can have goods and services and
economic development, and the ability of people to start their
own businesses, and to grow the economy and provide
opportunity within Gaza," he said after meeting with the
Palestinian leader.
Probably the best comment on this gift to benefit the Hamas
terrorists has come from Congressman Mike Pence (R, IN):
"There's no humanitarian crisis. Ten thousand tons of food
and medical supplies are transferred into Gaza every week.
Remarkably, yesterday the president said it was time for
Israel to sharply limit its effective blockade in Gaza, saying,
'the situation in Gaza is unsustainable.' The truth is, Mr.
President, your policy in Israel is unsustainable. The
American people are on the side of Israel, and Israel's right
to defend herself. Mr. President, whose side are you on?"
(What Mr. Pence did not mention is that the CIA has released
figures showing that on a per capita basis the people in Gaza
receive 7.5 times more US aid than the people in Haiti which
receive 7.5 times more US aid than the people in Haiti which
was almost totally destroyed. It works out to $579.95 per person
in Gaza vs. $77.47 per person in Haiti.)
We still don't know who the nation's next Christian leader or the
nation's next political leader will be -- but two years ago we here
at ANC suggested that Conservatives keep their eyes on Mike Pence.
To date we have seen no reason to change that suggestion.
What would George Washington say about today's trends?
Here is what he said more than 200 years ago: "No country upon
earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings than
United America. Wondrously strange, then, and much to be
regretted indeed would it be, were we to neglect the means and
to depart from the road which Providence has pointed us to so
plainly. I cannot believe it will ever come to pass." -- George
Washington, June 29, 1788
Each week we always include "What Others Are Saying."
The reason is that you won't find these expression of opinion by
knowledgeable people very often in the elite, main line media --
press or TV.
Brandon Stewart (Heritage Foundation): "The idea that the
Constitution is somehow dated and less relevant today is
outrageous. The simple, noble principles enshrined in the
Constitution have never been more relevant than they are
today." (Unfortunately, that is not the prevailing opinion among
many of the government leaders in Washington.)
many of the government leaders in Washington.)
been telling friends that Barack Obama has made it nearly
impossible for any black American politician to become
president for at least the next two generations, maybe more.
He has sealed their fate."
Marxism is a dangerous illusion does not matter to true
believers, those who believe in theory and want to impose
that theory on reality. From their point of view, Obama is
wise because he speaks theory well."
Dr. Laurie Roth (Columnist and Broadcast Commentator):
"Obamacare is just the beginning of a total takeover of
America. America must not and will not be like the seduced
German people in 1933. We will not stand by and watch
Obama... shredding our constitution, bill of rights and
freedom as Hitler did with his country. Tyrants and dictators
are predictably similar in how they take over. They ride in as
the savior of change and hope. They offer health care, jobs
for all ... and protection from danger and harm; that is danger
and harm they usually create to blame on enemies."
Gary DeMar (in Vision to America): "While the U.S. economy
crumbles and the world teeters toward war, the President busies
himself with words and speeches (not to mention photo ops and
vacations and parties). Appalling, yes. Surprising, no. ... Today's
leaders of the Democratic Party are not at all progressive ...
Their vision is that people they consider the 'ignorant many'
should be governed by people who see themselves as the
'enlightened few.'" On this last thought, see our "Founding Fathers"
'enlightened few.'" On this last thought, see our "Founding Fathers"
quotes at the end of this issue.
A few Random Afterthoughts . . .
Those Founding Fathers always had an appropriate word: After
Mr. Obama's crudity when he said that he employed all those brains
to tell him whose "a**" to kick, we are reminded of this comment by
John Adams, our second president, in a letter to Thomas Jefferson in
1826: "Public affairs go on pretty much as usual: perpetual
chicanery and rather more personal abuse than there used to be
... Our American Chivalry is the worst in the world. It has no
Laws, no bounds, no definitions. It seems to be all a Caprice."
He could have been speaking of Washington today.
An Insightful indication of one item on the Obama agenda.
Christopher Senyonjo was once a bishop in the Anglican Church of
Uganda, but as an active homosexual, was removed from the clergy.
However, he still refers to himself as an Anglican bishop. During his
current six week speaking tour of the United States, he has been
hosted by Bishop Vicki Gene Robinson, the first openly homosexual
bishop in the Anglican Communion. In Washington they were
scheduled to meet at the White House with foreign policy officials of
the Obama administration. The meeting on June 8 opened with some
remarks from Michael Posner, the US Assistant Secretary of State
for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Posner said he was there
to "lend the support of the US government to this very important
subject." (As citizens of the United States, this is your government
supporting this "important subject.") Posner also said, "LGBT rights
are human rights and we are working on a daily basis to promote
them ..." Bishop Robinson added an interesting but incomprehensible
comment: "Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were as many
sexualities as there are human beings?" It is always encouraging
to know what your government in Washington is doing.
to know what your government in Washington is doing.
Not the usual "One Liners," but interesting brief thoughts . . .
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to Israel
as "a festering boil in the Middle East that spreads hate and
enmity. dynamites regional peace and spreads instability."
Robert Knight, writing in Perspectives, said: "What we are
witnessing among the intelligentsia is a catastrophic case of
groupthink; because they all repeat the same thing, it must
be true."
Dr. Laurie Roth, whom we have quoted earlier: "Where do I
begin? So much slaughter ... so little time. Obama has
betrayed our allies and greatly diminished our national
security over the course of less than two years."
Some wise words for today, from our Founding Fathers:
"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 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, 1781
"A popular Government, without popular information, or the
means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy,
or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance. And
a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm
themselves with the power which knowledge gives."
-- James Madison, 1822
"I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the
society but the people themselves; and if we think them not
enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome
discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform
their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of
abuses of constitutional power." -- Thomas Jefferson, 1820
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