Wednesday
VERY UNCEREMONIOUSLY MARKED!
THIS WEEK'S TWO-FOLD EDITORIAL COMMENT: First, a sincere
word of thanks and appreciation for your many email messages concerning
last week's issue! Given the Supreme Court's concurrent action with
respect to the right of judges to ignore the Constitution, our defense of that
basic foundational document was certainly timely. Second, a request that
we have made once or twice before: if you like ANC and the views we
present and discuss, please forward your copy to friends on your email
list, and urge them to subscribe (subscription is free, we do not sell
anything, and we have never solicited financial support.) It's easy to
subscribe; just click on the link found in every issue under Subscription
only way we can grow. Thanks much! And here is our weekly reminder:
there are now just 650 days until Election Day, Nov. 6, 2012 . . . 650 days
to pray for America, and for guidance in voting to restore our nation to
being what it was always intended to be: "one nation, under God."
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LAST WEEK WE VERY UNCEREMONIOUSLY
MARKED THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF
BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA'S INAUGURATION
AS PRESIDENT
The presidential inauguration ceremony is one of the most important
events -- perhaps the most important event -- on the national political
calendar. Since 1933 the inauguration has been held on January 20. It is
important because it is the first action by a newly elected president, and it
is the one time when the president takes an oath -- usually with his hand
on a Bible -- to preserve and defend the Constitution of the United States.
In the early years of our nation, beginning with the Founding Fathers, our
presidents were usually clear and open about their Christian faith, and
their convictions that the freedoms and rights we enjoy are essentially
gifts from God. Those beliefs have also been manifested by our presidents
in more recent years.
For example, in 1945, Franklin D. Roosevelt stated in his final Inaugural
Address: "Almighty God has blessed our land." In 1949, Harry S Truman
said in his Inaugural, "We believe that all men are created equal because
they are created in the image of God." In 1953, Dwight Eisenhower said:
"This is the work that awaits us all, to be done with bravery, with charity,
and with prayer to Almighty God." In 1961, John F. Kennedy stated:"The
rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand
of God." In 1981, Ronald Reagan stated: "With God's help, we can and
will resolve the problems which now confront us." And in 1989, George
H.W. Bush said, "My first act as President is a prayer..." and he led the
nation in prayer, concluding with: "Our challenges are great, but our will
is greater. And if our flaws are endless, God's love is truly boundless."
But those addresses were made before President Obama declared that
America is no longer a Christian nation. By contrast, in his inaugural
address in 2009, he said: "We are a nation of Christians and Muslims,
Jews and Hindus, and non-believers. ..To the Muslim world, we seek a
new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect."
The Presidential Inaugural Oath, as required by the U.S. Constitution
(Article II, Section 1) is: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will
faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will
to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution
of the United States." After he had administered the Oath, Chief Justice
Roberts asked President Obama, "So help you God?" And Mr. Obama
replied, "So help me God."
As American citizens, we have every right to assume and expect that our
president -- Barack Hussein Obama, or whoever -- will respect and
conform with the oath he took in becoming President of the United States.
Unfortunately, that is not the attitude we are discovering on the part of
Mr. Obama, as observed in his statement after just a few months in office:
"Whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners to it."
And as Christian American citizens we have an ongoing responsibility
to pray for those in authority (I Tim. 2:1-2), and to ask God for guidance
in electing new leadership for our country on the next Election Day,
Nov. 6, 2012 . . . now just 650 days away.
And just yesterday we observed another "routine" event, probably
as lacking in meaning or accomplishment -- the annual "State of the
Union" address. Its present form, as a major photo-op event, with national
TV exposure, is not as provided for in the Constitution. There, in Article
II, Section 3, under presidential responsibilities, it is stated, "He shall
from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the
Union." It was something required "from time to time," or occasionally.
George Washington actually did speak to Congress in 1790, but beginning
in 1801 Thomas Jefferson sent his comments in hand-written form, and for
over 110 years no president addressed Congress for this purpose.
Then in 1913, Woodrow Wilson began the current practice of speaking
to a joint session of Congress . . . the speech was broadcast for the first
time by Calvin Coolidge in 1923 . . . Franklin Roosevelt used the term
"State of the Union" in 1935 . . . Harry Truman utilized TV in 1947,
and our present day TV extravaganza was born, whereby the president
in power outlines his administration's political agenda for everyone to
see and hear. Little is accomplished, and it is said that Shakespeare
created the very appropriate terminology: "Much ado about nothing."
It's happening in Europe; it could happen here, 1: The European Union
has published a school calendar that omits Christian holidays, like Easter
and Christmas, while listing significant Jewish and Muslim celebrations.
Three million copies of the calendar have been printed, to be given out
freely to students who request it in the Union’s 27 member countries.
It's happening in Europe; it could happen here, 2: It is reported that
sixty percent of Dutch Jews are ready to pack up and leave the country.
The cause is a boom of Islamic anti-semitism in the supposedly
'multicultural' Netherlands.
We do hours of research to bring you "What Others Are Saying."
Why do we do it? Because most of the MLM (Main Line Media) is so
biased toward the Liberal view. You should know that there is another
side to consider, so as one TV network says: "We report -- you decide."
Carl Moeller (Open Doors, USA): "Persecuted Christians count on us
for prayer support and solidarity to stand alongside them as they often
endure unspeakable affliction and hardship for the sake of the Gospel.
When one of us suffers, we all suffer. We must not forget them."
Dennis Cramer (in Charisma magazine): "Many in the church have
gradually, and somewhat unknowingly become biblically ignorant,
unaware or stunted. And doctrinally speaking, anything goes. There is
now widespread acceptance of 'marginal to heretical' doctrines. Just
25 years ago individuals would have been thrown out of the church if
caught teaching these heresies..."
Dr. Michael Evans (Jerusalem Prayer Team): "Attack after murderous
attack occurs…in Israel, in nations around the world, and even here in
America. A homicidal maniac screaming 'Allah Akbar' guns down
innocent civilians or blows himself up to kill Jews and Christians. Why?
What drives this demonic rage? The answer is Islam. Though politically-
correct commentators like to call Islam a religion of peace, which is
historically and theologically inaccurate. Islam is a religion of the
sword, born and spread through conquest and war."
Chuck Colson (in BreakPoint):"There's another aspect of the growing
wave of persecution against Christians. The Bible, remember, is replete
with warnings of judgment upon those who persecute God's people, or
aid and abet that persecution. God will not be mocked in the Middle
East. Nor will He in Washington, D.C."
Alan Gottlieb (Chairman, AmeriPAC): "Like it or not, You are now
being ruled more by a dictator than a duly-elected President...Barack
Hussein Obama will continue to do whatever is necessary to move his
radical agenda forward. With the help of Executive Orders, like a
dictator, Mr. Obama will rule over the legislative branch of government."
Gary Bauer (in End of Day column): "Those of us who believe in the
founding promise of America -- that all men are created equal and are
endowed by our Creator with the inalienable right to life -- must
continue to 'fight the good fight' until the day when all of America's
children are welcomed into the world and protected by our laws."
A bit longer than usual, but these are essentially "One Liners" . . .
Clay Waters (director, Times Watch): "Judging by what I’ve heard
from my fellow conservatives, the issue is decided. The New York Times
is a worthless, truthless, vicious institution. But I disagree. I think
things are worse than that."
Michelle Malkin (Syndicated Columnist): "The case of abortionist
Kermit Gosnell is no anomaly. It's the logical, bloodcurdling
consequence of an evil, eugenics-rooted enterprise wrapped in
feminist clothing."
And here, as always, are a few random "Afterthoughts" . . .
26 states are now taking legal action against Obamacare. While the
now Republican controlled House was voting to repeal Obamacare, 6
more states joined with Florida and 19 other states in the lawsuit against
Mr. Obama's health care reform law, meaning that more than half of the
50 states are now challenging the law.
And lest you thought the Afghans couldn't learn from us: From the
New York Times on President Karzai's delaying the installation of a new
parliament: "The move leaves Afghanistan without a parliament for at
least five months after its election ...In the meanwhile, Mr. Karzai
effectively rules by decree." It would appear that he has been watching
-- and learning -- from Washington!
On the crusade for civility in political rhetoric: Chris Matthews, on
MSNBC's "HardBall," has been on a tirade accusing conservatives of
creating a climate of hate that led to the attempt on Democrat Rep.
Gabrielle Giffords' life. Yet last week Matthews insulted GOP Rep.
Michelle Bachmann, calling her "a screamer, and in many cases, on
MSNBC is pretty close to a nut case." And his long-time colleague,
Keith Olbermann on MSNBC's "Countdown," labeled retiring Sen. Joe
Lieberman a "delusional liar," who had experienced a "departure from
reality," and who was still lying on his way out. Now, however, Mr.
Olbermann is not merely on his way out -- he is gone, as MSNBC
apparently finally came to their corporate senses and abruptly terminated
his contract . . . if anyone is interested.
If you thought Obama's wining and dining of Hu Jingtao was useless,
think again. Mr. Obama's negotiating skills racked up at least one major
success: Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, the two Chinese Pandas who have
been residing (for a hefty fee paid to China) in the National Zoo for 10
years, and whose time was up -- can now stay for another 5 years. An
official signing ceremony was held at the Zoo last week. Score this as
another Obama diplomatic triumph, but one that some might consider
offset by the insult to America delivered by the Chinese born pianist
at the Hu Jingtao state dinner when he played a theme song from a
communist propaganda film which celebrated the killing of American
troops in the Korean conflict. Seems like the White House "czar" in
charge of arrangements for such an important event should have checked
on the entertainment someone on the White House staff must have hired.
But we are probably expecting too much. However, once again the world
of nations is holding the U.S. in ridicule after another demonstration of
our government's ineptness in international affairs.
There is always much to learn from our Founding Fathers . . .
"I rejoice in a belief that intellectual light will spring up in the dark
corners of the earth; that freedom of enquiry will produce liberality of
conduct; that mankind will reverse the absurd position that the many
were made for the few; and that they will not continue slaves in one
part of the globe, when they can become freemen in another."
-- George Washington, 1789
human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition,
revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our
Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made
only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the
government of any other." -- John Adams, 1798
WE ARE FACING A SERIOUS NATIONAL CRISIS!
A BRIEF EDITORIAL COMMENT: In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote these
words which have been repeated through the years of American history
whenever our nation faced extreme difficulties: "These are the times that
try men's souls." More about that later, but Paine's statement is probably
more true today than at any time in the more than 200 years of this attempt
of governing, called the United States of America. Paine labeled his essay
"The Crisis." If we are to survive our present crisis we are going to have
to make some drastic changes. The first major one is just 657 days away;
657 days till Election Day, Nov. 6, 2012 . . . 657 days to pray for our
nation's survival, and for guidance as we elect new leaders to lead us out
of our crisis and back to being the nation our Founding Fathers intended.
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AGAIN, 235 YEARS LATER, "THESE ARE
THE TIMES THAT TRY MEN'S SOULS."
AND AGAIN, 235 YEARS LATER, WE ARE
FACING A SERIOUS NATIONAL CRISIS
In 1776, Thomas Paine, a liberal (for those times) journalist, thinker, and
author, wrote a treatise called "The Crisis." Theologically, we would not
be in agreement with Paine's religious views -- he was essentially anti-
religious, and anti-Christian. But some of his political philosophy made a
lot of sense then, and still does today, more than two centuries later. And
those often quoted words are applicable to our present national situation.
Consider them once again: "These are the times that try men's souls. The
summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from
the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the
love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily
conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the
conflict, the more glorious the triumph."
In brief: today we are facing a Constitutional crisis. Those foundational
18th century documents, the Declaration of Independence and the U.S.
Constitution, have together formed the solid rock upon which our nation
has been built. Yet today, after more than 200 years of success in building
a nation and a way of life which is the envy of the whole world of nations,
that rock is under attack, and Liberals ("Progressives") are in the process
of chipping away at the foundation they took an oath to support. In a very
real sense, we are facing a "Constitutional Crisis" of major significance.
Keen observer that he is, George Will summarized it this way: "Unlike
most of the 111th that preceded it, the 112th Congress must begin the
process of restoring the national regime and civic culture the Founders
bequeathed. This will require reviving the rule of law, reasserting the
relevance of the Constitution and affirming the reality of American
exceptionalism." But first, a very brief historical background . . .
The Founding Fathers -- the men who signed those basic documents, the
Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, were Godly men of
the Christian faith -- among them, for example, Anglicans, Presbyterians,
Congregationalists, Lutherans, Catholics (sorry, Mr. Obama: no Muslims,
regardless of what you say) and they were concerned that the President
should affirm his allegiance to, and his support of, the Constitution. They
included in the Constitution an oath which every president must take,
attesting that he would "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution
of the United States." (Article II, Section 1)
No such oath was prescribed for members of Congress, but in the early
years the members took this simple oath, "I do solemnly swear (or affirm)
that I will support the Constitution of the United States." In 1861
Abraham Lincoln felt the need for an expanded oath for all federal
employees, and out of his efforts, in 1884 the current oath was enacted,
and since then all members of Congress -- Senators and Representatives --
take an oath, which begins with these words: "I do solemnly swear (or
affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United
States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true
faith and allegiance to the same ..."
So we have a president and members of Congress who have taken oaths
to support and defend the Constitution -- but the crisis we are now facing
is that the Congress has taken an oath to uphold a document they detest,
but they blithely pass laws that violate it, and even object to having the
Constitution read in public as a reminder to the nation of what it says. In
a TV interview before his election, Mr. Obama said, "The Constitution
is a charter of negative liberties. It says what the states can't do to you,
it says what the federal government can't do to you, but it doesn’t say
what the federal government or the state government must do in your
behalf." And in Apr., 2009, as president, said we need a new standard
for our government, "To help build a new foundation for the 21st century
we need to reform our government." And in June, 2009 said, "Whatever
we think of the past, we must not be prisoners to it."
Supporting the president's views, as the Constitution was read publicly,
for all the nation to hear, Democrat Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY),
the outgoing Chairman of the House Judiciary subcommittee on the
Constitution, said, "They are reading it like a sacred text," and spoke of
the "ritualistic reading" as "total nonsense," and said that the document's
need for amendments showed it was "highly imperfect." Another protest
from a Democrat not quite so highly placed as Nadler, was registered by
Jay Inslee (D, WA) who tried to delay the reading on the grounds that
Congress hadn't had 72 hours to review the document in question. One
would have thought that all Members of Congress would be familiar with
the document, since they have all solemnly sworn to uphold it.
This prevailing Democrat and Liberal view of the Constitution was well
expressed by Michael Lind, Director of the Economic Growth Program
at the New America Foundation, a left-of-center political think tank, in
these words, "Of course federal laws should be constitutional. But if
we as a people want the federal government to do something that the
present constitution does not permit, let's amend the much-amended
constitution once again, or replace it with a completely new
constitution, as the states have frequently done. The U.S. Constitution
is not the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, and James Madison
and John Adams were not Lycurgus and Solon."
violence, and we pray for the victims and their families. ![]()
Sadly, this
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