Wednesday
TODAY IS WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012, in our 10th year of publication
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A thought for today and the years to come from one of our great leaders:
"From this day forward, the millions of our school children will daily
proclaim in every city and town, every village and rural school house,
the dedication of our nation and our people to the Almighty. To anyone
who truly loves America, nothing could be more inspiring than to
contemplate this rededication of our youth, on each school morning, to
our country's true meaning."
-- President Dwight D. Eisenhower, in 1954, as he signed into law the bill
adding the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance
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A COMBINATION OF OBSERVANCES FOR AMERICAN
CHRISTIANS; PRESIDENT'S DAY ON MONDAY, AND
TODAY IS WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY, AND IS
ASH WEDNESDAY, THE FIRST DAY OF LENT
As a side note to the reminder of President Eisenhower's action in formally
adding the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954, followed
by a Joint Resolution of Congress confirming the wording (actually Louis Bowman,
of the Sons of the American Revolution, used those words in 1948), another
law suit has been instituted in Massachusetts by an atheist couple who claim that
their children are "marginalized" by repeating the words. The district school
superintendent explained that reciting the pledge is voluntary, and there is no
penalty for students who choose to remain silent. We are reminded of the many
attempts in recent years by attorney Michael Newdow (who claims to have been
born an atheist) to remove "under God" from the pledge, and "in God we trust"
from our currency. He has failed in every legal action he has initiated, all the way
to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, the most important Christian
observance of all time. Lent continues for 46 days until Saturday, April 7, the day
before Easter. The six Sundays included in the period are not counted among the
traditional forty days of Lent -- each one represents for Christian believers a
celebration of Jesus' Easter victory over sin and death.
We are reminded that the Islamic holy period of Ramadan, July 21 to August 20,
has, in his previous years in office, been accorded gala observances in the White
House by President Obama, whereas he has tended to ignore any recognition of
the Christian Easter. Perhaps in this year, 2012, in line with his more active efforts
to identify with Christians, this pattern will change.
With our nation -- and the rest of the world -- in worse shape today than at any
time in recorded history, in every way: spiritually, morally, culturally, religiously,
economically, politically, militarily, there has never been a more urgent need for
the salvation message of the risen Christ.
As we move through the 40 (46) days of Lent toward Resurrection Sunday,
we must not forget the count-down for prayer for the next election. As of today,
there are 258 days until Nov. 6 -- 258 days to pray about a real change in our
nation's government. And as we pray for America, let us never forget to pray for
our fellow Christian believers all over the world, who are facing persecution and
death because of their faith. In Nigeria, Iraq, Sudan, Egypt -- and other countries --
Christians are being forced to flee. In Afghanistan, where so many American
lives have been lost, there is not a single Christian church left in that country. And
pray for Israel, in missile range of Iran, which considers Israel a cancer that must
be removed. Remember God's Word: "I will bless them that bless thee, and
curse him that curseth thee." (Gen. 12:3)
In mentioning the problems the world faces, religion was referred to, and that
brings to mind the growing threat of Islam. One of ANC's readers sent in this
evaluation of Islam by Winston Churchill, in his book, The River War, in 1899 --
one more indication of the wisdom and foresight of this great British statesman:
"How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries!
Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia
in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in
many countries, improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish
methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers
of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its
grace and refinement, the next of its dignity and sanctity... Individual Muslims
may show splendid qualities, but the influence of the religion paralyses the
social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists
in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and
proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising
fearless warriors at every step; and... the civilization of modern Europe might
fall, as fell the civilization of ancient Rome."
Those words, written some 113 years ago, are as timely as if they appeared in a
current account of present day world conditions.
It is difficult to keep focused on America's current international situations.
Here Alan Dershowitz, writing in the Stonegate Institute site, summarizes briefly
the world scene: "In a quickly changing world, it is important to ask which
countries the United States can always count on in times of crisis. Recent
events have shortened that list considerably. India has long claimed to be a
reliable ally, but it is now undercutting American efforts to impose
meaningful sanctions against Iran. Its help cannot any longer be counted on
in the struggle against the greatest danger faced by the United States—an
Iran with nuclear weapons. Japan, another ally, is dilly dallying on sanctions
as well. Brazil used to be a reliable partner, until it began to fall under the
sway of Venezuela's Chavez, who is closely allied with Iran and other
American enemies. The 'new' Russia and China demonstrated their lack of
reliability when they vetoed American efforts in the Security Council to help
resolve the Syrian crisis. Egypt, which has received billions of dollars of
American aid, has defied American warnings not to put US citizens on trial
on phony, trumped-up charges. Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the Emirates are
now playing footsy with Hamas and Hezbollah, also Iranian surrogates, as
they worry about the contagion of the Arab Spring and the growing influence
of the Muslim Brotherhood.
"It turns out that other than Europe, Israel may be America's only remaining
reliable ally. And even some European countries, such as France, Sweden and
Norway, are in doubt."
President Obama makes frequent summaries (from his viewpoint) of his
first term of office. Here the Heritage Foundation offers another opinion:
"With tens of millions of Americans watching, Barack Obama stood at the
West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2009, with his left hand on
the Bible and his right hand held aloft, swearing to God and country that
he would preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Yet despite that pledge, President Obama has time and time again taken
actions contrary to the principles of the founding document he swore to
uphold, setting forth on a heretofore uncharted path of unconstitutionality
that will fundamentally change the character of this Republic for the worse,
not for the better."
The moral "roller coaster" America has been riding continued, with a three
judge panel in California ruling that Proposition 8, defining "marriage" as between
a man and a woman, was unconstitutional -- a full court review is scheduled. And
in Washington, the governor signed into law the approval of same-sex marriage in
that state. In Maryland, the legislature has begun approval of same-sex marriage,
with the governor promising to sign the bill into law. But as evidence that there is
still some measure of moral values in our nation, New Jersey Governor Christie
vetoed the same-sex marriage bill when it reached his desk.
Week after week, the best counter to the Liberal biased, left wing "Main
Stream Media" is to consider "What Others Are Saying" . . .
Chuck Colson: "Do divorce rates, incarceration, abortion, and low
educational achievement affect the economy and government spending in
America? Of course they do... America's social and economic issues are
inextricably inter-connected! America cannot have a healthy economy
without strong moral values."
Don Feder (in GrasstopsUSA): "Whether it’s called Marxism, socialism,
liberalism or the Obama administration, the left is about compulsion –
forcing individuals to surrender cherished beliefs, compelling acceptance of
the lifestyle choices of others, reshaping our national identity and pulverizing
constitutional protections."
Keith Koffler (in White House Dossier): "What does President Obama
plan to do if he is reelected this year? ... If you can't answer quickly, it isn't
because you haven't been paying attention. Because President Obama has
no agenda. This he made perfectly clear in the budget he released Monday...
Nothing. His agenda is getting reelected."
Matt Smith (Pres. Catholic Advocate): "This is not a Catholic issue, it's an
American one ... and we can't afford to compromise on it. If we do, we're
willingly surrendering one of our Constitutional rights -- the freedom of
religion. And that will open up a can of worms -- which one of our liberties
will the Obama Administration go after next? I'm not willing to wait and see!"
From Wallbuilders: "Don't let anyone tell you that this amendment - or this
issue in general - is about contraceptives or "just" abortion ... This isn't
about an attack on Catholics; this is about an attack on all kinds of faiths.
This is about a three and a half year battle with the Obama administration's
vicious attacks on religious freedoms and brazen disregard for all types of
conscience issues."
Dr. Mike Evans (Jerusalem Prayer Team): "The United States has
provided billions of dollars to prop up Egypt’s struggling economy since the
Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty was signed. Now the new Muslim Brotherhood-
dominated government is warning Washington not to stop the handouts…or
else... They have sent a message to Washington that if U.S. aid is stopped,
they will repudiate the peace treaty with Israel. This poses a grave threat to
the Jewish state... The Muslim Brotherhood doesn’t just hate Israel, they
hate America too ... they still want our money!"
Peter Brookes (in the Boston Herald): "You know what’s so great about
the Obama administration’s record in the Middle East and North Africa —
or Near East as some call it — after three-plus years in office?
Unfortunately, little to nothing. In fact, from the looks of it, the region is a
veritable weather map of nasty storms whose troubling winds and waves
are rattling and pounding our interests abroad — and may very well reach
our shores. "
And from our research came these few enjoyable "One Liners" . . .
Jack Lew, White House Chief of Staff: "There's pretty broad agreement that
the time for austerity is not today."
Also this from Jack Lew: "...you can't pass a budget in the Senate of the
United States without 60 votes and you can't get 60 votes without
bipartisan support...." [Fact: Senate rules only require a simple majority of
51 votes to approve a budget... where do they find these guys?]
Senator Jim DeMint (R, SC): "To protect all Americans’ religious freedom,
and every other kind, the only acceptable 'reform' is for ObamaCare —
the entire law – to be repealed."
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the "underwear bomber," as he was sentenced
to life imprisonment, defended his actions as based in the Quran, and said,
"Mujahedeen are proud to kill in the name of God (Allah). Today is a
day of victory."
And for a bit of comic relief featuring Rep. Maxine Waters (D, CA), here is a
quote from her speech at the 2012 CA Democrat Convention: “I saw pictures
of Boehner and Cantor on our screens; don’t ever let me see again in life
those Republicans in our hall, on our screens, talking about anything.
These are demons.” [Next thing we know, she'll be practicing exorcism.]
And here, from this week's research, are a few "Afterthoughts" . . .
We earlier mentioned the observance of Ramadan in July - August; those
dates have prompted a problem for the International Olympics Committee. The
scheduled dates for the London Olympics are July 27 - August 12, right in the
middle of Ramadan, July 21 - August 20. Some 3,000 of the participating
athletes are from Muslim countries, and strong protests have been made, even
demands that the IOC reschedule the Olympics.
In case you wondered: Jimmy Carter's view of the "Occupy Movement."
Former President Jimmy Carter said last week that the Occupy organizers have
achieved some success -- “It‘s been relatively successful even acknowledging
there’s no leadership, there‘s no coherence and there’s no single list of issues
they want to succeed,” and added that they have forced recognition that "the
chasm is getting greater than leaps and bounds between the rich and the poor."
The former president said his travels abroad have helped him realize that the U.S. is
“extra stingy” about sharing its wealth with developing nations, particularly when
compared to European democracies that put an emphasis on foreign aid. [He is
apparently completely out of touch with the facts of America's benevolences.]
A note from Huffington Post, Chicago Brief concerning Mr. Obama's
favorite city, and the training ground for his political endeavors: "As our former
governor prepares to head west to begin his prison sentence, Chicago was
given the unfortunate title of 'most corrupt' city in America in a new study
by the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Illinois'
Institute of Government and Public Affairs." [They said it -- we didn't --
and they should know.] Additionally, Illinois is the only state which will have two
former governors in federal prison at the same time when Rod Blagojevich
enters Littleton, Colorado’s federal prison next month.
And here is a light-hearted, slightly humorous bit of information. David
We couldn't have said it better -- from Human Events: "Candidates for
office are always saying that the upcoming election is the most important
ever. In 2012, this truly is the case. This November, America's voters have
a choice between four more years of Barack Obama's disastrous Big
Government agenda or a return to commonsense conservative leadership
for our country."
And from our Founding Fathers -- further evidence that in their wisdom they
foresaw problems this new nation would one day experience . . .
Concerning the ignoring of the three branches of government: "The accumulation
of all powers, legislative, executive and judiciary, in the same hands, whether
of one, a few or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed or elective,
may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny."
-- James Madison, 1788
Concerning immigration: "Born in other countries, yet believing you could be
happy in this, our laws acknowledge, as they should do, your right to join us
in society, conforming, as I doubt not you will do, to our established rules.
That these rules shall be as equal as prudential considerations will admit,
will certainly be the aim of our legislatures, general and particular."
-- Thomas Jefferson, 1801
Concerning national debt and taxation: "I place economy among the first and
most important of republican virtues, and public debt as the greatest of the
dangers to be feared ... Taxation follows that, and in its turn wretchedness
and oppression ... We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.
We must make our election between economy and liberty, or profusion
and servitude." -- Thomas Jefferson, 1816
And that concludes another issue in our 10th year of publication. ANC is,
has been, and will remain a pro-Christian, pro-American, pro-Conservative
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