Presidential Election - 2008

The 2008 Presidential Election is a ways off but many people are putting forward their hopes, dreams, and predictions. Since people have been asking for thoughts on the issue, lets look at potential candidates.

Before I do that however, let me just say this: I think it is way too early to tell much. Although I'm not too much of a sports person, it seems like a correlation can be drawn between calling a game two years before it happens with predicting the results of an election two years before it happens. There is always a possibility your team won't even make it to the Super Bowl or the World Series.

With that said, let's look at the possibilities beginning with the Republican presidential potentials.

While there is still much talk of Condi Rice running for president in 08, it is highly doubtful that she will run. Former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani has been the talk of many since the World Trade Center Attack as a probable 08 Candidate. However, he is un-liked by many conservatives for his weak position on some issues such as abortion.

Colin Powel doesn't seem to have much influence with party leaders and political top dogs.

John McCain, who is also not liked by many conservatives for his positions on issues close to conservatives, appears to be the strongest candidate at this point. He seems to be in the best position to run for the Republican ticket as of right now.

Newt Gingrich seems to be a possible candidate as well and, if he runs, may give McCain a run for his money.

Vice President Dick Cheney has continued to declare that he is not running for president in 08 but some think that he will change his mind. Mr. Bob Woodward of the Washington Post believes that President Bush will persuade Vice President Cheney to run in 2008.

The recent developments of both Democratic voters and Republican voters calling for Barack Hussein Obama to run for president proves that anything can happen. Here is a picture of Senator Clinton and Obama.

Obviously there will be more coming on this subject but for now, think about who you would like to see run for president in 2008.

Two Excellent Radio Shows Today

Today I have heard two very excellent radio shows. The first was Dennis praeger talking with author Dr. David Gratzer about his book The Cure: How Capitalism Can Save American Health Care. I am eager to read this book. The book is available for sale here.

The other fantastic show was Michael Medved doing a special show called What Was So Great About President Reagan. I am planning on getting a copy when it becomes available here under Special Broadcasts.

Dr. John Stead: A Christian's Place In The Political Arena

The following is an excerpt from Dr. John Stead's chapel message he gave at The Master's College. The message is entitled: A Biblical View of Church and State. Note that he makes reference to Dr. Gregg Frazer's term "Theistic Rationalist" as a good representation of the religion of many of the key American founders. You can subscribe to this podcast here.

What kind of a nation is the United States of America? Well, I would submit to you that the United States is a nation where both Christians and non-Christians reside. That leads to a second question. Is there such a thing as a Christian nation?

I think it's totally clear from the new testament that the answer is absolutely no. And I believe that understanding this will bring a proper perspective as to what the role of the Christian should be in the political arena.

Now having said that, let me just say this, the primary framers of our constitution our founders, all believed that religion and morality had to be at the center of a core of democracy. Alexis de Tocqueville said this, "the more democracy a country has, the more religion and morality it needs." Washington, Madison, and Adams, all believed that the nation would only survive on what they both- all three called, a religious, and moral base. Now having said that, there's a great deal of difference from saying that and putting some kind of a theological context in the middle. There's a great deal of difference between religion and morality and the Christianity of the Bible. Most of the framers, the men that we look up to, were what Professor Frazer calls Theistic Rationalists. They did believe in a personal God, they did believe that God answered prayer, but they did not believe in miracles, they did not believe in the deity of Christ. Their view of religion and morality was primarily pragmatic. That for a democracy or a republic to be successful it had to have a religious or moral base.

You can subscribe to this podcast here.

Theistic Rationalism

From an article By Dr. Gary S. Smith
December 06, 2006

"I conclude therefore that Washington’s faith is better explained by the label “theistic rationalism” than by deism, Unitarianism, or Christianity. This theoretical construct combines elements of natural religion, Christianity, and rationalism, with rationalism predominating. It holds that God is unitary and active in the world and asserts that revelation complements reason. Since he directs human affairs, prayer is effectual. Because deists deny God’s active involvement in the world, the value of prayer, and the Bible as God’s revelation, the concept of theistic rationalism better describes Washington’s views than does the term deist, Unitarian, or Christian.

Scholars and ordinary Americans will undoubtedly continue to debate the precise nature of Washington’s faith, and its eclectic character does not help resolve the debate over America’s Christian origins. Clearly, however, his faith became deeper as a result of his trying and sometimes traumatic experiences as commander-in-chief and as the nation’s first president, and it significantly affected his understanding of life and his duties in both roles."

No More Amos n Andy

Why can't people be happy with clean humor? The recent film "Borat", as I understand it (I haven't seen it but have seen the trailor and talked with people that have seen it), is primarly a long string of indecent jokes. There is plenty of decent, uplifting material for humor that people can enjoy and have fun with.

I really enjoy waching old tv shows and movies. Comedies like, Laurel and Hardy, The Three Stooges and Amos n Andy were and are actually funny. Why don't people make them like that any more? I also like the old Andy Griffith show with Don Knotts and Ronnie Howard. You can see some old shows online.

Old classic radio shows are fun to listen to also. You can listen to old radio shows like Abbott and Costello, Avalon Time, Burns and Allen, Duffy's Tavern, Fibber McGee & Molly, Jack Benny, Red Skelton, You Bet Your Life, The Aldrich Family, Father Knows Best, The Great Gildersleeve, The Life of Riley, My Favorite Husband, Our Miss Brooks, Ozzie and Harriet as well as many fun shows on the internet here, or on the radio at AM 1710.

Ronald Reagan: National Defense

National Defense is not a threat to peace; it is the guarantee of peace with freedom.

Reagan - 1972

Teaching Santa Slaps God In The Face

Have you ever considered the verse "every good and perfect gift is from above"? And have you ever considered the concept of "Santa" in light of this verse? I believe that it does God an irreverence to even jokingly point to another as the giver when God makes it clear in His word where our gifts come from.

Children's hearts are easily deceived and confused by such myths as an old man with a white beard who lives at the North Pole and who drives a flying sleigh pulled by reindeer. This imaginary story might do more harm than many parents realize.

We show disrespect ourselves by denying that God is the great giver.

God uses people to bear his gifts. His own Son Jesus received gifts which were given by God. Tradition holds that Saint Nicholas was a bearer of gifts to the poor. If he truly was a man of God, he would never point to himself as the one placing presents under a tree or in a stocking. He would have pointed to God, the giver of every good thing.

K. Alan Snyder: something has gone awry

The United States still maintains its original structure. People vote for their representatives, the powers are still technically separated, and state and local governments continue to operate. Yet something has gone awry. The same representatives keep getting elected even though there is almost universal disdain for the national Congress. The judicial power has stepped into the legislative role. And state and local governments are often little more than extensions of the national power, receiving grants and following the regulations issued from on high.

-K. Alan Snyder,
If The Foundations Are Destroyed: Biblical Principles in Civil Government
(Leesburg, VA, Principle Press, 2004) 129-130.

CAPITALISM - Reagan

There was a student in North Carolina state who signed up for and then cancelled a course in history when he bought the assigned textbook, the title of which was Up Against the American Myth. The first line of the textbook read, "Capitalism stinks; we can solve the social problems by doing away with capitalism and the institutions that support it." When the professor was asked if he intended to assign another text that defended capitalism, he looked blank and said he knew of no such text.

Ronald Reagan, Speech - Jan. 9, 1972

Love One Another

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

John 15:17 “This I command you, that you love one another.

Rom. 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

1Th. 4:9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

1Pet. 1:22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,

1John 3:11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;

1John 3:23 This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.

1John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

1John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1John 4:12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.

2John 1:5 Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.

Gates says U.S. isn't winning Iraq war

Gates, Bush's nominee for secretary of defense said yesterday that he didn't think we are currently winning in Iraq. Some say that this puts him at odds with the President. Gates later said that we aren't winning or losing at this point. Bush has said that he isn't at all pleased with the progress we are making at this point; obviously, he would like to see more progress. I'm sure that if I were in his shoes I would too. Bush has put an immense amount of energy into Iraq. I doubt that anyone can say that nothing good has come from it either. While many challenges have arisen and there is much still to accomplish, much ground has been gained, both in the war on terror, and in our hope to bring some semblance of peace to the Middle East.

I pray that President Bush will have wisdom and that God's hand would guide him as he continues to serve our country in such a difficult and strenuous position.

Thank you and God bless you President Bush for your hard work.

New Legislative Session in California

December 4, 2006

The California Legislature is Back!!

Of the 120 state legislators (80 Assembly Members and 40 Senators) there are many who are brand new legislators at the state capitol. As these new legislators struggle to stay afloat in their new jobs they will be trying to figure out what bills to present, support, and oppose.

In the Senate we have 15 Republicans and 25 Democrats.
In the Assembly we have 32 Republicans and 48 Democrats.

I have been encouraged to see several new legislators who seem to be very conservative and solid on many issues that should be of concern to Christians.

Among these are:

• Ted Gaines - Small business owner
• Anthony Adams - The former Director of Legislative Affairs for the County of San Bernardino
• Joel Anderson - Businessman
  
• Tom Berryhill - Farmer
  
• Kevin Jeffries - Businessman, Firefighter
  
• Martin Garrick - Worked for Ronald Reagan
  

Many bills were introduced this first day in the legislature. In the Assembly 81 bills and in the Senate 46. Notable legislation that has been introduced includes a gay marriage bill by Leno (AB 43) which he calls the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act. Please WRITE YOUR LEGISLATOR NOW to oppose this bill.

Other general areas of interest to legislators who have gotten bills introduced so far seem to be education and healthcare.

There has been talk of introducing a bill which would modify term limits. Some are lobbying for this specifically so that Fabian Nunez can stay on as Speaker of the Assembly.

I pray that God would have mercy on California!

Information on the legislature or on bills.

Common Sense - Calvin Coolidge

The people know the difference between pretense and reality. They want to be told the truth. They want to be trusted. They want a chance to work out their own material and spiritual salvation. The people want a government of common sense.

- Calvin Coolidge
August 14, 1924

Rom. 1:28 - Rom. 1:32

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Rom. 1:28 - Rom. 1:32

Healthcare

For many years, including this past two-year legislative session, legislators have continued to put forward their ideas for a government controled health care system in which the government would have control over what health care would be offered, who would be allowed to provide it, who would be allowed to receive it and how much each individual would pay. See this article for more info.

Article by Jane M. Orient, M.D.


http://www.fee.org/publications/notes/notes/healing_america.asp

John Kerry: Stuck in Iraq

If something doesn't go over well he calls it "a botched joke". Heh Heh, I wish every time I made a mistake, I could fix it by saying it was "a botched joke".

First Five Commission Gets Sorry Review in Audit

According to AP writer Juliet Williams the audit done on California's First Five Commission has come back with a sorry view of the commission.

However, the concern that the commission, lead by Rob Reiner, was spending tax dollars to promote his Prop. 82 was shot down.

“Our review determined that the state commission had clear legal authority to conduct its public advertising campaigns related to preschool,”

The concerns that were brought up in the audit as real issues had to do with misuse of funds in other areas. According to the AP article

Poor oversight of its bills also led the California Children and Families Commission, or First 5, to pay $673,000 in fees and expenses that were prohibited under its own contract and make “questionable payments to contractors for items such as laptop computers valued at $10,000, food catering costs, and monthly parking fees,” the report found.

These results will most likely lead to stricter legislation to hold the commission accountable during this next legislative year. Dave Cox may be introducing legislation as he was one of those who requested the audit.

Harvard committee recommends returning religion to curriculum

Harvard committee recommends returning religion to curriculum

By Justin Pope

ASSOCIATED PRESS

2:46 p.m. October 4, 2006

BOSTON – Harvard University, founded 370 years ago to train Puritan ministers, should again require all undergraduates to study religion, along with U.S. history and ethics, a faculty committee is recommending.

Interesting! Read the story

Perhaps it is becoming more obvious to others that education without a Biblical foundation is fruitless. Speaking of fruit - see Bill Federer's American Munute for today.

American Minute with Bill Federer
October 5

He entered Yale College at age 13 and graduated with honors.
He became a pastor, and his sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God," started the Great Awakening, a revival that swept America, uniting the colonies prior to the Revolution.
He became President of Princeton College. His name was Jonathan Edwards, born October 5, 1703.
Jonathan married Sarah Pierrepont, and, according to "A Study in Education and Heredity" by A.E. Winship (1900), their descendants included a U.S. Vice-President, 3 U.S. Senators, 3 governors, 3 mayors, 13 college presidents, 30 judges, 65 professors, 80 public office holders, 100 lawyers, and 100 missionaries.
This same study examined a family known as "Jukes."
In 1877, after visiting New York's prisons, Richard Dugdale found inmates with 42 different last names all descended from one man, called "Max," born 1720 of Dutch stock.
Max was idle, ignorant and vulgar. His descendants included only 20 with a trade, 310 paupers, who, combined spent 2,300 years in poorhouses, 50 women of debauchery, 400 physically wrecked by indulgent living, 7 murderers, 60 thieves, and 130 other convicts.
The "Jukes" cost the state more than $1,250,000.
___
To add or remove your subscription, go to http://www.americanminute.com/

FREE-ADD THE AMERICAN MINUTE TO YOUR WEBSITE. Visit www.amerisearch.net/feed.asp

For endnotes, books, or to contact Bill about speaking, visit www.AmericanMinute.com P.O. Box 20163, St. Louis, MO 63123 1-888-USA-WORD, 314-487-4395, wjfederer@aol.com

Raw Milk in California: Attempt To Put Organic Pastures Out To Pasture

An attack on healthy living came on September 21. The CDFA put a ban on raw milk sold by Organic Pastures in California. The reason for this was that some children were found to be ill after eating some of the e coli spinich that caused such a scare recently. The children had also been drinking milk which may have come from Organic Pastures. The CDFA decided that they would recall the milk distributed by Organic Pastures even though all the evidence was against there being any problem with their milk. Over a week was spent testing the Organic Pastures farms and cows (which are grass fed happy cows) only to find that they continue to be clean, health, and e coli free.

The San Jose Mercury News posted this article which is full of false and misleading information. For example, the headline "Raw organic milk that sickened California children now OK" is rediculus considering that the CDFA proved that the milk never did sicken the California children, nor was the milk ever not "OK".

The CDFA told people who called in to complain about the milk being witheld from the market that they should go out and drink soy products (which cause all kinds of health problems) instead. Sounds to me like someone at the corrupt CDFA is working for the soy industry.

Read about the story


Soy Products


The following excerpt is from www.about.com

Soy is one of eight foods responsible for the majority of food allergies, and one of five foods most commonly associated with food allergies in children. People with a soy allergy can suffer everything from hives and diarrhea to breathing difficulties upon eating this food. Furthermore. just as some people have lactose intolerance, there are others who have soy intolerance.

Read more about the dangers of soy products at the following sites:

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/soy.htm

http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/soydangers.htm

http://www.all-creatures.org/health/thedanger.html

http://www.mercola.com/2000/jan/16/soy%20_protein%20_unhealthy.htm

Tom McClintock the Clear Choice

As I watch the race for Lt. Governor of the state of California I can't help but wonder how anyone can see this race and not choose, hands down, Tom McClintock. Why is there even a question? Is it spite or hatred? Can there be a good reason? If there is I can't see it.

Two new polls released this week show John Garamendi losing support in the race for Lt. Governor. On Saturday, The Los Angeles Times reported that Tom McClintock had a one-point lead 42% to 41%. The prestigious Field Poll released today shows Garamendi has “lost traction with voters while support for McClintock…has held steady.”

The Sacramento Bee headline says it all…

McClintock closes in as Garamendi falters

Read the story



To learn about and support Tom McClintock visit www.tommcclintock.net
Or his Senate Website http://republican.sen.ca.gov/web/mcclintock/

Sacramento Chaos

Schwarzenegger still can't figure out what he is. He signed sb 1441 that paints with a broad brush the rules already applied in some areas regarding the nondescrimination agianst homosexuals.

According to Randy Thommason of Campaign for Children and Families this bill will affect private schools and colleges in a big way. Here is what he says about the bill:

Effects of SB 1441 on Christian and Faith-Based Colleges

Under SB 1441, colleges that accept students with state financial aid (Cal grants) will have to sacrifice their Biblical values in hiring and admissions. There is absolutely no exception for faith-based organizations in the bill.

For example, under SB 1441, Christian and other faith-based colleges will have to accept transsexual instructors and homosexual-bisexual-transsexual clubs on campus. They will have to support these sexual lifestyles in every “program or activity” on campus, including classroom instruction.

Clearly this is a violation of a private organization's right to hold to principles founded on religion. This is a blatant violation of the first amendment.


http://www.christianpost.com/article/20060906/24301.htm

http://www.cwfa.org/articles/11373/CFI/education/index.htm

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20060830/24122.htm

http://www.savecalifornia.com/getpluggedin/news_details.php?newsid=55&PHPSESSID=1d2a65e2095fc1f3be0a5d0b758c991c

Bye the way, usually I think our governor dresses pretty nicely but that green tie the governor was wearing on Wednesday was just plain ugly.

Raising the Wage, Raising the Exclusion Level

The LA Times reported today that California will raise its minimum wage. In otherwords we in California will raise the bar, excluding a larger group of people from obtaining work legally. We are in fact excluding more Americans from their ability to participate in free enterprise.

The LA Times said:

SACRAMENTO — More than 1 million Californians who earn the minimum wage will get a nearly 20% pay increase over the next year and a half, thanks to an agreement announced Monday between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic leaders in the Legislature.

The hike, the first since early 2004, will lift the state minimum wage to $8 an hour from $6.75. Workers will get a 75-cent increase Jan. 1 and an additional 50 cents on Jan. 1, 2008.

This means that in January 2008, anyone not worth $8 an hour will forfet their job. When I was a kid I was at a lower skill level than I am now. I wasn't worth the minimum wage, so I had to work as an independent contractor to get work. Nobody would hire me. Once I had a couple years experience I was making well over the minimum wage. However, if I had just waited until the State of California allowed me to work as an employee of someone then I would have been without work for much longer.

Roger Koopman quotes Henry Hazlitt in an article entitled The Minimum WageGood Intentions, Bad Results published by Foundation for Economic Education.

You cannot make a man worth a given amount by making it illegal for anyone to offer him less. You merely deprive him of the right to earn the amount that his abilities and situation would permit him to earn, while you deprive the community even of the moderate services that he is capable of rendering. In brief, for a low wage you substitute unemployment. You do harm all around, with no comparable compensation.

By raising the minimum wage we are creating a lose - lose situation.

1. Raise costs for companies to operate.
   
2. Force companies out of business because unskilled labor is too expensive for them to operate.
3. Put more less skilled workers out of work.
4. Cause spending to go down because more people are out of work because they aren't worth the minimum wage anymore. Since these people don't have jobs they also don't have money and so they aren't participating in the economy.
5. More people will go on government welfare because they aren't worth $8 an hour. These people may have had a job before but now they are going to be laid off because of the financial hardship of the companies for which they work.

Think about the implications of these things.

CUBA: Anti-Castro TV Broadcasting From A Plane

Each night a plane carrying television broadcasting equipment sends the message of freedom and democracy over the island of Cuba. According to CSMonitor

Officials with the Miami-based Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB), an arm of the US government, are quick to point out that their twin-prop Grumman G-1 at no time leaves international air space. Nonetheless, the Cuban government views the operation as the equivalent of a full-on invasion of Cuban sovereignty.

There is quite a bit of debate about whether the broadcasting is effective or not. Some claim that the Cuban government has been able to block the signal at least in and around the Havanna area.

This has cost quite a bit of money. However, it hasn't cost as much as Operation Iraqi Freedom. Something to think about. Freeing a nation from dictatorship can be done in different ways, each with its own expense list.

Schwarzenegger Proposes Pharmaceutical Price Controls

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed making deals with pharmaceutical companies to control the prices of certain pharmeceuticals.

According to an article by Sally C. Pipes published in the Wall Street Journal dated today (8-16-06)

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is promoting his new discount drug plan as a "voluntary" agreement between pharmaceutical companies and the State of California. But it's more like a raw deal.

The California Prescription Drug Initiative calls upon drug manufacturers to offer five million low-income Californians huge discounts on prescription medications--up to 40% on brand-name drugs and a whopping 60% on generics.

Presumably, drug companies should offer these discounts out of the goodness in their hearts. But if they don't comply? Well, then they'll be coerced by the Terminator.

Companies failing to sell drugs at the government-imposed discount prices within five years can be kicked out of Medi-Cal, the multibillion-dollar health coverage system for low-income Californians.

Ms. Pipes is president and CEO of the Pacific Research Institute and author of "Miracle Cure: How to Solve America's Health-Care Crisis and Why Canada Isn't the Answer" with a foreword by Milton Friedman.

I ask the following questions on the subject:

1. Is more government control the answer to high prices or do we just need better competition?
2. What implications is this going to have on the pharmeceutical economy?
3. Won't this force a decrease in quality of pharmeceuticals?
   

Dog Teatherer's Could Face Criminal Charges in California

According to United Press International a bill moving through the California Legislature right now would make it against the law to tie your dog to a stationary object for longer than 3 hours.

Be careful because if this bill passes you could go to jail for tieing up your dog. Acording to UPI;

Violators could be fined $250. They can also face criminal charges with a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and a six-month prison sentence, says the report.

The LA Times also reported on this bill. According to LA Times;

A number of animal-rights groups say consistently tethered dogs are more likely to bite, suffer from lack of exercise or hurt themselves. But rural pet owners, ranchers and hunters — as well as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's policy advisors — insist the measure too rigidly reins in dog owners.

This bill is interesting and humorus to say the least.

California's Air - Then And Now

We complain so much about the air here in California. I don't make it a light thing because the air in some places is disgusting and very unhealthy. But surprisingly enough, it isn't worse than it used to be.

One lady I talked to said that when she was young (35 years ago) she would visit relatives in the central valley every summer. There in Clovis, California she never saw the mountains. She never knew that the mountains were close enough to see until just a couple of years ago.

It is getting better.

Schwarzenegger, Blair Work Together

On Monday, July 31, 2006 British Prime Minister Tony Blair signed a pact with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Watch the video.

Is this some nice political gesture meant to show that Schwarzenegger can get along with world leaders while he can also get along with world preservers? Or is it a stab at President George W. Bush? I think it brings up several issues.

1. It gives an interesting twist in the discussion on whether the United States Constitution will be amended to allow naturalized foreigners to become president. There has been a movement, albeit not a large one, to amend the Constitution specifically so that Schwarzenegger himself can run for president.
   
2. This move also appears to pit Arnold against President Bush who would normally be the person to make such an agreement with a foreign country. Schwarzenegger stated that "California will not wait for our federal government to take strong action on global warming." State governors cannot legitimately sign actual treeties with foreign governments as can the US President.
   
3. Over the years state governors have become more and more involved in ties with foreign countries. California especially has great interest in keeping good relations with several foreign countries for economic reasons.

Specifically the agreement seeks to do the following:

The environmental and economic consequences of climate change and our dependency on fossil fuels compel both California (CA) and the United Kingdom (UK) to commit to urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote low carbon technologies. CA and the UK recognize the linkages between climate change, energy security, human health and robust economic growth. Working together, California and the UK commit to build upon current efforts, share experiences, find new solutions, and work to educate the public on the need for aggressive action to address climate change and promote energy diversity.

What Will The New Cuba Be Like?

Assuming that Fidel Castro is out of the picture for a prolonged or even indefinite period of time, it is inevitable that Cuba will change, but the question is: How? Will it be a change for the better or a change for the worse in Cuba. Many cubans are probably afraid of going in the direction of setting up a democracy because they fear the price of fighting against those who would claim power for themselves. Others fear the increase in dictatorship control over the lives of Cubans. Both of these are valid fears.

I'm sure many people will be watching what happens in Cuba very closely over the next few months. Cubans, Americans, Communist leaders, other leaders like Blair and Bush are already keeping a close eye on the tiny country as well giving their own suggestions for what they think should happen. Our own President Bush said recently:

"I urge the Cuban people to work for democratic change on the island. We will support you in your effort to build a transitional government in Cuba committed to democracy, and we will take note of those, in the current Cuban regime, who obstruct your desire for a free Cuba,"

That seems a little bold but still a little on the shy side if he wants to encourage Cubans to be bold and take risks and stand up for democracy. I think we need to do better than this.

Funding The Fence Between US and Mexico- About Time

So the US Senate has changed their minds and decided to begin funding the fence between the US and Mexico. This will allow for several things to be better understood:

1. The US and Mexico have not merged into one country.
2. The US is not the fix all child and familiy support for the failing Mexican economy.
3. We all need to learn to get along while following the rules.
4. We actually do care about our country being overrun by dependents.
5. Perhaps it is time for Mexico to get their act together and learn something from US that they can use to help THEM.
   

I suspect that most will probably never get this message but will hold fast to their claim that we owe everything we have to Mexico. My answer? I am realizing that for some it is very hard to understand the concept of working for your food but it is time to GET OVER IT!

Is History Dead?

People no longer read histories? They read only excerpts of histories. The details are found in the writings of Tacitus, Plutarch and Josephus, Voltair, Livy, and others who actually wrote histories. Now it is common for a reasonably educated person to think that people back in the days of Christ were generally nincompoops. We think they're idiots because we don't know anything about their great feats of architecture, battles, fleets, armies, war machines philosophy and mathamatics. In actuality we're the idiots because we refuse to study the dead masters. We refuse to aknowledge that there were perhapse smarter people than us at some point in history.

Perhaps people are no longer interested in the details of ancient cultures or individuals. They will read novels set in imaginary world. Why not read a true story? It means more to me, why doesn't it to others? The amount of detail is amazing. Try reading this story of Caesar by Plutarch. Or read some of the works of Josephus (Jewish Historian around the time of Christ).

In my home state California there are histories of the indians, of great floods in the central valley, of merchant ships, and others that give details of what our state was like a hundred or two hundred years ago. Take for example the book Two Years Before The Mast by Richard Henry Dana. This is the story of a sailor who sailed all the way from England to the area of San Clamente on the coast of California just below Los Angeles. This is a very facinating history. Buy it at Amazon.

THE POLITICAL THEOLOGY OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING - GREGG L. FRAZER

Since our nation's inception there have been both Christians and Non-Christians involved in our government. Many Christians have argued over the years that our nation began as a "Christian Nation" and that it was founded by Christians who wrote a "Christian Constitution."

Dr. Gregg Frazer, Professor of Political Studies at The Master's College, has done extensive study on the subject and wrote his Ph.D. thesis on it. His thesis is titled The Political Theology Of The American Founding. To order contact ProQuest Information and Learning or call 800-521-0600.

His term "Theistic Rationalism" and thearguments behind it are helping many to rethink the they have looked at the religious views of the founders. In his thesis Dr. Frazer looks at key founders and their religious beliefs.

Another book on this topic is The Faiths of Our Fathers: What America's Founders Really Believed by Alf J. Mapp on which Dr. Frazer has written a review.

Discussion on the religion of the founders has been going on at Millennialstar. For additional info on Frazer's thesis go here:

Worldmagblog Frazer gives an introduction post on this page during the discussion.

Jon Rowe's Blog

Israel Warns Civilians

While Israel is attacking and planning to attack they are also doing something else. Here is an honerable thing to do - warn specific vilages to leave and where to go before reacting against their part of the country. This is very interesting.

From the NY Times article

JERUSALEM, July 21 — Israel called up a few thousand reservists today, in possible preparation for a more extensive ground operation in southern Lebanon, as its warplanes continued to hit targets there and to drop leaflets warning residents of villages to leave their homes and head northward.

While some would argue that they shouldn't be there in the first place and that this is a terrible thing telling people to get out, I hold a different view. This is a very generous thing to do on the part of the Isralies. This makes it very clear that they want to save as many lives as possible - not destroy as many as possible.

Israel - Hezbollah Conflict: President Bush Informs Congress

President Bush has seen fit to report to Congress the activities of the US Department of Defense over in Israel and Lebenan. This letter was ment to keep an open channel of communication between our president and Congress.

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 19, 2006

Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate

July 18, 2006

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

Hostilities involving Israeli military forces and Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon commenced on July 12, 2006, and have included military operations in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.

Although there is no evidence that Americans are being directly targeted, the security situation has deteriorated and now presents a potential threat to American citizens and the U.S. Embassy. On July 14, the Department of State first requested Department of Defense assistance to support the departure of American citizens from Lebanon. On July 15, U.S. military helicopters temporarily deployed to Cyprus. On July 16, these combat-equipped helicopters delivered to U.S. Embassy, Beirut, a contingent of U.S. military personnel who will assist in planning and conducting the departure from Lebanon of U.S. Embassy personnel and citizens and designated third country personnel. The helicopters also transported U.S. citizens from Beirut to Cyprus. It is expected that these helicopters will continue to provide support to the Embassy, including for the departure of additional personnel from Lebanon. It is likely that additional combat-equipped U.S. military forces may be deployed to Lebanon and Cyprus and other locations, as necessary, in order to support further efforts to assist in the departure of persons from Lebanon and to provide security.

These actions are being undertaken solely for the purpose of protecting American citizens and property. United States forces will redeploy as soon as it is determined that the threat to U.S. citizens and property has ended and the departure of any persons, as necessary, is completed.

I have taken this action pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive. I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH

President Bush Vetoes Bill That Would Expand Funding For Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Before today President Bush had never used the veto power of the president. Today he used that power to keep Congress from expanding the funding for embryonic stem cell research.

Read the President's veto message.

President bush held a press conference where families including many small children were present. He began his speech with this statement: "In this new era, our challenge is to harness the power of science to ease human suffering without sanctioning the practices that violate the dignity of human life,"

I was encouraged by this action by President Bush, though it does make me sad to think that could ever be a question as to how anyone would make that decision.

Focus on the Family holds a strong opposing position on the issue. Here is an excerpt from their Position Statement on Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, dated
December 10, 2004.

Focus on the Family opposes stem cell research that destroys embryonic humans. In order for scientists to isolate and culture embryonic stem cells, a living, human embryo must be killed. It is never morally or ethically justified to kill one human being in order to help benefit another. By requiring the destruction of embryos, the tiniest human beings, embryonic stem cell research violates the medical ethic of "Do No Harm."

The White House has published a Fact Sheet on Embryonic Stem Cell Research

These embryos are fully human and fully alive. It is killing another person to destroy a human embryo. This tiny person has a soul, and every person who kills one of these will be held accountable to God.

Political Philosophy - Post-Constitutional Society

I would propose that The United States is becoming a post-constitutional society. I believe that it is possible our nation is fast approaching the end of the constitutional era.

In 1973 Ronald Reagan said "Our constitution is a document that protects the people from government." I sometimes wonder how much longer that will remain true.

Every day our Constitution, our "supreme law of the land", seems to hold less power than the day before. Realistically, with corrupt people, we will see an end to the constitutional era. Inevitably, without the foundation of conservative ideals, our system must fail.

How do you define Man or Woman?

In many states the definition of a man or woman is based on what a person was when they were born. Does this definition work? What are the implications on our society if anyone can simply change their gender at their own whim?

At Work

"In God We Trust" AND "With God, All Things Are Possible."

"In God We Trust" AND "With God, All Things Are Possible."

I found this new Ohio law extremely interesting. They are now requiring schools that receive public funding to display donated copies of the state an national mottos. Read the Citizen Link story here.

Ohio Governor Bob Taft signed the bill into law. While legislators flocked to support the bill, not all Ohioans feel the same way about it Link

As a Christian this sort of makes me wish that I lived in Ohio. Here in California we don't have nearly that much sopport for Christian mottos and ideals in our public school system. I can't imagine our legislature passing something like that.

Concerns With Classical Christian Education

Recent years have brought about a renewed interest in the classical system of education particularly in Christian circles. Some are focusing on giving their children a Christian education with the Bible as their source of truth and using the classical system as a tool through which to give their children a better grasp of their world view. Others however, are losing that Biblical focus and giving way to the classic philosphers who inspired the original method teaching their children Latin at an early age so that they can read the pegen philosophers in their original language. This is truly a misalignment of priorities if one is concerned about the spiritual well being of their children.

I am currently researching this and related topics. I wonder if there are others out there with the same concern I have.

See my new blog.

California Loses Federal Funding For Cancer Screening Due To Failing To Report Data

Once again our state has a problem with paperwork and accounting.

Link

Reagan on Cures

"When government decides to solve something, we have learned to be wary. The cure may not always be worse than the disease, but it is usually bigger and it costs more."

- Ronald Reagan

October 29, 1972

Public Libraries Not Safe

Why is it that in California it is against the law to rent an "R" rated video to a minor but they can go to their local public library and get the same "R" rated film for free? A minor in some places can have full access to pornography on the internet and in books at their public library! These institutions, which used to be so helpful in educating children and teaching them to do research are not a detriment to the moral makeup of our society. Teens can be seduced into the porn industry online at their local public library.

One public library in downtown Sacramento erases their cache of visited websites every hour for fear that the FBI will find out what goes on there.

This either needs to be halted immediately. Kids are not safe in our own public libraries any more.

I suppose another option would be to establish private libraries. Some private christian groups have already done this. They would start out small for sure but an interlibrary loan system works wonders.


Why are some libraries doing this? A supreme court decision written by Rehnquist back in 2003 (United States, et al., Appellants v. American Library Association, Inc., et al.) [PDF] discussed the threat of pornography and other harmful materials in public libraries. Some have argued that this case forces all public libraries accepting E-rate and/or LSTA funding to allow adults access to pornography.


Quote:

Some of the obscenity freely available is so offensive, so far beyond the moral standard of the society, that laymen have no trouble recognizing it for what it is . .. simple, hardcore pornography, roduced and sold for profit.
- Ronald Reagan, October 29, 1972

Reverse Racism?

Isn't racism racism no mater what race the racist is from?

I recently read on FOXNEWS.COM that whites were being discriminated against and FOX called it “Reverse Racism”.

EEOC sides with white police officers in small Ohio town who say they were fired by black mayor because of their race

The point needs to be made that no matter what race is being discriminated against no matter who is the one with prejudice racism is racism. There is no “reverse” about this. We are talking about black people who are racists here. This means that they have a prejudice against some other people group, who in this case happens to be white people. Perhaps this is a difficult thing for some folks to grasp but there is such a thing.

Theistic Rationalism

Many of us would like to think that our nation was founded on Biblical, upright, honest, principles. The problem is most of us live our whole lives that such an assumption is true rather than trying to find out if it actually is true. It is not my desire to deflate anyone's pride of country, although today I'm not so sure I would condone in a country such as ours. Perhaps it would behoove us to recognize that the plain facts are often overlooked to make way for preference.

The only work I know of that has gone this direction with solid, honest study is a dissertation by Dr. Gregg Frazer. I studied under Dr. Frazer as he was writing this work after he had done most of his research and believe that he truly sticks to the truth and is willing to go where the truth leads him.

Dr. Gregg Frazer coined the term "Theistic Rationalist" to help describe the "religion" of many of the key founders.

Bush's Private Property Executive Order

I'm not sure whether to be proud of a president who has done this or be ashamed that he has refrained this long from doing something. For now, at least, I think it is best to be thankful for what I have and to thank our President for his apparent willingness to stand up for private property rights. President Bush today published an executive order

It is the policy of the United States to protect the rights of Americans to their private property, including by limiting the taking of private property by the Federal Government to situations in which the taking is for public use, with just compensation, and for the purpose of benefiting the general public and not merely for the purpose of advancing the economic interest of private parties to be given ownership or use of the property taken.

Regardless of whether this actioin will do any good, it is good to see that at least one branch of government is willing to stand up against a loose court to say that they've gone too far.


OTHER THOUGHTS

Is the right to private property given in scripture? Is it a biblical principle?

FCF Men's Prayer Retreat

Last weekend I attended the Men’s Prayer Retreat put on by our church (Foothill Christian Fellowship). It was an awesome experience. Although this wasn’t my first time at this event, it was still far beyond my expectations. Let me tell you some of what I have learned this weekend.

The theme this year was “Walk as Children of Light”

The theme verse: Psalm 43:3-4
“O send out thy light and Thy truth let them lead me; to thy holy hill, and to thy dwelling places. Then I will go to the alter of God, to God, my exceeding joy; and upon the lyre I shall praise Thee, O God, my God.”

Thursday Night we talked about the Holiness of God. He is light and in him there is no darkness at all, none. He is perfect. We talked about what light is and what it does. What does light do? It uncovers things that are in the dark. So as light, Gods word uncovers things in darkness as well. It reveals to us our sin.

On Friday when we arrived, our first session started at 3:00 in the afternoon. We were sent to spend an hour and a half in private prayer to God. We were encouraged to talk to God and not just about Him in our prayers.

I went to go find a quiet place to pray under some pine trees. It was pretty cold outside so I was crouching down under the trees to keep from being out in the wind. I first started to repent of not spending more time with the Lord in prayer. Then I asked myself why it was that I didn’t. I opened my Bible up to Isaiah 57:13 “When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry all of them up and a breath will take them away. But he who takes refuge in me will inherit the land and will possess my holy mountain.” This verse really hit me hard because it helped me to realize an issue in my life.

For a while I have been really into gadgets and computers. I wanted a nice laptop and recently my work got me one that was better than I ever anticipated. You would think my desire was fulfilled now. The problem is that since I got it I’ve been wasting a lot of time on it doing things I don’t really need to. If I didn’t do that, and if I used the computer for the things that I originally wanted to get it for (bible study, preparing Sunday school lessons, and organizing AWANA) then I would have been more productive.

If I cry out in my troubles, I want something to happen. I don’t want worthless idols in a situation like that! I want something that is worthwhile, something that is going to help me. What I realized from this verse, is that it was my idols that were keeping me from being a praying man. I need to spend more time in prayer and those things like my computer, movies, more sleep (that I really don’t need) and other things, are keeping me not only from prayer, but also from a better relationship with my wife, from reading my Bible, and from helping others and serving at church and sharing the gospel with the lost. This was a very significant discovery for me. I decided to make a list of things that were maybe keeping me from more worthwhile things. Then I started to really plead with God that he would help me to overcome my worldly desires and my lusting after idols. I prayed that God would help me to have the discipline to overcome those desires and to have a fervent, strong desire to spend more time in prayer.

I read Nehemiah 1:5-11 “I said, “I beseech You, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against You; I and my father’s house have sinned. “We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. “Remember the word which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the peoples; but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.’ “They are Your servants and Your people whom You redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand. “O Lord, I beseech You, may Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name, and make Your servant successful today and grant him compassion before this man.”

I have not prayed scripture much in my whole life, but these verses came so alive to me that I just started to pray them as I read them. I prayed that God would forgive me for my lack of self-discipline and to truly pursue holiness in a totally dedicated manner.

Oh God, I want to be a praying man. I don’t want to be distracted by the things of this world and kept from loving and serving you as I ought. God please help me to be a praying man. Please hear my prayer and answer me according to it. God, I need your strength to change and to be strong. I want to be your servant. Please help me to put away the things that distract me. I know that it will be hard. I know that it will be painful. But God, do whatever it takes to draw me closer to you. That is what I want more than anything else on earth. That is what I truly desire. Psa. 73:25 “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.” Oh God, I want you. You are all I need. And Please help me to lead my family in prayer and devotion to you as your son and as one who is totally and completely yours. I want to know you. I want to be like you.

This was the core of what God taught me over the weekend. I need the word of God to shed the light of truth on my life to expose my sin (show me that I am being distracted from God by lusting after various idols and giving my time to them rather than to God). Next I need to acknowledge that sin and repent of it (recognize my idols and get rid of them). Then I need to go in the opposite direction striving toward serving God, praying to Him, and doing the things that He would want me to do like spend time with my wife and with the Lord rather than on my computer or PDA. I need to use the scripture not only to confront my sin but also for positive direction and hope. Scripture shows me what is wrong in my life and also what I need to focus on.

2Tim. 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Lawful Society

Ronald reagan said on September 7, 1973:

We must recognize that preserving and protecting a lawful society is a responsibility of every citizen. The law cannot assure justice unless a majority of our people are willing to accept the rule of law, not because a police car is patrolling nearby, but because it is morally right.

"Individual liberty depends upon keeping government under control."

This quote from Ronald Reagan reflects the essence of what much of my political philosophy is based.

"Individual liberty depends upon keeping government under control."

-Ronald Reagan, December 30, 1974

Chaplain May Be Disciplined for White House Prayer

According to a Citizen Link article dated May 1, 2006:

An evangelical Navy chaplain stationed at Norfolk, Va., says he faces disciplinary action for appearing at a news conference outside of the White House and praying -- while in uniform.

Lt. Gordon Klingenschmitt told CitizenLink he had permission in writing to make the appearance -- which he said was in connection with efforts to seek a presidential order allowing chaplains to pray in Jesus' name in public. But the Navy, he said, changed its rules midstream.

I thought that was what military chaplains were supposed to do - Pray. Aparently someone, or several someones, want to change the purpose of chaplains altogether.

Mathew Staver, attorney and president of Liberty Councel said, "The issue is whether the historic nature of prayer by chaplains will be altered so that they cannot pray in Jesus' name, in other than what's called a 'Divine service' -- for example, a chapel service on Sunday."

Freedom

Moderation in the protection of liberty is no virtue; extremism in the defense of freedom is no vice. - Barry Goldwater

Guantánamo Prisoners Try To Cut Corners in American Judicial System

Its in the news that two Chinese are being held at Guantanamo Bay even though they have been declared to be neither terrorists or enemy combatants. They have tried to take a shortcut in the judicial system and were told to take the normal steps of appeal. They were not denied their day in court, they were denied a shortcut. Lets get it right.

California: Eminent Domain

There is an initiative out collecting signatures on eminent domain in California. This measure is a Constitutional Amendment that will require a "resolution of necessity" for eminent domain action; forbids the taking of private property for private use; and defines "Taken", "Damaged", "Public use", "Private use", "Public agency", "Just compensation", and "Prompt release".


Proponents of the initiative include:

Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Senator Tom McClintock
Chris Norby - Orange County Board of Supervisors

To read the text of the initiative and letter of submission go here .



Article by Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

This could set up a standard that the rest of the nation could follow, protecting private property rights for everyone in the US.

Taxed in our Meat and Drink

If we run into such debts as that we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessaries and our comforts, in our labors and our amusements, for our callings and our creeds, as the people of England are, our people, like them, must come to labor 16 hours in the 24, give their earnings of 15 of these to the government for their debts and expenses; and have no time to think, no time to call our mismanagers to account.

-Thomas Jefferson

Frederic Bastiat

We hold from God the gift which includes all others. This gift is life-physical, intellectual, and moral life.

But life cannot maintain itself alone. The Creator of life has entrusted us with the responsibility of preserving, developing and perfecting it. In order that we may accomplish this, He has provided us with a collection of marvelous faculties. And He has put us in the midst of a variety of natural resources we convert them into products, and use them. This process is necessary in order that life may run its appointed course.

Life, faculties, production-in other words, individuality, liberty, property-this is man. And in spite of the cunning of artful political leaders, these three gifts from God precede all human legislation, and are superior to it.

- Frederic Bastiat
In His Book "The Law"

Eminent Domain: Local Control Proving Itself Just As Threatening To Freedom As Federal

Just to tag something further on to the issue of local control, I have this other thought. Most of the recent battles on the issue of Eminent Domain have been on the local level. Cities taking churches and giving the property to more tax producing business ventures. Cities taking property from small businesses, homeowners, apartment complexes, you-name-it, and giving the property to someone who promises the city more money in tax dollars. This redistribution of wealth is not to the public good. We are taking from the less well-to-do and giving to the more well-to-do. This doesn't make sense. Now, I'm not saying I am in favor of any redistribution of wealth. I'm only saying that this doesn't even fit the normal arguments in favor of it.

It brings to mind the word of Thommas Jefferson, as inscribed in the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC.

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?
Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever."

Eminent Domain Related Links:

Milwaukee Federalists: Supreme Court accepts six new cases

Many States Making Progress in Protecting Private Property

New Jersey Eminent Domain Think Tank

Eminent Domain Institute

Local Control Isn’t The Whole Answer

While I don’t argue that having local control is generally more efficient and effective than national control, I am finding that it may not be the answer to as many problems as I once thought. Several years ago I would have said that local control would solve the problem of antagonistic statist, government control.

There are small towns that have just as antagonistic micromanaging and controlling attitudes as you might see at the state or federal level. For example, in some places cities use zoning laws to forbid Christian Churches and other groups from meeting Link. In other places private Christian schools must fight battles in court about whether they may be allowed by the school district or the school board (local government) to teach the Christian principles of Creation.

I grew up in the country where my father had a business at home. He was an architect. He had jobs all over the county. One job he had was to design a barn for a couple living in the outskirts of a small town (population less than 2000). Because my dad’s name was on the drawings when the went through the permit process, the mayor of this small town sent a letter to my dad telling him that he didn’t have a business license to operate in his town and so he was not authorized to conduct business there. The mayor demanded the business license fee. Since neither his residence, nor his business was located in the town the demand didn’t make much sense, but my dad, not wanting to cause any further strife paid the fee, but not without sending along a letter explaining why he didn’t think he should have to pay it or be licensed in every town he had a client.

I can’t blame my dad for wanting to be a friendly person, but it seems that when we just keep letting the government get away with abusing their power, we give up some of our liberties.

Correction to post on California Marriage Amendment

I realize that I may have given a different idea here than I intended when I posted this:

Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Attempted Marriage Amendment Fails For Lack of Signatures

Prior to WWII polling was done to see if the American people were ready to become involved in the war. Some time after the First World War it was too early to take action according to these polls. The people weren't upset enough. In fact, most were not ready until after Pearl Harbor was attacked.

So too, the people are not up in arms enough to take a step like passing a constitutional amendment to protect marriage. A clear and present danger has not been evident enough to the people of California for them to be pressured enough to take action. There is one group trying to push on getting signatures for a marriage amendment but their wording isn't the best out there. There is another group (voteyesmarriage.com) who has stood firm in their wording even though others say it is to bold. This wording is the best and has been worked through with many of the top constitutional lawyers in the country.

While all this is true, I must also mention that there are people still working on this and there is still hope. Keep updated on this through the VoteYesMarriage.com website.

Rob Reiner Preschool Scandal

Rob Reiner, actor turned movie producer turned "preschool advocate" has placed himself in a rather shady position in regards to the law and politicsLink . So much so that an audit of his First 5 has been called for. Will this scandal be shushed quietly or rise up to become one of the great political scandals of history? Reiner recently stepped down from the lead position of the First 5 Comission while under intense political pressure Link.

Reiner was born in The Bronx, NY in 1947. He graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1964. He is the son of actor/producer Carl Reiner.

He has children and enjoys seeing them watch the movies he has made including "The Princess Bride".

Canada's Health Care Strikes Again

A woman died after being moved away from her husband against the will of her family. Shortly afterward, her husband died from the shock.

(Link)

This sort of government controlled health program has been presented several times in the California legislature. Keith Richman has presented something that give the government powers like this under certain circumstances. Other people have introduced various plans for Socialized Medicine which would also give the government authority to make ALL MEDICAL DECISIONS. Thats pretty scary if you ask me. I don't want to be taken away from my family simply because it will cost less for the government if I am moved to a hospital several hours away. Nor do I want to be subject to some health tzar who is capable of deciding when my life is no longer worth living.

I hope and pray that I never see the day that this type of government control is allowed in our state.

Mass Transit - Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Why don't we have more mass transit in California?

In London, England they have quite the mass transit system. If you've ever been there you know what I'm talking about. In contrast, look at San Francisco and Los Angeles in California. There is some mass transit, but not much.

The reason of course is that our culture is built around the automobile. Cities, towns, schools, business parks and housing developments are all built around the freeway and road systems.

Of course the price of gasoline is much higher in London which adds to the reasons why their system is used more and better developed than ours.

Some people are already working on introducing high speed bullet trains to California's transportation system.Link

Ports - Still Our Veins To The World

Well, our government leaders have decided to give away control of some of our ports to a company owned by the United Arab Emarates, a nation in the Middle East who helped fund the Taliban. Is this a great idea or what! Now they can bring their bombs right into the country without having to worry about some of those minor infractions. This way we can keep our planes and we can curb that temptation to fake passports and IDs. We can probably even cut down on airport security now that we can figure on most terrorists choosing to come by boat instead. In fact, why don't we just hand over our airports to the Terrorists too since they would surely take better care of them then and be kinder to us. Can't we all just get along? Where's the love?


We should not give up our nation's sovreignty to any other nation, let alone a nation that has taken part in terrorist acts upon the United States by funding the Taliban.

[My concerns don't stem directly from national security issues but rather from national sovreignty issues.]

First we should never give up the governing of any part of our nation to another nation. This violates our sovreignty as well as gives that other nation the upper hand in situations with respect to that particular area of governance.

Second this could be just the start of a choking out of our international commerce by giving away our rights as part of a free enterprise economic system. There is potential here for our economic abilities to be infringed upon by this foreign company. Having a foreign power holding the position of essentially a governing agency we will be required to submit to their athority in matters involving our economy. Having a foreign country controlling our ports and having certain powers over our economic decisions (however limited they may be) could be detrimental to the stability of our economy. US shipping would become more dependent on that foreign country and would want to please them in order that they might show favoritism in return.

President Bush was quoted as saying:

“If there was any chance that this transaction would jeopardize the security of the United States, it would not go forward,”

And further:
“It sends a terrible signal to friends around the world that it’s OK for a company from one country to manage the port, but not a country that plays by the rules and has got a good track record from another part of the world,”

My question is this: How does funding the Taliban translate into a "good track record" or "playing by the rules"? Whose rules are we talking about here? The UAE may not be supporting the Taliban now but why should we risk it? What good thing will come from us trusting a nation with a "track record" like this one? What makes it worth the risk? I ask you? What?

Tenant, 93, Wins Ga. Eminent Domain Case

ALBANY, Ga., Feb. 10, 2006Link

(AP) A jury decided that a Georgia hospital is going to have to pay nearly five times what it offered if it wants to condemn a rental house where a frail, 93-year-old woman has lived for nearly three decades.

The jury said Thursday that Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital would have to buy the 60-year-old brick duplex for $200,000 _ it has been appraised at $50,000 to $60,000 _ and give the tenant $51,000 to help her move from her home of 26 years.

Bravo! Personal property rights win this round. I wish we saw more of this. People standing up for their rights and fighting to keep them. After all what good are our rights when we don't practice them? And if we don't practice them they become weak and frail and fall apart and disapear.

"Posterity: you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it."

John Quincy Adams

"It is in vain, Sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace! But there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the North will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that Gentlemen want? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

-Patrick Henry

"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."

-Wendell Phillips

Freedom is only purchased at a great cost. We should not so easily let go of it.

Dr. Phil: Conservative or Socialist?

Is Dr. Phil promoting common sense or communism?

Dr. Phil Kurzner says:

I need your help to challenge our self-imposed status quo by bringing common sense back to government. (Link)

I can't reconcile this statement about common sense with his plan to enforce a state mandated socialized health care plan for everyone in California. How is that common sense? How does promoting self-imposed socialism in our state bring common sense back to government? Read more of what he says and you'll see it doesn't seem to add up.

Here is Dr. Phil's Statement from this link.

Dr. Phil Kurzner for Insurance Commissioner

I need your help to challenge our self-imposed status quo by bringing common sense back to government. I will work day and night to ensure your rights are protected in the Insurance Commissioner’s office. I will work tirelessly to ensure that our state government does not over-regulate small business and kill jobs. I am totally committed to working with Governor Schwarzenegger to achieve stability for government finances without tax increases.

If you agree with the Republican Party leaders and prominent Californians who have encouraged me to be a candidate for this office, please join our effort. I appreciate your assistance in my campaign. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me at 916-233-0077.

More Information:
http://www.kurzner.org/

Now reconcile that with these excerpts from his plan for mandated socialized medicine. To read the full text of his plan go to this Link.

1. Every Californian should have a catastrophic coverage plan. The best form is to have each person responsible for acquiring private health plan coverage. Parents are responsible to provide coverage for their children.
2. Whether purchased by the employer or the individual, the premiums and uncovered costs are 100% tax deductible. The poor and the working lower class will require partial or complete subsidies, on a sliding scale basis.
3. Health savings accounts can be used to pay the uncovered costs and co-pay requirements.
4. To protect lower income persons, a form of a health earned income tax credit can be provided (EITC), again on a proportionate basis. This effectively amounts to a transfer of public resources to the provision of health care. And let's be honest here. To provide basic coverage to the many folks who currently do not have it, costs will rise initially.

...

The final question is the most profound. How do we pay for all of this? The principle here is that since every person benefits, everyone MUST contribute something. The best source of financing is a consumption-based tax for health care. This has the advantage that everyone contributes and decreases the impact of the uninsured patients. Everyone in California pays in, to some degree, whether visiting, here legally or not. This is a sustainable basis for financing that is honest, simple and adheres to basic principles.

Pretty interesting?

Someone has put together this comprehensive website showing Phil Kurzner's socialistic plan while likening it to a similar plan put together by Hillary Clinton. Link With a guy like this in office in California Hillary could really get some things done.

Unless I'm really missing something, and I don't think I am, Phil Kerzner is not the man we need in office for insurance commissioner.

Be At Peace With All Men

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Rom. 12:18

This is an action we must pursue. We can't stand by idle, we must actively make peace. Hebrews states it from the acting point of view more clearly.

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

Heb. 12:14

Everyone deep down inside craves peace. Nobody wants to live in fear. No matter if that fear is great or small it is not appreciated or enjoyed. A terrorist does not enjoy being afraid for his life, having to continually be on the run. Neither does a relatively "good" person enjoy the fear of being pulled over by a policeman when they are speeding and having to face the dread of paying a fine or going to court. Nor does anyone enjoy being robbed of their personal property. Most never come to an understanding of the only true peace that God alone gives when a person submits their life to God's authority.

It is interesting to see how different players in the media are handling the story of how President Bush revealed today about the 2001 terrorist plot in Los Angeles. For example the Fox News heading reads "Bush Details Foiled 2002 Terror Attack" while the Washington Post headline reads "Bait and Switch".


Part of the Washington Post Article said:

Under pressure to justify his warrantless domestic spying program, President Bush today with much fanfare disclosed new details about the thwarting of a terrorist hijacking plot four years ago. But what it had to do with eavesdropping, Bush didn't say.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan whipped up the press corps early this morning with word that Bush would offer hitherto secret information about the plot to crash a plane into Los Angeles's tallest building.

The Washington Times ran an AP article quoting President Bush as saying

"We cannot let the fact that America hasn't been attacked in 41/2 years since September the 11th lull us into the illusion that the threats to our nation have disappeared. They have not."

This, I believe, is a very realistic concept that many in the nation have failed to grasp. Our nation's leaders work ceaselessly to protect us and our country. We can at least recognize their hard work when they announce a triumph and not face it with brutal negativism. When people don't see a clear and present danger often enough the become lazy and lean toward complacency. A dangerous position to be in.

The Washington Times Article

Jail Riots in Castaic, CA - Time for Change?

LA Times Article

The Mercury News

Gang leaders directing traffic at Pitchess Detention Center pointed latinos to attack blacks in an all out jail riot in Castaic, CA. This isn't the first time this has happened. In fact Pitchess Detention Center is known for its riots. I've been on a tour through one of the huge jail buildings there with a friend of mine who was a deputy there. Talk about a big place. My friend who I lived in the same house with for about 6 months was always coming home and talking about the latest riot or fight they had at the jail.

When I was a kid I toured Pelican Bay Prison on a field trip and there were a lot of similarities. High security, a tight grip on troublemakers, etc...

However this perspective of Pitchess Detention Center is a big change though from what Castaic's jail used to be. It was once a place for drunks to get their lives back together by hard work and learning how to farm and make toys.

Maybe we need to go back to making prisoners and jail inmates (such kind terms for convicted criminals) be productive. Just give them something to do. That has seemed to work for them in Arizona where they started a tent jail. Prisoners are allowed to work and go outside and it seems to have really worked. Running this prison cost a lot less money too.

Programs Evaluated

As if we didn't already know, the OMB has announced that some US Government programs just aren't working.

This information was taken from OMB

Distribution of Program Ratings

Number of Programs Assessed 793

Effective--------------------------15%
Moderately Effective----------29%
Adequate-------------------------28%
Ineffective------------------------4%
Results Not Demonstrated----24%

Google Gives In To Full Chinese Censorship

Google has recently given into Chinese censorship of the internet that is accessable to the public in China. According to
The Times China employs 30,000 workers to monitor and block the internet from the people of China.

Islam: A Religion of Peace?

How can the world close its eyes to the violence of Muslims and claim they are a peaceful people. The truth is there for all to see. Some are trying to hide the violence to protect Islam, others are beginning to see for the first time the dramatic truth about Islam. Violence. Vengance.


Muslim violence spreads
By Mitchell Prothero
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
February 6, 2006


Truth is found in God's word the Bible. The true God needs no vengance on man's part to defend His name.

"Vengance is mine saith the Lord."

Our God reigns with truth. He commands us to "seek peace and pursue it".

Interesting Perspective on Preschool Initiative

According to the LA Times in an article entitled Preschool Initiative's Misguided ApproachLink and dated February 2, 2006, in regards to Rob Reiner's preschool initiative "No one disputes that such a program [Universal Preschool] would be a good thing in principle". I've got news for them. There is a very large population of people in California and the rest of the United States that argue any such program is a very bad idea and is detrimental to the welfare of children.

One would have thought that the writer of this article Michael Hiltzik Bio, having been with the LA Times for over 20 years and having won a pulitzer prize, would have done his homework. Perhapse Mr. Hiltzik has never heard of universalpreschool.com universalpreschool.com or has never heard some of the arguments listed by Child and Family Protection Association Link

New House Majority Leader

According to the Associated Press, US Representative John Boehner (Bio) , [R-Ohio] has been installed as the new House Majority Leader filling the post left by scandal-ridden Tom DeLay.

Story


Boehner's Biography


LA Times article


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Governor's ReElection Campaign In Debt

According to the LA Times (Link):

Arnold Schwarzenegger is entering his reelection campaign $410,000 in debt, while his Democratic rivals and union foes are armed with more than $50 million.

Pretty amazing huh? A man who has made a name for himself raising money. But get this! The article goes on to say:

He also continued supplementing his aides' government salaries by paying them additional sums in campaign money, according to campaign reports filed with the state Tuesday.

It seems to me that just maybe, there could be a problem here.

Alito Confirmed Without Filibuster

I gained a little more respect for the Senate today when I found that they went ahead and confirmed Alito to the Supreme Court without a filibuster. The filibuster was never intended to be used to stop a confirmation and shouldn't be either. I believe that the filibuster is an important part of our free government, but I don't think it should be used to stop the confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice.

Alito is a worthy man of this post.

I'm so glad.

God Bless America


NY Times Story

England: National Helth Service Franticly Tries To Rework Budget

England NHS: Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt presented the new outline of adjustments that will be made to help England pay for its socialized medicine health care services. NHS has been forced to downsize because of a lack of funding. They have developed this huge socialized government funded system of healthcare throughout their country and it is failing because they don't have enough money to pay for it.

So with this information, why are some people still trying to push the same thing here in the United States? Health Care, like any other business, must be part of a free market economy in order to thrive. It must be forced to be economical and efficient. Without that check on its spending it will get out of control. Last year (2005) in California there were at least three attempts by legislators to create a universal, mandatory, socialized healthcare system for this state. How can we even think about doing something like that when we are watching the very same thing wreaking havoc in other countries and being forced to shut down because of its inefficiency?

Further Reading:
The Times Link

EADT Link