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