McClintock Is Optimistic

Being as close to the California Legislature as he is, I find it hard to understand how Tom McClintock finds the energy to continually be so optimistic about California politics. The man is amazing and I admire for that. He just keeps on fighting. Recently he said of the special election:

"As we look back and analyze the results of the special election, it is important to remember that, in the grand scheme of things, this was a setback, not a cataclysm. I firmly believe that it cannot distract us from our long-term struggle for the soul of our great state."

If he can be enthusiastic, then I shouldn't think that I have an excuse to be disgruntled about the pushed agendas of Union bosses and and liberal Democrats.

God bless you Tom McClintock, I'm proud to have you as part of our government.

100,000 California High School "graduates" not qualified!

The fear of many public school officials has come to fruition now that the high school exit exams have been taken. The discussion now is whether to actually stick to the original use for the exam. The whole point is that those who don't pass the exam don't exit the school but must remain in school unil they either drop out or pass the exam.

Many people would rather just give the failing students a diploma regardless of their abilities. This is just like paying someone to run a company when all they do is sit and do nothing. When will these students be introduced to the real world? When will they be tought that they can't just bum around and excel. You have to work hard to do well, and you must do well to move up.

What Is An Original?

Alexis de Tocqueville once wrote, "History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies." When I first read this I thought it was quite profound and yet as I thought further I saw that he missed something essential when making this statement.

When you read something profound you might wonder from where the thought derived. Ecclesiastes talks about how there is nothing new under the sun. Perhaps the author realized that all thought could be traced to a single source.

In the beginning God made Man in His own likeness. Therefore Man is apt to reflect the Character of God’s own person. But since man fell in the garden, and thus separated himself from God, he is therefore at enmity with God. Those that are brought into a united relationship with God through his saving grace can once again bear a resemblance to Him because they are brought back in touch with His Character through the Holy Spirit, which indwells them.

I propose that all thoughts and ideas are derived from others presented before them eventually leading back to one foundational principle. All ideas, all philosophies, all systems of thought are either derived from the Character of God, or from a denial of or resistance to Him. Many great men throughout history have built upon the works of their predecessors. Thomas Jefferson for example wrote the Declaration of Independence not from his own self-conceived notions of liberty, but from men that came before him and essentially the very essence of scripture, which discusses the fundamental concepts of freedom and liberty.

God is the Father of all truth and all knowledge. It comes from Him and not from us. When we wish to imitate some great men we are just admiring qualities that have their beginning in the Character of God himself. Paul wrote, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” We need only look at God to find that true originator of all thoughts, ideas, and truths. After all, He did create the universe.

Drug Sniffing Dogs in Public Schools - What Next?

Right here in California schools are having to use drug sniffing dogs to catch kids in posession.

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I can't imagine being the parent of a child enrolled at this school (or any other with a similar program). Do parents care so little about their children that they would sent them off to be with other children who are known to be so sold out to drugs and alcohaul that the school must use a dog's nose to keep kids in line. Just incredible.

The Use Of Quotes

For several years I have been fascinated with using quotes from other people to help me understand and help others to understand why I hold a particular view on something. Sometimes I will use a quote because I feel like I need to have backup for what I am saying. Often when trying to convince someone of something it makes a big difference if the concept is accepted by others as well.

However, just because I found someone else who says the same thing doesn't make it true or right. We must weigh all things against the absolute truth of God's word. Anything that I say or any other person says is prone to error. But we have access to the only truth, the truth that never changes, and is never prone to error. God's word is truth (Psa. 119:160, John 17:17).

Today I read an article that made me think about why I like to use quotes from other people to make a point or to back up something I am trying to express. The point made here I think makes a lot of sense.

I suppose it is rather ironic that I use a quote from someone else in order to explaine this. However it did seem to be the best way to get someone else to see what I saw.

President's Teleconference Staged - So What?

I'm no Bush loyalist, but I don't see why such a big deal is being made of the President's teleconference. So they rehearsed who would pass the microphone to who, when to look at the camera, and who would field what question... isn't that simply just wise planning? That way when they get on national news the soldiers who are suddenly put face to face with the President of the United States they wouldn't stare blankly and say - uh... I uh... You get the Idea. I just makes sense to go over things before you publish something that millions of people are going to be watching. Simple common sense.

Negative Campaign Ads Speak Against Democracy

In California we are hearing a lot lately about Governor Schwarzenegger's proposed initiatives... from Democrats. Interestingly enough, there aren't any ads from the pro side of the argument. Where are they? Will we simply stand by and watch as Democrats speak out against representative government and plans that clearly are for the students in favor of giving to teachers however good or bad they may be? When are we going to see some positive adds? We all know that Schwarzenegger can raise money, can't he spend it?