Ponder this mission statement:
" To encourage benevolence and empathy among all people, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense and justice, and be directed by the human conscience to undertake noble pursuits guided by the individual will."
Do you have any issues with that? That is the mission statement of a L.A. Satanic temple.
The L.A. Times ran an article the new generation of Satanists. I've encountered some of these folks in the past. For the most part I find it odd and misguided, but I feel the same way about people who are into Reiki, Scientology or the vibes of the universe. Do your thing, but I'm not interested.
My view changes when something is dangerous. Obviously worshiping evil can be dangerous, but the truly evil people are mixed in with the confused and lost seeking something out there and I guess that is the point. Evil blends in. It wraps itself in the disguise of social causes, feel good movements and attracts those who are looking for a place to release their angst and fear and anger and whatever else they carry.
We all face that. We all have a path to choose.Should the fact that self proclaimed Satanists would are more inviting than Christians be concerning?
Read the article and tell me what you think
Planned Parenthood Official Argues for Right to Post-Birth Abortion
Alisa LaPolt Snow, the lobbyist representing the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates has reluctantly shown the true desires of Planned Parenthood. That desire is to kill infants even after they are born. Her statement that the decision of if a child lives or dies should be between the patient and the health care provider provides a telling moment. When a child is born alive that child becomes the patient. A health care provider to is provide health and care. Extinguishing life does neither.
Like every other immoral issue when an inch is given a yard is taken. This has morphed from a personal decision of a woman to control her body to the outright murder of another person by a publicly funded killers in lab coats.
This is sick, evil and even pro choice supporters ought to recognize the facts and speak out against it.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/video-planned-parenthood-official-argues-right-post-birth-abortion_712198.html
Like every other immoral issue when an inch is given a yard is taken. This has morphed from a personal decision of a woman to control her body to the outright murder of another person by a publicly funded killers in lab coats.
This is sick, evil and even pro choice supporters ought to recognize the facts and speak out against it.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/video-planned-parenthood-official-argues-right-post-birth-abortion_712198.html
Explaining My Opposition to Same Sex Marraige
I'm rarely asked to explain it. When someone who supports same sex marriage finds out that I strongly oppose the idea, most are quick to label me homophobic, bigoted, or intolerant, but I'm hardly ever asked to explain exactly why I oppose the idea of same sex marriage. Maybe people don't really care why and I guess that's as good a reason as any. But for those who are curious, I can assure you it's not out of bigotry or a mean spirit.
There are actually several reasons why I stand against the idea of same sex marriage and I didn't form my opposition overnight. I've spent a considerable amount of time contemplating the issue.
In my radio days you could not just spout off your opinion without having a solid basis from which to defend it. Thousands of people heard every word and many were lined up to take you to task if you did not completely understand what you were talking about.
Most people tossing out their opinion on gay marriage have not really thought about much. They base their support on emotion. If you are gay and really want to get married, I would much rather talk to you than someone who just posts a little red flag on Facebook to show they are hip. If I reacted based strictly on emotion, I don't think I would have much opposition to the idea. On the surface it sounds perfectly reasonable. If two people love each other and want to get married why should anyone oppose that?
I'm not against love. In fact we could use more of it. The problem is most of us no longer even understand what love is. Love in society had been replaced by "like" or "lust". We love the beach and love our smartphone and that outfit at the mall. We are attracted physically to others and hope that lust leads to some form of love. If it doesn't, oh well on to the next relationship. Even real love does not mandate marriage.
So let me explain a few reasons why gay marriage is a bad idea.:
Equality. All this talk about equality and gay rights is worthless. Things are equal as they stand. Anyone who wants to get married can do so assuming they are of legal age. Even gay people can get married. They just have to marry a person of the opposite sex. The same rules apply to straight people so marriage today is in fact already equal.
Definition: Marriage means two different things joined together to create something new. If you marry red and yellow you get orange. If you marry red and red you get red. Nothing has happened and therefore it's impossible to "marry" two of the same.
When two people get married they enter into a legal and binding agreement. If the definition of "marriage" is suddenly changed, you have now effectively nullified every agreement under the old definition. No one is married anymore since the basis of the legal definition had been significantly altered. If you buy a house under a contract and the meaning of "house" suddenly changes to a cardboard box that agreement is no longer valid.
Laws of Nature: It's always puzzled me how some gay people try to mirror the heterosexual family dynamic. They want to marry, raise children, have a house and a white picket fence. Putting all opinions aside, and scientifically considering the issue, two people of the same sex can't biologically reproduce. Nature won't allow it. Good luck lobbying to change the laws of mother nature.
Christianity: I know I'm going to offend some dear friends by saying this but if you claim to be a Christian you can not support same sex marriage. Homosexual acts are clearly and expressly forbidden on several occasions in the Bible. It's declared an abomination. The offense is so severe the penalty is death. To have any other view rejects the Bible and the teachings of Christ.
For my Catholic friends, the teaching of the church on this issue is clear. Marriage is a sacrament. A sacrament can't not go against scripture. If you disagree with the church then please stop claiming to be Catholic. You're lying to yourself and being hypocritical to both sides.
Society: There are a million things that have caused the decay of society. I certainly can't blame homosexuality for it. Still there are several steps we have taken that have led us to where we are today. Lewd music, movies, distortion of sexuality, divorce, abuse, destruction of the family, loss of faith and morals the list goes on and on. We have rotted as a nation. We have promoted perversion in the mass media and allowed an entire generation to consume it as entertainment. As a result, we are now actually debating the 2000 year old definition of the word marriage.
There are so many more gay people today because we have failed to demand morals and standards of ourselves and our children. Homosexuality is a choice in the sense that one chooses to act or not act upon it, but boys are not taught to be men. Often times a father is not even in the home. Girls are not taught modesty and expectations are lowered and we continue to spiral out of control with a majority of people cheering it on or simply dismissing issues as no big deal.
For the record, I don't think government should be telling us how to live our life. It's pretty sad the we would turn to Washington, DC to tell us what marriage is and what it isn't. After all the shouting, flag waving and finger wagging is done on both sides, what the supreme court says doesn't even matter. That's because the real Supreme Court isn't in Washington, DC.
The real Supreme Court does not care about your opinion, your Facebook avatar or what bumper stickers you put on you car. It does not care that you think gay rights is the same as civil rights or that people should live how they want to live.
We can change the laws of man all we want, but the laws of God do not change. Those law does not evolve with the times or bend to the cries of political action groups. They don't care about poll results or how you feel about it. So if you really want to understand why I oppose gay marriage it comes down to this. I believe each and every one of us will stand before the true Supreme Court. Gay, straight, believers and non-believers. We will give an account of our life to be judged. At that moment I hope to honestly say that I hated no one, but spoke the truth in and out of season as the Lord commanded. Will you?
There are actually several reasons why I stand against the idea of same sex marriage and I didn't form my opposition overnight. I've spent a considerable amount of time contemplating the issue.
In my radio days you could not just spout off your opinion without having a solid basis from which to defend it. Thousands of people heard every word and many were lined up to take you to task if you did not completely understand what you were talking about.
Most people tossing out their opinion on gay marriage have not really thought about much. They base their support on emotion. If you are gay and really want to get married, I would much rather talk to you than someone who just posts a little red flag on Facebook to show they are hip. If I reacted based strictly on emotion, I don't think I would have much opposition to the idea. On the surface it sounds perfectly reasonable. If two people love each other and want to get married why should anyone oppose that?
I'm not against love. In fact we could use more of it. The problem is most of us no longer even understand what love is. Love in society had been replaced by "like" or "lust". We love the beach and love our smartphone and that outfit at the mall. We are attracted physically to others and hope that lust leads to some form of love. If it doesn't, oh well on to the next relationship. Even real love does not mandate marriage.
So let me explain a few reasons why gay marriage is a bad idea.:
Equality. All this talk about equality and gay rights is worthless. Things are equal as they stand. Anyone who wants to get married can do so assuming they are of legal age. Even gay people can get married. They just have to marry a person of the opposite sex. The same rules apply to straight people so marriage today is in fact already equal.
Definition: Marriage means two different things joined together to create something new. If you marry red and yellow you get orange. If you marry red and red you get red. Nothing has happened and therefore it's impossible to "marry" two of the same.
When two people get married they enter into a legal and binding agreement. If the definition of "marriage" is suddenly changed, you have now effectively nullified every agreement under the old definition. No one is married anymore since the basis of the legal definition had been significantly altered. If you buy a house under a contract and the meaning of "house" suddenly changes to a cardboard box that agreement is no longer valid.
Laws of Nature: It's always puzzled me how some gay people try to mirror the heterosexual family dynamic. They want to marry, raise children, have a house and a white picket fence. Putting all opinions aside, and scientifically considering the issue, two people of the same sex can't biologically reproduce. Nature won't allow it. Good luck lobbying to change the laws of mother nature.
Christianity: I know I'm going to offend some dear friends by saying this but if you claim to be a Christian you can not support same sex marriage. Homosexual acts are clearly and expressly forbidden on several occasions in the Bible. It's declared an abomination. The offense is so severe the penalty is death. To have any other view rejects the Bible and the teachings of Christ.
For my Catholic friends, the teaching of the church on this issue is clear. Marriage is a sacrament. A sacrament can't not go against scripture. If you disagree with the church then please stop claiming to be Catholic. You're lying to yourself and being hypocritical to both sides.
Society: There are a million things that have caused the decay of society. I certainly can't blame homosexuality for it. Still there are several steps we have taken that have led us to where we are today. Lewd music, movies, distortion of sexuality, divorce, abuse, destruction of the family, loss of faith and morals the list goes on and on. We have rotted as a nation. We have promoted perversion in the mass media and allowed an entire generation to consume it as entertainment. As a result, we are now actually debating the 2000 year old definition of the word marriage.
There are so many more gay people today because we have failed to demand morals and standards of ourselves and our children. Homosexuality is a choice in the sense that one chooses to act or not act upon it, but boys are not taught to be men. Often times a father is not even in the home. Girls are not taught modesty and expectations are lowered and we continue to spiral out of control with a majority of people cheering it on or simply dismissing issues as no big deal.
For the record, I don't think government should be telling us how to live our life. It's pretty sad the we would turn to Washington, DC to tell us what marriage is and what it isn't. After all the shouting, flag waving and finger wagging is done on both sides, what the supreme court says doesn't even matter. That's because the real Supreme Court isn't in Washington, DC.
The real Supreme Court does not care about your opinion, your Facebook avatar or what bumper stickers you put on you car. It does not care that you think gay rights is the same as civil rights or that people should live how they want to live.
We can change the laws of man all we want, but the laws of God do not change. Those law does not evolve with the times or bend to the cries of political action groups. They don't care about poll results or how you feel about it. So if you really want to understand why I oppose gay marriage it comes down to this. I believe each and every one of us will stand before the true Supreme Court. Gay, straight, believers and non-believers. We will give an account of our life to be judged. At that moment I hope to honestly say that I hated no one, but spoke the truth in and out of season as the Lord commanded. Will you?
Hey Aren't You????
It still happens to me every now and then. I'll be talking with someone and they will remember me from my radio days. "Hey aren't you Powerball?"
The other day I met a gentleman who out of the blue just stuck up a conversation. He told me about how he was raised Catholic but in his teenage years became involved with a Neo Nazi group.
He used to pray the rosary under a poster of Hitler in his room. A bit of a conflict of ideas if you ask me.
You may wonder how he didn't see the conflict himself. If one only goes through the motions of religion and doesn't truly understand the foundation and teaching, then they are vulnerable to any and all ideas, both good and evil.
That is just what happened to this man. He ran from idea to idea thinking each one was right at the time. It wasn't until the responsibilities of a wife and children did he begin to really seek.
I'm happy to tell you he was given a Bible as a gift and began to read and understand. That brought him back to the truth. He shared with me that even though he rebelled against God, it was his early days in the church that showed him the way back home when he was ready to follow.
He talked about this radio show he used to listen to. It was the radio program I produced for years. When I told him I produced that program he smiled and asked, "Hey aren't you Powerball"? That whole time each topic, each guest, each caller was pulling on his heart.
I don't take credit for any of it. I was just blessed to be a part of it and was sorry to see it end when a new path was laid before me.
It funny how life changes so many things, yet was is good and true always remain, even if we spend years trying to bury it.
The other day I met a gentleman who out of the blue just stuck up a conversation. He told me about how he was raised Catholic but in his teenage years became involved with a Neo Nazi group.
He used to pray the rosary under a poster of Hitler in his room. A bit of a conflict of ideas if you ask me.
You may wonder how he didn't see the conflict himself. If one only goes through the motions of religion and doesn't truly understand the foundation and teaching, then they are vulnerable to any and all ideas, both good and evil.
That is just what happened to this man. He ran from idea to idea thinking each one was right at the time. It wasn't until the responsibilities of a wife and children did he begin to really seek.
I'm happy to tell you he was given a Bible as a gift and began to read and understand. That brought him back to the truth. He shared with me that even though he rebelled against God, it was his early days in the church that showed him the way back home when he was ready to follow.
He talked about this radio show he used to listen to. It was the radio program I produced for years. When I told him I produced that program he smiled and asked, "Hey aren't you Powerball"? That whole time each topic, each guest, each caller was pulling on his heart.
I don't take credit for any of it. I was just blessed to be a part of it and was sorry to see it end when a new path was laid before me.
It funny how life changes so many things, yet was is good and true always remain, even if we spend years trying to bury it.
Assessing the Reassessment
In mid-2011-when all indications were that the County was on pace to complete the court-ordered reassessment and taxpayers would be getting notice of their new values as early as July-the Institute obtained two months of sales data on single family homes in order to compare the existing assessments on the homes with the new assessment as soon as it became available. Similar analysis was carried out in 2005 when the County was scheduled to unveil new assessment values for 2006. Unfortunately, the County chose to scrap the 2005 assessments leading to prolonged court cases ending in a Supreme Court order to reassess.
A week ago the County mailed the last of the 2013 reassessment notices out to residents in the north and west parts of the County. For the County as a whole, the new assessments put the total value of properties 35 percent above the assessed value currently in place. Changes in assessments vary widely across municipalities and school districts.
Full Story
A week ago the County mailed the last of the 2013 reassessment notices out to residents in the north and west parts of the County. For the County as a whole, the new assessments put the total value of properties 35 percent above the assessed value currently in place. Changes in assessments vary widely across municipalities and school districts.
Full Story
Vatican says number of Catholics, priests, bishops worldwide increased
The number of Catholics in the world and the number of deacons, priests and
bishops all increased in 2010, while the number of women in religious orders
continued to decline, according to Vatican statistics.
At the end of 2010, the worldwide Catholic population reached 1.196 billion, an increase of 15 million or 1.3 percent, slightly outpacing the global population growth rate, which was estimated at 1.1 percent, said a statement published March 10 by the Vatican press office.
Catholics as a percentage of the global population "remained stable at around 17.5 percent," it said.
The statement reported a handful of the statistics contained in the 2012 "Annuario Pontificio," a yearbook containing information about every Vatican office, as well as every diocese and religious order in the world.
Officials of the Vatican Secretariat of State and its Central Office of Church Statistics presented the first copy of the 2012 yearbook to Pope Benedict XVI during an audience March 10.
Detailed statistics in the yearbook are based on reports from dioceses and religious orders as of Dec. 31, 2010.
The percentage of Catholics declined slightly in South America from 28.54 percent to 28.34 percent of the regional population, and dropped considerably in Europe from 24.05 percent to 23.83 percent. The percentage of Catholics increased in 2010 by just under half a percentage point in Southeast Asia and Africa.
The Vatican said the number of bishops in the world increased from 5,065 to 5,104; the number of priests went from 410,593 to 412,236, increasing everywhere except Europe.
The number of permanent deacons reported -- 39,564 -- was an increase of more than 1,400 over the previous year. 97.5 percent of the world's permanent deacons live in the Americas or in Europe.
The number of men joining a religious order showed "a setback," the Vatican said, with an increase of only 436 male religious worldwide in 2010.
The number of women in religious orders fell by more than 7,000 in 2010, despite showing a 2 percent increase in both Asia and Africa. At the end of the year, Catholic women's orders had 721,935 members.
The number of seminarians around the world showed continued growth, from 117,978 at the end of 2009 to 118,990 at the end of 2010.
In the last five years, it said, the number of seminarians rose more than 14 percent in Africa, 13 percent in Asia and 12.3 percent in Oceania. Numbers decreased in other regions of the world, particularly Europe, which saw a 10.4 percent drop in the number of seminarians between 2005 and 2010.
At the end of 2010, the worldwide Catholic population reached 1.196 billion, an increase of 15 million or 1.3 percent, slightly outpacing the global population growth rate, which was estimated at 1.1 percent, said a statement published March 10 by the Vatican press office.
Catholics as a percentage of the global population "remained stable at around 17.5 percent," it said.
The statement reported a handful of the statistics contained in the 2012 "Annuario Pontificio," a yearbook containing information about every Vatican office, as well as every diocese and religious order in the world.
Officials of the Vatican Secretariat of State and its Central Office of Church Statistics presented the first copy of the 2012 yearbook to Pope Benedict XVI during an audience March 10.
Detailed statistics in the yearbook are based on reports from dioceses and religious orders as of Dec. 31, 2010.
The percentage of Catholics declined slightly in South America from 28.54 percent to 28.34 percent of the regional population, and dropped considerably in Europe from 24.05 percent to 23.83 percent. The percentage of Catholics increased in 2010 by just under half a percentage point in Southeast Asia and Africa.
The Vatican said the number of bishops in the world increased from 5,065 to 5,104; the number of priests went from 410,593 to 412,236, increasing everywhere except Europe.
The number of permanent deacons reported -- 39,564 -- was an increase of more than 1,400 over the previous year. 97.5 percent of the world's permanent deacons live in the Americas or in Europe.
The number of men joining a religious order showed "a setback," the Vatican said, with an increase of only 436 male religious worldwide in 2010.
The number of women in religious orders fell by more than 7,000 in 2010, despite showing a 2 percent increase in both Asia and Africa. At the end of the year, Catholic women's orders had 721,935 members.
The number of seminarians around the world showed continued growth, from 117,978 at the end of 2009 to 118,990 at the end of 2010.
In the last five years, it said, the number of seminarians rose more than 14 percent in Africa, 13 percent in Asia and 12.3 percent in Oceania. Numbers decreased in other regions of the world, particularly Europe, which saw a 10.4 percent drop in the number of seminarians between 2005 and 2010.
TSA Now Departing
One of America’s busiest airports, Orlando Sanford International, has announced it will opt out of using TSA workers to screen passengers, a move which threatens the highly unpopular federal agency’s role in other airports across the nation.
With Sanford International having originally been prevented by the TSA from opting out back in November 2010 when the federal agency froze the ability for airports to use their own private screeners, a law passed by the Senate last month forces the TSA to reconsider applications.
Full Story
With Sanford International having originally been prevented by the TSA from opting out back in November 2010 when the federal agency froze the ability for airports to use their own private screeners, a law passed by the Senate last month forces the TSA to reconsider applications.
Full Story
Son of Oral Roberts Arrested on DUI Charge
Richard Roberts, the son of the late evangelist Oral Roberts, was arrested Tuesday for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper stopped the 63-year-old just past midnight driving 93 miles per hour in his Mercedes-Benz.
According to the arrest report, Roberts failed a breathalyzer and field sobriety test.
The officer "detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage about Roberts' breath and person," the report said.
Roberts served as president of Oral Roberts University for 15 years before stepping down in 2007.
He currently hosts a nightly television show called, "The Place for Miracles: Your Hour of Healing."
Sounds like he should be hosting "Happy Hour with Dicky Roberts"
Evangelical leader urges Gingrich to explain 'turbulent marital history'
A leading religious conservative warned Newt Gingrich Wednesday that he risks losing the support of evangelical women voters if the Republican presidential hopeful refuses to publicly address his "turbulent martial history."
"Mr. Speaker, if you want to get large numbers of evangelicals, particularly women, to vote for you, you must address the issue of your marital past in a way that allays the fears of evangelical women,"
Richard Land, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, said in an open letter to the former House speaker. "You must address this issue of your marital past directly and transparently and ask folks to forgive you and give you their trust and their vote."
I have met and spoke with Mr. Land on a few occasions. I must say I find him a bit off base here. I'm not sure Mr. Gingrich needs to seek forgiveness from anyone but his ex-wives. Trust is indeed an issue but we are not marrying Newt we are voting for him.
Mr. Land urged the new GOP front-runner to take a page out of Arizona Sen. John McCain's 2008 presidential playbook.
"Even my own mother, a rock-solid evangelical, was extremely uncomfortable voting for Sen. John McCain until he acknowledged to Rick Warren that the failure of his first marriage was the greatest regret of his life and it was his fault," Mr. Land, referring to the high-profile evangelical pastor who hosted both Mr. McCain and then-candidate Barack Obama in an influential forum during the 2008 race.
Why should any candidate beg forgiveness at the feet of Rick Warren? Mr. Warren himself has done some things that would cost him my vote for president.
There is an evangelical arrogance that appears often in it's leaders and they tend to over estimate their power and influence. How Mr. Land's mother votes does not really matter. She would have had to vote for Obama or not vote. Neither is a good alternative.
Mr. Gingrich's marital troubles, including two divorces have cast a shadow over his political career and presidential campaign, leaving many to wonder whether he can win over social conservatives in the nomination contest, which kicks off in Iowa where evangelicals play a major role.
Two of the Georgia Republicans three marriages are said to have fallen apart thanks to Mr. Gingrich's extramarital activity. Mr. Gingrich has acknowledged cheating on one of them, with his current wife, Callista, while he served as speaker and pushed for the impeachment of President Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky affair in the late 1990s.
In a March interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, Mr. Gingrich touched on his marriage problems, saying he had sought "God's forgiveness" for his actions.
"There's no question at times of my life, partially driven by how passionately I felt about this country, that I worked far too hard and things happened in my life that were not appropriate," Mr. Gingrich said.
"What I can tell you is that when I did things that were wrong, I wasn't trapped in situation ethics, I was doing things that were wrong, and yet, I was doing them," he said. "I found that I felt compelled to seek God's forgiveness — not God's understanding, but God's forgiveness."
Mr. Land, though, suggested in his letter Wednesday that Mr. Gingrich still has his work cut off for him, while advising him to give a speech on his martial history in a "pro-family venue."
"You need to make it as clear as you possibly can that you deeply regret your past actions and that you do understand the anguish and suffering they caused others including your former spouses," Mr. Land wrote. "Make it as clear as you can that you have apologized for the hurt your actions caused and that you have learned from your past misdeeds. Express your love for, and loyalty to, your wife and your commitment to your marriage. Promise your fellow Americans that if they are generous enough to trust you with the presidency, you will not let them down and that there will be no moral scandals in a Gingrich White House."
Is there another agenda here? Mr. Gingrich was a Southern Baptist during his two divorces. He has since converted to Catholic. Will that be an issue for Mr. Land? While I don't condone his actions, I hope Newt tells Mr. Land to get the log out his own eye first.
"Mr. Speaker, if you want to get large numbers of evangelicals, particularly women, to vote for you, you must address the issue of your marital past in a way that allays the fears of evangelical women,"
Richard Land, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, said in an open letter to the former House speaker. "You must address this issue of your marital past directly and transparently and ask folks to forgive you and give you their trust and their vote."
I have met and spoke with Mr. Land on a few occasions. I must say I find him a bit off base here. I'm not sure Mr. Gingrich needs to seek forgiveness from anyone but his ex-wives. Trust is indeed an issue but we are not marrying Newt we are voting for him.
Mr. Land urged the new GOP front-runner to take a page out of Arizona Sen. John McCain's 2008 presidential playbook.
"Even my own mother, a rock-solid evangelical, was extremely uncomfortable voting for Sen. John McCain until he acknowledged to Rick Warren that the failure of his first marriage was the greatest regret of his life and it was his fault," Mr. Land, referring to the high-profile evangelical pastor who hosted both Mr. McCain and then-candidate Barack Obama in an influential forum during the 2008 race.
Why should any candidate beg forgiveness at the feet of Rick Warren? Mr. Warren himself has done some things that would cost him my vote for president.
There is an evangelical arrogance that appears often in it's leaders and they tend to over estimate their power and influence. How Mr. Land's mother votes does not really matter. She would have had to vote for Obama or not vote. Neither is a good alternative.
Mr. Gingrich's marital troubles, including two divorces have cast a shadow over his political career and presidential campaign, leaving many to wonder whether he can win over social conservatives in the nomination contest, which kicks off in Iowa where evangelicals play a major role.
Two of the Georgia Republicans three marriages are said to have fallen apart thanks to Mr. Gingrich's extramarital activity. Mr. Gingrich has acknowledged cheating on one of them, with his current wife, Callista, while he served as speaker and pushed for the impeachment of President Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky affair in the late 1990s.
In a March interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, Mr. Gingrich touched on his marriage problems, saying he had sought "God's forgiveness" for his actions.
"There's no question at times of my life, partially driven by how passionately I felt about this country, that I worked far too hard and things happened in my life that were not appropriate," Mr. Gingrich said.
"What I can tell you is that when I did things that were wrong, I wasn't trapped in situation ethics, I was doing things that were wrong, and yet, I was doing them," he said. "I found that I felt compelled to seek God's forgiveness — not God's understanding, but God's forgiveness."
Mr. Land, though, suggested in his letter Wednesday that Mr. Gingrich still has his work cut off for him, while advising him to give a speech on his martial history in a "pro-family venue."
"You need to make it as clear as you possibly can that you deeply regret your past actions and that you do understand the anguish and suffering they caused others including your former spouses," Mr. Land wrote. "Make it as clear as you can that you have apologized for the hurt your actions caused and that you have learned from your past misdeeds. Express your love for, and loyalty to, your wife and your commitment to your marriage. Promise your fellow Americans that if they are generous enough to trust you with the presidency, you will not let them down and that there will be no moral scandals in a Gingrich White House."
Is there another agenda here? Mr. Gingrich was a Southern Baptist during his two divorces. He has since converted to Catholic. Will that be an issue for Mr. Land? While I don't condone his actions, I hope Newt tells Mr. Land to get the log out his own eye first.
PETA and the Prez
President Obama earlier this month quietly signed into law a spending bill that restores the American horse-slaughter industry, just a few months after a government investigation said the ban on slaughtering for human consumption was backfiring.
The agriculture spending bill Mr. Obama signed the week before Thanksgiving did not include a ban on the inspection of horse meat — a backdoor prohibition that had, since 2006, effectively halted the U.S. horse-slaughter industry.
In June the Government Accountability Office, Congress’s official investigative branch, released a report saying the ban had shut down U.S. slaughter, but that only depressed prices for horses here while causing many of the animals to be shipped to “foreign slaughtering facilities where U.S. humane slaughtering protections do not apply.”
In unusually blunt language, GAO suggested Congress and Mr. Obama reconsider the ban.
The options facing Congress were to further ban export of horses for slaughter or to lift the domestic slaughter ban. Congress chose the latter.
And the response from PETA..................................... Still waiting.
Washington Times
The agriculture spending bill Mr. Obama signed the week before Thanksgiving did not include a ban on the inspection of horse meat — a backdoor prohibition that had, since 2006, effectively halted the U.S. horse-slaughter industry.
In June the Government Accountability Office, Congress’s official investigative branch, released a report saying the ban had shut down U.S. slaughter, but that only depressed prices for horses here while causing many of the animals to be shipped to “foreign slaughtering facilities where U.S. humane slaughtering protections do not apply.”
In unusually blunt language, GAO suggested Congress and Mr. Obama reconsider the ban.
The options facing Congress were to further ban export of horses for slaughter or to lift the domestic slaughter ban. Congress chose the latter.
And the response from PETA..................................... Still waiting.
Washington Times
Dancing with the Scars
Chaz (Chasity) Bono jumped into the fame spolight as a transgender contestant on Dancing with the Stars. One has to wonder why? She has trouble walking much less dancing. Was it the "freak factor" show producers considered? If so shame on them and why would Bono agree to it?"Chaz" was born a girl and spent a lot of time and money trying to change that. The result is a sad physical representation of a man.
Bono's run on the show has ended. "I wanted to show America a different kind of man. If there was somebody like me on TV when I was growing up, my whole life would've been different."
And therein lies the probelm. The reason there was not a person like that is because there should not be. To toss aside and attempt to change how God has created a person is wrong. I can only hope younger folks look at Chasity/Chaz and conclude they don't want to end up like that.
Bono continued: 'So I dedicate everything I did to all the people out there like me, and especially the kids and teens who are struggling.You can have a wonderful great life and be successful and happy'
You can change the outside and fool the world but your soul remains the same. I feel bad for someone so confused in life. It has to be tough to live like like that. Deep inside Chaz is still a female. That won't ever change. It's seems the misguided attempts to fix the issue have only made it worse.
Hundreds Cut By Clear Channel
The bloodletting continues. The rumored CLEAR CHANNEL layoffs are underway. The cuts took place primarily in the smaller markets -- with a few exceptions.
One outgoing programmer told said, "They simply told me that programming would be delivered in a different manner, eliminating the need for my position."
A CLEAR CHANNEL spokesperson explained that the layoffs were not budget related -- rather were a new programming strategy from CLEAR CHANNEL. "We're launching a new strategy for our regional market stations that will improve local programming in smaller markets by using assets and resources in those markets that their competitors don't have. It reflects new approaches to programming, talent, technology and other valuable resources -- based on CLEAR CHANNEL's most effective and efficient stations."
CLEAR CHANNEL declined to comment on specific names or totals of persons leaving the company. But there is an estimate that it's "many hundreds of folks" who are part of the "reduction in force."
I've been down that road and it's not easy. However, that's how Pierce Events was born. I wish the best to each one of them and hope they are inspired to do great things.
One outgoing programmer told said, "They simply told me that programming would be delivered in a different manner, eliminating the need for my position."
A CLEAR CHANNEL spokesperson explained that the layoffs were not budget related -- rather were a new programming strategy from CLEAR CHANNEL. "We're launching a new strategy for our regional market stations that will improve local programming in smaller markets by using assets and resources in those markets that their competitors don't have. It reflects new approaches to programming, talent, technology and other valuable resources -- based on CLEAR CHANNEL's most effective and efficient stations."
CLEAR CHANNEL declined to comment on specific names or totals of persons leaving the company. But there is an estimate that it's "many hundreds of folks" who are part of the "reduction in force."
I've been down that road and it's not easy. However, that's how Pierce Events was born. I wish the best to each one of them and hope they are inspired to do great things.
Rotten Apple
Owning an iPad pr Apple PC is a requirement in some circles. I haven't bought in. After having to return 4 (yes 4) ipods I became very cautious when it came to Apple products. Oh they are slick and look cool but I need it to work. Therein lies the problem.
While most of the software is great, Apple’s hardware is awful. After meeting several people who work at the "Genius Bar" I was told the repeating issues with my iPod may be how I used it. Huh? I played music on it till it stopped.
I'm not the only one out there. I found all kinds of last ditch efforts to save a dying iPod. Most of them I tried after being told I would just have to buy a new one. So now my cracked screen, grinding had drive, ipod is an expensive paper weight.
Apple has done an amazing job with product development and an even better job at marketing and building brand loyalty. I only wish their product lasted a bit longer.
I know the apple addicts out their are gasping right now but when you go to turn on your ipad, pod, phone or whatever and you get that sinking feeling you will understand.
RIP Steve Jobs. Oh and take my iPod with you.
The Attack on Religion From The West Wing
President Barack Obama bragged about a new regulation, proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services, that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has denounced as an “unprecedented attack on religious liberty.”
The proposed regulation, designed to implement part of Obamacare, will require all private health plans in the United States to cover sterilizations and all FDA-approved contraceptives--including those that cause abortions—without charging any fees or co-pay. These regulations were drawn to implement a provision in Obama’s health-care law that calls for all health-care plans to cover “preventive services.”
Combined with Obamacare’s mandate that all individuals must buy health insurance, the “preventive services” regulation would require all American Catholics to buy health care plans that pay for sterilizations, contraceptives and abortions--all of which violate Catholic moral teaching.
Never before in the history of our nation has a president attempted to mandate individuals put aside their religious and moral beliefs. This a gross abuse of power and a direct attack on the authority of the church.
In comments on the regulation submitted to HHS last month, the Catholic bishops called for the regulation to be “rescinded in its entirety” and described the proposal as “government coercion of religious people.”
Last week, the Catholic bishops distributed an insert for placement in church bulletins all across the country. It called on Catholics to contact HHS to object to the regulation. On their website the bishops are now asking Catholic to write Congress to urge members to support legislation that would overturn the regulation.
The proposed regulation, designed to implement part of Obamacare, will require all private health plans in the United States to cover sterilizations and all FDA-approved contraceptives--including those that cause abortions—without charging any fees or co-pay. These regulations were drawn to implement a provision in Obama’s health-care law that calls for all health-care plans to cover “preventive services.”
Combined with Obamacare’s mandate that all individuals must buy health insurance, the “preventive services” regulation would require all American Catholics to buy health care plans that pay for sterilizations, contraceptives and abortions--all of which violate Catholic moral teaching.
Never before in the history of our nation has a president attempted to mandate individuals put aside their religious and moral beliefs. This a gross abuse of power and a direct attack on the authority of the church.
In comments on the regulation submitted to HHS last month, the Catholic bishops called for the regulation to be “rescinded in its entirety” and described the proposal as “government coercion of religious people.”
Last week, the Catholic bishops distributed an insert for placement in church bulletins all across the country. It called on Catholics to contact HHS to object to the regulation. On their website the bishops are now asking Catholic to write Congress to urge members to support legislation that would overturn the regulation.
Cain Says You're Able
GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain has a message for those who continue to occupy Wall Street.
“I don’t have facts to back this up, but I happen to believe that these demonstrations are planned and orchestrated to distract from the failed policies of the Obama administration.
Don’t blame Wall Street, don’t blame the big banks, if you don’t have a job and you’re not rich, blame yourself! These demonstrations…I honestly don‘t understand what they’re looking for…It is not someone’s fault because they succeeded, it is someone’s fault if they failed.”
A child will kick and scream if you take a toy away. Things are about to change and folks are going to have to actually work and earn everything. Our nation is broke because or government has funded those to lazy to do anything other than put their hand out.
People will get angry. They may even get violent, but it's time we return to the baisc principles of our nation. They only thing you are promised is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. So pursue away if you wish but don't expect anything to be given to you.
“I don’t have facts to back this up, but I happen to believe that these demonstrations are planned and orchestrated to distract from the failed policies of the Obama administration.
Don’t blame Wall Street, don’t blame the big banks, if you don’t have a job and you’re not rich, blame yourself! These demonstrations…I honestly don‘t understand what they’re looking for…It is not someone’s fault because they succeeded, it is someone’s fault if they failed.”
A child will kick and scream if you take a toy away. Things are about to change and folks are going to have to actually work and earn everything. Our nation is broke because or government has funded those to lazy to do anything other than put their hand out.
People will get angry. They may even get violent, but it's time we return to the baisc principles of our nation. They only thing you are promised is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. So pursue away if you wish but don't expect anything to be given to you.
Race for the Blur: Why You Should Not Support Komen for the Cure organization
Going back in the Powerblog archives I discovered our first story on the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation written in 2007.
Most people know the work of the foundation in the area of breast cancer research and the national "race for the cure".
What many do not know is the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation that so many people support, often gives some of that money to Planned Parenthood, the world's largest abortion provider.
While we have been covering the story for 4 years now Bishop Frederick F. Campbell of Columbus, Ohio, is the latest Catholic bishop to instruct churches and schools that he oversees to not engage in fundraising for the Komen for the Cure organization because of its ties to Planned Parenthood.
Bishop Frederick F. Campbell of Columbus, Ohio, is the latest Catholic bishop to instruct churches and schools that he oversees to not engage in fundraising for the Komen for the Cure organization because of its ties to Planned Parenthood.
The Catholic bishops of Ohio, with the exception of Cleveland Bishop Richard Lennon, eventually released a statement that directs Catholic parishes’ and schools’ fundraising efforts toward activities and organizations fully consistent with Catholic moral teaching. Their conclusion is that, while they support efforts to arrest breast cancer, they don’t believe Komen is the best recipient of funds from Ohio Catholics
Most people know the work of the foundation in the area of breast cancer research and the national "race for the cure".
What many do not know is the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation that so many people support, often gives some of that money to Planned Parenthood, the world's largest abortion provider.
Bishop Frederick F. Campbell of Columbus, Ohio, is the latest Catholic bishop to instruct churches and schools that he oversees to not engage in fundraising for the Komen for the Cure organization because of its ties to Planned Parenthood.
The Catholic bishops of Ohio, with the exception of Cleveland Bishop Richard Lennon, eventually released a statement that directs Catholic parishes’ and schools’ fundraising efforts toward activities and organizations fully consistent with Catholic moral teaching. Their conclusion is that, while they support efforts to arrest breast cancer, they don’t believe Komen is the best recipient of funds from Ohio Catholics
Catholic Bishop: Boot Pro-Abortion Politicians From Church
A Catholic bishop in North Dakota recently gave an interview in which he gave some of the strongest comments yet from a Catholic Church leader on the thorny questions of what to do about Catholic politicians who support abortion.
Bishop Samuel Aquila makes it crystal clear he believes there is a process by which Catholic officials should confront pro-abortion politicians and that they should be “expelled” from the Church if they don’t back down from supporting abortion.
This was one of my strongest criticisms of Arch Bishop Donald Wuerl. At a critical time during the last election he refused to take a strong stand and defend church teaching as high profile "catholics" dismissed the abortion issue.
Responding to the question, “How should the Church respond to Catholic politicians who support legalized abortion,” Bishop Aquila says: “Their particular bishops can use the process of correction that is given to us in sacred Scripture, especially in Matthew’s Gospel. Our Lord tells us to speak to the person, and then take two or three others with us if he does not change.”
“If he still does not change, the Church can speak to him, which is done through the bishop. [The bishop] exercises the authority of Christ. Christ then says that if that person is still obstinate and will not change, treat them as a tax collector or Gentile. Expel him,” Bishop Aquila adds.
Far from delighting in throwing people out of the Catholic Church, Aquila said, “We do this out of love for the person, seeking his conversion. He needs to understand that the salvation of his soul is in jeopardy because of the positions he is taking.”
“Catholics are called to defend human life, particularly that of the unborn. The Church’s teaching is clear. If we don’t challenge public officials who reject this teaching, we leave them in their sins and confuse the faithful,” the bishop said.
My thanks to the bishop for consulting scripture in the matter and not just spouting some politically correct answer.
It remains concerning that church leadership is divided on this issues and does not seem to speak with a united voice on the matter. It's time for official clarification to come from Rome.
Bishop Samuel Aquila makes it crystal clear he believes there is a process by which Catholic officials should confront pro-abortion politicians and that they should be “expelled” from the Church if they don’t back down from supporting abortion.
This was one of my strongest criticisms of Arch Bishop Donald Wuerl. At a critical time during the last election he refused to take a strong stand and defend church teaching as high profile "catholics" dismissed the abortion issue.
Responding to the question, “How should the Church respond to Catholic politicians who support legalized abortion,” Bishop Aquila says: “Their particular bishops can use the process of correction that is given to us in sacred Scripture, especially in Matthew’s Gospel. Our Lord tells us to speak to the person, and then take two or three others with us if he does not change.”
“If he still does not change, the Church can speak to him, which is done through the bishop. [The bishop] exercises the authority of Christ. Christ then says that if that person is still obstinate and will not change, treat them as a tax collector or Gentile. Expel him,” Bishop Aquila adds.
Far from delighting in throwing people out of the Catholic Church, Aquila said, “We do this out of love for the person, seeking his conversion. He needs to understand that the salvation of his soul is in jeopardy because of the positions he is taking.”
“Catholics are called to defend human life, particularly that of the unborn. The Church’s teaching is clear. If we don’t challenge public officials who reject this teaching, we leave them in their sins and confuse the faithful,” the bishop said.
My thanks to the bishop for consulting scripture in the matter and not just spouting some politically correct answer.
It remains concerning that church leadership is divided on this issues and does not seem to speak with a united voice on the matter. It's time for official clarification to come from Rome.
No Compromise!
I am extremely proud of all the true conservatives that stood their ground on the whole debate over the economic future of our nation.
Even after Speaker John Boehner ordered his team to "get your ass in line" those who were elected by the tea party movement stood firm and respectfully said no.
I've heard several calls for compromise. Give a little, get a little and everyone goes home with an acceptable feeling. The time for compromise has passed in my opinion. I don't want compromise. Compromise creates mediocrity in which no really wins or loses. Screw that. We need a battle in which we finally decide who the winner is and go with it.
This debate is not over budgets, spending or debt ceilings. At the heart of the issue is an ideological struggle. It is impossible to compromise when one side want the total opposite of the other. Do we let people succeed and fail on their own, or should government tweek every step of the way?
I say get government out of the way of people. Let's really cut spending by putting a stop to the redistribution of other peoples money. We can solve the debt problem overnight. Simply eliminate:
Even after Speaker John Boehner ordered his team to "get your ass in line" those who were elected by the tea party movement stood firm and respectfully said no.
I've heard several calls for compromise. Give a little, get a little and everyone goes home with an acceptable feeling. The time for compromise has passed in my opinion. I don't want compromise. Compromise creates mediocrity in which no really wins or loses. Screw that. We need a battle in which we finally decide who the winner is and go with it.
This debate is not over budgets, spending or debt ceilings. At the heart of the issue is an ideological struggle. It is impossible to compromise when one side want the total opposite of the other. Do we let people succeed and fail on their own, or should government tweek every step of the way?
I say get government out of the way of people. Let's really cut spending by putting a stop to the redistribution of other peoples money. We can solve the debt problem overnight. Simply eliminate:
Here we go again: Wu at center of sex allegation
Rep. David Wu has been accused of an “unwanted sexual encounter” with the teenage daughter of a longtime friend, the latest scandal to engulf the troubled Oregon Democrat.
The Oregonian reported that the 56-year-old Wu “acknowledged a sexual encounter to his senior aides but insisted it was consensual,” according to sources aware of the incident.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/59706.html#ixzz1T7QqwwsH
The Oregonian reported that the 56-year-old Wu “acknowledged a sexual encounter to his senior aides but insisted it was consensual,” according to sources aware of the incident.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/59706.html#ixzz1T7QqwwsH
After the Honeymoom: The Future of Gay Marriage
New York is in the the news with video clips of men kissing and of course the first two women to get "married" pictutred here. How creepy is that????
The New Post reported: " Up in The Bronx, youth pastor Carmen Hernandez, 48, and dental assistant Doris DeArmas, 50, tied the knot." Yes... YOUTH PASTOR! Can we add one more the unemployment list please????
So seven states have signed up for this circus attack on the foundation of society and you will hear that number reported over and over. What you don't hear is in more than 30 states that have put this issue to a vote, the answer has been NO. The only arenas they have been able to score a victory are in some state legislatures and courts. In other words, this is a classic case of the people vs. the elites.
Again the NY Post reports: "City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who is openly gay, witnessed the ceremony that was officiated by City Clerk Michael McSweeney. Yes the corrupted city leadership cheers on the charade.
Ultimately, this issue will not be resolved in the courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court: it will be decided by a constitutional amendment. We need leaders who are willing to stand up and do what is needed to pass such an amendment. It's a shame it has to go that far but does.
This simply can not remain a state issue.We can not have people married in one state but not in another. It will effect property, legal rights, custody and so many other issues.
Currently, 30 states have constitutional language defining marriage as being between a man and a woman. At the federal level, the Defense of Marriage Act (which President Obama had called for it's repeal) also defines marriage in the traditional sense. But unless there is a constitutional amendment, we will continue to have an uneven playing field, one that is ripe for further exploitation.
So seven states have signed up for this circus attack on the foundation of society and you will hear that number reported over and over. What you don't hear is in more than 30 states that have put this issue to a vote, the answer has been NO. The only arenas they have been able to score a victory are in some state legislatures and courts. In other words, this is a classic case of the people vs. the elites.
Again the NY Post reports: "City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who is openly gay, witnessed the ceremony that was officiated by City Clerk Michael McSweeney. Yes the corrupted city leadership cheers on the charade.
Ultimately, this issue will not be resolved in the courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court: it will be decided by a constitutional amendment. We need leaders who are willing to stand up and do what is needed to pass such an amendment. It's a shame it has to go that far but does.
This simply can not remain a state issue.We can not have people married in one state but not in another. It will effect property, legal rights, custody and so many other issues.
Currently, 30 states have constitutional language defining marriage as being between a man and a woman. At the federal level, the Defense of Marriage Act (which President Obama had called for it's repeal) also defines marriage in the traditional sense. But unless there is a constitutional amendment, we will continue to have an uneven playing field, one that is ripe for further exploitation.
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