More Of The Same From Public School

I hate harping on the same old things time after time but then that is exactly what the "opposition" to common sense and common decency are depending on. And why not? That is how the homosexual culture has made the advances they have. We have to be honest and admit that they simply have worn us out and we have pretty much thrown in the towel saying, "You win!"

Thomas S. Wootton High School in Montgomery County, Maryland has once again trampled on the rights of parents and buried tolerance in the pig sty of perversion.

Citizen Link reports that a school official has declared, "A group that supports people trying to leave homosexuality is “like the KKK but only in the form of religion.”

“STAY OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS AND LEAVE OUR CHILDREN ALONE!” wrote the teacher, who happens to be the co-sponsor of the high school’s Gay Straight Alliance club. The teacher used the school's e-mail system send the message to "Parents of Ex-gays and Gays" after they distributed flyers following the rules of the school. But rules mean nothing in the battle for the souls of man--Eden showed us that.

The school has implemented a new curriculum promoting homosexuality stating that "homosexuality as 'innate'' [a claim that has no fact behind it] "and exposes kids to propaganda like this statement: 'It took a while for me to figure out that I am bisexual. I’ve had great relationships with men and with women.'"

The curriculum will be introduced this fall to all of its middle and high schools.

The Maryland State Board of Education denied parents' appeal, ruling that the district’s controversial lesson plans do not violate any laws because “'teaching tolerance of diversity is a civic value' with a secular purpose."

Understand yet again that diversity by those who worship the diversity gods, means promoting that which is godless, filthy and unhealthy while squashing anything that smacks of true virtue.

This fall, many parents will be making decisions about where to send their children. Keep in mind, that the public schools of today are NOT the public schools you remember. While there are always exceptions, THIS is becoming--or has already become--the norm. Do what you will but don't say I didn't warn you.

Food Stamp Issue Is An Issue Of Leadership

A recent series in the Central Maine Morning newspapers revealed some startling statistics about the "hungry in Maine." What surprised me is not so much the essence of the article--namely that there are children supposedly going hungry, but more, there was no comment about what the statistics reveal about our grand state; you know the one that boasts, "The Way Life Should Be!"

The fact is, 160,000 of this state's population are on food stamps. Don't let the monumental significance of that number escape notice. When you consider the population of our state is around a minuscule one million people, that number represents 16% of our populace who are receiving food assistance and supposedly it isn't enough. That sheer number, even without comment, should be enough to start cleaning house in the political leadership of our state.

Well, there's two separate issues here. First, something is greatly wrong with our state at the level of state policy and leadership such that, that many people of one state need assistance. That speaks volumes about the pathetically low estate of Maine's economy--but that song always falls on deaf ears–as well as the low estate of those making policy for the rest of us.

The second problem is the notion that those who need help simply aren't being given enough. I say, you've got to be kidding? Do you realize a family of five receives $615 each month for food? Speaking from personal experience--that's right, my family was on food stamps many years ago and the amount we received for food was so generous, we honestly couldn't spend it all in a month. And from what I can tell, the allocations have only become fatter over the years.

So what's the problem? Families locked into the welfare culture are not typically mindful about good nutrition or making their food dollar stretch. The worst nutritionally and the worst value for one’s dollar are prepared foods which, because of ease, are typically what food stamp dollars are spent on.

Then there's the problem of people who before the system changed from paper food stamps, would sell their food stamps at a discount for cash so they could buy other non-qualifying items like alcohol, tobacco and whatever.

What we need is genuine leadership in this state; leadership with the wisdom of Joseph in Egypt, who can see core issues instead of superficial symptoms. Until that happens, more money remains the perennial answer, and that is an answer that solves nothing.

Public Education Still Rots

It amazes me still that the level of naiveté among Christians concerning the depravity of public education as a system is still quite high--but more and more are "getting it!"

In a recent Zogby poll of nearly 10,000 Americans, six out of ten believe that professor bias in the nation's colleges is a serious or very serious problem. And by bias I mean a bias toward a very liberal or leftist interpretation of the world. Nine out of ten with a conservative world view said there is a serious problem while only 3 percent of those with a liberal view see any problem. Those figures tell it all.

Many years ago in the mid seventies, I was the victim of viewpoint discrimination in a second year, college English literature class. The instructor insisted I change my view on a term paper I had written (the subject matter had been approved ahead of time by the instructor) and refused to grade it unless I did. I took the situation all the way to the Dean’s office who supported the instructor. I refused to cave and told the instructor to give me an "F" if she could with a clear conscience but I was NOT going to rewrite the paper changing my view. The teacher buckled. But that was three decades ago and we have slid far deeper into the abyss of hard-hearted waywardness since then. That same scenario today would more likely end up in the courts.

Well, for good or for bad, legislation is being introduced in more than a dozen states to try and protect students from such indoctrination. Conservative, David Horowitz, has suggested a "Students Bill of Rights" on campuses to protect conservative students from academic reprisals by professors who hold contradictory beliefs. I doubt it will solve the problem but perhaps it will mitigate such occurrences for a while.

Decades ago, the teacher's colleges of the country made no apologies in stating that their mission was to raise up generations of future leaders; leaders who would have a particular view point; that view point being expressly anti-god, anti-virtue, anti-anything wholesome, right and good.
Faithful to their word they have been carrying out their plan with impunity.

The Apostle John wrote, "Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that anti-Christ is coming, even now many anti-Christs have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour."
(1 John 2:18)

Indeed, how aware are you?

Voluntary Human Extinction?

I checked out this organization--excuse me, I mean this "movement" on line called VHEMT which they say is pronounced "Vehement." VHEMT is a strained acronym for Voluntary Human Extinction and "is the humanitarian alternative to human disasters."

Their website continues--"The Movement presents an encouraging alternative to the callous exploitation and wholesale destruction of Earth's ecology." "…the hopeful alternative to the extinction of millions of species of plants and animals is the voluntary extinction of one species: Homo sapiens... us." "Each time another one of us decides to not add another one of us to the burgeoning billions already squatting on this ravaged planet, another ray of hope shines through the gloom."

"When every human chooses to stop breeding, Earth's biosphere will be allowed to return to its former glory, and all remaining creatures will be free to live, die, evolve, and will perhaps pass away, as so many of Nature's 'experiments' have done throughout the eons."

Now I have to tell you, even though there isn't a hint that this is a spoof, I am convinced that it must be. It is my last example of lunacy from their web site that convinces me this is not serious.

It reads, "…if any of us thinks about the situation long enough, and makes the effort to work through those socially-instilled blocks to clear thinking, we will arrive at virtually the same conclusion: we should voluntarily phase ourselves out for the good of humanity and planet."

Now that's a riot! "For the good of humanity" we should rid humanity. C'mon! That's hysterical--I think, I hope! But then again, when you think how mankind has so warped their thinking in so many other ways (they chose to worship trees and lakes and the sun when God had clearly shown them that HE was the One who created them) maybe VHEMT is serious. Maybe what is ludicrous is simply another manifestation of God having given people over to their foolishness so that "their foolish hearts were darkened," in the words of Romans 1.

It would not shock me but still, I honestly want to believe this is a spoof; and if it isn't?

Well, those who have the light need to let it shine for those who are walking in lightless blindness. That is after all, our commission.

A Real Life Byrd Brain...

When the Devil gets into the mind of man, you can expect twisted logic, or no logic and perverse rationale that makes little sense except to others who are likewise twisted.

When West Virginia's senior Senator Robert Byrd commenced speaking about dog fighting this past week, several thoughts ran through my mind.

First- I wondered if Byrd had suffered a stroke. His patterns of speech were so slow in getting out of his hypocritical mouth I truly thought the only merciful thing to do for this man is to remove him from office. He is a public embarrassment and a disgrace to the leadership of the United States.

This "former" Klansman was in a strained and ridiculously repetitious tirade about the barbarism of dog fighting and even vying for the death sentence in the case of such crimes.

Now I'll grant you, that dog fighting is cruel and ought to be a crime at some level. Oh surprise; actually it is a federal offense, but Byrd's absurd tirade against Michael Vick--multi-million dollar quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, seems to be the vitriol of a racist lapsing into his Klan motif from year's past.

Now what I deem as deplorable is the utter lack of integrity on this Senator's part seeing that he cannot get angry enough about the cruel treatment of some dogs and yet seems to have little indigestion about the cruel treatment of little babies. Byrd is of course--pro-abortion--of human babies that is; dogs are another story.

Senator Byrd in true godless fashion can work himself into a frenzy over the rights of dogs but cannot convey at least the same consideration to human beings.

So the babbling Byrd's soliloquy on the Senate floor is exemplary of the hypocrisy and misplaced indignation of his ilk who have been so far removed from sensible discourse that, his cronies simply stand in awe of his longevity of service.

Well, I too stand in awe; I am awed that sane people continue to vote creatures like this into office term after term.

It disturbs me that men like this Byrd brain prosper while good men seem to get the shaft. But like Asaph of old, who wrote Psalm 73 about this pattern of life: "When I pondered to understand this, it was troublesome in my sight…until I came into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end."

Ah yes, the Day of Justice; it is coming.

L.A. Mayor Wants To Live In La-la Land

That Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was having an affair with another woman is not unusual these days. You take a man in a position of power, a twenty year old marriage that had, had its ups and downs, an attractive single news woman and, well, it's an all too common story.

But what I want to focus on today is the comment I heard the Mayor make this past week. Now, remember this is not old news, the affair is going full bore, divorce papers have been filed, so it's really still a hot topic especially since Villaraigosa was quick to "tend his image as a devoted family man."

The first thing he said was he takes "full responsibility for his actions." But what exactly does that mean? What it should mean is that his wife of twenty years should be able to write the terms of her divorce. After all, since he acknowledges that he is the cause, he is the faulty party then he must pay the consequences. But that is rarely the reality of such situations. The real issue though I have is the statement he made saying, "It's time to move on."

What this actually means is, "I'm tired of being confronted with the fallout of my choices and want to pretend I can sin without consequences." Well that's wonderful for the perpetrator but what about everyone else? Twenty years spawns all kinds of relationships within families and friends and now that all changes. What about Villaraigosa's 14 year old daughter? She should just "move on" and accept the changes that come with dad's self absorption and she must not dare to show any displeasure with her father's new found love. After all, he--the perpetrator--has declared "it's time to move on."

Well, sorry Mayor but you can't toss a twenty megaton bomb into your family's lives and then walk away after a couple months or even years and just insist that "everyone move on."

For the innocent by-standers it will never be the same--ever and whatever fall out they seem to blow your way goes with the territory of your decisions. You took responsibility, remember? That means it's your responsibility to put up with all the crud and all the heart ache and heartbreak of those who are affected by your selfishness. Saying its time to move on isn't your prerogative. You made your bed--now try sleeping in it.

Iraq War Falters Still But Pull Out Is NOT The Answer

As I prepare this piece the buzz in the news is the "defection" taking place in the ranks of Republicans concerning the War in Iraq. The "blah, blah, blah" rhetoric in sum is that the "Iraqi government is not making measurable progress."

It is hard to argue with that assessment--admitted--but let me make the following observation. Iraq is a brand spanking new, unprecedented attempt at bringing democracy--a form of government that is antithetical to the country's religious roots and philosophy, to a middle eastern nation which has known only tyrannical rule and inhuman violence accompanying that rule. Iraq's military and police are substandard from most every vantage point not the least of which are numbers and equipment.

Okay, so we are told repeatedly that the "Iraqi government is not making measurable progress."

Now consider this: The most powerfully equipped and highly trained military force in the world which has a unity of purpose and unlimited resources has not been able to bring about what American's politicians and public is demanding of the Iraqi government.

Hello? Do you think maybe we have set our expectations a bit too high? Is there a new strategy needed in Iraq? In my opinion--certainly. What is that strategy? I have no idea what-so-ever. But I do believe I know what doesn't, what won't, what can't work and that is approaching the situation according to normal strategies of past wars against nations with defined borders, uniforms, and ideologies.

The starting point to the new strategy is first, adopting a view and language defining the view which is historically and theologically accurate. In other words, we must abandon the language of sensitivity and the facade of respect for an honest portrayal of what we are dealing with.

Right now, Lebanon is at war with Islamic jihadists, In Yemen, a suicide bomber attacked civilians, Sunnis are killing Shiites, Shiites are killing Sunnis, Britain is attacked, Scotland is attacked, Italy and Spain have been attacked, so how is it that this war is still portrayed as an American problem? The common denominator is not America, it is Islam. Hello?

How scurrilous, how scathing, what bigotry, right? And that is precisely why this war IS lost and will continue to be until the ugly truth trumps the batting eyes of the seductive assassin and a serpent wriggles away hissing with glee.

Late addition--FYI Maine Senator Olympia Snowe is spearheading Republican defection advocating quick pull out.

Also heard Newt Gingrich this morning say precisely what I wrote above…

Pope Retreats To Dark Ages

Having studied Catholicism, having married a woman headed for the convent, and having been married in the Catholic church, I have to say that Catholicism is, among other things, confusing and contradictory. I remember studying the Council of Trent which spells out Catholic theology. In bulletized fashion there is statement after statement summarizing salient points of Catholic theology often one statement being reversed by another statement only a few sentences later.

There used to be those known as old school Catholics who were taught that no one but Catholics were going to heaven. Then in the 60's came Vatican II and a new wave of ecumenism emerged from Rome which too was confusing for as it emerged over time, it took on the flavor of universalism. Rome it seemed recognized not only Christians of other denominations but pretty much embraced the salvation of everyone.

Now, under the leadership of a new Pope, Benedict XVI has affirmed the statement the "other communities of faith are either defective or not true churches and Catholicism provides the only true path to Salvation."

On the first score I'll agree--"faith communities are defective." How can they be otherwise; they are made up of defective people in need of a Savior. Of course where the Pope is loopy is his insinuation that the Catholic Church isn't defective. Uh, there's a lot of lawyers, lawsuits and litigants who rebuff that notion.

But it's his last affirmation that has some Protestants quite upset. That "Catholicism is the only true path to salvation" is old school Catholicism. Biblically, the Pope is just flat out wrong but honestly I don't quite understand why Protestants would be upset. It's not the like the Pope's opinions mean anything to Protestants.

More substantial from my point of view is that the Benedict also revived the old Latin mass. Now this does concern me because even though clouded by a lot of man made religion and ritual, the essence of the Gospel truth of Jesus is present in the mass. That is if you can understand it.

But Paul writes, "And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" Speaking the truth in a language no one understands is utter folly and helps no one.

With no disrespect intended, this pope needs to go back and read his Bible and forget the traditions of men which for centuries have kept millions of Catholics in darkness.

If You Had Doubts About Inherent Evil...

A big part of the problem with the waning support for the war in Iraq is that people truly not believe in the existence of abject evil. This should dispel your doubts but I know it won't. We find solace in self delusion believing that evil is merely the product of disgruntled individuals who are misunderstood with the exception of the truly wicked whose wickedness we attribute to mental illness.

Victor Davis Hanson is a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, and professor emeritus at California University currently writing for the National Review.

I quote from Hanson's article in the National Review pertaining to an incident chronicled in Michael Yon's Graphic Descriptions From Iraq pertaining to the tactics of Al Queda.

"The official reported that on a couple of occasions in Baqubah, al Qaeda invited to lunch families they wanted to convert to their way of thinking. In each instance, the family had a boy, he said, who was about 11-years-old. As LT. David Wallach interpreted the man's words, I saw Wallach go blank and silent. He stopped interpreting for a moment. I asked Wallach, "What did he say?" Wallach said that at these luncheons, the families were sat down to eat. And then their boy was brought in with his mouth stuffed. The boy had been baked. Al Qaeda served the boy to his family."

Hanson's conclusion is the point of this commentary.

"What is striking about all this savagery"—writes Hanson--"is that it is hard to recall an enemy so savage and yet one so largely ignored by rich, affluent and distracted elites as the radical jihadists…"

Speaking for the liberal elites of the West hanson writes, "For a self-congratulatory culture issuing moral lectures on everything from global warming to the dangers of smoking, the silence of the West toward the primordial horror from Gaza to Anbar is, well, horrific in its own way as well."

Honestly, there isn't anything else I need to say except that the Bible affirms the truth of human evil--after all, God destroyed all the living on earth once (except for Noah), and there is another day coming of like horror.

Confidence in "Church" is Eroding and I Can't Imagine Why

According to a recent Gallup poll, Americans' confidence in organized religion and other institutions is down. Only 46 percent said they have a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in church or organized religion. That's one point from being the lowest in Gallup's history since 1973.

Now I don't know about you, but that doesn't alarm me or offend me. I am surprised frankly that confidence in organized religion is as high as it is.

Understand that we are talking about the "Church" which includes the good, the bad and the ugly. Certain "Christian" denominations of the "Church" like American Episcopalians, Methodists, and Presbyterians, Congregationalists, and United Churches of Christ, have all been in a decades long battle vying for some semblance of fidelity to the "faith once for all delivered to the saints" and have been losing ground.

When you consider that the Roman Catholic Church has paid out millions of dollars for legal fees and fines for its ages-long, homosexual/pedophilia scandals among it's priesthood, and when you consider that even Bible believing churches have had their share of the Ted Haggards, the Jim and Tammies, Robert Tilton, Jim Swaggart, Truman Dollar and on and on, one has to wonder why there is any confidence in the "Church" at all.

So I am not surprised, but what I am is challenged as a Christian to lead a life that is readily identifiable as a follower of Jesus. As a leader, I am diligent not to rest my guard allowing a foot hold of the devil to snare me and thus bring shame on the "Church."

The "Church" is messed up; that seems to be a given seeing as it is made up of messed up people and that is certainly nothing new. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth revealing how messed up that infant church was and not much has changed over the centuries.

What has changed however, is the presence of an authoritative voice--like Paul's--which was loud and clear explaining that faith is not whatever anyone is pleased to imagine. Today the Bible is so poorly understood or prostituted to justify personal agendas that the so-called Christian faith has little if any consistency from church to church. No wonder people lack confidence. I don't blame them, do you?

Remember Mr. Clinton's Quick Pardons

One thing many Democrats have is a very selective memory and a very warped sense of integrity.

Before I talk about Scooter Libby's commuted sentence by President Bush, allow me to refresh your memories about Bush's popular predecessor--William Jefferson Clinton.

Marc Rich, is a billionaire fugitive and a member of the illustrious FBI's most wanted list. Do you remember Marc Rich? Rich--who is filthy rich, is the largest tax evader in history and sold out America by illegally selling oil to the Iranians. Clinton pardoned him practically seconds away from leaving office. The fact that he contributed millions to the Clinton's political and personal adventures was irrelevant I am sure.

Remember Mel Reynolds? I do, I was living in Chicago, Reynold's home, when he was convicted of molesting a school girl which he described as hitting the Lotto! Clinton pardoned him as well.

One last one to mention (though there are so many others) is Carlos Vignali who was one of the largest cocaine dealers in the history. Vignali also was a big contributor to the party of hypocrites.

Now democrats are in an uproar, out raged, and incensed that Bush commuted Libby's sentence--he didn't pardon him like Clinton did with his "friends" which is removing guilt as well as removing the punishment.

When you look at Libby's "crime"--a sincere lapse in memory or perhaps he flat out lied--but either way they still pale in comparison. Add to this that President Bush has pardoned far fewer people than any president going back to President Kennedy and you have to simply marvel at the relentless vendetta the party of liberals has against this president.

If Scooter Libby was actually guilty of something other than some disputed statements regarding an inconsequential CIA analyst whose role in the CIA was public knowledge, I would be the first to decry bush's commutation of Libby's sentence.

But when you figure it is always the liberals who protest "hard time" for non-violent offenders, it is amazing how different their view has become when it is a Bush crony involved. Okay it's not really amazing--its par for the course and I am unimpressed.

Now You Can be Both Christian AND Muslim...

Just when you know the Episcopal Church cannot become even more screwed up than it already is, comes the Rev. Ann Holmes Redding. Redding is now both an Episcopal priest AND a Muslim!

I am serious. A Seattle newspaper reported that "on Sunday mornings she wears a collar and on Friday afternoons she puts on her black headscarf to pray with her Muslim prayer group."

Redding was the director of faith formation at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle but has been laid off due to budgetary, not theological, concerns.

"I am both Muslim and Christian, just like I'm both an American of African descent and a woman. I'm 100 percent both." Redding said. This is stunning logic from a woman with a Ph.D. but then even Ph.D.'s aren't what they used to be.

This "Christian Muslim" continues. "At the most basic level, I understand the two religions to be compatible. That's all I need." Redding shows only that she understands neither Christianity nor Islam.

What has been the official Episcopal response? They said it is the local Bishop's call. And what has that been?

The Rt. Rev. Vincent Warner, says he "accepts Redding as an Episcopal priest and a Muslim, and that he finds the interfaith possibilities exciting."

Ihsan Bagby, associate professor of Islamic studies at the University of Kentucky, says "Muslims can have faith in Jesus as long as they believe in Mohammed's message."

Okay, reality check here--I am reading the Koran currently and I tell you Bagby is also ignorant of his own faith. There are however, faithful Muslims who find her profession of faith absurd.

"The theological beliefs are irreconcilable, said Mahmoud Ayoub, professor of Islamic studies and comparative religion at Temple University in Philadelphia. 'For Muslims to say Jesus is God would be blasphemy.'"

What does Redding say about her detractors? "I don't care. They can't take away my baptism." "And as she understands it, once she's made her profession of faith to become a Muslim, no one can say she isn't that, either."

The bottom line for Redding is that SHE has determined her truth. She has become her own authority and that is always certain disaster. Claiming to be wise, she has become a fool, to paraphrase Paul in romans 1. And God has given her up as well as the Episcopal North American Denomination. Good riddance…

Independence Day Lamentation

The Declaration of Independence stated in no uncertain terms that we--the newly declared "Americans"--would no longer allow the imposition of an outside agency--namely Britain--over the affairs of day to day living.

A major impetus in the cause was the right to worship freely without impediment by governing authorities. Another major consideration propelling the colonists to take such a bold--some said fool hardy--step was the fact that a removed government was unilaterally deciding when and how much to tax American goods.

So, the war for independence basically came down to two issues; taxes and religion.

I know some argue that our current system of government is the best in the world yada, yada. But I would personally argue that while that is true, that does not mean that the status quo should be the rule ad infinitum. In other words, we can do better.

Those two issues are still central issues--and problematic ones at that--and we should not lose sight of our moorings to the way things "should be" as determined by the founding fathers.

Our taxes--while theoretically determined through a representative process is hardly representative in my opinion. The process itself, much less the issues, are so large, confusing and complicated, that no mere mortal having to invest a major portion of their lives earning a living can possibly invest the time necessary to stay well informed enough to truly give beneficial input. And government has become so tainted, that the will of the people is rarely carried out except in very broad pronouncements. The devil is in the details however.

As for freedom of religion; we have become a nation governed not by constitutional law but by judicial fiat. A nation priding itself on a genuine freedom of religion has become (or at least is steadily becoming) a nation free FROM religion. And this is to our detriment.

Can we again become the nation we were intended to be? I don't think it is likely but the Church, and the Christians who comprise the church, can and must become the people God intended us to be. And right now, the church and the world are indistinguishable.

On this Independence Day, we should thank God for the liberties that cost so many so much and then plead with God to help us become a people who are actually different. No greater honor could be given to the founders who had such a grand dream and a good beginning.