We have a new republican majority in WI. (There are even some indications that we may have a conservative majority.) Senator Leibham has once again introduced a voter photo ID bill and it will be debated on Wed., Jan 26th. You can see the column Sen. Leibham wrote concerning this bill here.
Because this bill does not require a new type of ID for voting, but rather relies on types of ID that most people already have, while waiving the fee for those who do not currently possess such an ID and cannot afford to get one, this bill seems like a reasonable and necessary measure to protect the integrity of the voting process in WI. The text of the bill may be found here.
If you cannot show up in Madison for the debate, you may send your thoughts to Sen. Liebham at Sen.Leibham@legis.wi.gov to be included in the public record. (Of course, that's if Sen Leibham is YOUR Senator. If not, I recommend you contact your own senator. You can probably find an e-mail address for him or her here. Be sure to ask that your testimony be included in the public record.)
The opposition to this bill seems to be based on the fact that that we've always allowed people to vote with someone else to vouch for them and this bill will remove that convenience. There is an article here on that point.
(It seems like common sense, but the headline of that article, despite their "truth-o-meter" is incorrect. There have been several instances of voter fraud in WI in recent years.)
In the end, it's really up to us to let our legislators know if we think the integrity of our legislative process needs to be tightened or if we think it's fine as it is. Bearing in mind that the political climate of our day has become polarized and somewhat extreme, particularly on the progressive side of the aisle. (In my observation.)
I understand that those who believe in progressivism/collectivism believe passionately that we must become a more socialist nation. I disagree just as passionately, as do many in this nation. This is the struggle for liberty of our time. I don't think it can be peacefully won if the integrity of the voting process is undermined or left vulnerable. I prefer to trust the people of this nation as a whole, but I know that one bad apple can spoil a whole barrel, if left unattended. Let's make sure we are attending to our apples.
"And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully."~ 2Tim 2:5
Monday, January 24, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Hear What the Unjust Judge Saith - A Test of Persistence
In the book of Luke, there is a parable about an unjust judge. The lesson in this parable is that even an unjust judge will give in to persistence. Today I have started an experiment. An experiment of faith in which I hope you will all join me.
Today I have made the first of what I expect to be several calls to my senators. The first call was to Senator Ron Johnson. Senator Johnson supports the repeal of Obamacare. I called Senator Johnson to let him know I support him in voting to repeal Obamacare. I only expect that I will call Senator Johnson a few times. This call and perhaps another just before the vote is scheduled.
The second call I made was to Senator Kohl. Senator Kohl supported Obamacare. My call to Senator Kohl was to let him know that I would prefer that he would vote to repeal Obamacare. This was the first of what will probably be several calls to Senator Kohl. My intention is to call every single day until Obamacare is repealed.
Senator Reid has determined that he will not allow the repeal of Obamacare to come to the senate floor for a vote. He has said that he will not be influenced by the fact that the house has passed that repeal of Obamacare. In refusing to bring Obamacare to the floor of the senate for a vote, Senator Reid is engaging in parliamentary tricks.
This is not the purpose of such parliamentary procedures. Parliamentary procedures are to ensure that there is a reasonable pace to a meeting or proceeding, not to block the purpose of that meeting or proceeding. To use parliamentary procedures to block legislation that his party does not like or that his progressive colleagues do not like, is underhanded and unworthy of a senator of the United States of America. Mr. Reid is not my senator, but that does not mean that I cannot have an affect on senator Reid through my senators.
It is my intention to call my senator, Senator Kohl, every day until Obamacare is repealed or at least until the senate has brought it to the floor and voted on it. The point of the parable in Luke is that even an unjust judge will give in to persistence. I plan to see if that is so, and if by my persistence, Senator Kohl can be brought to vote to repeal Obamacare. Furthermore, I encourage every citizen of these United States, who has a senator that supports Obamacare, to do the same thing. I am not suggesting that you harass your senator. I am merely saying call them every day, once, and let them know that you want Obamacare repealed. Be polite and cheerful when you call. Be nice to the aide who answers the phones.
In this blog I have chosen to end if every post with a verse or two (or sometimes more) of the Bible. I have done this because I have a deep and abiding faith in the truth of the word of God. The Lord has assured us that His word will not return void. Perhaps I am being foolish, but I intend to test the notion that even an unjust judge will give in to persistence and I hope all of you will join me in this effort.
" And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? " ~ Luke 18:1-8
Today I have made the first of what I expect to be several calls to my senators. The first call was to Senator Ron Johnson. Senator Johnson supports the repeal of Obamacare. I called Senator Johnson to let him know I support him in voting to repeal Obamacare. I only expect that I will call Senator Johnson a few times. This call and perhaps another just before the vote is scheduled.
The second call I made was to Senator Kohl. Senator Kohl supported Obamacare. My call to Senator Kohl was to let him know that I would prefer that he would vote to repeal Obamacare. This was the first of what will probably be several calls to Senator Kohl. My intention is to call every single day until Obamacare is repealed.
Senator Reid has determined that he will not allow the repeal of Obamacare to come to the senate floor for a vote. He has said that he will not be influenced by the fact that the house has passed that repeal of Obamacare. In refusing to bring Obamacare to the floor of the senate for a vote, Senator Reid is engaging in parliamentary tricks.
This is not the purpose of such parliamentary procedures. Parliamentary procedures are to ensure that there is a reasonable pace to a meeting or proceeding, not to block the purpose of that meeting or proceeding. To use parliamentary procedures to block legislation that his party does not like or that his progressive colleagues do not like, is underhanded and unworthy of a senator of the United States of America. Mr. Reid is not my senator, but that does not mean that I cannot have an affect on senator Reid through my senators.
It is my intention to call my senator, Senator Kohl, every day until Obamacare is repealed or at least until the senate has brought it to the floor and voted on it. The point of the parable in Luke is that even an unjust judge will give in to persistence. I plan to see if that is so, and if by my persistence, Senator Kohl can be brought to vote to repeal Obamacare. Furthermore, I encourage every citizen of these United States, who has a senator that supports Obamacare, to do the same thing. I am not suggesting that you harass your senator. I am merely saying call them every day, once, and let them know that you want Obamacare repealed. Be polite and cheerful when you call. Be nice to the aide who answers the phones.
In this blog I have chosen to end if every post with a verse or two (or sometimes more) of the Bible. I have done this because I have a deep and abiding faith in the truth of the word of God. The Lord has assured us that His word will not return void. Perhaps I am being foolish, but I intend to test the notion that even an unjust judge will give in to persistence and I hope all of you will join me in this effort.
" And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? " ~ Luke 18:1-8
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Have They No Shame?
Is this a memorial service, a rock concert or a campaign stop? You tell me.
This is the answer posted to a question about etiquette for behavior during a memorial service: "Your presence, and respectful attention, as well as kind words for him to his family are all that are necessary.
The only other thing, if you feel inclined, would be to also send them a condolence letter, expressing your sympathy, your regard for him, and a story or two of your experience with him -- an act of kindness on his part; something funny he did or said (think whimsy or gentle humor, not gross or raucous).
When you arrive, greet them briefly, expressing sorrow for their loss.
Yes, respectful, serious clothes are essential. It used to be everyone wore black, but I gather that rule has been loosened. The thing is to not appear cheery and festive, so gray works. You don't want to jar their feelings by looking like you came to party."
This is the answer posted to a question about etiquette for behavior during a memorial service: "Your presence, and respectful attention, as well as kind words for him to his family are all that are necessary.
The only other thing, if you feel inclined, would be to also send them a condolence letter, expressing your sympathy, your regard for him, and a story or two of your experience with him -- an act of kindness on his part; something funny he did or said (think whimsy or gentle humor, not gross or raucous).
When you arrive, greet them briefly, expressing sorrow for their loss.
Yes, respectful, serious clothes are essential. It used to be everyone wore black, but I gather that rule has been loosened. The thing is to not appear cheery and festive, so gray works. You don't want to jar their feelings by looking like you came to party."
Where was this etiquette in Arizona today? Apparently nowhere to be found in the memorial service where Mr. Obama was speaking.
Mr. Obama, his speechwriters and staff apparently felt it was appropriate to make T-shirts for the occasion. T-shirts for the memorial service for the victims of Saturday's shooting. This, in addition to the applause, cheering and standing ovation makes me wonder what kind of people did they ship in to attend this event? What kind of people would do such a thing?
I cannot imagine being the parent of little Miss Green or a relative or spouse of any of the others who were killed and walking into this travesty. Where is the sense of decorum? The sense of solemn remembrance? The consolation and sympathy for the families of the dead?
"Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt. "~ Samuel Adams
And those on the left can look at this, this ... campaign rock concert of a memorial service, held less than a week after the tragic deaths of those to be memorialized and praise the speaker/organizers? Not just the left either. Even Fox news has praised the speech as it was being given.
Our nation has surely gone mad, or else I must be.
" When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;"~ Esther 4:1
Monday, January 10, 2011
Even the Left can do Better
My condolences to the families and friends of the victims of Jan. 8th's shooting. My prayers for a speedy recovery for those who may recover. My prayers too, for the family of the shooter as well as the shooter himself, for they are surely also in need of fervent and effectual prayer.
Shortly after reading of the tragic murders of Judge John Roll, Congressional staff member Gabrielle Zimmerman, young Christina Green, Dorothy Murray, Dorwin Stoddard and Phyllis Schneck, I looked to the comments section of the article and was truly shocked by what I read.
The majority of comments were using this terrible event to justify vilifying their political opponents. The majority of these comments were also of the "progressive" persuasion, thus the title of this article, although I saw a few from the other side of the spectrum as well. Have we really come to this?
Are we really so heartless and jaded that our first thoughts after such an event turn to ways to politicize it? Have we lost so much common courtesy and good sense so as to pass judgement without even having the facts available to us? And further to turn such horror into political expediency?
Even worse, I have seen articles today titled "Congress Reacts...". Is that really what Congress is to do? React rather than think? React with feel good, freedom crushing legislation rather than looking at the foundations of this nation and recognizing that our base position of freedom prohibits such a reaction? Apparently the reading of our nation's Constitution hasn't sunk in yet. In the words of Benjamin Franklin:"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
The bottom line is that such tragedies will occur as long as there are people. Sometimes, people don't do what they ought or they are mentally ill, as was apparently, the case here. However, to take an isolated tragedy and use it to play politics before the people injured have barely even been helped is obscene.
The majority of comments were using this terrible event to justify vilifying their political opponents. The majority of these comments were also of the "progressive" persuasion, thus the title of this article, although I saw a few from the other side of the spectrum as well. Have we really come to this?
Are we really so heartless and jaded that our first thoughts after such an event turn to ways to politicize it? Have we lost so much common courtesy and good sense so as to pass judgement without even having the facts available to us? And further to turn such horror into political expediency?
Even worse, I have seen articles today titled "Congress Reacts...". Is that really what Congress is to do? React rather than think? React with feel good, freedom crushing legislation rather than looking at the foundations of this nation and recognizing that our base position of freedom prohibits such a reaction? Apparently the reading of our nation's Constitution hasn't sunk in yet. In the words of Benjamin Franklin:"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
The bottom line is that such tragedies will occur as long as there are people. Sometimes, people don't do what they ought or they are mentally ill, as was apparently, the case here. However, to take an isolated tragedy and use it to play politics before the people injured have barely even been helped is obscene.
In my own opinion, the removal of God and the derision of Christian values are at the heart of such callousness. I could be wrong, but no matter the cause, this is an indicator of something gone seriously amiss with those who would behave in this manner. In another quote, by Mr. Franklin, not the most religious of men by repute, he says:"I believe there is one Supreme most perfect being. ... I believe He is pleased and delights in the happiness of those He has created; and since without virtue man can have no happiness in this world, I firmly believe He delights to see me virtuous."
We can do better and I think most of us are aware that we should. For those, vocal few who are not, I suggest reading the Bible first and then a copy of Miss Manners guide to etiquette. While neither of these resources are likely to directly address the situation that unfolded Saturday, they should at least give those who lack one a starting place.
"And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. "~ 2 Sam 9:7
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