Monday, January 24, 2011
For Wisconson Voters - SB6
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
Friday, January 21, 2011
Hear What the Unjust Judge Saith - A Test of Persistence
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?
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
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
Saturday, December 18, 2010
The 111th Congress will live in infamy
I know many conservatives will view this last lame duck session as reasonably successful, having defeated the omnibus spending bill and the DREAM act. Those were necessary for our fiscal health as a nation and I won't deny it.
I also know that this legislation will weaken our military and cause many who were of unquestioned good character to leave to protect their spotless reputations. I know that it will cause others of somewhat weaker character, bereft of the companionship of those who would have otherwise restrained them from rash actions, to follow less than honorable impulses.
I have no doubt that the vast majority of those troops who remain will do their best to serve with honor. I would not wish to be guilty of besmirching the reputation of those who remain and serve faithfully. However, I view this action on the part of the 111th Congress not just as an appeasement of those selfish enough to demand to serve regardless of the consequences to our military and our nation.
In truth, I view it as an attempt to not only demoralize our military, but as an attempt on the part of Mr. Obama to build a military that may regard their first loyalty to be to him rather than to the nation. There is an oath that is taken upon entering the military. One that specifies that the individual taking it will defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. I highly doubt that a group of people whose perspective is so skewed as to hold their own selfish wishes above the security of our nation will be willing to defend a Constitution that they have been alternately fighting and ignoring these many years.
Perhaps I am old fashioned. Perhaps I am a prude. Or perhaps, I just understand the difference between convenience and necessity. The difference between wants and needs. The difference in the character of those who act for selfish reasons and those who act for selfless reasons.
Character counts and we have just dealt a serious blow to the character of our armed forces.
May God help us, although I have no idea why, at this point, He would. This is as clear a message to the Lord that this nation no longer respects, serves or worships Him as the continuing shameful legality of abortion for any reason other than the life of the mother.
Perhaps He will see fit to remember and preserve that irate, tireless minority who, like myself, serve Him still. I know it is His wish that all would come to salvation, but actions have consequences. He would not be just to withhold such consequences from a nation who has abandoned Him after He has blessed us so richly.
" For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
"~ Rom 1:17-32
Friday, December 17, 2010
"Time's Up!": Filing Sexual Assault Charges Against TSA Screeners
"You can fight back with following explicit instructions. You have rights and by "fighting back" I am referring to via the Police Departments and Sexual Assault Investigators/Detectives within the police departments, FBI and the media.
Get to the airport early.
First, calmly and respectfully tell the TSA Screener that you are objecting to the invasive body search even though you are not being given a choice to either refuse it or leave the airport.
This means that you are being forced against your will to submit. If they tell you that you must submit, then it is like a man putting a knife to your throat and giving you no choice. You are forced either way."
Please read the rest of this excellent article on how to stand up for your fourth, fifth and eighth amendment rights with regard to the new TSA "enhanced pat-down" procedures/scanners.
We, as Americans have a duty to stand up for our rights, even if it is inconvenient, embarrassing and scary. It is our duty. I suggest that everyone who flies should download this article, print it off and do exactly as the article suggests.
"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
"~Job 13:15
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving
But when giving thanks, I don't want to neglect my thanks for the many challenges and trials of my life. Some of them have been very painful and difficult, but I have learned valuable things from all of them. Sometimes the lessons I have learned have cost me dearly, but I would not trade them. They have shaped me into the person that I am today. Countless times they have saved me from worse trials or allowed me to help others avoid bad situations. They have also allowed me to offer counsel to others who are facing challenges of their own.
I have hope that these lessons will provide me with faith and hope in the trials to come.
I am truly thankful and bless and praise God for all the He has allowed me to learn and do in this lifetime as well as for His redeeming work on the cross.
"For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth."~Proverbs 3:12
