Monday, July 25, 2005
Sunday, July 24, 2005
'Enemies of humanity' quote raises Iraq PR questions
CNN.com - 'Enemies of humanity' quote raises Iraq PR questions
Once again, we have an example of "the end justifies the means" philosophy that is so rampant in every facet of this administration. Of course, our military would never create fictitious quotes to make a point - just like George Bush would never lie to justify war in the first place!
Once again, we have an example of "the end justifies the means" philosophy that is so rampant in every facet of this administration. Of course, our military would never create fictitious quotes to make a point - just like George Bush would never lie to justify war in the first place!
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Pottermania!
So many periodicals and news writers have gone to the trouble of analyzing the Harry Potter phenomenon. Anita Oliver in "Adventist Review" concentrates her concern on five points: (1) The use of power; (2) revenge; (3) the struggle between good and evil; (4) imagination; and (5) the occult.
Following is a letter to the editor from a person in Norway:
" Being a blue-eyed Scandinavian, I can't help wondering why evangelical Americans are so concerned about J. K. Rowling's fantasy product Harry, while they support a real-life president who certainly (1) gives the world a strong example of the use of power to show off; (2) threatens the world with revenge and actually does it; (3) forces all of us to take sides with him or against him in the struggle between what he defines as good and evil; (4) shows signs of a vivid imagination or limited knowledge about the world; and (5) claims to be Christian but behaves and speaks as a heathen cowboy.
Whom should we primarily warn our children about following? The imaginary Harry Potter, or the pretend-to-be-real U.S. president George W. Bush? "
I sure wish I had written that!!!
Following is a letter to the editor from a person in Norway:
" Being a blue-eyed Scandinavian, I can't help wondering why evangelical Americans are so concerned about J. K. Rowling's fantasy product Harry, while they support a real-life president who certainly (1) gives the world a strong example of the use of power to show off; (2) threatens the world with revenge and actually does it; (3) forces all of us to take sides with him or against him in the struggle between what he defines as good and evil; (4) shows signs of a vivid imagination or limited knowledge about the world; and (5) claims to be Christian but behaves and speaks as a heathen cowboy.
Whom should we primarily warn our children about following? The imaginary Harry Potter, or the pretend-to-be-real U.S. president George W. Bush? "
I sure wish I had written that!!!
Christians are listening and responding to the wrong voices!
CNN.com - Report: 3.6m face Niger starvation - Jul 21, 2005
But today, as everyday, fundamentalist leaders will continue to talk about homosexuality and abortion as mortal sins; how many people do you know that are involved in these two arenas of life? How many people do you know are starving to death today (read the article if you dare)!
So called Christians - look around you; open your eyes to a world that needs us to do what Jesus Christ called us to do. We are missing the mark daily - the Bible describes that as sin!
But today, as everyday, fundamentalist leaders will continue to talk about homosexuality and abortion as mortal sins; how many people do you know that are involved in these two arenas of life? How many people do you know are starving to death today (read the article if you dare)!
So called Christians - look around you; open your eyes to a world that needs us to do what Jesus Christ called us to do. We are missing the mark daily - the Bible describes that as sin!
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
And you wonder why I think the House Republicans are "nuts"!
Take out Islamic holy sites? - Terrorism & Security - MSNBC.com
Would someone out there start thinking about getting rid of these fundamentalist extremists in the 2006 elections!!!
Would someone out there start thinking about getting rid of these fundamentalist extremists in the 2006 elections!!!
Falwell speaks on how to serve Christ!
In today's Asheville Citizen-Times, Jerry Falwell comments on his appearance at a conference in the area. In the interview, he says, “It is impossible to serve Christ while disobeying and ignoring the clear teachings of Scripture, ...”
He and many others just like him continue to harp on issues like homosexuality and abortion, trying to make them the most important issues facing the world. And it is working because he knows people will listen to his demagoguery without thinking for themselves.
Falwell wants to talk about what the scriptures teach: Okay, lets talk about what the Bible really emphasizes:
Thirty thousand children will die today in the poorest parts of the world! Nine thousand people will die of HIV/AIDS today, and almost all of them will be poor! It would cause one to wonder if the real biblical issues matter at all, or if the chosen rhetoric is simply to get people to go along with the quest for power and control.
Yonce Shelton, national coordinator and policy director of Call to Renewal, says, (This religious fundamentalist influenced) "Congress is working on annual spending bills that will cut more than $200 billion from family and community supports such as health care, education, housing, nutrition, and more. When people play by society's rules but can't provide for their families, there is a problem. In September, one week after Congress takes the final vote to cut billions from social programs in 2006 (and after they hope the outrage has died down), they'll vote on a separate budget bill expected to contain more than $100 billion in new tax cuts heavily favoring the rich. As in the past, social program cuts will be made in the name of fiscal restraint even though the new tax spending would increase the deficit by more than $100 billion over five years. Many leaders won't connect the dots publicly. In addition, like the recent tax cuts for the rich, new cuts probably won't really help low- and middle-income families. Help for struggling families was taken out of the 2003 bill at the last minute behind closed doors. Why should we expect anything different now, even though with poverty on the rise for the past three years it doesn't look like the so-called "trickle down" effect has helped?"
Why is it that so-called Christians continue to ignore what followers of Christ should be "harping on" and what the scriptures really teach?
He and many others just like him continue to harp on issues like homosexuality and abortion, trying to make them the most important issues facing the world. And it is working because he knows people will listen to his demagoguery without thinking for themselves.
Falwell wants to talk about what the scriptures teach: Okay, lets talk about what the Bible really emphasizes:
Thirty thousand children will die today in the poorest parts of the world! Nine thousand people will die of HIV/AIDS today, and almost all of them will be poor! It would cause one to wonder if the real biblical issues matter at all, or if the chosen rhetoric is simply to get people to go along with the quest for power and control.
Yonce Shelton, national coordinator and policy director of Call to Renewal, says, (This religious fundamentalist influenced) "Congress is working on annual spending bills that will cut more than $200 billion from family and community supports such as health care, education, housing, nutrition, and more. When people play by society's rules but can't provide for their families, there is a problem. In September, one week after Congress takes the final vote to cut billions from social programs in 2006 (and after they hope the outrage has died down), they'll vote on a separate budget bill expected to contain more than $100 billion in new tax cuts heavily favoring the rich. As in the past, social program cuts will be made in the name of fiscal restraint even though the new tax spending would increase the deficit by more than $100 billion over five years. Many leaders won't connect the dots publicly. In addition, like the recent tax cuts for the rich, new cuts probably won't really help low- and middle-income families. Help for struggling families was taken out of the 2003 bill at the last minute behind closed doors. Why should we expect anything different now, even though with poverty on the rise for the past three years it doesn't look like the so-called "trickle down" effect has helped?"
Why is it that so-called Christians continue to ignore what followers of Christ should be "harping on" and what the scriptures really teach?
‘Faith-Based' Bigotry
The Wall of Separation
Click on www.au-wnc.org for more information on the Western North Carolina chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Click on www.au-wnc.org for more information on the Western North Carolina chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Monday, July 18, 2005
Friday, July 15, 2005
The American Way: Capitalism At Its Worst!
Welcome to Ethics Daily.com!: "Baptist Leaders Ignore Ebbers' $11 Billion Scandal, Act as Character Witnesses"
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Military Prisoner Abuses!
Today, military investigators told senators that there were abuses at Guantanamo. You can check out the details on your on - there is nothing new; it is the same kind of things that were reported at Abu Ghraib! All of the incidents were authorized by superiors. But the investigators also declared that that there was no torture and nothing they discovered was illegal!
There is the problem! We are turning into the same kind of extremists we are fighting. We are no longer the "do good Americans"; I doubt we ever were under this administration! I am convinced the people in charge really enjoy the kind of behavior they are approving - they believe everyone is bad except people who think like they do.
There is the problem! We are turning into the same kind of extremists we are fighting. We are no longer the "do good Americans"; I doubt we ever were under this administration! I am convinced the people in charge really enjoy the kind of behavior they are approving - they believe everyone is bad except people who think like they do.
Saying Yes and Saying No!
When the Supreme Court ruled on two Ten Commandment issues, the ruling on the Kentucky case should have been no surprise to church-state separation proponents. But the ruling on the Texas case should trouble anyone who really cares about the sanctity of scripture. Following is a portion of an article written by James Evans, pastor of First Baptist Church in Auburn, Alabama:
" ...In the case of Van Orden vs. Perry, the high court ruled that a Ten Commandment display on the grounds of the state capitol building in Austin, Texas was not a violation of the Establishment Clause. The 6-foot-high granite monument was among nearly 40 monuments and historical markers spread across 22 aces in front of the capitol. In another 5-4 decision the court held that the monument was acceptable because it accomplished a secular rather than religious purpose.
So, this is where we have come. If you want to have a Ten Commandments display that will pass muster with the court, simply design a visual presentation that promotes some secular or historical purpose. In other words, construct a setting that empties Scripture of the very thing that makes it unique. And rest assured that just such a design is on a drawing board somewhere right now. Of course we could always just change the composition of the court—a plan that is also on the drawing board right now. A new court with right thinking judges would allow promoters to decorate court houses and school houses with all the Scripture they can carve onto granite.
At the end of the day, however, it is Scripture that suffers from all this. The Bible is not a magic good luck charm that brings good fortune because it’s on display. The Bible is not a footnote to American history, something that merely contributed the establishment of our legal system. And a statue of the Bible is not the way to acknowledge God. If we would take time to read the book rather than trying to build monuments to it we would find that the way to honor God is by loving kindness, doing justice, and walking humbly with God. But I guess a monument is easier."
" ...In the case of Van Orden vs. Perry, the high court ruled that a Ten Commandment display on the grounds of the state capitol building in Austin, Texas was not a violation of the Establishment Clause. The 6-foot-high granite monument was among nearly 40 monuments and historical markers spread across 22 aces in front of the capitol. In another 5-4 decision the court held that the monument was acceptable because it accomplished a secular rather than religious purpose.
So, this is where we have come. If you want to have a Ten Commandments display that will pass muster with the court, simply design a visual presentation that promotes some secular or historical purpose. In other words, construct a setting that empties Scripture of the very thing that makes it unique. And rest assured that just such a design is on a drawing board somewhere right now. Of course we could always just change the composition of the court—a plan that is also on the drawing board right now. A new court with right thinking judges would allow promoters to decorate court houses and school houses with all the Scripture they can carve onto granite.
At the end of the day, however, it is Scripture that suffers from all this. The Bible is not a magic good luck charm that brings good fortune because it’s on display. The Bible is not a footnote to American history, something that merely contributed the establishment of our legal system. And a statue of the Bible is not the way to acknowledge God. If we would take time to read the book rather than trying to build monuments to it we would find that the way to honor God is by loving kindness, doing justice, and walking humbly with God. But I guess a monument is easier."
We're Not Afraid!
In regard to yesterday's post about the American military decision, check out this web site:
Were not Afraid!
Were not Afraid!
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
the brave American military!
The British people went back to work Monday in London and showed the world in all kinds of ways that they were not afraid and would continue their lives after the terrorist bombings last week. American military personnel stationed in England were banned from the Greater London area because of "concern about ... safety."
This really shows the British how courageous their American allies are!
This really shows the British how courageous their American allies are!
Listen to them cover for Karl Rove!!!
How can anyone who continues to support this administration deny that it is a lying, deceiving, manipulative group of people who firmly believe that the end justifies the means. That means in this context, once again, that any lies you can tell to get the war you want are fully justified because in the end democracy will be established. Right wing Republicans should look at the calendar - its almost August; Nixon resigned in August!!!
"Clinton lied and Hillary cried; Bush lied and thousands upon thousands died!"
"Clinton lied and Hillary cried; Bush lied and thousands upon thousands died!"
Friday, July 08, 2005
Baseball, Softball Dropped From 2012 Olympics
Baseball and softball, two sports invented in America, were dropped Friday from the Olympic program for the 2012 Summer Games in London.
Don Porter, the American president of the international softball federation, said, "I don't want to say it's an anti-U.S. thing, but they are two native American sports."
It has to make you wonder whether or not the anti-USA influence is now permeating even these kinds of decisions. I am beginning to think I will not live long enough to see repair of the damage inflicted by this arrogant administration!
Don Porter, the American president of the international softball federation, said, "I don't want to say it's an anti-U.S. thing, but they are two native American sports."
It has to make you wonder whether or not the anti-USA influence is now permeating even these kinds of decisions. I am beginning to think I will not live long enough to see repair of the damage inflicted by this arrogant administration!
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Terrorism at its worst - thanks to GWB
Today's bombings in London tells us once again how easy it is for terrorists to do whatever they want to do. British "defense" against terrorism is just as good as ours is; or should I say, ours is not any better than theirs. Today also reminds me again of how terrorism is worse around the world than before 9/11, mostly because of the behavior of George Bush and the neo-conservatives (Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Perle, and others) who tell him what to do.
Just a reminder to all of us: The occupation of Iraq has claimed the lives of more than 1,740 Americans (over 100,000 Iraqis) and wounded 13,190; eight soldiers have been wounded for every one killed, about double the rate in Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War. The percentage of soldiers who have undergone amputations is twice that of any of our past military conflicts; nearly a quarter of all the wounded suffer from traumatic head injuries. The cost of the war today is more than $200 billion. Yet, Bush continues to dissemble. He spoke again last week of the false connection between 9/11 terrorism and the Iraq War.
Americans are starting to see past the deception. The Zogby poll (http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1007) shows Bush's approval rating has sunk to 43%. If Bush did fix facts around policy, as the Downing Street Memo states, Zogby found that 42% would support impeaching him. (By comparison, 39% supported Clinton impeachment.)
Just a reminder to all of us: The occupation of Iraq has claimed the lives of more than 1,740 Americans (over 100,000 Iraqis) and wounded 13,190; eight soldiers have been wounded for every one killed, about double the rate in Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War. The percentage of soldiers who have undergone amputations is twice that of any of our past military conflicts; nearly a quarter of all the wounded suffer from traumatic head injuries. The cost of the war today is more than $200 billion. Yet, Bush continues to dissemble. He spoke again last week of the false connection between 9/11 terrorism and the Iraq War.
Americans are starting to see past the deception. The Zogby poll (http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1007) shows Bush's approval rating has sunk to 43%. If Bush did fix facts around policy, as the Downing Street Memo states, Zogby found that 42% would support impeaching him. (By comparison, 39% supported Clinton impeachment.)
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Uncivil Religion
At the annual Religious Liberty Council Luncheon July 1, The Rev. Charles Foster Johnson, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, San Antonio, Texas, urged BJC supporters to challenge "uncivil religion." Johnson said, "Religion in the public square has been stripped of its civility."
A disease of uncivil religion has infected our land," Johnson said. "This disease has been incubating for 25 years, but has reached epidemic proportions in our current time of terror. The motivation of uncivil religion is not to recognize God in our national life, but, rather, to represent him. The high priests of this uncivil religion desire not so much to speak to God in the public square, but, rather, to speak for God."
Read the text of his presentation at http://www.bjconline.org/resources/articles/2005/UNCIVIL%20RELIGION.pdf
Learn more about the Religious Liberty Council of the Baptist Joint Committee at http://www.bjconline.org/rlc/index.htm
A disease of uncivil religion has infected our land," Johnson said. "This disease has been incubating for 25 years, but has reached epidemic proportions in our current time of terror. The motivation of uncivil religion is not to recognize God in our national life, but, rather, to represent him. The high priests of this uncivil religion desire not so much to speak to God in the public square, but, rather, to speak for God."
Read the text of his presentation at http://www.bjconline.org/resources/articles/2005/UNCIVIL%20RELIGION.pdf
Learn more about the Religious Liberty Council of the Baptist Joint Committee at http://www.bjconline.org/rlc/index.htm
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
...taken verbatim from a letter President Eisenhower penned to his brother, Edgar Newton Eisenhower, on 8 November 1954
Urban Legends Reference Pages: Politics (Social Insecurity): "President Eisenhower once noted that 'a few Texas oil millionaires' wanted to 'abolish social security.' "
Monday, July 04, 2005
Justice O'Connor on Religious Liberty
The following link will take you to Justice O'Connor's statement regarding the recent court ruling on the displaying of the Ten Commandments in Kentucky courthouses:
http://www.bjconline.org/news/docs/050627_t10c_oconnor.pdf
On this day, 229 years ago, King George III of England wrote in his diary, "Today, nothing of importance happened." Celebrate what this day means to all of us, but also take time to remember that our liberties are in danger if our "King George" succumbs to the wishes of the Right Wing fundamentalists in their quest to replace Justice O'Connor with "one of their kind."
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Rove spoke to reporter before leak!
Newsweek magazine is reporting that e-mails between Time magazine reporter Matt Cooper and his editors show that Karl Rove, President Bush's top political adviser, spoke to Cooper in the days before a CIA operative's identity was revealed in the media, but it wasn't clear what Cooper and Rove discussed.
Why would it surprise anyone that Karl Rove probably is the one who leaked the name of CIA operative Valerie Plame to the media in retaliation after her husband wrote an opinion piece critical of the administration. He operates fully under the philosophy that the end justifies the means!
Why would it surprise anyone that Karl Rove probably is the one who leaked the name of CIA operative Valerie Plame to the media in retaliation after her husband wrote an opinion piece critical of the administration. He operates fully under the philosophy that the end justifies the means!
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