The modesty movement is growing among American teens. Read the story here.
The New York Times, says that Europe "lowest low" birth rate will likely be a problem economically, socially, and various other ways.
For information on the Obama sponsored global income redistribution bill, go to American Thinker. Are you ready for the UN to be in charge of where your taxes go?
Gary Bauer at Politico asks, "Can gay marriage save the GOP again?"
Brian Lilley at Mercator asks, "Who needs a family when you've got a government?"
In Sweden, a boy didn't invite all of his classmates. For this reason, his invitations were confiscated and he was reported to the Swedish Parliment for violating the other children's rights. Read the story at BBC.
Major hat tip to LifeSiteNews.com for all of these tidbits.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
Happy Independence Day!
I didn't realize until going through the Truth Project the depth of our Christian roots in the country. So in honor of tomorrow being July 4th I am posting a list of quotes from some of the founding fathers. May they remind us of the great Christian legacy that has been handed to us and embolden us to speak the truth in love about the roots of this country. (I got these quotes from Wallbuilders. If you want the sources, etc., click here.)
[I]t is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue. -John Adams
[N]either the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt. -Samuel Adams
[T]he primary objects of government are the peace, order, and prosperity of society. . . . To the promotion of these objects, particularly in a republican government, good morals are essential. Institutions for the promotion of good morals are therefore objects of legislative provision and support: and among these . . . religious institutions are eminently useful and important. . . . [T]he legislature, charged with the great interests of the community, may, and ought to countenance, aid and protect religious institutions—institutions wisely calculated to direct men to the performance of all the duties arising from their connection with each other, and to prevent or repress those evils which flow from unrestrained passion. -Cheif-Justice Oliver Elsworth
I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that "except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing governments by human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.
I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service. - Benjamin Franklin
[P]ublic utility pleads most forcibly for the general distribution of the Holy Scriptures. The doctrine they preach, the obligations they impose, the punishment they threaten, the rewards they promise, the stamp and image of divinity they bear, which produces a conviction of their truths, can alone secure to society, order and peace, and to our courts of justice and constitutions of government, purity, stability and usefulness. In vain, without the Bible, we increase penal laws and draw entrenchments around our institutions. Bibles are strong entrenchments. Where they abound, men cannot pursue wicked courses, and at the same time enjoy quiet conscience. -James McHenry
To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoys. . . . Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all blessings which flow from them, must fall with them. -Jedidiah Morse
No free government now exists in the world, unless where Christianity is acknowledged, and is the religion of the country. -Pennsylvania Supreme Court 1824
We profess to be republicans, and yet we neglect the only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government, that is, the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by the means of the Bible. For this Divine Book, above all others, favors that equality among mankind, that respect for just laws, and those sober and frugal virtues, which constitute the soul of republicanism. -Benjamin Rush
Indeed, the right of a society or government to [participate] in matters of religion will hardly be contested by any persons who believe that piety, religion, and morality are intimately connected with the well being of the state and indispensable to the administrations of civil justice. The promulgation of the great doctrines of religion—the being, and attributes, and providence of one Almighty God; the responsibility to Him for all our actions, founded upon moral accountability; a future state of rewards and punishments; the cultivation of all the personal, social, and benevolent virtues—these never can be a matter of indifference in any well-ordered community. It is, indeed, difficult to conceive how any civilized society can well exist without them. -Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of man and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. -George Washington
[I]f we and our posterity reject religious instruction and authority, violate the rules of eternal justice, trifle with the injunctions of morality, and recklessly destroy the political constitution which holds us together, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us that shall bury all our glory in profound obscurity. -Daniel Webster
Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled either by a power within them or by a power without them; either by the Word of God or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible or by the bayonet. -Robert Winthrop
[I]t is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue. -John Adams
[N]either the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt. -Samuel Adams
[T]he primary objects of government are the peace, order, and prosperity of society. . . . To the promotion of these objects, particularly in a republican government, good morals are essential. Institutions for the promotion of good morals are therefore objects of legislative provision and support: and among these . . . religious institutions are eminently useful and important. . . . [T]he legislature, charged with the great interests of the community, may, and ought to countenance, aid and protect religious institutions—institutions wisely calculated to direct men to the performance of all the duties arising from their connection with each other, and to prevent or repress those evils which flow from unrestrained passion. -Cheif-Justice Oliver Elsworth
I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that "except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing governments by human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.
I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service. - Benjamin Franklin
[P]ublic utility pleads most forcibly for the general distribution of the Holy Scriptures. The doctrine they preach, the obligations they impose, the punishment they threaten, the rewards they promise, the stamp and image of divinity they bear, which produces a conviction of their truths, can alone secure to society, order and peace, and to our courts of justice and constitutions of government, purity, stability and usefulness. In vain, without the Bible, we increase penal laws and draw entrenchments around our institutions. Bibles are strong entrenchments. Where they abound, men cannot pursue wicked courses, and at the same time enjoy quiet conscience. -James McHenry
To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoys. . . . Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all blessings which flow from them, must fall with them. -Jedidiah Morse
No free government now exists in the world, unless where Christianity is acknowledged, and is the religion of the country. -Pennsylvania Supreme Court 1824
We profess to be republicans, and yet we neglect the only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government, that is, the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by the means of the Bible. For this Divine Book, above all others, favors that equality among mankind, that respect for just laws, and those sober and frugal virtues, which constitute the soul of republicanism. -Benjamin Rush
Indeed, the right of a society or government to [participate] in matters of religion will hardly be contested by any persons who believe that piety, religion, and morality are intimately connected with the well being of the state and indispensable to the administrations of civil justice. The promulgation of the great doctrines of religion—the being, and attributes, and providence of one Almighty God; the responsibility to Him for all our actions, founded upon moral accountability; a future state of rewards and punishments; the cultivation of all the personal, social, and benevolent virtues—these never can be a matter of indifference in any well-ordered community. It is, indeed, difficult to conceive how any civilized society can well exist without them. -Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of man and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. -George Washington
[I]f we and our posterity reject religious instruction and authority, violate the rules of eternal justice, trifle with the injunctions of morality, and recklessly destroy the political constitution which holds us together, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us that shall bury all our glory in profound obscurity. -Daniel Webster
Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled either by a power within them or by a power without them; either by the Word of God or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible or by the bayonet. -Robert Winthrop
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
King of Kings Mural
There is a very interesting art project going on in Canada called King of Kings. It is a mural mosaic where each "tile" is a painting in and of itself. The overall picture will be of Jesus. Each tile is a historical ruler. The artist is Lewis Lavoie. You should go check it out at http://www.muralmosaic.com/King.html
This is one of my favorite tiles. She is Maria Theresa of Austria. I don't know that much about her. I just liked the painting. I am looking forward to seeing King David, Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and King Uzziah when they are finished.
My Landscape Architecture Story
OK. Here is my liberal landscape architect story. My boss was a big advocate for alternate transportation and many of our jobs dealt with pedestrian access, bike paths, the light rail, etc. When I started working there she noticed that my degree is from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. She asked me what the main economic sectors were for Lubbock. I told her farming and oil. At the mention of oil, she shuddered and said something along the lines of, "Ew, oil," as though the mention of it might get her dirty. She went on to tell me that she was largely against the drilling for oil.
Now like a good liberal, this didn't change how she lived at all. She drove a rather large SUV even though she had a 2 person (and 2 dog) family.
In fact, she had a prejudice against people who lived more fuel efficient lives. At the time my husband and I shared one car. He dropped me off at work and picked me up or vice versa. This was unacceptable to my boss. She gave me an 18 month time limit to get another car. (My first boss, a much more conservative person, thought it was cool and loaned me the company car if I needed to do company errands.) After I quit this job, a man was interviewed that didn't own a car at all, but biked every where. Even though he was highly qualified, she refused to hire him because he didn't own a car.
Of course, like a good liberal, she was also vigorously in favor of government controlling everyone else's oil/gas usage. Like I said before, liberals aren't into self-imposed inconvenience to support their beliefs. They want the government to inconvenience us all.
Now like a good liberal, this didn't change how she lived at all. She drove a rather large SUV even though she had a 2 person (and 2 dog) family.
In fact, she had a prejudice against people who lived more fuel efficient lives. At the time my husband and I shared one car. He dropped me off at work and picked me up or vice versa. This was unacceptable to my boss. She gave me an 18 month time limit to get another car. (My first boss, a much more conservative person, thought it was cool and loaned me the company car if I needed to do company errands.) After I quit this job, a man was interviewed that didn't own a car at all, but biked every where. Even though he was highly qualified, she refused to hire him because he didn't own a car.
Of course, like a good liberal, she was also vigorously in favor of government controlling everyone else's oil/gas usage. Like I said before, liberals aren't into self-imposed inconvenience to support their beliefs. They want the government to inconvenience us all.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
Bravo, Eighth Circuit and South Dakota!
I got this in an e-mail from FRC.
The good news abounded on Friday as the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Planned Parenthood in a case that will determine whether or not South Dakota's informed consent law is constitutional. By a 7-4 vote, the judges reversed a lower court decision and ordered the state to enforce a law that requires doctors to tell women who are seeking an abortion that it "will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being." Planned Parenthood, desperate to block the law for fear it will hurt business, argued that forcing doctors to tell the truth to women about abortion violates free speech rights. In a revealing statement, the head of Planned Parenthood in South Dakota, Sarah Stoesz, said, "It is not about providing information to women. It is about intruding on the doctor-patient relationship. It is unprecedented and extremely outrageous." No, what's outrageous is that the nation's largest abortion merchant claims to have a woman's best interest at heart yet denies her basic, scientific information about the development of her unborn child. The bottom line is exactly that -- the bottom line. Planned Parenthood's biggest priority is profits, not patients. We applaud the 8th Circuit for upholding this law and recognizing that women deserve to know the truth.
The good news abounded on Friday as the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Planned Parenthood in a case that will determine whether or not South Dakota's informed consent law is constitutional. By a 7-4 vote, the judges reversed a lower court decision and ordered the state to enforce a law that requires doctors to tell women who are seeking an abortion that it "will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being." Planned Parenthood, desperate to block the law for fear it will hurt business, argued that forcing doctors to tell the truth to women about abortion violates free speech rights. In a revealing statement, the head of Planned Parenthood in South Dakota, Sarah Stoesz, said, "It is not about providing information to women. It is about intruding on the doctor-patient relationship. It is unprecedented and extremely outrageous." No, what's outrageous is that the nation's largest abortion merchant claims to have a woman's best interest at heart yet denies her basic, scientific information about the development of her unborn child. The bottom line is exactly that -- the bottom line. Planned Parenthood's biggest priority is profits, not patients. We applaud the 8th Circuit for upholding this law and recognizing that women deserve to know the truth.
Ramos and Compean Families Fund
Let's not forget the Ramos and Compean families. These two husbands and fathers are in prison today (with something like 9 years to go) for defending this country against drug dealers. I found that Grassfire.org has a page where you can donate to the families. You can imagine the financial burden of having the main bread winner in prison and the emotional agony of knowing they are innocent of wrong. Pleas join me in donating by going here.
Differences Between Liberals and Conservatives
I have a theory about the two main differences between liberals and conservatives.
Conservatives recognize that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few; some people will slip through the cracks of freedom, but most people will be better off. Liberals want us to all suffer equally.
The beliefs of conservatives are more likely to change how they actually live. Liberals think that the government should force everyone else to live as they think best. That is as long as it doesn't require sacrifice/lifestyle change on their part. I have a perfect story to go with this from my days as a landscape-architect-in-training, but I think I will have to work on it a bit before posting. Maybe tomorrow.
Conservatives recognize that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few; some people will slip through the cracks of freedom, but most people will be better off. Liberals want us to all suffer equally.
The beliefs of conservatives are more likely to change how they actually live. Liberals think that the government should force everyone else to live as they think best. That is as long as it doesn't require sacrifice/lifestyle change on their part. I have a perfect story to go with this from my days as a landscape-architect-in-training, but I think I will have to work on it a bit before posting. Maybe tomorrow.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Obama's Religion?
According to Barak Obama, he grew up Christian and was never anything else. But according to his half-brother, Malik, Barak Obama grew up Muslim. Malik even has a 1985 picture to go with the story. Then there is the WorldNetDaily article on Hindu devotees of the god Hanuman donating a full size idol to Barak Obama to match the one he carries in his pocket for good luck. Then again I suppose I shouldn't be suprised. After all, over half of the religious people in this country believe that many roads lead to God. Seriouly, where is the conviction?
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