Movies Worth Considering

I Want Your Money






You can find out more about this movie (in theaters now) by going to their website.




Blood Money is a documentary about the abortion industry and is now available on DVD.

The San Antonio Christian Independent Film Festival is starting October 23rd. This is the venue where people started to get excited about movies like the Widow's Might last year. Sybil Ludington is the one I am most interested in this year. Enjoy the trailer below.

Sybil Ludington Full Length Trailer from KICKS Ministries on Vimeo.

Glimpses of Failed Hope and Change

I have noticed over the past few months that there are a lot of out-of-state license tags around here. Michigan seems especially prevelant, but I am seeing more and more Ohio, Illinois, and Florida. I started wondering if people are coming here because Texas has a better economy?

My mother-in-law, brother, and brother-in-law are all looking for work. My mother-in-law started her search when the ministry she worked for had to shut down. My brother lost his job as the low man on the totem poll during cut-backs at a job he had only started a few months previously. My brother-in-law lost his job due to cut backs about a year ago. He found a job in a different state and moved. Now they tell him his job will likely be cut in September. So the search begins again.

There was a meeting yesterday at my husbands work to explain the new Obamacare mandated health insurance that we will have. While our premiums changed by only $6/month, our deductible is going up to $9000/year/family. And here I thought that the silly law was supposed to make health care better for people and less expensive.

So how is all that hope and change working out for you?

The Corp in the Healthcare Bill

Even though it is scary, you need to read this article at NoisyRoom. I would not have believed this if I had not read it from the bill myself (it is on page 1312). I believe that Pres. Obama got his wish and will have the legal apparatus to have his own private army not sworn to protect the Constitution. This concerns me more than the take over of healthcare and that concerns me plenty.

UPDATE:
Wickle's comment with a link to this Glenn Beck post makes me feel better. But the language of this bill (and the one it is amending) still creeps me out.

Race to the Top

Family Research Council published a post recently about Pres. Obama's "Race to the Top" program. One of factoid that jumped out at me was the amount of money America spends per student per year: a whopping $9,266.

That made me start thinking. . . What would I do with $18,532 a year for education of my two kids? So here is my wish list with approximate costs.

1. Native Spanish speaker Spanish tutor, 72 sessions x $30= $2160
2. Master Gardener to dig a garden and supervise the kids and I as we produce organic vegetables and herbs, gardener+garden = $3000
3. A lab quality microscope with computer hookup, $1500
4. Private astronomy lessons by someone who could help us figure out our telescope, 36 sessions x $25= $900
5. Right Start Math curriculum level D, $150
6. Karate classes for my son, 12 months x $30= $360
7. Horse Riding lessons for my daughter,12 months x $40= $480
8. Fort Worth zoo membership= $170
9. Awesome thinking games like Qwirkle cubes and others= $200
10. As I still have about $9500 left, I guess I could pay myself as the teacher and use it to by a minivan.

So what would you spend your $9,266 on?

What do you think the public schools spent it on? That is about $203,000/classroom.

Are we really getting that much bang for our buck?

Dark Horse Rising

I am excited to see that Scott Brown won Teddy Kennedy's old seat. To me this is one of those times when God reminded us that we don't know squat. While I couldn't sing the praises of Mr. Brown whole-heartedly (he's not what I would call pro-life), I am excited that he will vote against the health care bill. I am also excited because if a conservative leaning moderate can take Massachusets, what is going to happen during the main elections in November. I have to think a sharp kick in the pants is coming to the liberals. The fact that Pres. Obama and Pres. Clinton couldn't pull this out emphasizes that point. One of my favorite quotes comes from the LifeSiteNews correspondent in DC.

Here in Washington, the group of about 30 pro-life leaders that we were with Tuesday evening erupted in loud cheers when the television screen showed AP's declaration of Scott Brown as the winner of the Massachusetts Senate race.

You would think that a last inning, game winning home run had just been hit or a last second hockey Stanley cup goal was scored. I haven't seen anything like this before. Although Brown cannot be considered a pro-life politician, the leaders all recognized the historical significance of this dramatic vote result. The game has now suddenly changed and the Democrat social radicals are real danger of huge vote losses in the November elections. Their reckless and ruthless health care fiasco is costing them dearly.

Where will it all go from here? It should be very, very interesting.

Steve Jalsevac

Very interesting indeed. There is still a spark out there in America that is tired of all this bigger government, big deficit, big bail out bull corn. Let's fan that spark into a flame.

Kay Granger Fact Hunting

I got this e-mail from my Representative, Kay Granger. I thought it was worth sharing with you.

Dear Friend,

As news reports continue to break about the flawed job numbers coming out of President Obama’s Recovery.gov stimulus website, I thought it would be interesting to see for myself how the government’s $18 million website is reporting the number of jobs “created or saved” in Texas from the trillion dollar stimulus that I voted against.

What I found was surprising:

According to Recovery.gov, $191,727,818 in stimulus money has been spent in the 12th district to “create or save” 625.5 jobs at a cost of $306,764 per job. But that’s not all. Recovery.gov also reports 30 jobs were “saved or created” in Texas’ 91^stcongressional district. 45 jobs were saved for $3,659,964 in district 58, and 1 job was saved in the 68th district for $310,963. The problem is there are only 32 congressional districts in Texas.

When asked to explain why the stimulus information listed congressional districts that don’t exist, Ed Pound, spokesman for Recovery.gov, said, “Who knows, man? Who really knows?”

How can we expect the administration to lead our economy into recovery when they take credit for spending $14,717,592 in congressional districts that don’t even exist?

Seriously?! $14.7 MILLION in a fictitious place?!! And how many other states have similar reports? Maybe not fictitious places, but they probably do have the $300,000+ per job. I would bet that there are loads of bull corn all over the place that most of the nation is ignoring. I am glad at least my Rep. is checking into these things.

New Taxes in the New Obamacare Bill

I am glad that there are people out there that are willing to read the "Affordable Health Care for America Act". One of them is Yid with a Lid. He has written a post that enumerates the new taxes that are in "Affordable Health Care for America Act". I am starting to find the name ironic.

His list includes 13 new taxes. I encourage you to go there and read about all of them. Then write, e-mail, call, and politely bother your Senator and Representative about not voting for this bill.

I am sure more smart, patient people will read this bill and post more nutterness from it. I plan to stay tuned.

Thomas Sowell on Pres. Obama's Health Care Speech

I really like Thomas Sowell. His recent article is about Pres. Obama's health care speech. Here are some of the best parts.

To tell us, with a straight face, that he can insure millions more people without adding to the already skyrocketing deficit, is world-class chutzpa and an insult to anyone's intelligence. To do so after an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office has already showed this to be impossible reveals the depths of moral bankruptcy behind the glittering words.


Obama can deny it in words but what matters are deeds-- and no one's words have been more repeatedly the direct opposite of his deeds-- whether talking about how his election campaign would be financed, how he would not rush legislation through Congress, or how his administration was not going to go after CIA agents for their past efforts to extract information from captured terrorists.


One of the secrets of being a glib talker is not getting hung up over whether what you are saying is true, and instead giving your full attention to what is required by the audience and the circumstances of the moment, without letting facts get in your way and cramp your style. Obama has mastered that art.
Con men understand that their job is not to use facts to convince skeptics but to use words to help the gullible to believe what they want to believe. No message has been more welcomed by the gullible, in countries around the world, than the promise of something for nothing. That is the core of Barack Obama's medical care plan.

Mandates by politicians are what have driven up the cost of insurance already. Politicians love to play Santa Claus and leave it to others to raise prices to cover the inevitable costs.

While your thinking about the government and health care. . . Check out this video I found at Conservatives for Patients' Rights.



This video tells the story of people stuck in government health plans in Britain and Canada.

Pres. Obama as Teacher of the Hour

Pres. Obama will be visiting many of the nation's classrooms next Tuesday via satellite. To me, this just emphasizes the fact that public schools are government schools. Though I am sure the President's speech will be largely innocuous (it is supposed to be about taking responsibility in school and goal setting), it is completely subversive to the parents' god-given rights to guide and raise up their children. I don't want the president discussing responsibility and goals with my kids. I want those things to come from a biblical perspective and taught by me and my husband. Those two things need to be rooted in the Bible and bringing glory to God not rooted in humanistic, pluralistic thinking.

By the way. . .
Yes, I am aware that the first Pres. Bush also did a similar talk back in 1991. Even though I liked Pres. Bush (granted I was in high school and not as much of a critical thinker), I think today I would still say the same thing. The president has no business helping my children set goals.

More on Health Care Reform

I thought this cartoon from TownHall.com pretty much sums it up. Even the Democrats aren't on board with this thing.

I have found one more reason to be against it. The title of this article from Health Freedom pretty much sums it up: "Health Care Bill Will Fund State Vaccine Teams to Conduct 'Interventions' in Private Homes"

They quote directly from the proposed bill. Method E of Subtitle C call for "providing for home visits that promote immunization through education, assessments of need, referrals, provision of immunizations, or other services" Folks, regardless of how you feel about vaccines, do you really want government officials coming to your house to giving vaccines to your kids whether you want or agree with them or not. This a very bad idea if you believe in any kind of parental rights when it comes to vaccines.

UPDATE: OneMom claims in the comments that I am over the top on this. She may be right. This may simply be a way for senior citizens to get their flu shots at home instead of travelling to a clinic. If that is the case and it is an appointment type thing, I am fine with that. But I do stand by my principle: I don't want the government thinking they have the right to come into my house without a warrant or explicit permission by me.

Great Visuals About Why the Obama Health Care Plan Stinks

Needs to Be Said pointed me in the direction of these two videos. I thought they were great at explaining in simple terms why the single payer health care idea STINKS.


Those numbers are almost mind numbing.


This makes me glad that I don't live in MA.

Cap and Trade Goes to the Senate

I have already received an e-mail from John Cornyn saying that he is against this bill and I plan on contacting Kay Bailey-Hutchinson. Please make the effort to contact your Senators about this bill.

Every person who voted for this bill (including the 8 Republicans) is horrifyingly irresponsible to me. For one thing, THEY DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THE FINAL BILL before they voted on it. There was no official copy available to read had they wanted to read all 1390 pages. Only 1090 pages were available at the time of the vote.

Caffeinated Thoughts shares this quote from Stephen Green:
“Never have so few stolen so much from so many to achieve so little.”
I completely agree.

Oh, and here's one more thing. Read Pres. Obama's lips saying, "No New Taxes". Then watch him admit that his Cap and Trade plan will tax us all about$1500 a year.

Critter Corner V. 4

Fleas
It has been hot and humid recently. While that is bad enough, it gives rise to FLEAS. And I just don't like to poison the inside of our house. So I have started a regimen of diatomateous earth and vacuuming and flea combing our dogs. Ah well. I am sure to conquer or the fleas will retreat at winter.

Baby Crawdads
Mother crawdads keep their eggs under their tail until they hatch. My daughter noticed the eggs a while ago. Yesterday we found about 15 baby crawdads (about the size of a grain of rice) scooting around the tank. We moved the parents in the hopes that some of these little ones will survive.

A Fly
I am with Pres. Obama for once. My brother sent me a link to this article about Pres. Obama being in trouble with PETA for swatting a fly at the White House. (Insert eye roll here.)

Danger on Every Side

This country is in danger on every side.

Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech
First I want to warn you that the Democrats are sneaking the hate crimes legislation in as an amendment to a tourism bill (Travel Promotion Act of 2009, SB 1023). This amendment will give all "sexual orientations" the same anti-discrimination rights as race and religion. There quite a few "sexual orientations" including homosexuality, pedophilia, transgenderism, etc. It is also likely make it illegal for pastors, ministers, etc. to preach against or speak against these things. The vote on this tourism bill is expected to take place today. So call your Senators. UPDATE: The video is of one of the supporting Senators saying that, yes, the bill will protect pedophiles every other sexual "orientation" you can imagine.




Freedom in Health
We may soon have to all resort to finding our own health solutions like 18-year-old Jessica Terry who diagnosed herself with the help of her AP science class. President Obama is trying to stuff his health plan down our throats via the "unbiased" MSM. Single payer (read mostly socialized) medicine is a terrible idea. I am probably far more of a health freedom person than most Americans. For example, I think you should be able to get an x-ray or sonogram without going to a doctor. I also think that our current system could use some overhaul. But has the government ever done anything better than the private sector could do it?

Freedom to Parent
As far as I know, Gov. Rick Perry has not vetoed the law that would allow CPS to take people's kids for interviewing/interrogation without warning or permission from something as questionable as a unanimous call. He only has so many days before the bill becomes law without his signature. Those days may already be up. I don't really know.
UPDATE: I found out that Gov. Perry still has time to veto this bill. If you live in TX, call 512-463-2000 and ask (politely) that Gov. Perry veto this bill.

Scary

There has been much buzz about Mr. Lou Prichett's open letter to President Obama. I heard about it from AFA, but I am sure there are many others sites and blogs talking about it. Snopes verified it. It is called the "you scare me" letter and has some interesting points. Some of my favorites were:

You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy League education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible signs of support.

You scare me because you want to replace our health care system with a government controlled one.

You scare me because you will not openly listen to or even consider opposing points of view from intelligent people.

You scare me because you prefer controlling over governing.

Finally, you scare me because if you serve a second term I will probably not feel safe in writing a similar letter in 8 years.

Of Justices

The California Supreme Court Justices
First I am pleased and somewhat surprised that the California Supreme Court upheld Prop 8 defending traditional marriage. I was even more impressed that it was 6 to 1. So bravo California Supreme Court Justices. If you would like to read parts of the opinion in the LA Times, click here. This is one part:

"No authority supports the Attorney General's claim that a constitutional amendment adopted through the constitutionally prescribed procedure is invalid simply because the amendment affects a prior judicial interpretation of a right that the Constitution denominates 'inalienable.' The natural-law jurisprudence reflected in passages from the few early judicial opinions relied upon by the Attorney General has been discredited for many years."

Sonia Sotomayor
Much of the MSM seems all wrapped up in Judge Sotomayor's "compelling story" and the fact that she is a Hispanic Woman. I personally don't care how or where she grew up. I don't care about here gender or ethnicity. I care about where she has read the Constitution and will she defend it.

From what I can find out about her, she may have read the Constitution, but she believes that judges "make policy". Hello! I thought judges applied the law as it is written. At least in a just society. Here is a video of her talking about judges making policy.

Obama's "Responsible Fatherhood" Means Changing the "Heteronormative"?

According to LifeSiteNews. . .
A member of Obama's Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships advisory board (Mr. Knox) has stated that one of the main challenges in promoting "responsible fatherhood" in America will be to dismantle a perception that fatherhood is "heteronormative" - i.e., that heterosexuality is the norm.

Mr. Knox stated this opinion on a PBS show. You can watch the interview at the PBS website.

How can purposely raising children without a mother and a father be considered a model for responsible parenting? I understand that sometimes raising a child with only a mother or a father is unavoidable as in death or an unwanted divorce. But too often in this country we accept unwed parenting and homosexual parenting as a suitable alternative. It flies in the face of every God wants for our childern. It is a very sad time in America. I hope that the sadness of the time will drive us to our knees.

100+ Days of Change

OK. I know I am behind the times, but I just got around to watching FRC's "100 Days of Change" video. It was pretty good and shows how widespread Pres. Obama's change is.

Obama's Proposed Reg. Czar Would Like E-mail Control

Just yesterday I posted a link to an article claiming that Pres. Obama would like more control over the Internet. It looks like his proposed Regulatory Czar, Cass Sunstein, would like control over your e-mails too. That's right America. According to WorldNetDaily, he would like to check your e-mails to make sure they are civil. If not, you will receive a warning asking if you want to continue. If you do, Mr. Sunstein thinks you should have to wait 24 hours to send it so that you can cool down. And the intrusion into your private life doesn't end there. He wants us bloggers to submit to a "fairness doctrine" where we post not only our opinions but also the opinions of those who disagree. Oh, and non-profits like National Right to Life for example should be forced to link to Planned Parenthood (or some other abortion promoting site).

On other issues, Mr. Sunstein is equally anti-freedom. For example, he claimed in 2007 that hunting should be banned in America. He also thinks that the second amendment has nothing to do with the individual right to bear arms. HELLO! I thought that was the whole point.

He is also something of an animal rights extremist claiming that animals should not even be used in the entertainment industry and agriculture.

God help us if this man is given any position of power.

Obama in Charge of Internet?

HT: Religious Freedom Coalition

It appears that a couple of Senators would like Pres. Obama to be in charge of the Internet and even the San Francisco Chronicle thinks it is a bad idea. Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-W. VA) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) have introduced the Cybersecruity Act of 2009. It is SB773. Here is a quote from the Chronicle by James G. Lakely.

The bill's language also allows the commerce secretary to "access all relevant data" on those "critical" networks "without regard to any provision of law, regulation, rule, or policy restricting such access." The bill as currently written provides zero structural oversight over the proposed broad new executive branch powers.

I seem to recall people such as Sen. Rockefeller being troubled about granting such vaguely defined surveillance powers to President George W. Bush, even when targeted only at suspected terrorists in wartime. Yet Rockefeller said in a statement after introducing the bill, "We must protect our critical infrastructure at all costs - from our water to our electricity, to banking, traffic lights, and electronic health records. The list goes on."

If protecting America's "traffic lights" is on that list, it's an absurdly long one. Al Gore may take credit for inventing the Internet, but it does not belong to the federal government.

Good grief. Is there no end to where our government is willing to reach? This is a terrible, terrible idea.