Anti-Tribute to Congressman Henry Waxman

I don't know whether to laugh or throw a field goal.
After forty years of unrepentant liberalism, and after winning his toughest reelection fight by five points in 2012, and even after sending an eblast in 2013, in which he announced that he would run in 2014, Congressman Henry Waxman is retiring (or rather, retreating) with other long-term, over-time Democratic Congressmen in Washington, D.C.

It's about time! That's the first thing I can say.

But let's look at his reasons why and wherefore:

The reason for my decision is simple.  After 40 years in Congress, it’s time for someone else to have the chance to make his or her mark.

Waxman pushed a 1,200 page Cap and Trade bill. He helped author and sponsor the 2,500 page monstrosity called the Affordable Care Act. There is nothing simple about this Congressman.

Let's consider some of the lowlights resulting from passage of Obama-WaxmanCare:

1. Massive, shocking rate hikes throughout the country. I even wrote a letter to the Beach Reporter about a Manhattan Beach resident whose insurance was cancelled, who lost his doctor because of Obamacare.

2. Covered California has been anything but a success, despite the media's spin to make it look good.

- The website registered dreadful numbers with Latinos in California

- Californians are witnessing the massive increases in their premiums, including the hidden rate hikes because of Obamacare

- California doctors are boycotting the Obamacare exchanges, refusing to receive Medicare, Medicaid patients, and many more are leaving the medical profession entirely because of Waxman's legislation

- Staggering numbers of Californians are losing their health insurance because of Obamacare.

- Only one third of Californians who lost insurance because of Obamacare have regained their plans.

Of course, the long litany of lies, distortions, and stupid remarks from Congressman Henry Waxman would inevitably caught up with him, too:

He did not know the basic laws regulating steroid abuse, or the legal drinking age, or where $15 million for steroid abuse education ended up, yet he insisted on running oversight hearings on the subject. (Check out clip from Bigger, Faster, Stronger here)

He did not know the contents of his failed Cap and Trade Bill (Check out his embarrassing admission here)

He did not even know that General Motors went bankrupt in 2009 (This was too much) He even played the One Percent card to justify the $700 TARP billion bailout, which ended up costing taxpayers billions of dollars, including retired teachers and police officers in Indiana.

Waxman claimed in open committee in early 2011 that "We're not broke!" Because of Obamacare, failed foreign policies, stimulus largesse profligately wasted, along with reckless overspending to rival even the Bush Administration, the United States Government now has a $17 trillion national debt.

Not one, but nineteen green tech companies, subsidized with taxpayer dollars, when bust under the Obama Administration, yet Waxman would only lament "I'm sorry Solyndra happened!" Of course, Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa pursued Waxman's potential links with the company. That was not good enough for Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-Kentucky) who slammed the LA Congressman's obstreperous behavior. Even after his close reelection, Waxman blamed the Koch Brothers for all the ills of the world, even though Waxman spent forty years ignoring the needs of LA area veterans, along with ignoring LA's need for the Subway to the Sea for better commuting opportunities along the Wilshire-West Los Angeles corridor. This country is not any better for Waxman’s efforts, whether relating to environment, health, or any other issue, for that matter.

Waxman’s 2012 challenger Bill Bloomfield remarked shortly after Waxman's announcement:
I'd like to offer my gratitude to Congressman Waxman for his dedication to public service and wish him the best personally in his upcoming life as a private citizen.
Excuse me?! This kind of “bipartisan” pandering is precisely the problem. For decades, both sides would berate each other in public, agree in private, spend money that the country does not have, and do nothing to reform the growing, unsustainable entitlement burden bearing down on our future. The last thing that we need in Washington is more politicians who please themselves and each other with niceties, while not-so-nice policies waste away our rights, opportunities, and economic freedom.

No More Waxman! Retreat!

No, Congressman Waxman did not do a good job. Of course, there are the numerous constituencies, beyond just the homeless veterans of Los Angeles County, who have been harmed by Waxman’s legislation and policy support. What would you like to tell them, Henry? He shut down constituents in open forums, he played up the most rank partisanship, and denied science while hyping up climate change as a serious issue (it isn’t. Polar vortex, anyone?). His record of pandemic liberalism has left us none the better, and he retired not a moment too soon.
So, California’s 33^rd Congressional District is an open seat. Electoral reforms have done their job, so far. Possible contenders: Zev Yaroslavsky? Antonio Villaraigosa? Ted Lieu? Richard Bloom? Aside from a Malibu Exec and a West Hollywood guru, the pickings are all too slim.

At least Congressman Henry Waxman will be gone for good.

CA and DC GOP for Amnesty: at Their Peril

The year: 1994. Republican Governor Pete Wilson signed off on Prop 187, which a majority of California voters supported. The initiative would prevent illegal immigrants from using public services in the state. Soon after passage, a California Justice threw out the initiative. Voters should have recalled the judge.  While the state did need comprehensive immigration reform, one lawyer in a black dress should not have overthrown a voter-approved attempt to curb illegal immigration. Yes, Prop 187 was a stern, anti-illegal immigration policy, but not anti-immigrant, as liberal activists unfairly contend. Illegal immigration requires more attention than merely "kicking the can down the road", or “kicking people over the border”, but amnesty needs to be joined with reduction of the welfare state and citizenship as a requirement for enrolling in public schools.

One decade later, opposition against illegal immigration remained strong, forcing Sacramento to repeal drivers’ licenses for illegal immigrants. Republicans held just enough power to stall or refrain such terrible policies (as well as big spending and taxation), even though they had to contend with a Democrat-lite Governor (Arnold!) as well as the liberal Democratic majority in Sacramento.
Twenty years post-Prop 187, California’s attitudes, or voter demographics, have changed so greatly that re-elected Governor Brown and his liberal caucus got away with passing the DREAM Act (which affected thousands potential students, yet enraged an outstanding majority of Californians), and the ill-conceived drivers’ license law this year, without much fanfare. As Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (R-Hesperia) had suggested, no one in Sacramento should force individuals to settle for second class status. Yet the political class wants easy votes, made easier through a sanctuary state. Even the California State Supreme Court has made a mockery of its responsibilities and the rule of the law, as well as the proper bounds of the United States Constitution, by permitting an illegal immigrant to have a license to practice law: an illegal legal counsel. Really?

The state is gaining more minorities. Fine. The immigration system in this country is broken. Agreed. The California Republican Party fears a never-ending minority status of its own should it fail to entice minority voters to support them. Understood. The California Republican Party has suffered since Prop 187. True, but not for the reasons many suppose. While resistance to immigration reform has alienated some Hispanics, immigrant voters often vote Democratic, no matter what their native origin. Hispanic voters tend to support liberal positions on issues, including abortion, gay marriage, and more government intervention: all non-starters with the Republican Party platform of limited government.

So, California Republican leaders believe that immigration reform should be a top priority. Any Vidak (R-Hanford) voted for illegal immigrants to get drivers’ licenses. Retiring Congressman Buck McKeon supports immigration reform, even as he retires from Congress. Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa offered an immigration bill, too.

These Beltway Republicans have forgotten that Congress attempted immigration reform in 2006 and 2007, and the voter backlash repudiated their efforts. Recently, US Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama) censured his colleagues about immigration reform. Only 3% of American care about immigration (jobs, healthcare matter more). Discouraged Republicans (including Tea Party Raul Labrador (R-Idaho) have retreated from reform, since they do not trust Obama to build a border fence before the path to citizenship. Why should they? The President has ruled by executive order, ignoring his own legislation in the process. The growing resistance among conservatives is not unfounded. Despite their opposition, the US Senate still passed a “comprehensive” immigration bill in 2013.  California and Washington Republicans want immigration reform, including Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, who floated the laughable “legal resident, not citizen” concept, and Speaker John Boehner will offer immigration “principles” for debate.

Why do these Republicans ignore the glaring trends that Hispanic voters are more liberal, and immigrants often flock to the Democratic Party? Yes, California Republicans in Congress (and Sacramento) believe that reform will prosper their reelection chances. But there’s more to the matter. US Senator Lindsey “Censured by his own state GOP” Graham (R-South Carolina) indirectly announced another reason:

“I am a proud Chamber of Commerce Republican!”

The pro-amnesty GOP Establishment has been pro-business (not free-market) for decades. Immigration reform will provide their Big Business supporters with cheap labor, paid for by every taxpayer (what few remain). Never mind the quality of care and opportunity for the immigrant, or the rule of law, or the integrity of the US Constitution. Forget about the millions of legal applicants waiting for their naturalization papers. Forget about demolishing the expensive, expansive welfare state. The cheerleaders for immigration reform want cheap labor, big profits for Big Business, and Boehner, the Beltway GOP Establishment, Big Government Republicans (and every Democrat) can earn millions lobbying for Big Business when they leave office.

Blanket amnesty is no more compassionate than building a fence. Restoring Constitutional, limited government, expedited naturalization for legal residents, a demolition of the welfare state, and market forces (along with basic security measures) will ensure a peaceful, lawful, and moral immigration policy in our country. Until such reforms are enacted, California and Beltway Establishment Republicans push immigration reform at their (and this country’s) peril.

Love of Christ in Power, Truth

I knew that God loved me, but I never treated His love as if His love could solve the problems in my life.

Like many Christians, I knew that "God loves me", but I did not realize that His love is rich, extravagant, overflowing.

This love is not some passive feeling, a comfort measure which gives us no power or help in our times of trouble.

Jesus did not look at the poor widow of Nain, who had lost her son, and say "Sorry about that!"

He brought the boy back to life, and then brought the boy to his mother (Luke 7: 11-17)

When the disciples were struggling to row their boat in the midst of a great storm, and called on Jesus, as though He did not know or care what they were going through, He did not ignore them, but He rose up, rebuked the wind into a mega calm, then chided His disciples for their lack of faith (Mark 4: 35-41)

Yet if we do not fully appreciate or rest in all that Jesus did for us at the Cross, then we cannot appreciate His for anything else in our lives:

"9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 9-10)

Love is first, foremost, and forever what Jesus did for us at the Cross.

Jesus did far more than die for our past sins, but also serves as a mercy seat forever for our sins and the sins of the entire world (1 John 2: 2)

Through His death on the Cross, we receive a new life, and a new identity in Him:

"17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17)

Now, I have been growing in my understanding of how much God loves me.

The newer problem which I have been facing, which I had not dealt with as well as I could, centers on my poor appreciation for what He can do, and who He is in all that He can do.

My appreciation of Jesus and all that He is was just too small. I did not see Him as Someone who is carrying me through every day, that He was preparing every day for me. I did not have the proper appreciation for the Truth that He is in my tomorrows, that He also holds my yesterdays, and that because He is for me, then no one can be against me, that no weapon formed against me can prosper.

God is Love, everyone, and to the degree that we limit how great is His love, greater than our times and troubles, and any other obstacles we may face, to that degree we need to grow more in grace and knowledge of Him.

There is no one else to think about, and there is literally nothing to worry about, since He is greater than all things.

I have also learned that to the degree that I am fearful or lacking in my life, to that degree I need to spend less time just trying to feel good, and  more time seeing more of Him and all the good that He does in our lives.

Do not treat the love of God as a small thing;

"16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3:16-19)

And do not think for one second that you can appreciate how much God loves you:

"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 108: 12)

and

 "O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." (Psalm 90: 14)

and of course:

"The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands." (Psalm 138: 8)

Grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord and His love for you, and do not be satisfied with what you know already of His love for you in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Faith: Believe in Christ and Him Crucified

"We walk by faith, and not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5: 7)

"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:17)

What does it mean to live by faith?

Many people think that faith has something to do with feelings, or with what we are thinking.

The Book of Hebrews could not be clearer about faith:

"1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2For by it the elders obtained a good report." (Hebrews 11:1-2)

Throughout the rest of Chapter Eleven, the object of faith refers to the Promised Land, and more specifically to the final Work of Jesus Christ on the Cross.

Consider the faith recognized in Abraham:

"8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." (Hebrews 11:8)

Consider the faith of Isaac:

"20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come." (v. 20)

Keep in mind that the LORD had foreordained that the elder would serve the younger, a picture of our first-born Brother Jesus giving up His place of honor and dying for us that we may receive His place of honor at the Father's right hand. Even though Isaac attempted to bless Esau instead of Jacob, Jacob received the blessing, even though he suffered heavy consequences for living by deceit instead of resting in faith.

Also, "The things to come" speak of the Messiah who would purge all the sins of all the world, and through whom all the world would be blessed.

What about Jacob?

 21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff."

What scene played out when Jacob blessed his two grandsons?

"13And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him. 14And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn." (Genesis 48: 13-14)

While Joseph intended for Jacob's right hand to bless his elder son Manasseh and Jacob's left hand to bless Ephraim, Jacob ended up crossing his arms and laid his hands to bless otherwise. Jacob's arms formed a Cross! The faith which Jacob received and released testified not just of the Promised Land, but the Promised Man who would come and what He would do for us!

What about Joseph?

"22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

The same beloved son of Jacob, who braved betrayal by his brothers, who rose and fell in diverse circumstances, who rule an Egyptian's household, and resisted the wife's lecherous advances; who ruled a jail cell, while serving time for a crime which he did not commit; who would interpret two dreams and become second in command of all Egypt: Joseph walked in great faith in all that the LORD did with him and through him.

Yet for all these glorious acts in Joseph's life, the writer of Hebrews recognizes Joseph's faith at the end of his life:

"24And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. 25And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence. 26So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt." (Genesis 50: 24-26)

To be brought out of Egypt, to be brought into the Promised Land, all in accordance with the covenant which the LORD cut with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: all of these events are types and shadows of the Finished Work of Jesus Christ, who through His death and resurrection took us out of this world of sin and death, who died for all our sins, granted us new life in Himself, and accords us His rest, peace, and every good and perfect gift freely given with Him (Romans 8: 32)

Jesus is our hope of glory (Colossians 1: 27), and even though we do not see Him with our natural eyes, the eyes of our understanding can be enlightened to see more of Him in our lives, and how He has everything taken care of for us (Ephesians 1:16-19)

Faith is all about how you see Jesus. Grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, and let His blessings flow in your life today!

Walker's Reforms Working Wonders in Wisconsin

Governor Scott Walker’s reforms have forced the powerful Wisconsin teachers’ unions to witness the massive decertification of their forced collectives. The second largest public sector alliance, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), has lost significant revenue because members have refused to pay dues, and now the incestuous cycle of forced dues, crooked campaign donations for paid-for candidates, who approve more lavish and expensive pensions and benefits.

Cities have negotiated more equitable and efficient labor contracts, cutting costs while providing adequate public services. Even Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett could not criticize the reforms, and thus conceded defeat in debate and at the ballot box. School districts have cut costs without laying off teachers and staff.

Now, Wisconsin has a nearly one billion dollar surplus for the first time in years. Where did this sudden surge of wealth come from? Walker’s reforms instituted efficient government, better tax receipts, and more effective political and policy leadership.

Not only passing a property tax cut, not only discussing the abolition of the state income tax, Walker has signaled that he will return the bulk of the surplus back to the residents of the Dairy State. Unlike Governor Jerry Brown in California or President Barack Obama in Washington, Walker recognizes that the government does not create wealth, but merely takes revenue from the workers in Wisconsin. Walker’s memoir Unintimidated illustrates the methods of this statesman: make your case, and take responsibility for your state. Walker’s collective bargaining reforms are working wonders in Wisconsin.

Blah, Blah de Blasio -- Cuomo's Correct: "Extreme Conservatives" Suck!

Socialist-liberal NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio
(Source: The office of Public Advocate for the City of New York)

While Governor Andrew Cuomo is backpedaling like a New Yorker in a New York minute from his unkind comments about conservatives, the (far more) progressives mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, has stepped into the controversy, putting both of his feet in his mouth.

I agree with Gov. Cuomo’s remarks. . .I interpret his remarks to say that an extremist attitude that continues the reality of violence in our communities or an extremist attitude that denies the rights of women does not represent the views of the people of New York state.

Before de Blasio promoted himself as Grand Interpreter of the New York Governor, one of Cuomo's aides attempted to spin the governor's outrageous remarks by arguing that Cuomo was talking about conservative politicians running for office.

Once again, Cuomo Himself, in his own words, that is:

Who are they? Are they these extreme conservatives who are right-to-life, pro-assault-weapon, anti-gay? Is that who they are? Because if that’s who they are and they’re the extreme conservatives, they have no place in the state of New York, because that’s not who New Yorkers are.
Now, even if Cuomo was merely criticizing conservative politicians running for office in New York, his comments were still demeaning and false. Pro-life Americans, a growing majority, are not extreme for defending the unborn. Men and women who support the Second Amendment are not assault rifle gun buddies. And to characterize anyone who resists gay marriage as "anti-gay" is both false as well as irrelevant. 
Now, considering Bill "Blah Blah" de Blasio, one has to wonder why the Mayor of New York City would blast anyone as extreme, considering that he perfectly fits the picture of an extreme liberal in a city conditioned to moderate governing for the past two decades.

De Blasio wants to ban horse carriages in New York City. Really? Did the horses vote for him, or something? Such a stat would not be surprising, and just might explain his 73% vote for office. Has he considered the harms such a ban would do to local business as well as tourism. The Big Apple is not so much fun to visit in bumper-to-bumper traffic. But before we laugh de Blasio to scorn, he has an alternative: alternative energy look-alikes. A green freak with mean streak runs New York City! Extreme.

The liberal mayor campaigned on stopping stop-and-frisk searches. Liberal, pro-criminal activists have claimed that this procedure, defended by the United States Supreme Court in Terry v. Ohio, has been unfairly and excessively applied to poor and minority residents on New York City. Never mind the fact that the Big Apple has removed the rotten core of criminality which had spoiled the city for decades under previous Democratic administrations. At least de Blasio has appointed pro stop-and-frisk Police Commissioner Bill Bratton.

About the unborn, de Blasio as unabashed about his pro-abortion stance. Believing that abortion is an underserved service in New York City, de Blasio has pledged to open more abortion clinics:

De Blasio, who was elected Tuesday with 73 percent of the vote, has promised to partner with Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers to help them expand their business in the city.
The very idea of abortion as a business is shameful and disconcerting, as well as extreme. For the record, 41% of pregnancies end in elective abortion in New York City. This statistic is alarming, and even New York Times polls suggest that public opinion wants restrictions on the practice. Is de Blasio pro-death? What's the point of universal pre-k if all the potential enrollees are murdered in abortion clinics?

About guns, the newly-elected mayor contends that former Mayor Michael Bloomberg did not pursue gun-control strongly enough. Keep in mind that Bloomberg was not only pushing restrictions in his own city, but supporting pro-gun control state and federal candidates for office. If Bloomberg was not aggressive about gun control, then what does Extreme "Blah Blah" planning? Forced confiscation?

Consider de Blasio's first executive act (failure): In an act of veiled class warfare against NYC One-percenters, de Blasio botched the snow clean up for Manhattan during the polar vortex. While acknowledging his mistake about the snow, de Blasio has not backed away from another snow job on the rich in his city. . .

He wants to hike taxes on $500k + earners in order to combat inequality in the city. Specifically, de Blasio wants universal pre-K for New Yorkers. How many Democrats supporter these tax-hike proposals? Zilch, Nada, Zero. Has Blah-Blah noticed what five years of Obamanomics have done to the country? The inequality gap has widened, and dangerously so, because President Obama's tax-and-spend, regulate-frustrate policies, which have stymied upward mobility for working Americans. What an extreme ideologue, to say the least.

At least De Blasio is honest about his socialist leanings. While "Blah Blah" hammers inequality in New York City, his policies will end up concentrating more wealth in the hands of the few, power insiders at the expense of everyone, and create a less safe, less moral city for NYC residents.
And conservatives are extreme? Blah, Blah, Blah!

Harman Gets Bumped for Bieber (Implications)

Congresswoman Jane Harman (ret.)
Source:

On January 23, Former Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice) was a guest speaker on MSNBC, commenting on the increased incursion of NSA spying into American citizens' private lives, including phone records. While Harman acknowledged that President Obama's homeland security methods were heading into unconstitutional practices, news anchor Andrea Mitchell interrupted the former South Bay representative and current President of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

to announce breaking news:

"Big news coming out of Miami: Justin Bieber has been arrested on a number of charges."

So, "Baby, Baby, Baby" Bieber getting in big trouble with the law once again -- this is news? How many times have the paparazzi baited this popstar-turned young adult-child to scream at the cameras? Like former "Two and a Half Men" half-man star Charlie Sheen, Beiber is melting down before the public's very (bored, distracted) eyes.

Even Breitbart has stepped into the mix, along with the Huffington Post. Give me a break! Celebrities, especially young ones, behaving badly: This is not news, and certainly not newsworthy enough to interrupt a policy discussion on the proper balanced between liberty, security, and fighting terrorism. What's more, this immoral obsession with documenting young stars' descent from stardom unveils a thin desperation on the part of media outlets just to get some traction with a busy, dazzled Internet readership.

Then again, there are number of trends we can tease out from this lapsed transition:

1. The increasing flippancy of MSNBC as a serious news analysis network. Let's not forget that Ms. Mitchell has been caught off-guard before. In an 2012 interview with Romney surrogate John Sununu, she stumbled through talking points and misinformation to question the former New Hampshire governor. Here are some other flubs from Mitchell, along with ratings going down in August 2013 and MSNBC's slide behind Fox News.

2. The media's petty, pathetic obsessions with celebrity meltdowns. Once again, how is any of this news? All of this scrutiny has only exacerbated a debilitating trend, with insta-media making a mockery of time better spent reporting major issues, like the Benghazi cover-up that won't stay covered, or the troubling market trends which suggest another recession in our near future.

3. The widening division among Democrats about the viability of the President's policies. It may seem a stretch to draw this information from a media-spat, but leading Democratic Congressmen have already signaled their retirement, including two House Reps in heavily-Republican districts. Dems are looking more scared than ever entering 2014, and a liberal like Harman voicing the concerns from other liberal-leaning intellects can only signal that more Dems will abandon the President in the 2014 elections.

4. American liberals are breaking with the Obama Administration, about the proper scope of the state, at least in terms of terrorist intelligence. While in office, Congresswoman Harman was a moderate on national security and foreign policy, supporting the War on Iraq and championing a strong Israeli-America relationship. The Woodrow Wilson Center is not exactly right-leaning, and with a liberal Democrat as its President, one should take heart that even Democrats are fraying on support for the President's expansive invasion of American privacy.

5. The declining relevance of Harman as a policy wonk of any substance. She was never my favorite House Rep. I voted against her in every election, but I did respect her stance on foreign policy, and her more moderate voice on some issues (She also slammed Bill Maher's sexist remarks on his own show). Yet Harman's tortured defense of Obamacare (which she proudly yet shamefully supported), her calls for greater American intervention in Syrian, and her suggestion that Secretary of State John Kerry should be nominated for Sainthood, Harman's liberal leanings can never be ignored. .

And yet now they are! Now, if only the media would show the same indifference to such indifferent displays of misconduct from scarred star celebrities.

It Was a Knowledge Problem!

I did not know enough.

That was the problem.

Yet that should not surprise anyone. Ha!

Instead of trying to make our prior knowledge fit into our current situation, it's time that we spent more time learning new things and making the most of the new that we had not known before.

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3: 18)

Do you believe it? Amen means "Yes!"

Grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord. Do not settle for limited knowledge of ho great He is!

What God's Righteousness Does For Us -- Isaiah 54

The gift of righteousness carries with it great promises:

"4Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more." (Isaiah 54: 5)

Man's greatest fear is shame, reproach, and condemnation. Man's greatest need is acceptance, and from Adam to the present day, every Son of Adam struggles with condemnation, which in turn produces self-righteousness, or the notion that we can achieve a status of peace in our lives through our efforts.

I have expounded on this verse before, pointing out that references to shame appear five times. Five is the number of grace, and grace speaks to every source of shame in our lives.

This grace is a gift, which we receive and receive some more through what Jesus did at the Cross!

Why do we know that all our shame has been exhausted away from us?

The Cross:

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

What I am starting to learn more and more about the twin gifts of grace and righteousness is that when Jesus died on the Cross, He took not just our sin, but also the penalty, and the record.

"

10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8: 10-12)

 

There is one thing that I have struggled with, and struggling  merely speaks to holding onto flesh when God wants us to receive more of His Spirit:

 

"21And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the LORD.

23And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger." (Genesis 25: 21-23)

 

Isn't that something? While Abraham and Sarah had struggled for years to have one child, Issac simply prayed to God, and Rebekah conceived. Then she discovered that she had twins, and there were great wrestlings in her body over the two in her womb. This struggling is much like our trials when leaving a life of depending on our efforts to resting in God's favor for us. Jacob was the child of promise, while Esau the older brother represents our old man nature, flesh which lusts rather than spirit which rests and receives.

 

In the same manner, I have heard that many people struggle with guilt or shame about their past. They look to other people to fulfill their needs, to give them some kind of peace. Some cults are founded on this terrible principle, that other people can grant us peace, or establish His peace through righteousness.

 

Wrong. God's righteousness is much better than anything that someone else can give us.

 

No shame in Christ. None!

 

And there's more:

 

"7For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.

 

"8In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer." (Isaiah 54: 7-8)

 

I still have a hard time with this statement. Everlasting kindness? Wow! I have a hard time thinking about the future, yet for God, our future has nothing but everlasting kindness waiting for us with both hands open!

 

Check this one out:

 

"10For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee." (Isaiah 54: 10)

 

A Covenant of God's Peace?! Forget about someone else's peace. Forget about running to someone else for peace: He is our peace:

 

"14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;" (Ephesians 2: 14)

 

Of course, in Isaiah you can find out more about  His peace:

 

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9: 6)

 

and also

 

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26: 3)

 

That perfect peace is Christ, and He lives in everyone of us who believe on Him.

 

We find established peace in the gift of righteousness:

 

"11O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires."

 

This statement ties righteousness to the stability which ends the waving and flailing of immature Christians:

 

"14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:" (Ephesians 4: 14-15)

 

In verse eleven, there are references to fair stones, which speak of the High Priest's breastplate (Exodus 28: 15-20), and this breastplate is tied to righteousness in the Old Testament (Isaiah 59: 17)in the New Testament (Ephesians 6: 14), as well

 

"14In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee."

 

Notice that we are established in righteousness. We do not establish ourselves in this righteousness, but God does it for us:

 

"15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 15-17)

 

Keep on reading!

 

"15Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake."

 

People will come at you, but they will fall -- all of them! Because of us, that we are steeped in righteousnes, God ensures that they will fall, the will fail, they will flail!

 

"17No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD."

 

Seventeen is the number of victory, and because of His righteousness, we are more than conquerors. People will rise in judgment against us, but we will condemn those who condemn us. Already, I have experienced this blessing, and I trust that He will keep on blessing through His gift of righteousness.

 

Now, I am growing to understand that even when we do things wrong, the gift of righteousness not only protects us from death, but that His grace will lead us to live righteously (Titus 2: 11-12), and even when people want to bring up what you have done, you can point to the Cross, and let His death be the signal that God has already paid for your every sin, taken the penalty, and removed the record.

Sin, penalty, and record, all wrapped up into one. Most people do not preach this part, for fear that if we tell people that everything has been removed in their lives, they will continue in sin.

What people do not realize, however, is that people are still sinning, even with the record against them still outstanding against them.

Too many people have too little an opinion of God's grace:

"11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2: 11-14)

God accords us His favor, and we in turn bless others greatly. He loved me, then I love others (1 John 4: 19)

Understand more about how much God loves you, then you can love others, too!

Righteousness defines God's love for us, by the way:

"9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 9-10)

I do not claim to have a full handle on these revelations, but I know they are breaking forth in my life to greater fullfillment!

Keep receiving the gifts of his righteousness and grace, and watch Him take you places you had never expected before!

Grow in Grace or Stay in Place

The Israelites had a choice when God brought them to the Promised Land.

They could go in and claim all that God had generously provided them, or they could wander and die in the Wilderness.

This decision is a picture of God's grace, and our response to it.

Either we can trust our experience, or God's Word. We can look at our circumstances, or rest in His certainties.

Why did the Israelites refuse to enter the Promised Land?

Some passages in Numbers reveal their focus:

"27And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. 28Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. 29The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan." (Numbers 13: 27-29)

"Surely, it floweth with milk and honey." That's what the LORD told them, starting with Abram:

"18In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

19The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, 20And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, 21And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites." (Genesis 15:18-19)

The LORD in the burning bush then shared with Moses:

"8And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites." (Exodus 3: 8)

The LORD never wavered from His promise.

But ten of the twelve spies did not focus on God's goodness or His word:

"28Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there."

How did they know that they were strong? They were operating from their limited understanding. They outlined the giants who lived in the region, as well, as though their presence had anything to do with whether they could take the land or not.

Every success, every advancement in our lives has nothing to do with us, and everything to do with Christ and Him Crucified.

Caleb, one of the two spies who gave a good report (affirming the truth of God's Word), tried to encourage the Israelites to take the land, but the other spies continued with their evil report:

"31But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. 32And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. 33And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" (Numbers 13:31-33)

Rather than magnifying God's goodness and grace, the ten spies magnified their problem. They looked at the giants and themselves. Now, verse 31 is a true statement: the giants were stronger than they. But the LORD was with them, stronger than everything in this world, before and after all things.

Much of the time, we spend more time looking at our resources and our problems, rather than looking at Jesus, the Author and Finisher of faith (Hebrews 12: 2), and God the Father's promise that we can freely receive all things through Him.

As the ten spies continued with their evil report, they also reported the results of looking at ourselves and our circumstances:

33And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" (Numbers 13:31-33)

"We saw ourselves" --  the devil's greatest trick is to get everyone of us to look at ourselves, to see ourselves as completely inadequate to overcome the obstacles in front of us, yet to make us believe that we must rely on our efforts alone to overcome the problems which we face.

The Bible tells us where we find our victory:

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8: 37)

Notice that this overcoming power comes to us through "Him who loved us".

Who is this "Him"? Jesus!

"20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2: 20-21)

and

"35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" (Romans 8: 35)

Christ loved us all the way to the Cross:

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 10)

Now, with the reference of God's love for us as the focal point for having "more than conqueror" victory, let us see what the LORD identified as the reason why most of the Israelites resisted entering the Promised Land:

"And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us." (Deuteronomy 1: 27)

The Israelites murmured throughout their journey from the Red Sea to Mount Sinai, and even up to the border of the Promised Land. The source of their murmuring? They did not trust in the goodness of God, that He was taking them to a good place, flowing with milk and honey, that He would care for them in every way, providing for all their needs (Philippians 4: 19).

They actually believe that the Lord God hated them!

For this reason, I submit that many Christians do not grow in grace, but rather stay in place, because they do not believe in God's love for them. They do not freey receive all the good things which He has for them because they believe that God is not pleased with them, that they must still pay for their sins, or maintain a righteous standing before God through their own efforts.

For me, growing up in the Alcoholics Anonymous cult, I believed that it was my job to live a holy life through my effort. Such actions are unthinking and untrue when compared with the full revelation of Scripture. We are saved by grace through faith, and not by works, so that no one may boast.

Still, many of us are not walking in faith, but instead go back to our own efforts in order to improve ourselves. Such living is not Christ living in and through us:

"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1: 17)

We grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord as we see more of Him in the Bible, for "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (Roman 10:17)

If we want to see victory in our lives, to experience the superabounding, overcoming life which God so freely gives us, we need to keep receiving His gifts of righteousness and grace (Romans 5: 17)

It's about recognizing that He has provided everything, and that God, who is greater than our entire experience, has provided us all things. All that He wants us to do is. . trust Him!

For every believer who names the Name above all Names, that will determine whether you grow in grace or stay in place. Do you want to know more about how much God loves you, or are you stuck on trying to make everything work in your efforts, still convinced that you can, or must, accomplish all things in your strength, even though Jesus knew what is in all of us and cannot be trusted (John 2: 25) and that we should have no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3: 3)

Let us never forget Paul's greatest declaration of power and glory:

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4: 13)

As we grow in grace, we see how much God wants to take us to greater places:

"And you saw in the wilderness how the LORD your God carried you as a man carries his son all along the way you traveled until you reached this place." (Deuteronomy 1: 31)

The more that you know how much God loves you, the more that you can trust Him to carry you though all things. Grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, and watch your loving Father take you places!

About Crying/Whining

Admit it, I must. I may not be alone, but so what.

I cried a lot when I found that things were not going my way.

For too, too long, I wanted all  my problems fixed, solved, and all the rest.

I wanted to see and sense, rather than know and believe, that everything was taken care of in my life.

That is as childish as it gets, is it not?!

The times of shaking are upon us in this world.

Men and women have wanted everything taken care of as they see fit. They wanted to have control based on their sensory knowledge. They wanted to define love based on what they could see and hear.

Yet such love cannot suffice. It cannot.

The stability which we need more than anything else must be based on all that  Jesus Christ has done for us at the Cross.

When He cried out "It is Finished!" He was not joking, and he certainly was not giving anyone room to add something to it. The work is done. Our job is not perfect what He has perfected, but to wake up and see more of the great work which He has done for us.

Thanks to all of you who have read these posts, if anyone. I have learned that the answer to our inner turmoil rests outside of us, not within us. He is making us better. That is not our job, but rather His, and we should let Him, the Holy Spirit, do the best that He can to make all things better.

I cried and whined so much because I wanted a peace based on what I did, saw, or performed in my efforts. Pretty selfish, and foolish.

The Lord resists the proud, but gives grace, grace to the humble, bringing down every mountain!

We need the truth that sets us free, not more reasons to be bitter and back-biting. Jesus loves us, and God the Father all the more demonstrates this love for us. Instead of blaming others for our circumstances, let us seek His grace, and boldly!

Gay Conservatives, the GOP, and Getting Over it All

GOPround founder Jimmy LaSalvia has left the building, as in the Republican Party, and become an Independent conservative. President Obama sounded off on his departure, even though Democrats in Washington are weighing whether to run for office in 2014 or jump ship of state while the jumping's good.

Yet the issue of homosexuals in the Republican Party, and whether the national GOP should change its platform, requires more discussion than offered by one activist leaving the party.

The “gay issue” has spurred bloggers to blather. Townhall.com discussed that three gay conservatives will be running for Congress as Republicans, including Carl DeMaio in my home state, as well as Dan Innis for New Hampshire and Richard Tisei (probably) for a rematch in MA-6 against John "My wife's the crook" Tierney. Ann Coulter attended and spoke at GOPround meetings, too, adding some legitimacy (?) to the group.

Still, Mr. LaSilva is leaving a party which he believes is doomed because the leadership will not accept recognize the homosexual lifestyle. Honesty, with or without LaSilva, the rainbows will keep shedding their seven-fold wonder, and the six-striped symbol for homosexual causes will, well...who knows?

The issue of gay conservatism, and by extension Log Cabin Republicans, and the log-rolling which may ensue as a result of this controversial matter, may spell big trouble for the Republican Party and conservative interests in general.

Or maybe not.

Frankly, the origins (or etiology) of homosexual behavior have not received their due vetting, likely because individuals, leaning left or right, do not want to be labeled intolerant bigots. This subtle poison of group acceptance/conformity has pushed interest groups, private institutions, and especially public sector interests to recognize homosexuality as another identity, and those who live out such conduct as another minority.

These assertions are false. Homosexuality is a choice, and a bad one. The notion that one is born attracted to someone else of the same sex makes no sense. The cohort of consequences associated with such conduct demonstrates a legacy of disease, dysfunction, and death. Yet the fact that many leaders in our political culture, and in our locales, are not pushing back against the rising tide of "coerced acceptance" is alarming. One of the schemes behind the Gay Rights movement included the argument that people “are born that way”, and thus to disparage homosexuality makes one a bigot.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

People are not born gay. Thousands have abandoned the homosexual lifestyle for a heterosexual lifestyle. Even Libertarian lesbian Tammy Bruce acknowledges that she chooses her lifestyle.

Yet other limited government leaders are not leading on this issue. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie waffled during his debate with Democratic no-chancer Barbara Buono in 2013. When pressed with the inevitable hypothetical that one of his kids would announcing a homosexual predisposition, Christie responded:

"I would hug my child, tell him I love him, then say “Marriage is not for you."

What kind of an answer is that? Unjust and inauthentic, to say the least. The truth is that homosexuality is not a course of conduct one is born or destined to carry on. Nor should conservatives ignore the cultural repercussions of this lifestyle.

In a free society, consenting adults will choose to abuse or respect their bodies. Conservative MP Margaret Thatcher moved to decriminalize homosexual conduct between consenting adults. Such liberty (or rather libertarianism) is the better solution. Furthermore, the Republican Party National Committee took a vote on the marriage issue, and decided that the platform would still recognize marriage as between one man and one woman. Following the overturning of the anti-polygamy laws in Utah, as well as the potential dangers of subcultures which respect child-marriages, a stance on defining traditional marriage remains a worthwhile fight.

Despite this seeming division in the GOP on gay issues, this country, and the voting public, should not be forced to recognize gay marriage by cowardly politicians and vain efforts to grow one’s party. Instead of running from this debate, and permitting a vocal yet very limited minority of interests to shame people into quiet acquiescence on homosexuality, it’s time for people to gain some courage and explain the myriad  consequences of homosexual conduct, as well as the acceptable resistance to its legitimacy.

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus declared that there is room in the GOP for pro-gay marriage. So be it. US Senator Bob Portman (R-Ohio) endorsed the policy because of his gay son. Not so good. As a father, Portman should have discussed identity and the proper scope of sexual relations with his son, as well as other matters which have influenced him.

Yes, there are “gay” Republicans, yet the argument that they should be welcomed because of their homosexuality is both irrelevant and insulting. Homosexuality is a choice, and a bad one. Besides, conservatives as a rule recognize the importance of key institutions, many of which should not be changed, and some with only the greatest deliberation.

GOProud LaSilva’s departure is not a big deal. Conservatism (and the GOP) should recognize a libertarian stance on marriage (get the government out of it), and move on.

Punching Back Twice as Hard: The Godly Thing to Do

 Most Christians believe that rebuking or reprimanding someone's poor behavior is disrespectful or unchristian. Other faith communities fear that if they raise their voice and hold their governments accountable, then they will be acting as unjust, or unholy aggressors.

In other cases where spiritual groups have spoken up against injustice, one retort which follows goes something like this:

"You're judging us, and the Bible says 'Judge not, lest ye be judged.'"

Yes, it's true: the Bible does say that. But the original word reads "Condemn not." We are called to hold people accountable, to demonstrate to them that their behavior does not measure up to righteousness which God has granted to us through His Son.

In the trying instances when young Christian children face abuse, or when adults wonder how to stand up to bullying peers, too often religious advice refers to this verse from Scripture:

"But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." (Matthew 5: 39)

Yes, the Bible says this too, but Jesus shared this and all his Sermon comments to disciples (Matthew 5: 1-2), yet in the Christian faith, every believer must understand that God sent His Son to grant everyone who believes on Jesus eternal life (John 3: 16), life and that more abundantly (John 10: 10), not more rules and regulations.

And Jesus took down offensive people in the Gospels (Luke 13: 15-17), where He upbraided arrogant Pharisees, who made religious traditions more important than healing a woman bound with illness for eighteen years.

Jesus did not turn the other cheek, and He did not allow the Pharisees to shame him from helping an infirm woman.

Paul the apostle also asserted himself against flagrant hypocrisy (Galatians 2: 11-14), in which he rebuked Peter and Barnabas for withdrawing from Gentile believers, for fear of the slander from fellow Jewish Christians, and Paul scolded Peter, the head of the church, openly.

What's going on here? When is it OK for godly people to "punch back"?

Consider the verses from Proverbs:

4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit." (Proverbs 26: 4-5)

The seeming contradiction actually reveals the proper conviction for answering fools according to their folly: not to avenge ourselves, which would make us just like our foolish enemies, but rather to reprove their folly, to hold them accountable.

The reason, the motivation, the heart of the matter makes all the difference.

When Ben Shapiro unbraided Piers Morgan in 2013 over gun control following the Newtown, Connecticut massacre, Shapiro was addressing Morgan's arrogant self-righteousness, in which he was abusing a terrible tragedy to push a heedless agenda, all while shaming gun-control opponents as heartless thugs who disregard the senseless deaths in a Connecticut elementary school.

Shapiro defined the terms of the debate, took Morgan down while he was attempting to justify his smug falsehoods, and established a proper understanding of gun-rights advocates, who not only recognize the tragic elements of life, but refuse to relinquish one's right to bear arms, the right which rights many such wrongs.

While liberal-leading news affiliates were punching away at the "Republican" government shutdown of 2013, individual Senators (like Ted Cruz and Mike Lee) took a stand against a tone-deaf, amoral Washington political culture, which as advanced the state and aggravated the national debt with backroom deals, all while leading politicians have attacked each other before the camera.

Consider also the mockery of late-night comedians, who have lampooned President Obama's signature legislation, the Affordable Care Act. From the disastrous rollout, to the chronic technological failures, to the low enrollment numbers, and now the ongoing scandals connecting to the IRS, President Obama has become the fodder for late-night tomfoolery, and rightly so.

Comedians have punched back against this hollow Beltway hypocrisy, but they are paid to do that. Now local activists, like the loyal massive viewership of Duck Dynasty, have taken to the social network waves to "punch back", refusing to sit by and permit a vocal minority (gay activists), which represent a minute segment of the population (homosexuals) to pressure cable executives to pull the plug on programs simply because cast members share opposing views on divisive issues.

Where the mainstream media and establish political parties have failed, a conservative groundswell has taken up the slack, and has not held back from punching back at government, liberal, environmental, and gay "rights" bullies. Yet there are still too many "church people" who have feared confrontation, either because of a faulty understanding of Scripture, or a desire to be accepted by others rather than rest in the glorious, divine acceptance granted to them in Scripture. Now is the acceptable time to step up and stump for the truth. Now is the time to "comfort the feebleminded" and assure all church-going folks that punching back twice as hard is the godly thing to do, for the truth's sake.

NAACP William Barber II's Dumb Remarks

NAACP spokesman William Barber (on far right)

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) should be all about promoting the best interests and respecting the success of, well, colored people. Yet in a sudden turn, one of the movement's highlighted leaders has lashed out unfairly, and in a racist fashion against US Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina.

But first, some background about the NAACP. The organization originated with liberal intellectual D.E.B. DuBois, whose views on human nature and the role of government in improving the lives of others was, to say the least, progressive, but not enlightened or true. In fact, DuBois became so frustrated with the lost caused of civil rights, as he understood it, that he burned his passport and moved to the "free state" of Ghana, an African police state where some Africans held power, only to persecute the impoverished everyone else.

To this day, the NAACP advocates liberal causes and measures in the name of assisting the status of the African-Americans. How any group which sides with the Democratic Party on many issues can claim to best advance the interests of colored people, is just beyond most well-thinking people. Democratic leaders have made war on African-Americans, from President Lyndon Baines Johnson's move to expand welfare: "We'll have those n-ggers voting for us for the next two hundred years!"; to President Barack Obama's dangerous and disrespectful policies, which have made war on the social conservatism in many black communities, including his sudden flip-flopping on gay marriage, his opposition to school choice and vouchers, to advanced abortion access (witness the degradation of abortionist Kermit Gosnell in Philadelphia).

And now, William Barber II, a North Carolina preacher and rising star (?) in the NAACP, has attacked another African-American, South Carolina's


US Senator Tim Scott (R-South Carolina)

junior senator Tim Scott, for his conservative views. Speaking at a South Carolina NAACP function, Barber cut to the quick:

A ventriloquist can always find a good dummy. . .the extreme right wing down here (in South Carolina) finds a black guy to be senator and claims he’s the first black senator since Reconstruction and then he goes to Washington, D.C., and articulates the agenda of the Tea Party.
 Such race-baiting is absolutely shameful, especially when coming from a pastor. A church leader has every right to preach to his congregation, or any group, his political views as they line up with the Bible. And even if they do not, he has every right to blather whatever blatherskite he chooses. Barber even defends abortion and attacks voter ID laws, in his "Moral Monday" demonstrations against Republican Governor Pat McCrory and his conservative caucus in Raliegh North Carolina. Likely using racism as a reason for these protests, Barber does not identify anywhere in Scripture where the killing of the unborn at any time is acceptable, nor the moral or immoral basis for requiring citizens to prove their identity to vote.

Barber's slander against another African-American, Tim Scott, is suffused with unjust, immoral racial overtones (along the lines of Vice President Joe Biden's "put y'all back in chains" rhetoric in 2012. That we are hearing such rhetoric against African-American legislators, and even from other African-Americans, is just unfortunate.

Barber should apologize for his outrageous remarks. Instead of tearing down a fellow African-American, the North Carolina pastor should at least congratulate US Senator Scott's achievements, regardless of how the pastor may feel about his politics.

Please contact the South Carolina NAACP. Demand that they retract and apologize for Barber's disrespectful remarks against US Senator Tim Scott, and tell the organization to advance the interests of all colored people, regardless of political affiliation.

North Carolina NAACP
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 335
Durham, NC 27702
Phone Numbers
Local: 919-682-4700
Toll Free: 866-626-2227
Fax: 919-682-4711
Email Addresses
info@naacpnc.org
forwardtogether@naacpnc.org

South Carolina NAACP
Dr. Lonnie Randolph, Jr. – President
Ms. Marian C. Miller – 1st Vice President
Ms. Comilla Sampson – Secretary
Mr. James Floyd Davis, Jr. – Treasurer/CFO
Mr. Dwight C. James, Sr. – Executive Director
803-754-4584.

National NAACP:

http://www.naacp.org/page/s/contact

National Headquarters
4805 Mt. Hope Drive
Baltimore MD 21215
Local: (410) 580-5777
Toll Free: (877) NAACP-98
Hollywood Bureau
Los Angeles, CA
Phone: (323) 938-5268
Fax: (323) 938-8153
www.naacpimageawards.net
Email: hollywoodbureau@naacpnet.org
Washington Bureau
1156 15th Street, NW Suite 915
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 463-2940
Fax: (202) 463-2953
Email: washingtonbureau@naacpnet.org