Well, the gun nuts are crying now. Connecticut passed stricter gun control laws on April 3, 2013. They did it mainly because of the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre shooting in Newton, Connecticut on December 14, 2012 which propelled normal, sane people to finally come out and stand up to the gun nut lunatics. The Governor of Connecticut is scheduled to sign this bill into law.
Part of what's in the law is the following from PBS--
• Universal background checks: Effective immediately, every Connecticut resident seeking to buy any firearm must first pass a national criminal background check.
• Broader assault-weapons ban: Connecticut already has a ban on 66 firearms. This bill would add more than 100 new weapons to the banned list, along with some military-style features. Anyone who already possesses one of these weapons would have to register them.
• High-capacity magazine ban: Magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds can no longer be sold or transferred. Possession, purchase or importation into the state will be considered a felony.
• Eligibility certificates: Those who buy rifles or shotguns would be required to undergo a safety-training course, be fingerprinted and undergo a background check to receive a state-issued certificate authorizing possession.
• Ammunition sales restrictions: Only residents with an eligibility certificate or other legal authorization can purchase ammunition. Background-check is required.
• Access for the Mentally Ill: Anyone who has been admitted for psychiatric treatment — voluntarily or not — is prohibited for a period from receiving an eligibility permit for a firearm.
All of this should be OK and normal in our society. But, to the gun nuts this is "communism", "Stalinism" and loss of "freedom". I am sad that there isn't mandatory mental health care for these people because they need it. There have been more than 3,000 gun deaths in the USA since the Newton massacre. That is less than 4 months of time. More than one million have been murdered in the USA since John Lennon was killed in December 1980. For some reason to gun nuts, conservatives, libertarians and numerous Republicans, these are acceptable.
I don't see how. I don't see how Jesus would approve.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Another Episode of: Republican Family Values
I would like Republicans to actually have "family values" instead of saying they are the party of "family values". See that play on words. It doesn't mean they actually have them--you should have them and shame on you if you don't.
But in the GOP's continuing saga of hypocrisy, indecency and crime, I submit Lane Rees, a Florida Republican Party Committeeman who has been arrested for child pornography. Republicans cheat on their wives with men and women, dump their sick wives for new wives, yet blame all the ills on gay people or some other wedge issue. It will be a great day when they go away. I would say clean up their act, but I have no confidence that will happen.
But in the GOP's continuing saga of hypocrisy, indecency and crime, I submit Lane Rees, a Florida Republican Party Committeeman who has been arrested for child pornography. Republicans cheat on their wives with men and women, dump their sick wives for new wives, yet blame all the ills on gay people or some other wedge issue. It will be a great day when they go away. I would say clean up their act, but I have no confidence that will happen.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
History Channel's "The Bible" series
I have to admit that I have not watched any of the History Channel's "The Bible" series. For a few reasons, one is I don't have cable TV, the other is that there typically is a political or other agenda connected to "religious" programming. Lastly, I would add that conservative Christian friends of mine have viewed the series and don't find it very accurate--and that is conservative Christians who actually believe in Christ and will point out the truth.
I am not talking about those who claim they are "Christians" and are conservatives and love it because they believe Obama is the devil and "The Bible" series promotes that belief. Here's a picture, you can ask yourself if the series was promoting Obama as Satan idea. To me, it is obvious they are. And when non-Christian cult leader Glenn Beck is crowing and tweeting the idea of Obama=Satan, you know who the series was targeting. Not only did Beck tweet it, but his site, "The Blaze" had a full blown article on it.
Yet, Jesus wasn't the most attractive man to ever walk this Earth--according to Isaiah 53:1-3--
"1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem."
Conversely, Satan is a tempter, deceiver and sometimes shows himself as an "angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14). Satan's goal is your soul, so whatever it takes to get that, he will do. This is a good article on Satan. So, it may make conservatives gleeful that "The Bible" show on the History Channel portrays an older looking Obama as Satan, the reality is it is people like George W. Bush and Dick Cheney who have been doing more of Satan's work here on Earth with illegal wars and economically hampering our economy. Yet, it is probably none of those three who actually are Satan.
Unfortunately, "The Bible" creators courted their audience to include Rick Warren and Joel Osteen (who uses the power of positive thinking & prosperity gospel--two false gospels to make himself rich--he is the kind of people Jesus warned us about when He said--
From Matthew 7:15-20--15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.)
These are the people that Roma Downey and Mark Burnett asked to review the series. No wonder conservatives love the series. But, if you are bent on watching the show, you may want to read this piece by The Guardian for some balance.
From the piece:
"Nobody expected art – or even history – from the History Channel, but the producers veered so far in the opposite direction that they erased all the personality and depth of the source, not to mention heart or wit. The History Channel has given us the Bible as reality TV. The result amounts to little more than an exploitation of faith. Everyone – believers, nonbelievers, anyone who appreciates a good story or TV series – deserves better."
I am not talking about those who claim they are "Christians" and are conservatives and love it because they believe Obama is the devil and "The Bible" series promotes that belief. Here's a picture, you can ask yourself if the series was promoting Obama as Satan idea. To me, it is obvious they are. And when non-Christian cult leader Glenn Beck is crowing and tweeting the idea of Obama=Satan, you know who the series was targeting. Not only did Beck tweet it, but his site, "The Blaze" had a full blown article on it.
Yet, Jesus wasn't the most attractive man to ever walk this Earth--according to Isaiah 53:1-3--
"1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem."
Conversely, Satan is a tempter, deceiver and sometimes shows himself as an "angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14). Satan's goal is your soul, so whatever it takes to get that, he will do. This is a good article on Satan. So, it may make conservatives gleeful that "The Bible" show on the History Channel portrays an older looking Obama as Satan, the reality is it is people like George W. Bush and Dick Cheney who have been doing more of Satan's work here on Earth with illegal wars and economically hampering our economy. Yet, it is probably none of those three who actually are Satan.
Unfortunately, "The Bible" creators courted their audience to include Rick Warren and Joel Osteen (who uses the power of positive thinking & prosperity gospel--two false gospels to make himself rich--he is the kind of people Jesus warned us about when He said--
From Matthew 7:15-20--15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.)
These are the people that Roma Downey and Mark Burnett asked to review the series. No wonder conservatives love the series. But, if you are bent on watching the show, you may want to read this piece by The Guardian for some balance.
From the piece:
"Nobody expected art – or even history – from the History Channel, but the producers veered so far in the opposite direction that they erased all the personality and depth of the source, not to mention heart or wit. The History Channel has given us the Bible as reality TV. The result amounts to little more than an exploitation of faith. Everyone – believers, nonbelievers, anyone who appreciates a good story or TV series – deserves better."
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Bachmann's "Christianity"
Here is a link to a good article about one of the problems with the GOP and with Michelle Bachmann in particular. Bachmann and the truth don't mix. She doesn't care about the truth as this article points out--
"The Washington Post gave that claim four Pinocchios, and pointed out that “during last year’s G.O.P. presidential race, Bachmann racked up the highest ratio of Four-Pinocchio comments, so just about everything she says needs to be checked and double-checked before it is reported.”
Bachmann has the highest ratio of lies and she claims to be a Christian. Something stinks here and it is both Bachmann's lying and her claims she is a Christian. To continuously lie as Ms. Bachmann does and to claim she is a Christian with a straight face should tell you not to take any of her claims seriously.
Here is a link to what the Bible says about lying and liars. John 8:44 links lies to Satan and I like--
Proverbs 14:5 "A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies."
That pretty much sums up Michelle Bachmann. Too bad there are many who believe her.
"The Washington Post gave that claim four Pinocchios, and pointed out that “during last year’s G.O.P. presidential race, Bachmann racked up the highest ratio of Four-Pinocchio comments, so just about everything she says needs to be checked and double-checked before it is reported.”
Bachmann has the highest ratio of lies and she claims to be a Christian. Something stinks here and it is both Bachmann's lying and her claims she is a Christian. To continuously lie as Ms. Bachmann does and to claim she is a Christian with a straight face should tell you not to take any of her claims seriously.
Here is a link to what the Bible says about lying and liars. John 8:44 links lies to Satan and I like--
Proverbs 14:5 "A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies."
That pretty much sums up Michelle Bachmann. Too bad there are many who believe her.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
When will Huckabee blame homeschooling for murder?
When the murders in Newton, Connecticut occurred, FOX rightwing "Christian" talking head, Mike Huckabee went on a rant about how it was due to "taking God out of schools" and our terrible society. I blogged about this last month. But, where is Huckabee now that a 15 year old "Christian" homeschooler shot and killed four family members--and allegedly actually waited for his dad, a pastor, to murder him?
Huckabee is nowhere around because it doesn't fit the rightwing mantra or help gun manufacturers to sell weapons that are only meant to kill other humans in large numbers.
Huckabee doesn't dare do that or delve into this matter, that maybe this "Church" and "pastor" were abusive and not really Christian. Because for Huckabee to do either, in which both would be correct, he would lose some of his nutwing support and for someone who may run for President, and as an alleged Christian, there is one thing Mike Huckabee can't do and that is the right thing.
Huckabee is nowhere around because it doesn't fit the rightwing mantra or help gun manufacturers to sell weapons that are only meant to kill other humans in large numbers.
Huckabee doesn't dare do that or delve into this matter, that maybe this "Church" and "pastor" were abusive and not really Christian. Because for Huckabee to do either, in which both would be correct, he would lose some of his nutwing support and for someone who may run for President, and as an alleged Christian, there is one thing Mike Huckabee can't do and that is the right thing.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Dobson--an Immoral money grubbing grifter
I have written in the past about Focus on the Family as an organization that is in the "God business" to make money. So, they are a bunch of grifters. I wrote about Dobson's projected lies about President Obama and that he should apologize. Because one of things that a good Christian would do is apologize. Well, actually the first one would be not to make up stuff about someone else and then continually promote it to your audience all to gin up fear and hatred and to have them send you money so you will "defend them".
Once again, Dobson goes on a screed about how terrible the country is--because of Obama and the Democrats. Abortion is a last resort action and a political hot potato. But, you know under whom abortion rates dropped? President Obama. Yet, you won't hear that from Dobson because he wants your cash. Oh. BTW, how come the GOP hasn't brought up a case to the Republican Supreme Court to once and for all outlaw abortion? Because then they wouldn't have it as a campaign issue and all the poor and middle class people who have been voting against their interests over this one issue would vote Democratic.
This is a pretty good piece that lays out Dobson's insanity. Dobson is catering to a group that is increasingly become more fearful and paranoid and I would say more violent. But as long as Dobson can keep those checks coming in, he don't care. And there is something in the Bible that says (and I paraphrase) that you either will love God or money. Dobson made his choice and it is money. Don't be fooled.
Once again, Dobson goes on a screed about how terrible the country is--because of Obama and the Democrats. Abortion is a last resort action and a political hot potato. But, you know under whom abortion rates dropped? President Obama. Yet, you won't hear that from Dobson because he wants your cash. Oh. BTW, how come the GOP hasn't brought up a case to the Republican Supreme Court to once and for all outlaw abortion? Because then they wouldn't have it as a campaign issue and all the poor and middle class people who have been voting against their interests over this one issue would vote Democratic.
This is a pretty good piece that lays out Dobson's insanity. Dobson is catering to a group that is increasingly become more fearful and paranoid and I would say more violent. But as long as Dobson can keep those checks coming in, he don't care. And there is something in the Bible that says (and I paraphrase) that you either will love God or money. Dobson made his choice and it is money. Don't be fooled.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Rich Republicans and donating
I think former Republican Press Secretary, Ari Fleischer, speaks for a lot of rich Republicans when he says if he can't get a tax deduction, he won't donate. Fleischer claims that since his taxes will go up, he will have less money to donate. This from a guy who basically admitted he and his wife make over $450,000 per year. You mean you will only donate money if you get a tax credit when you are making that amount of money? Just ridiculous reasoning.
Anyway, Fleischer is a Jew, which is fine. But, he should be held to the Old Testament standard of tithing which is 10% of all you make in a year regardless if you get a tax credit or not. Fleischer was President George W. Bush's Press Secretary and gave a lot of cover to the destruction of America under the worst President in our history. Fleischer forte is to lie and lie again and a lot.
I understand how getting tax credits do help donate monies to Churches and other organizations and that is a good thing. However, I think credits should stop at a much lower rate. It is people truly in the middle class that donate a higher percentage of their income than what we call the "rich".
From the article:
"The study, conducted by the Chronicle of Philanthropy using tax-deduction data from the Internal Revenue Service, showed that households earning between $50,000 and $75,000 year give an average of 7.6 percent of their discretionary income to charity. That compares to 4.2 percent for people who make $100,000 or more. In some of the wealthiest neighborhoods, with a large share of people making $200,000 or more a year, the average giving rate was 2.8 percent."
So, this is when there was no tax credit reduction on donations and Ari Fleischer thinks it will impact donations? It didn't seem to stop the ultra rich conservatives to donate hundreds of millions in political campaigns. Just think if they donated that to good causes--we would be a much better planet. Although there are wealthy members of society who donate a lot and freely, unfortunately many of the wealthy are truly discompassionate and only do it to serve their self interests and that is not Biblical.
Anyway, Fleischer is a Jew, which is fine. But, he should be held to the Old Testament standard of tithing which is 10% of all you make in a year regardless if you get a tax credit or not. Fleischer was President George W. Bush's Press Secretary and gave a lot of cover to the destruction of America under the worst President in our history. Fleischer forte is to lie and lie again and a lot.
I understand how getting tax credits do help donate monies to Churches and other organizations and that is a good thing. However, I think credits should stop at a much lower rate. It is people truly in the middle class that donate a higher percentage of their income than what we call the "rich".
From the article:
"The study, conducted by the Chronicle of Philanthropy using tax-deduction data from the Internal Revenue Service, showed that households earning between $50,000 and $75,000 year give an average of 7.6 percent of their discretionary income to charity. That compares to 4.2 percent for people who make $100,000 or more. In some of the wealthiest neighborhoods, with a large share of people making $200,000 or more a year, the average giving rate was 2.8 percent."
So, this is when there was no tax credit reduction on donations and Ari Fleischer thinks it will impact donations? It didn't seem to stop the ultra rich conservatives to donate hundreds of millions in political campaigns. Just think if they donated that to good causes--we would be a much better planet. Although there are wealthy members of society who donate a lot and freely, unfortunately many of the wealthy are truly discompassionate and only do it to serve their self interests and that is not Biblical.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Obama the "Conceder-in-Chief"
I was thinking about President Obama and his negotiating style with the GOP because of the latest manufactured crisis by the GOP--the alleged "fiscal cliff". In the end, it probably would just mean the Bush tax cuts that helped to destroy the US economy would be increased and there would be some kind of financial stabilization.
Yet, it seems once again that President Obama conceded or caved to the GOP. But, I am starting to think differently of the President. He is not the usual Washington DC politician and does things that appear to be unusual. But, if you look, it appears Obama always bends not just to the GOP but to help the poor and unemployed. In this deal, the unemployed will get another year long extension in benefits while low income tax credits are extended for five years.
Of course, the GOP and some Democrats got their wealthy benefactors some goodies, too. And, I am sure the math is accurate that it is a lot more money than what was done for the poor and unemployed. However, I think many are missing the big picture and that is how does God view what happened? And I think we can get a good sense from Matthew 25:31-46.
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
I view what President Obama is doing and has done is relevant to Matthew 25:31-40 and what the GOP and some Democrats have done is relevant to Matthew 25:41-46. And I think it is rather clear cut that the GOP and some Dems are truly working to benefit and support the extremely and obscenely rich in this country--and they are rewarded by their patrons quite handsomely. While Obama is trying to help out those who truly need it.
Yet, it seems once again that President Obama conceded or caved to the GOP. But, I am starting to think differently of the President. He is not the usual Washington DC politician and does things that appear to be unusual. But, if you look, it appears Obama always bends not just to the GOP but to help the poor and unemployed. In this deal, the unemployed will get another year long extension in benefits while low income tax credits are extended for five years.
Of course, the GOP and some Democrats got their wealthy benefactors some goodies, too. And, I am sure the math is accurate that it is a lot more money than what was done for the poor and unemployed. However, I think many are missing the big picture and that is how does God view what happened? And I think we can get a good sense from Matthew 25:31-46.
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
I view what President Obama is doing and has done is relevant to Matthew 25:31-40 and what the GOP and some Democrats have done is relevant to Matthew 25:41-46. And I think it is rather clear cut that the GOP and some Dems are truly working to benefit and support the extremely and obscenely rich in this country--and they are rewarded by their patrons quite handsomely. While Obama is trying to help out those who truly need it.
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