I am for capitalism so when it comes to the free market, I am against government intervention, but this is one where I think without it, we’ll be in a great depression scenario. GM alone employs 266,000 people world wide. Between the big 3 they employ nearly 500,000 employees on the assembly lines and GM alone employs over 30 thousand white collar jobs. Then you have Ford and Chrysler, numerous tire factories and cottage industries that are fed off of the American auto industry. Up fitter’s like Master Rack, Lear, Crown and Knapheide here in Missouri that would then lay off employees. The totals could be over a million that are unemployed as a result of the "Big 3" closing.

What can Bush do? I wouldn’t agree to a bailout if I were the president; what I would do is allow congress to pass the legislation in the House and Senate, then do a "Pocket Veto" where the president does not sign the bill nor does he reject it and it becomes law within 10 days anyway and then his signatures not on it. What I feel will happen to President Bush, and congress has already done this to him before, where they draft the legislation and say it's a bipartisan effort viola the (Education Bill drafted by Ted Kennedy) then the president signs it into law and they point the blame at him for bailing out the Wall Street and Halliburton buddies. I would rather the bailout be 100% democrat so that they look like they are giving the corporate welfare and Bush and all of the republicans should say so. That is why Pelosi wants the president to push for the bailout so he takes the blame and gives them more ammo.

You know if he signs it, the democrats will say this president bailed out his Wall Street buddies again and didn’t do anything for the middle class when in reality, the bailout would do nothing but save the middle class. The corporate fat cats have enough money to never have to work again anyway so essentially the middle class will be the unemployed on the food lines.

This bailout has the need for a Barack Obama signature, so that the media and the democrats do not use this as another diversion and a way to antagonize more class warfare. Since Pelosi is the one calling for the bailout, let it fall on the democrats shoulders, after all they are the ones that receive all of the Union blood money via campaign contributions. The volatility of the economy as it stands today, there is no guarantee that a bailout will not just temporarily postpone the inevitable and the industry could fail anyway. Plus numerous industries are calling for government intervention while screaming stay out of private businesses affairs.

With no intervention, there is the possibility of a huge catastrophe. With intervention, the possibility of a huge catastrophe remains. Government intervention prevents the normal market corrections from taking place which force companies to streamline costs and efficiencies.

Your thoughts?

Stories are now coming out that Palin brought down the McCain ticket. http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=1 0560
934

If the Republican Party is going to play the blame game, blame the candidate. If you noticed during the debates on numerous occasions Barack Obama said that he agreed with McCain. Agreed with McCain! So the question is not whether Sarah brought down the ticket, the question should be why was it that when McCain spoke, Obama thought he heard himself in McCain and said “I agree with McCain as if they shared the same value system…when Obama is the most liberal senator there is? If Obama and McCain agree, there is a serious problem.

When people are given the choice of two liberals, they will naturally go with the one who is calling himself a liberal. McCain was and always has tried to compete with those who were looking to expand socialism instead of securing the base. By the margin that McCain lost by, it was NOT because of the middle of the road the “unwashed”, it was because Republicans did not vote for him.

If you don't believe that to be accurate look at three extremely conservative values based bills that went through: 1. Proposition 8 in California, a state that Obama carried voted to amend the constitution to define marriage is only between a man and a woman. 2. Proposition 102 in Arizona that amended the constitution to define marriage can only be between a man and a woman. 3. Missouri voted to pass amendment No. 1 to make English the official language of government. These issues are what the middle of the road and conservatives voted on, and many of the liberals did as well. So if McCain's loss could be blamed on anything, blame it on the fact that he has sided with McCain/Kennedy, McCain/Feingold, Gang of 14, he voted against the federal marriage amendment. McCain lost! Conservatism did not.

Frankly those Palin bashers out there, including those in the Republican party are setting themselves up to continue to lose elections if they are going to take their talking points from: Joe Lieberman, MSNBC, CNN, Tim Matthews and Ted Kennedy. McCain turned down a 30 minute "free" interview on the number one rated O'Reilly Factor which would air on the same night as Obama's American Idol vote show to instead appear on CBS Sunday morning and speak to an audience of 3 people that have televisions with the turn dial knob missing and pliers are too hard to use to change the channel..so they are stuck watching CBS. If conservatives want to win elections their answer to problems cannot be "the government” or "McCain/Kennedy was not amnesty".

Last point keeping your eyes on your opponent is a sign of strength and confidence. I did not write publicly about this, but I did send the McCain, campaign that I personally thought McCain lost all 3 debates because he would not stand in confidence and speak to Obama. Plus telling everyone he'll cut pork, but then voting for the mortgage bailout that contained nearly a billion dollars worth of pork did not help him either. Oh, and you must not forget, the “I am going to suspend my campaign until we fix this mortgage problem”, only to show up unprepared for the debate that you were not supposed to be at! Way to keep your word. Too much to cover, not enough time.

Over the weekend a firestorm of criticism of Mike Huckabee has taken place because of his remarks about Obama. Huckabee giving a speech to the NRA on Friday said “That was Barack Obama. He just tripped off a chair. He's getting ready to speak and somebody aimed a gun at him and he _ he dove for the floor.” Now the media thinks and thought it would be appropriate for him to apologize. http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008May16/0,4670,HuckabeeObama,00.html

However, in the context of Michelle Obama's remarks that “As a black man, Barack can get shot going to the gas station” Huckabee’s comments were appropriate. http://mediamatters.org/items/200801160005  Shot??? By who, his white racist grandmother? Obama a man for hope? Yes...He hopes that we are all too stupid to question his integrity.

If Michelle Obama is going to say such idiotic statements with such asininity, absurdity and false characterizations of the lives the Obama’s live in the black, community then it is fair game to criticize them in any fashion the critics deem appropriate. The Obama’s do not get to reinvent the rules and use the race card whenever convenient

.  
Remember free speech protects controversial and unpopular speech as there is no need to defend speech that would make you politically popular. Politically correct speech in America is say what you want, because people have died defending that right. This notion of PC is an oxymoron, as politically we have free speech and it “shall not be infringed”, even when the Obama’s don’t like it.  

Michelle Obama is the one who should apologize… Barack should apologize for lying. Huckabee was pointing out the absurdity of Michelle’s statements, to an audience at a gun show filled with people who have lost many of their (gun) rights to liberal liars like the Obama’s.

 
Just a couple of weeks ago Obama chastised Hillary, calling her Annie Oakley etc. That was supposed to be funny and Huckabee’s remarks are offensive?

So the real question in this story is: When is John McCain going to apologize for hearing the Huckabee statement? He’s apologized for everything else the republicans have said or done up to this date.

Obama has reached the status of god, as no one dares challenge him or they be faced with the term racist. The only apology that Huckabee should be giving is to the American people for back peddling after making his statement about Obama. At least have the fortitude to stand by what you say. Advice for Huckabee: say what you mean and mean what you say. That is why Huckabee was not nominated to represent the republicans, he’s wish washy. So is McCain, but we cannot talk about him either because he is old.

Barack Obama for Stalinist dictator 2008

Barack Obama’s pastor Reverend Wright in recent comments said “G—D---- America! It’s in the bible” which if you search the entire bible you will find no reference to G—D--- or references to the new world or America in it whatsoever. Yet while claiming to know and understand the bible Wright and the Trinity United Church of Christ promotes; not tolerates….PROMOTES homosexuality. http://www.tucc.org/ministries.htm  On Saturdays they will hook up single homosexuals, in the church.

You won’t find G-- D--- America in the bible; However, you will find:  1 Corinthians 6:9 “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders”.

Romans 1:27 “In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.”  

Jude 1:7 “7just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.”  

Leviticus 20:13 “13 " 'If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”

Genesis 19:5 “They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them."  

6 Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him 7 and said, "No, my friends. Don't do this wicked thing. 8 Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don't do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof." 9 "Get out of our way," they replied. And they said, "This fellow came here as an alien, and now he wants to play the judge! We'll treat you worse than them." They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door.”

One could argue if the lesson, on Sodom and Gomorrah was about homosexuality or just having wicked heart. However, the fact that homosexuality is an outward sign of a wicked heart the point would be moot; considering that homosexuality is a statement to God that you want it your way and not Gods way regardless of the consequences.

Reverend Wright and anyone who would tolerate the teaching of such heresies should never be considered a great leader, an honest person, nor should they have any opportunity to lead the greatest nation in the world or much less be looked at with Reverence.

1 Timothy 1:3 “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain persons not to teach false doctrines any longer” and

2 Peter 2:1 “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.” That is in the bible and Reverend Wright should repent for such destructive teachings.

Barack has been a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ for 20 years and yet waited until yesterday, after falling in the polls while running for “President” of the Damned United States and extensive scrutiny of his own ideology from the media and his peers that are also running for President. Barack has been linked to terrorist “William Ayers” when asked about it acted as if associations should not play a part in politics. Coming from a guy like Obama, who has been extremely critical of Vice President Dick Cheney on his ties to Halliburton; can Obama be taken seriously? He only yesterday denounced the Reverend Wright comments after recently falling in the polls.

Obama accused Hillary and John McCain of playing politics because the two are proposing tax cuts on gas purchased over the summer months to try to provide temporary relief for consumers. Obama said “"It would last for three months and it would save you on average half a tank of gas, $25 to $30. That's what Senator Clinton and Senator McCain are proposing to deal with the gas crisis. This isn't an idea designed to get you through the summer, it's an idea designed to get them through an election.” Coming from a guy Barack I won’t wear an American flag lapel, who only yesterday denounced Wright for his anti-American statements….blames the Jews for the plight of the African Americans…..blames the CIA for the drug problems in America. Talk about Politics.  

Obama for President? No thanks!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and
_americas/us_elections/article3736043.ece http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080430/pl_nm/usa_politic
s_gastax_economists_dc http://www.ibs.org/

Army Sgt. Darren Manzella is breaking the military policy of “don’t ask don’t tell”.  

 

Manzella has stated “It has never affected my job performance before. I don't think it will make a difference now. And to be honest since then, I don't see a difference because of my homosexuality."- http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080109/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/
military_gays&printer=1;_ylt=AqGfpJvAlgN6iQ.1IN9DccKWwv
IE

Manzella says that he doesn’t see a difference of being a homosexual, but then he goes out of his way to bring up the fact that he is a homosexual. If being a homosexual does not affect his job, then why bring it up?

Further, it is not Manzella that the policy was created for; it is the other non-homosexual soldiers surrounding him that have the issue. “Don’t ask don’t tell” wasn’t for the protection of homosexuals, it was to eliminate distraction to non-homosexuals that would serve along side of homosexuals. This is not about homosexuality. It is about insubordination.

 

Please demand the president bring charges against him: comments@whitehouse.gov 

 

Why so much focus in the media on hate crimes legislation? Because the people backing the bill are lying. In fact the number one group on the FBI’s site is homosexuals right? Wrong! The number one group is Race: 55.7 percent of the victims were targeted because of a bias against a race and the race targeted the most was blacks at 67.9.

The next highest group targeted was religious groups at 16% and the number one religious target was Jews at 69.5%. The next highest group targeted was ethnic groups 14% and the highest targeted ethnic group was Hispanic at 58.8%.
The next group reported was sexual orientation at 13.8% ant the highest group targeted were male homosexuals at 61.3%, but what is funny is that heterosexuals were targeted by homosexuals at 1.9%. Homosexuals were second to last, the last being people targeting those with disabilities which rings in a 0.6%. http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/hc2005/victims.htm

By this they should not be calling it the Matthew Sheppard bill, considering blacks are the number one targets of hate crimes category a full 41.9 points higher than homosexuals.

 

Compare this with the statistics provided by The Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays website which states a number that is astronomically higher than the FBI hate crimes statistics “The statistics reported by the NAVP differ greatly from those reported by official government sources. It is generally recognized that official sources under-represent GLBT bias related crimes by as much as 75% as victims are often afraid to report the incident to the authorities for fear of further discrimination, and harassment, or for fear of disclosure of their sexual orientation or gender identity to families or employers.” www.pflag.com  That’s it? The crime goes unreported is the best argument they have? We can play that game all day long; more blacks would report the crime except they fear retaliation, more Jews, more Hispanics, Christians etc, etc. This is nothing but smoke and mirrors. The fact is homosexuals don’t have the facts on their side so they modify the results to fit their agenda.

So why is such a big deal being made about Federal hate crimes legislation and lies about homosexuals being the number one target; to the point that they are calling the bill the Matthew Sheppard bill? Answer is that the homosexual lobby is getting more and more powerful with sponsors like: IBM, MetLife, Citigroup, Dow, American Airlines, Logo network, PepsiCo, Motorola, Orbitz, Comcast communications and General Motors and many more. Truly congress has access to the real statistics, but they are bold faced lying to the American public because it is always the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. The homosexual lobby is in the face of the media and government giving a daily barrage of propaganda. The networks are co-conspirators, just turn on the TV and look at the programming on the air, you would deduce by an hours worth of channel surfing that there are no heterosexuals left on earth. So what happened to the heterosexuals? They are being blindsided by a homosexual attack to rid America of traditional family values. We are inundated by homosexuals in the media.

 

In California Arnold Schwarzenegger just signed legislation that classifies “gender” as self identity. So is school bathrooms “gender” specific? Will there be little boy’s going in the girl’s room and visa versa? It depends on the “gender” identity of that particular child. Don’t fall for the lies take action and write your congressman and senator and President and tell them no to hate crimes legislation. Senate.gov and house.gov

Also write President Bush and tell him to veto hate crimes legislation: comments@whitehouse.gov  

Barney Frank House Representative from Massachusetts fourth district has introduced a bill to give special protections to homosexuals. This is the same guy who ran a escort service out of his home some years back.

H.R.3685 Title: To prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. But homosexuals are already protected against discrimination in the work place. We are creating two classes in America, and one is being elevated above everyone else. Homosexuals do not need special protection, expressing ones sexuality does not belong in the workplace unless you are a pornographer.

Personally sexuality, heterosexual or homosexual is not a job qualification. In other words if you talk about sex at work there is no doubt that someone will be offended and therefore keep your private life private and your public life professional and so everyone is on an equal playing field. This is just common courtesy and would go a lot further then congress passing legislation that forces Americans to listen to someone’s sexual life in the workplace.

If someone is interested in your sexuality they will ask and that will open the door for discussion without offense, but if they do not ask do not impose it upon them. People get paid to work at work, not discuss sexuality; what are we trying to accomplish turning the workplace into the Disney Epcot center?
Write your representative and tell them vote no on H.R.3685 http://www.house.gov/  Then call Barney and tell him we don't need his morality. (202) 225-5931

Look at what the house of Representatives has done to America: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c110:2:./temp/~c110tHORWv::

They have solidified the recognition of the "Religion of Terror". Christians please take the time to peruse through this legislation and then ask yourself where is the ACLU on this one?

Prayer rugs in universities, foot washing stations at airports and universities, recently Oak Lawn School District outside of Chicago banned pork from the menu and any Christian religion symbols. Say by to Santa and Hello to the prayer rugs. http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/578734,CST-NWS-oaklawn28.article

The pagan organizations are making a deal with the devil to rid the United States of its founding heritage "Christianity".

Please do not be self diluted on this and think that this is only giving another group rights, this is in fact striping away the rights of citizens i.e. Christians. Let us face the fact that we are at war with radical Islam.
The Quran’ in itself is a book of terror and should never be likened to a great religion or one of peace. Surah 8:12 "When thy Lord inspired the angels, (saying): I am with you. So make those who believe stand firm. I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each finger."

Surah 4:171 "O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His messengers. Say not "Three (Trinity)" : desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is One God. Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth."

SURAH 5:73: "They do blaspheme who say, ‘God is one of three in a Trinity’, for there is no god except One God."

Muslims are lying! This article from Muslim access states that Surah 9:5 is referencing a conversion of Christians to the religion of Islam after Muhammad peacefully conquered Mecca; however, Muhammad spread the religion to Mecca by the sword not the word. He first tried the word then went to the sword. Surah (9:5), "But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful." One of the main concerns of Chapter (Surah) 9 of the Quran (a Surah is a collection of verses) was to delineate the strategies for dealing with the polytheists of the Arabian Peninsula after the Muslims, under the leadership of Prophet Muhammad, peacefully captured Mecca (In January, 630, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his followers were joined by tribe after tribe along their way to Mecca. They entered Mecca without bloodshed and the Meccans, seeing the tide had turned, joined them.) the city that since the beginning of Islam lead the oppression and persecution of the Muslim converts. http://www.muslimaccess.com/articles/jihad/kill_the_infidels.asp Now after reading their explanation note that Surah 3:54 allows Muslims to lie to Infidels. http://www.muslimhope.com/DeceptionInIslam.htm

Do not be deceived.

Surah 5:51"Do not take the Jews and Christians for friends"
Surah 9:30 "Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them"

Surah 8:12 "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them"
Surah 5:110 "Jesus taught people even in his "old age"

Surah 2:25, 4:57, 11:23, 47:15 "Heaven is a place of sex and wine."

This should serve as a wake up call to all Christians. Remember Jesus was the most intolerant man ever recorded when he said "I am the way the truth and the life."

By not accepting Islam as a great religion or one of peace, is not intolerant, it is just pointing out facts. And remember Matthew 6:24 Luke 16:13"No one can serve two masters." Only one religion can be right and great and must choose which one, but keep in mind if the religion of terror has there way there will no longer be freedom of choice.

What congress and many schools in America have done to us is appalling it is time to demand accountability from our government.

 

What is going on with the church today? From inviting worldly non-believing speakers to uniting along side heretics to popularize the church of today, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that we are seeing scandal after scandal in the church of today. Everything from Jim and Tammy Baker, David Koresh and the Branch Davidians, Ted Hagert last year and not in the least of which, child molestation. Which just weeks after the Catholic Church paid out a $600,000,000 settlement, a Dardene, Missouri Church faces allegations of sexual misconduct with a 12 or 13 year old girl by one of their Deacons Jerry Glenn Crabdree. And last year a Shawn Davies, a 33 year old Baptist Music Minister was convicted of child abuse including statutory sodomy.

Jesus calls us to Repent Matthew 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." No matter what eschatological view point you hold, whether you believe that Jesus will pre-tribulational rapture or whether you hold to the Amillennial that this will be the same day of judgment for believers and non-believers, is irrelevant. On the day we meet the Lord, we better be ready to be judged. There won’t be a second chance.

The apostate church since the beginning has been giving people a watered down gospel and mixing worldly thoughts with the Christian faith and trying to make the two mesh. The problem is that they don’t. In Christianity there is only one right view and that is that the only way to heaven is through Jesus’ salvific work on the cross.

Calling Jesus your Savior and Lord means a transformation has taken place in our lives that is shown by our works. This change happens in a moment of time Acts 9:3 Saul was instantly transformed. If you are living a life that does not illustrate a transformation, it would be a good idea to ask to yourself “do I really believe that Jesus is my savior”. Because remember there is a huge difference between saying you are sorry and repenting; sorry has a host of meanings, such as you may be sorry you were caught. Repenting means turning away from the sins that God convicts our hearts of i.e. you stop and change your ways. Other wise what good is it to know the difference between right and wrong. Even secular people set laws into place that are designed to bring awareness and punishment to sins.

The Church today tells only about Gods love for the sinner but the bible has so much more for us to learn about. In fact Jesus talked about hell more than heaven. God is very complex; he’s love, but he’s also hate; he’s justice and mercy. God hates our wicked ways. And Gods love also allows us to be eternally separated from him by our choosing to not accept his love and grace freely. I know it maybe hard for some to believe, but in the end we may not see people that we expected to see in heaven. 1 Corinthians 6:8 tells us “Do not be deceived.” If you want to know what that means you need to ask the question who is he talking to? It wasn’t God, so who is he saying it to? He’s saying it to us, because in the end our clever arguments that we throw out to convince people that what we may be doing isn’t wrong, won’t cut it with God. So it means if you are arguing that maybe there is another way, God is saying don’t be deceived or don’t deceive yourself, because God isn’t fooled by our deceit.

The church needs to take corrective action within the church to avoid falling into heresy. Before you can understand you are saved the church needs to teach what you are saved from; the bible makes it very clear. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We all deserve to spend eternity in hell, but if we accept Jesus as our savior we are accepting Romans 6:23 “23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. We are Clothed in his righteousness, lets start acting like it.

2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” There was a line some years back from the movie Love Story that said “True love means never having to say you are sorry.” That is just wrong; a love for Jesus is an awareness that you have much to be remorseful over and it is time to repent. 2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” If there is no repenting, correcting and rebuking, how are we ever going to change? Remember works are an outward expression of an inward faith.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/st
charles/story/B3E5B84351950EF3862573370016AB98?OpenDocu
ment http://www.snapnetwork.org/news/baptist/missouri_pastor
_sentenced.htm

 The vote that counts will be tomorrow when they decide whether to proceed to the House. Write them and tell them where you stand at senate.gov
This is the result on the cloture vote 6/26/07:
Alabama: Sessions (R-AL), Nay Shelby (R-AL), Nay
Alaska: Murkowski (R-AK), Yea Stevens (R-AK), Yea
Arizona: Kyl (R-AZ), Yea McCain (R-AZ), Yea
Arkansas: Lincoln (D-AR), Yea Pryor (D-AR), Yea
California: Boxer (D-CA), Yea Feinstein (D-CA), Yea
Colorado: Allard (R-CO), Nay Salazar (D-CO), Yea
Connecticut: Dodd (D-CT), Yea Lieberman (ID-CT), Yea
Delaware: Biden (D-DE), Yea Carper (D-DE), Yea
Florida: Martinez (R-FL), Yea Nelson (D-FL), Yea
Georgia: Chambliss (R-GA), Nay Isakson (R-GA), Nay
Hawaii: Akaka (D-HI), Yea Inouye (D-HI), Yea
Idaho: Craig (R-ID), Yea Crapo (R-ID), Nay
Illinois: Durbin (D-IL), Yea Obama (D-IL), Yea
Indiana: Bayh (D-IN), Nay Lugar (R-IN), Yea
Iowa: Grassley (R-IA), Nay Harkin (D-IA), Yea
Kansas: Brownback (R-KS), Yea Roberts (R-KS), Nay
Kentucky: Bunning (R-KY), Nay McConnell (R-KY), Yea
Louisiana: Landrieu (D-LA), Nay Vitter (R-LA), Nay
Maine: Collins (R-ME), Yea Snowe (R-ME), Yea
Maryland: Cardin (D-MD), Yea Mikulski (D-MD), Yea
Massachusetts: Kennedy (D-MA), Yea Kerry (D-MA), Yea
Michigan: Levin (D-MI), Yea Stabenow (D-MI), Nay
Minnesota: Coleman (R-MN), Yea Klobuchar (D-MN), Yea
Mississippi: Cochran (R-MS), Nay Lott (R-MS), Yea
Missouri: Bond (R-MO), Yea McCaskill (D-MO), Nay
Montana: Baucus (D-MT), Nay Tester (D-MT), Nay
Nebraska: Hagel (R-NE), Yea Nelson (D-NE), Yea
Nevada: Ensign (R-NV), Yea Reid (D-NV), Yea
New Hampshire: Gregg (R-NH), Yea Sununu (R-NH), Nay
New Jersey: Lautenberg (D-NJ), Yea Menendez (D-NJ), Yea
New Mexico: Bingaman (D-NM), Yea Domenici (R-NM), Yea
New York: Clinton (D-NY), Yea Schumer (D-NY), Yea
North Carolina: Burr (R-NC), Yea Dole (R-NC), Nay
North Dakota: Conrad (D-ND), Yea Dorgan (D-ND), Nay
Ohio: Brown (D-OH), Yea Voinovich (R-OH), Yea
Oklahoma: Coburn (R-OK), Nay Inhofe (R-OK), Nay
Oregon: Smith (R-OR), Nay Wyden (D-OR), Yea
Pennsylvania: Casey (D-PA), Yea Specter (R-PA), Yea
Rhode Island: Reed (D-RI), Yea Whitehouse (D-RI), Yea
South Carolina: DeMint (R-SC), Nay Graham (R-SC), Yea
South Dakota: Johnson (D-SD), Not Voting Thune (R-SD), Nay
Tennessee: Alexander (R-TN), Nay Corker (R-TN), Nay
Texas: Cornyn (R-TX), Nay Hutchison (R-TX), Nay
Utah: Bennett (R-UT), Yea Hatch (R-UT), Nay
Vermont: Leahy (D-VT), Yea Sanders (I-VT), Nay
Virginia: Warner (R-VA), Yea Webb (D-VA), Yea
Washington: Cantwell (D-WA), Yea Murray (D-WA), Yea
West Virginia: Byrd (D-WV), Nay Rockefeller (D-WV), Nay
Wisconsin: Feingold (D-WI), Yea Kohl (D-WI), Yea
Wyoming: Barrasso (R-WY), Nay Enzi (R-WY), Nay

Unraveling Revelation 20

Before getting started it would be appropriate to give the time frame of the writing; contrary to popular belief of a date of 90 or later, considering most of the book describes the judgment of Israel and the destruction of the temple, it would have had to be written pre 70 A.D. Otherwise the writing would have been talking about the fulfillment of Jesus' previous predictions Matthew 24:2 “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." not the judgment that was yet to come. It also references the "Beast" which is widely known to be Nero, this would further affirm the earlier dating; even Prior to 68 A.D when Nero’s reign ended. It would be unlikely that the biggest event "the falling of the temple" in the Roman empire, but certainly the biggest prediction in the Christian faith would have failed to be mentioned by the author. So the date would have had to be prior to 68 and definitely before 70 A.D.

Revelation 20:1 Clear reference to his Jesus’ first coming- Revelation 20:1 "And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the Dragon that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan” A passage in the past tense giving reference to Matthew 12:29 "Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.

Revelation 20:4 I saw the thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. All man kind since Jesus’ ascension until his final return who died for their testimony will return on the day with Christ. Then makes a Parallel with Corinthians 6:2 giving us authority to judge Corinthians 6: ² Or do you not know that the Lord's people will judge the world? ⁵ I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?” This is an edict or reference to all of us in Christ to judge or be the moral fabric of the world until his second coming and to all those who die for their testimony will return with Christ and be in their resurrected bodies. Jesus’ second coming and final judgment:

Revelation 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. This coincides with John 5:25 ²⁸"Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice ²⁹and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.” No pre-tribulation, no Tim LeHaye or Jerry B. Jenkins "Left Behind series" just final judgment for all mankind on the day the book of life is revealed Revelation 20:13 ¹³ The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and everyone was judged according to what they had done. ¹⁴ Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. ¹⁵ All whose names were not found written in the book of life were thrown into the lake of fire.”

For some an area of confusion is Revelation 20:4 “They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” This is the spiritual resurrection (not physical), where those who died before the thousand years have gone to be with the Lord in spirit and reign from a spiritual kingdom, but at the second resurrection (the physical) the Lord will reign on earth as well. Parallel passage to thousand years: Psalm 50:10 “for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” So how many cattle does the Lord own, those only on one thousand hills? No he owns all the cattle; a thousand is a reference to fullness. The date Christ Returns is unknown by Jesus’ own omission Matthew 24:6 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” So the thousand years is a reference to when the fullness is reached and we don’t know that date. However, we can be assured that it will be fulfilled and that is why it is of the utmost urgency to spread the good news today.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.'15 According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air."

So what would happen to those in the book of life? They die corruptible and resurrect imperishable to be united with the Savior of this World our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 6:5 "If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection." Because if this were not the same day that would mean purgatory or an interim judgment. That just doesn’t seem possible, because it doesn't meet the laws on non-contradiction, that Christ would rapture his Church but leave a remnant to give testimony who would continue to suffer. The first death is the death of the physical and the second is spiritual. Philippians 3:10, 11 “¹⁰I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

Because it is the word of God that brings repentance so someone would have to spread the word; because without it, no one would nor could come to Christ. So if he left someone behind it would have to be a believer because someone would have to lead the lost in to repentance, which makes absolutely no sense. Romans 10:17 “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” No word no repentance, no repentance no salvation. No salvation why would he then have a sect that would survive for seven years? He wouldn’t.

Man comes to know Christ in his life or never and is shut out for eternity. Luke 16:25 “But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.”

So in short, this would mean final judgment occurs at one moment in time and for all of us; saved or unsaved. We are resurrected from the dead for glory or eternal damnation. So is God sending them to hell? No, if God took people who did not desire fellowship with him on earth to an eternal kingdom, he would be the Devil not a loving God. Respect for free will is what true love is.

Take for example, if you beat your kids they will do as they are told, but they will not freely love you. They will just be acting in accordance to avoid another beating. But if you love them, they will submit to you knowing that you are acting in their best interest. Heaven is going to be a place of eternal praise and worship, someone who did not love God on earth would be dragged into his presence for eternity. That would make God unloving, if he did not allow you to not only choose him, but to reject him as well.

A quote to leave you with "I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would be either a lunatic — on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to." C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity

 

God is not an unknowable, unapproachable, unloving, unforgiving soul.

God is not a sadistic, hateful spirit causing hurt and sorrow.

God is not a God that creates rules and commandments in order to bring our lives misery.

What God is, is summed up in John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only son. The biggest objection usually given for why people don’t believe or don’t want to believe is that: “how could a loving God let bad things happen to good people?” John 18:36 "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." Jesus does not cause the bad things but permits them. This world is not the best world, but it is the best way to bring us to the best world. When bad things happen to us we are not alone Jesus wants to walk along side of you. John 11:35 “Jesus wept.” Matthew 5:45 “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” The fact is that good and bad things happen to all people for Gods purpose. God does not drag people into his kingdom we have to choose to receive him. True love allows people to give love freely. If you don’t want God in your life he allows that, but is not happy about that. So if your decisions cause eternal separation from God, in other words hell; that will be your decision. God just certifies your decision eternally. Confess Jesus as your Lord and savior, repent which means turn from your wicked ways and live for the Lord.

 

Prison reform is much needed in America. According to the US Department of Justice, in 2005 there were 2,193,798 prisoners in American Prisons and Jails a 2.7% increase over 2004. Society is getting worse and yet the prison system remains the same. What can we do about this? Obviously when you read below you will see there is a great need to reform the current system. Not in a small way, we need to reinvent the wheel in this case.

Sexual Violence Reported by Correctional Authorities Correctional authorities substantiated 885 incidents of sexual violence in 2005, 15% of completed investigations. 38% of allegations involved staff sexual misconduct; 35% inmate-on-inmate nonconsensual sexual acts; 17%, staff sexual harassment; and 10% inmate-on-inmate abusive sexual contact. Half of inmate-on-inmate sexual violence involved physical force or threat of force.

In 2002 --

• 68% of jail inmates reported symptoms in the year before their admission to jail that met substance dependence or abuse criteria.
• 16% of convicted jail inmates said that they committed their offense to get money for drugs.
• 63% of inmates who met substance dependence or abuse criteria had participated in substance treatment or other programs.

Thanks to the ACLU prisoners are still allowed pornography in prison. Go figure, perhaps we should supply them Viagra as well.

The adult probation population grew 0.5% in 2005. This was an increase of 19,070 probationers, or the smallest increase in the last 26 years.

• About 50% of all probationers had been convicted of a felony, 49% of a misdemeanor, and 1% of other infractions. Twenty-eight percent were on probation for a drug law violation, and 15% for driving while intoxicated.

I guess this is one more reason to legalize marijuana. If you make it legal we won’t have crime. Yeah, this makes sense and while we are at it lets legalize violent crimes so we don’t have them either.

Why is it that they can stay in their cell 24/7 and not have to work? These people need to be trained. We should not have to pay state road crews, paint crews etc. when we have people that we can utilize as part of their sentence. Not only do criminals victimize us once, but then we have to pay for housing, dental, health. They should have to work off their sentence, no exceptions.                                                                                                                                   Out of the illegal aliens in our country according to the government agency http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05646r.pdf 97% of illegal aliens were arrested at least one time. Man that makes me feel good to know that congress and senate have our best interest on the immigration issue.

So what can we do? Get out of your comfort zone and call your senators, congressman and President and tell them you demand a change.

Capitol switch board (202)224-3121 and ask for your senators' and/or representative's office or email: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/issues/basics/?style=comm For the President: (202) 456-1414 email: president@whitehouse.gov

 

Reverend was the epitome of what a Christian should strive for. He took hard stands on issues that caused much strife in his life and yet he held fast to what he believed in. Better to die for something than live for nothing. Falwell, was faithful to the end and will be greatly missed. My prayers go out to his family and all those who suffer for Christ’s name sake. Let this not be a time to divide, but to reach out to the community to share a message of love. John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. Farewell Falwell “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”

 

1) Securing The Border “Securing The Border Is A Critical Part Of Our Strategy For Comprehensive Immigration Reform, And We Are Increasing Manpower And Improving Infrastructure And Technology At The Border.”
Did George here about this? Gunmen Attack National Guard Border Patrol Site in Arizona. Tucson, Ariz. — National Guard troops working at an observatory post near the Mexican border were forced to flee after being approached by a group of armed individuals, authorities said. Friday, January 05, 2007 Associated Press Is this what the President means by securing the border? What about the war on terror, should not the border be part of it? I wonder what Bush said to the troops to get them to flee: Ah, ah, don’t engage them, those are our future citizens, ah if you engage, ah, then they won’t come here. Ordering our troops to flee undermines their mission and goes against their training and the troops’ oath to protect the country.

2) Creating A Temporary Worker Program “We Cannot Fully Secure The Border Unless We Take Pressure Off The Border – And That Requires A Temporary Worker Program.”
Mr. President how many times are we going to hear this line of crap? Part of immigration reform needs to deal with the entitlement system Americans are currently afforded. Cut welfare benefits to people who are not seeking work and they will take these “jobs that Americans won’t do.”

3) Holding Employers Accountable For The Workers They Hire “Enforcing Immigration Laws At The Worksite Is A Vital Part Of Any Successful Reform. We are cracking down on employers who knowingly violate the law.”
When? This should be easy there are already laws and penalties for companies that hire illegal aliens. Oh, President Bush must not know about them. Maybe it would be cheaper to tell him that than to rewrite the laws. How about just enforce those already in effect. By not enforcing them, we give them appearance that our rules are not a reality.

4) Resolving The Status Of The Millions Of Illegal Immigrants Already In The Country “The Administration Is Working With Democrats And Republicans To Find A Practical Answer That Lies Between Granting Automatic American Citizenship To Every Illegal Immigrant And Deporting Every Illegal Immigrant. The President Opposes Amnesty. Illegal Immigrants Who Have Roots In Our Country And Want To Stay Should Have To Pay A Meaningful Penalty For Breaking The Law, Pay Their Taxes, Learn English, And Work In A Job For A Number Of Years.”
Ah, ah, ah, just pay ah, ten dollars and agree to pick some lettuce and you’re a citizen. This still won’t deal with the real problem. Punishing those who are already here illegally by depriving them the opportunity to even become citizens in the future sounds like more of a solution.

5) Finding New Ways To Help Newcomers Assimilate Into Our Society “We Will Honor The American Tradition Of The Melting Pot And Help Immigrants Assimilate By Learning Our History, Our Values, And The English Language.”
I can just here him now: Ah, it’s your responsibility to educate them, because after all, I let them come here. Yeah, because America does not offer enough already, we should take on massive debt making sure they can communicate. Why should we be responsible for training them? Hey, maybe we should go back to all the previous generations who assimilated to the American culture on their own, and give them retribution for the suffering they went through.

Instead of turning to other nations for our labor force, perhaps we should stop aborting our future work force.

Take a moment to write the President and Vice President and tell them immigration reform must consist of:

1) As part of immigration reform cut social welfare programs to those who are flagrantly violating the system. Prosecute those abusing welfare for fraud, with orders of retribution. Require more prison sentences in welfare fraud cases.

2) Driver’s licenses given to citizens here on visas must contain the visa number on the driver’s license so they can check the status of the immigrant during routine stops. Tear down interior walls that prevent law enforcement officials from communicating. Especially when it comes to immigration concerns.

3) Add 10,000 more border patrol agents or the equal number of National Guardsmen. Create a legal defence fund for those Immigration officials in the field. Give law enforcement officials the tools to inquire citizen status without fear of being targeted for profiling. Give law enforcement the benefit of the doubt.

4) Build a wall along the border and use current technology to discover tunnels along the U.S. border.

5) Detain illegal aliens at the time of discovering they are illegal. Before deporting, run a full NCIC background check on those in custody. If they have warrants from previous encounters continue to detain them and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. If no warrants, deport them immediately.

6) Punish businesses that knowingly violate our laws by employing illegal or undocumented workers. Make the Social Security Administration accountable when a business runs a social security number. Hold employers accountable for reporting the employment status to the Social Security department at which point the Social Security dept. would then notify all other proper authorities.

Email the President: comments@whitehouse.gov Vice President: vice_president@whitehouse.gov Senate: http://senate.gov/ Congress: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/