Rocky Mountain Family Council

Punt McInnis and Maes

2010-07-17T06:51:00.002-06:00

If the Republicans want to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory this fall, then run either Scott McInnis or Dan Maes. They will get creamed. Neither man is competent for the job.

Seldom do we get into the business of individual politics but this year, much is riding on whom will sit in the Governor's chair in January of 2011.

With quirky John Hickenlooper, the Democrat mayor of Denver, we know what we will get from him and his liberal minions: more of the same business-wrecking, government growing statism.

Surveys of Coloradans of all political stripes reveal a desire for a return to fiscal conservatism, pro-job growth policies and limited government.

Perhaps either Ken Buck or Jane Norton should tack a different course and run for Governor.

Tea Party Racists? Bogus...

2010-07-17T06:46:00.002-06:00

It's started.

With a turn of the calendar into July, 3 months before a swing election, lefties have begun their normal subterfuge of bogus allegations of conservatives.

The latest is charges of "racism" amidst Tea Party elements.

Here's the story.

The author is uber-liberal Washington Post editorialist E.J. Dionne, who seems to have slipped a few cogs with this article.

Are there racists in the Tea Party. Probably. Are there racists among the lefties, yup.

Move on.

No More Spending Obama

2010-06-29T08:57:00.002-06:00

One of the hallmarks of Keynesian economics is that deficit spending promotes sustainable growth.

It does not work. History has proven it so.

Hooray to today's Denver Post op-ed which does get it. Here it is.

Even as Europeans move further and further away from this philosophy, Barack Obama remains a disciple of it.

The G20 conference in Toronto this weekend was an embarrassment for Americans. As European leaders gave Obama dismissive looks, Obama continued to make his flawed case for more deficit spending, money that America does not have. You see, Obama believes that government spending stimulates a private market economy and creates jobs. Mr. President, with all due respect, you must have been asleep during your college economics classes.

Here is a little inconvenient problem with this approach: when the government spends "money", it spends your tax dollars. As it takes money away from you, it lessens how much money you can spend on things like job creation, productivity, capital investments et al.

But our President and his star-crossed advisers refuse to get it.

November is only 5 months away.

New Laws for CO Medical Marijuana

2010-06-07T13:34:00.002-06:00

We have commented much this year on Colorado's medicinal marijuana fiasco. Our view has always been that medicinal marijuana is a fraud and truely a front for the legalization of this drug.

We have also advocated for the repeal of the 2008 voter approved amendment. Perhaps that will happen in 2012.

When a majority of Coloradans voted for this measure in 2008, it was under the premise that a few Coloradans would have legal access to it for pain management purposes under a physician's supervision. Time has shown that premise to be false.

Yesterday, Governor Bill Ritter signed several laws that inject "regulations" upon medicinal marijuana and its use. These measures are mere tokens. Here is the story.

We have a marijuana problem in Colorado. Voter approved or not, there are now more medicinal marijuana outlets in the Denver metro area than Starbucks state wide!

Ted Haggard Returns to CO

2010-06-02T14:54:00.002-06:00

He's back.

Here's the latest.

Five years ago or so, Haggard was forced to resign as pastor of the mega-church, New Life Fellowship in Colorado Springs.

Let's take Ted at his word that he has recovered from the inner demons which caused him to stumble the last time.

Defense of Marriage Act Targeted in Massachusetts

2010-05-27T10:25:00.003-06:00

The Massachusetts attorney general asked a Federal judge to strike down the Federal Defense of Marriage Act. The Federal judge has not announced when he will rule.

Since 2004, nearly 15,000 homosexual couples have wed under Massachusetts judicial mandated gay marriage law, a law that was never voted on by the public.

The state's rational: The Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) interferes in the distribution of Medicaid and other "married" couples in Massachusetts.

The Federal DOMA puts the Obama administration between a rock and a hard spot. On the one hand, Obama is the most pro-homosexual rights President in US History. On the other, his administration will be forced to defend DOMA.

Being conflicted comes as the result of being on the wrong side of an issue with God and nature.

Wanted-Historic Americans

2010-05-27T08:23:00.002-06:00

Our nation needs a new generation of lawmakers and leaders who believe in the historic American notion that our liberties and freedoms are only preserved by limited government.

We have lost our way on this issue. Barack Obama is the poster child of this confusion.

At his inauguration, Barack Obama promised change. That change includes multiculturalism eroding common American values, political correctness, record Federal debt, insecure borders, unreasonable Federal business regulation, constriction of religious values in the public square, ana an entitlement mentality.

They all need to be rejected.

We are a nation of immigrants for the most part, arriving on these shores from distant points around the globe. However, we have glued ourselves together to form the most remarkable society in the history of the world.

However, whether intentional or not, most young Americans are not being consistently taught the civil uniqueness of America; the founding ideas which under girded our nation's birth; and, the need for each generation to believe and agree and pursue American exceptionalism.

Instead, a murk has descended. From the White House to Congress to Main Street USA, more and more Americans no longer believe in what John F. Kennedy stated, "ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country." Instead, we are following the failed path of European socialist states and the rights of entitlement. Now the mantra is what will the government do for us.

The cure: a return to those values which birthed our nation. They are limited government, liberty and justice for all, economic opportunities with reasonable government regulation, low taxes, secure borders with a reasonable path to citizenship for immigrants, etc.

On top of it all, young Americans must be taught that their success is not based on what the government will do for them but upon the sweat of their own brow.

Finally, as a nation we need to embrace and acknowledge God. Our founders knew that a moral government relied upon the maintenance of private virtue anchored in faith in the Divine.

No to Federal Bailout of Teacher Unions

2010-05-24T10:45:00.002-06:00

Here they come.

The next great bail out will be for teacher unions around the nation.

Below is an excellent article describing the $23 billion dollar federal bailout of public education systems around the nation.

Click here.

Deemed the "Keep Our Educators Working Hard Act" this bill would provide emergency funding for financially strapped school districts around the country.

Let me say first, I love teachers. I am married to one. Both of my parents and sister were and are public school teachers.

However, there are problems galore with this most recent bailout.

First, there is a small thing known as the current Federal budget deficit, which if left unchecked will destroy this nation. We cannot afford another bailout.

Second, this money is like heroin to an addict. A quick fix is not going to solve budgetary crisis' faced by many states. In fact, these monies likely will make things worse.

The bottom line is that cuts are needed in the public school systems. You cannot have something that you cannot pay for with dollars today (something that our politicians do not understand). These tough decisions have to be made now.

Finally, kids and public school systems will survive.

The Arizona Temptation for Colorado

2010-05-19T12:24:00.002-06:00

Don't do it.

Somewhere, someplace, Governor Bill Ritter is getting pressure from his leftist coalition to knuckle under and announce a state ban on everything Arizona.

That would be a bad move.

Even though California (aka as the American "Greece") has taken the misguided lead in this exercise of futility, Colorado should have no part in it.

Last weekend, I was in Arizona attending a conference. I bought meals, beverages and as much Arizona as I possibly could. All of the Arizonians I talked to support this law as a reasonable attempt to reel in a bad situation. Frankly, if the truth be known, this law will make little or no dent in the tsunami of illegal immigration. What it may do is fire up the Obama Administration to constructively look for bipartisan solutions.

While I am compassionate to the plight of illegal immigrants, I want the law enforced. I want these immigrants to do it legally and not sneak here in the dead of night. I want them to get in line and become either U.S. citizens or be a part of ta guest worker program.

Arizona has done what any state would do to protect its sovereignty. Phoenix alone has almost 500,000 illegals!

Resist the urge Mr. Governor and keep Colorado out of the boycott Arizona madness.

Wear the American Flag

2010-05-12T10:41:00.003-06:00

The United States is not a province of Mexico, France or Canada.

Yet, some folks living here seem to have forgotten that fact.

Here's the story.

The answer to this one is really common sense which seems to be lacking in some politically-correct quarters.

Here it is:

I have no problem with Mexican-Americans celebrating Cinco de Mayo or Irish-Americans celebrating St. Patrick's Day. Americans come from all over the earth and our nation is made richer because of these heritages.

But, we are all Americans, at least we should be or should be in the process of becoming one. America has always been an immigrant melting pot. But, let's remember that our greatness is not defined by our ethnicity's but by our common ground and shared values, language, flag and customs.

The American flag unifies us as a nation. There is no other flag that should be on equal footing in our country.

Fort Logan, Freedom of Speech and the Westboro Church of Kansas

2010-05-07T12:57:00.003-06:00

Later today (Friday), Pastor Fred Phelps and his hate-mongering followers will be exercising their constitutionally protected rights of freedom of speech.

Their location: Fort Logan National Military Cemetery here in Denver. Their target: the funeral of a soldier recently killed in Afghanistan.

Pastor Fred Phelps and his Kansas based church are traveling the country promoting a message that espouses that God hates homosexuals and that God hates America because we have gays and thus, God allows our troops to be killed on foreign soil....

Awful, right? Baloney. Do they have a right to say these things? Yes.

Here's the challenge. Phelps and his crew have a right to free speech as Americans. But what they don't have a right too in my view is to disturb a private funeral and a grieving family. At some point, freedom of speech has a waterline.

Just as you cannot yell "fire" in a crowded theater, disturbing a private funeral is unconscienciable too...

Thanks Mom!

2010-05-07T12:26:00.002-06:00

Thanks Mom!

I had a great mom. Like everyone else, she had her flaws but she was still a great woman.

She passed away 13 years ago, way too early. But, it was her time as cancer wracked her body.

In her memory and to all other great mom's out there, I thank God for you

PS-Here is some more info that you may not know about the origins of Mother's Day.

As it was earlier "Mother's Day" in the U.S. was mostly marked by women's peace groups.[1] A common early activity was the meeting of groups of mothers whose sons had fought or died on opposite sides of the American Civil War. There were several local celebrations in the 1870s and the 1880s, but none achieved resonance beyond the local level.[2]

In 1868 Ann Jarvis created a committee to establish a "Mother's Friendship Day" whose purpose was "to reunite families that had been divided during the Civil War", and she wanted to expand it into an annual memorial for mothers, but she died in 1905 before the celebration became popular.[3][2] (Her daughter Anna Jarvis would continue her mother's effort shortly later, see below.)

In New York City, Julia Ward Howe led a "Mother's Day" anti-war observance in 2nd June, 1872[1][4][2], which was accompanied by a Mother's Day Proclamation. The observance continued in Boston for about 10 years under Howe's personal sponsorship, then it died out.[5]

Several years later, a Mother's Day observance on May 13, 1877 was held in Albion, Michigan, over a dispute related to the temperance movement.[6] According to local legend, Albion pioneer, Juliet Calhoun Blakeley, stepped up to complete the sermon of the Rev. Myron Daughterty, who was distraught because an anti-temperance group had forced his son and two other temperance advocates to spend the night in a saloon and become publicly drunk. In the pulpit, Blakeley called on other mothers to join her. Blakeley's two sons, both traveling salesmen, were so moved that they vowed to return each year to pay tribute to her and embarked on a campaign to urge their business contacts to do likewise. At their urging, in the early 1880s, the Methodist Episcopal Church in Albion set aside the second Sunday in May to recognize the special contributions of mothers.

Frank E. Hering, President of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, made the first known public plea for "a national day to honor our mothers" in 1904.[

Arizona Common Sense-Colorado Craziness

2010-04-30T14:52:00.002-06:00

Right off the bat, two facts.

First, Arizonians have the right to pass laws to address their issues and protect their state.

Second, the "objectionable" Arizona law stems from the Federal government's failure to address the issue of immigration.

So, the Arizonians did it themselves. Oh and by the way, 70 percent of Arizonians approve of the new law!

All of the complainers who live in San Francisco, Denver et al don't have their lives and property being overrun by drug smugglers, drug gangs and illegal immigrants.

Sounds like common sense to me.

But, here in Denver, the crazies rule. Denver Public Schools announced on Thursday a prohibition on work related travel to Arizona.

I am already giggling. Here's the full story.

Really. First, DPS is broke and teachers/administrators should not be conferencing in Arizona. Do it here on the internet. Second, since when does a public school district get involved in law making? Third, spend your time and effort educating the children in your schools.

Finally, must I remind the well-intentioned yet misguided DPS officials that being an illegal immigrant is against the law?

Sounds like craziness to me.

Colorado Education and Keno? Give Me a Break...

2010-04-22T10:33:00.002-06:00

Surprise, but Colorado's Higher Education is lacking money again to the tune of nearly $300 million. Currently, the state provides $104 million each year to higher education. And, our state legislature has an answer. You guessed it-more taxes and more gambling!

Under a new proposal weaving its way through our state legislature, voters may be asked this fall to approve a referendum which will expand the current limited gambling operations in Colorado to bars and restaurants. The target game- Keno, a gambling game which betters select numbers and hope that the computer matches them. Early estimates predict an annual net of between $20 to $100 million if the games prove popular.

Our state's higher education institutions are in a corner. The Federal stimulus money will run out in a year. That leaves painful decisions for school administrators and state lawmakers-cut costs, raise tuition's and reduce the amount of student aid.

While thinking outside of the box for creative funding sources for higher education is admirable, expanding gambling beyond what it is now is obtuse.

Your thoughts?

Denver Post and Tim Gill's "Husband?"

2010-04-21T10:32:00.003-06:00

Words matter.

Today's edition of the Denver Post business section was either a major feaux pas or an intentional piece of journalistic editorializing.

We believe it was the latter.

Today's story involves the purchase of the historic Phipps mansion by Colorado homosexual activist Tim Gill and his partner Scott Miller. But this is not the real story.

Throughout the article, the Post reporter editorializes and describes Gill's partner as his husband. One year ago, Gill and Miller were wed in Massachusetts under that state's gay marriage law (a law that was never voted on by the electorate).

Unfortunately for the "Miller's" or the "Gill's" or whatever they call themselves, they are not married here. In 2006, Coloradans overwhelmingly voted for a state constitutional amendment that defined marriage between a man and a woman by a margin of 57-43 percent. Simultaneously in 2006, voters rejected another referendum that would have created a de facto gay marriage law in Colorado.

Words matter and the Post got its words wrong today.

See the article here.

Beware of Unusual Circumstances

2010-04-21T09:34:00.002-06:00

We are going spiritual today. This is the day that the Lord has made and with it comes a unique assignment or two for each of us.

What is your's?

Attached is a great article from one of my favorite writers, Os Hillman.

You can get it here or see it below.

"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit?" (1 Cor 12:7-9).

Whenever something unusual happens in daily life, these are often signs that God is up to something. We must have a heightened sense of awareness of what God may want to do in these situations. My mentor once shared how he was upgraded on an airline unexpectedly. A woman sat down next to him who was very troubled. He began to quietly pray for the woman and God gave him supernatural insights that her problem related to the fact that she had not forgiven her mother in a family-related issue. He decided to politely share his insight. The woman was shocked. My mentor began to minister to her on the airplane and ultimately led her to Christ.

God is raising the spiritual bar for Christians who want to impact the world for Christ today. He wants to break through into people's lives supernaturally by giving them insights into the needs of people in order to bring them to Christ.

Jesus often spoke supernaturally into the lives of others based on the circumstance of the moment. He often spoke of their current condition in life and invited them to make a change.

As you go about your day, there are situations that we can find ourselves in that are open doors for bringing Christ into the circumstance. In fact, He is the one orchestrating the circumstance!

Next time an unusual situation develops, be aware that God may be creating such a circumstance to bring His glory into the situation.

Contact Os Hillman at www.marketplaceleaders.org.

Guns and Colorado Starbucks

2010-04-19T09:42:00.002-06:00

Local Colorado Starbucks are now in the cross-hairs of the local anti-gun rights activists led by Tom Mauser, father of Columbine victim Daniel Mauser.

The issue: Starbucks allows customers to carry permitted concealed weapons in their stores, which is the current law in Colorado.

These activists want to force Starbucks to change this policy.

Their argument goes like this. Starbucks does not permit weapons in their corporate offices but they do allow them in their stores, depending on local laws. They also believe that banning weapons in private stores is a good idea.

Our question to the activists: how would you have Starbucks enforce such a rule even if they were to change their policies? Their would be a cost and it would get tacked onto the cost of my favorite latte....

By the way, last time I checked, there was not a lot of gun violence at Starbucks in Colorado. There have been very few crimes connected with permitted owners of concealed weapons.

Our anti-gun friends are barking up the wrong tree again.

Besides, if a criminal was to consider a crime at a Starbucks, a gun-free zone won't make a difference.

"Clean" Needle Exchange a Bad Idea

2010-04-17T12:15:00.001-06:00

Last week, the Colorado State Senate seriously engaged a bill that would offer clean needles to drug addicts.

If you missed the story in the Denver Post, read it here.

This is a bad idea. Here's why.

The real issue is being avoided here: curtailing illegal drug use. I understand the public health sentiment, as put forth by the advocates of this bill.However, offering drug addicts needles will increase drug use.

For five years, I directed the downtown Denver Rescue Mission. Drug use was a common daily occurrence there. Most of the alleys in that area were filled with needles. But what these addicts needed was not a clean syringe to continue their destructive lifestyle, but counseling and support to kick their drug habits.

Most Coloradans support drug rehabilitation. Most will not support their tax dollars subsidizing illegal drug use.

Lacking Wisdom

2010-04-15T15:52:00.002-06:00

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him...

Our nation is lacking wisdom. Our President lacks wisdom. Our Congress is just as foolish. A lack of wisdom also affects our Colorado state legislature.

Why? Because we are not asking God how to do things. Our created world runs on natural laws. God's wisdom installed it.

James goes on to state that but when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

Godly wisdom is a partnership with God. It is based on seeking God for it and then believing He will provide it.

It is a rare commodity today in America.

The Cost of Obama Health Care

2010-04-07T15:50:00.002-06:00

The cost facts of Obama care is beginning to seep out.

My goal here is not to be partisan but fiducially responsible. Good feelings aside, our nation cannot afford to cover another "30 million' (dubious number) uninsured Americans.

We don't have the shekels. Our kids and their kids will curse us one day for the debt burden we are placing on their shoulders.

My good friend Brad Hawkins from Integrity Financial here in Denver has assembled this fact sheet on the cost and impact of Obama care.

You can get the full report here at http://www.rmfc.org/

Here are some highlights:

-The cost of insurance will skyrocket. Some premiums in the individual market would triple under these new burdens.

-This legislation imposes a new 3.8 percent tax on investment income.

- A series of of new taxes and fees to pay for expanded health care coverage will push up costs for employers resulting in fewer new jobs and lesser benefits.

-Businesses will have to surrender 8 percent of their payroll to the government if they do not offer insurance or pay at least 72.5 percent for their workers' premium. There is no such mandate like this in place right now for American businesses.

These facts are outrageous.

Our Federal government is out of control. Irregardless of your political perspective, the bottom line is that we cannot afford this new entitlement!

Your thoughts?

Making Work Count

2010-03-31T08:44:00.002-06:00

Work matters to God.

In an era of record ongoing unemployment, good work matters more than ever.

For the believer, its more than just a job. Colossians 3:23 teaches that work is an attitude: "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

God places work in our life as an opportunity to worship Him. Scripture teaches that God is always working, creating and sustaining His creation.

I believe that work and godliness go hand in hand.

Today, look at the work God has given you- in an office, driving a truck, teaching children, helping the sick, etc. All of its good and its more than just a paycheck and future retirement.

Good work pushes forward the Kingdom of God in powerful, redemptive ways.

Remember who your Boss is!

Trying to Fool the Voters

2010-03-25T09:54:00.004-06:00

Here they go again.

Get the full story here.

In 2009, Democratic leaders in the Colorado legislature passed a series of tax hikes, circumventing TABOR by calling them "fees."

Well, they are at it again in 2010.

The latest episode is a push by a group of statist education zealots known as Great Futures Colorado.

This latest evolution centers on placing a referendum on the November ballot that would authorize the legislature to raise your taxes for more public school funding.

Their argument: that Colorado under funds its public education.

The problem with their idea is that its currently illegal to raise taxes without voter approval per TABOR...A little sidebar: if Colorado did not have the TABOR amendment, Democrats would have run our state into greater fiscal deficits than what we currently have.

While the legislature is our body of elected representatives, they are spending our money. And fiscal prudence, ie spending more money that what is available, is not a strength of most legislative bodies.

When it comes to more of my money being taken from me, I want to vote on it.

Democrats Cook Their Goose

2010-03-22T16:47:00.002-06:00

The Democratic majority in Congress will be short-lived.

The Democrats broke all of the rules to pass their Obama-care monstrosity. Time will illuminate the deals, corruption and unethical acts the Democrats employed to accomplish their goal.

Obama will likely be a one-term President. Unknowingly, he has lit a match to a lake of fuel.

Some believe that by November, American rage over this fiasco will have dissipatted. Not so. This is an era of new media. No longer can the liberal main stream media fool Americans.

It is our opinion that come November, average over-taxed Americans will vote out those who voted for Obama-care on Black Sunday.

House Of Ill Repute

2010-03-19T13:35:00.004-06:00

Soon the United States House of Representatives will vote on a historic national health care bill. A bill that the majority of Americans are clearly opposed to.

Yet, the process continues likely culminating in a weekend vote.

To get to this point, a generation of American politicians have sold, bribed and threatened each other to gain votes.

Perhaps it has been done for the betterment of America, but we believe that power and the control of a large chunk of our economy is the driving goal.

The process has been done poorly with much deception. Its trail head begins in the Oval Office of the White House and treks into the Speaker of the House of Representatives office.

Neither party has a monopoly on bad political behavior. Yet, we have reached an all time low in 2010. These actions are poisoning our nation's soul. Young American eyes are watching this generation of leaders carefully noting how they are exercising their stewardship of the American enterprise.

What they see is America's politics at its worst, a la Chicago style.

President Obama campaigned on hope and change. As far as we can ascertain, there has little transparency but buckets of dirty politics as usual.

Its a House of Ill Repute.

Sadly, they don't care.

Who Was The Real Saint Patrick

2010-03-17T09:25:00.002-06:00

You might be surprised....

Check it out here.

Or below:

Who Was the Real St. Patrick?

There are many legends and traditions associated with St. Patrick's Day. Who was the real St. Patrick?

St. Patrick was not actually Irish. He was born around 373 A.D. in the British Isles near the modern city of Dumbarton in Scotland. His real name was Maewyn Succat. He took the name Patrick, or Patricius, meaning "well-born" in Latin, after he became a priest.

During Patrick's boyhood, the Roman Empire was near collapse and too weak to defend its holdings in distant lands. Britain became easy prey for raiders, including those who crossed the Irish sea from the land known as Hibernia or Ireland. When Patrick was sixteen, he was seized by raiders and carried off to Ireland.

Most of what is known about St. Patrick comes from his own Confession, written in his old age. In his Confession he wrote about his capture:

As a youth, nay, almost as a boy not able to speak, I was taken captive... I was like a stone lying in the deep mire; and He that is mighty came and in His mercy lifted me up, and raised me aloft... And therefore I ought to cry out aloud and so also render something to the Lord for His great benefits here and in eternity-- benefits which the mind of men is unable to appraise.

After Patrick was captured and taken to Ireland as a slave by an Irish chieftain named Niall, he was sold to another chieftain in northern Ireland. Much of Patrick's time was spent alone on the slopes of Slemish Mountain, tending his master's flocks of sheep. During the long, lonely hours in the fields and hills of Ireland, Patrick found comfort in praying. In his Confession he wrote: ...every day I had to tend sheep, and many times a day I prayed-- the love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. And my spirit was moved so that in a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many in the night, and this even when I was staying in the woods and on the mountains;...and I felt no harm, and there was no sloth in me--as now I see, because the spirit within me was fervent.

Six years passed slowly by. Then in a dream, Patrick heard a voice saying, "Thy ship is ready for thee." This was God's way, he felt, of telling him to run away.

That night he fled. Assured God was leading him, Patrick plunged through the bogs and scaled the mountains which separated him from the sea. He escaped Ireland by ship, but God would call him back years later. Patrick had escaped his boyhood enslavement in Ireland only to hear the call of God as a man to return. He was being called on, he felt, to convert the Irish to Christianity. In his Confession Patrick wrote:

I saw a man named Victoricus, coming from Ireland with countless letters. He gave me one of them, and I read the opening words which were: The voice of the Irish ... I thought at the same moment I heard their voice: ' We beg you, young man, come and walk among us once more.'

And I was quite broken in heart, and could read no further, and so I woke up. Thanks be to God, after many years the Lord gave to them according to their cry. ...they call me most unmistakably with words which I heard but could not understand, except that...He spoke thus: 'He that has laid down His life for thee, it is He that speaketh in thee;' and so I awoke full of joy.

When Patrick began his mission about 430 A.D., Ireland was gripped by paganism. Idolatry prevailed and the Irish knew nothing of Jesus. Patrick decided to go first to the pagan chieftain or king who had enslaved him as a boy. Rather than be put to shame by a former slave, the king set fire to his house and threw himself into the flames.

Patrick then set out for Tara, the seat of the high king of Ireland. When Patrick arrived, Tara was filled with many local kings and druids who were attending the pagan feast of Beltine which coincided with Easter that year. Patrick encamped in the full view of the castle to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ.

On the eve of the festival it was the custom, upon penalty of death, that the high king should light the first bonfire before any others in the land. Patrick, however, had kindled a great fire which gleamed through the darkness. Patrick was summoned before the king. The confrontation which followed is as amazing as Elijah's victory over the prophets of Baal.

Patrick stood and called, May God arise and His enemies be scattered. Darkness fell on the camp. Confused guards began to attack one another. The ground shook and the next day, Easter, a broken king knelt before God's servant. This confrontation between Patrick's God and demonic forces marked the beginning of a thirty-year mission to Ireland.

Patrick traveled the roads and forded the rivers of Ireland for 30 years to see men and women "reborn in God" and come to know the Christ he loved so much. Patrick wrote in his Confession: We ought to fish well and diligently, as our Lord exhorts. Hence, we spread our nets so that a great multitude and throng might be caught for God.

By the time of his death, Patrick had baptized tens of thousands and established hundreds of churches throughout Ireland. Danger and hardship remained his constant companions. Twice he was imprisoned, but he was not discouraged. He wrote in his Confession: Daily I expect murder, fraud, or captivity, but I fear none of these things because of the promises of heaven. I have cast myself into the hands of God Almighty who rules everywhere.

Within a century this once pagan land became predominately Christian, possessing such a vigorous faith that Ireland in turn sent missionaries to Scotland, England, Germany and Belgium.

As an old man, Patrick looked back in awe: Those who never had knowledge of God but worshipped idols...have now become...sons of God.

The old saint died in his beloved Ireland on March 17th, 460 AD. The land that once enslaved him, had now been set free.

It's Caucus Time in Colorado

2010-03-16T16:01:00.003-06:00

I am going tonight! That's right, I am a caucus virgin.

I cannot think of a better year to make a rookie appearance. Who knows, I might be elected to do something.

Colorado's Caucus history stretches back to the 1800's. This is Colorado politics at its grassroots. Both major parties will caucus tonight. Any registered voter can participate.

As I understand it, caucuses are party meetings by precinct, district, or county, where registered party members gather to discuss the candidates and to select delegates to the next round of party conventions. Depending on the party rules of a particular state, delegates selected at a caucus might go on to a county or state convention before attending the national convention in the summer.

Wow. I thought I might wind up on a folding chair in stranger's living room. Instead, our precinct is meeting at the local middle school.

Those who show up to caucus are “more likely to be quite active in the political party in other ways,” he says. Caucus-goers also tend to be “people who are more educated, affluent, and stronger partisans,” says Alan I. Abramowitz, political science professor at Emory University.

Count me in.

Clueless in Colorado-Internet Tax Policy Bites Legislature

2010-03-10T08:17:00.002-07:00

Our Democratic-led State Legislature is mostly clueless when it comes to tax policy.

Exhibit A today is the newly minted online internet tax signed several weeks ago by Governor Ritter.

What our Democratic friends have stumbled into is the well known "law of unintended consequences."

This law goes like this: actions have consequences. When it comes to taxes and economic growth, too much tax kills growth. When you impose taxes on businesses, they pass the tax (increased costs) along to their consumers or lessen production and cut jobs.

Exhibit B: as a result of this new Colorado internet tax, Amazon.com has dropped its retailing network in Colorado, hurting Coloradans who rely on that company for income.

Our state Democrats who lead our legislature by and large do not understand this concept. It just bit them in their tail feathers.

See this story regarding Amazon retailers in today's Denver Post.

Using Drugs For Religious Purposes Is Bogus

2010-03-10T08:07:00.002-07:00

Trevor Douglas, 25, told a court that he uses marijuana as a religious sacrament.

You can read the rest of his comments here.

Give me a break.

Recently, Mr. Douglas was arrested by a Colorado State trooper during a routine traffic stop. During the stop, the officer smelled pot and Mr. Douglas got the cuff.

The court got this one right. Using pot for personal use does not meet the definition of religious practice. Thus, under the law, Mr. Douglas' marijuana use is not protected by First Amendment rights.

Instead, it is simply drug use and its illegal in Colorado.

Let Voter's Decide-Judicial Fiat Strikes Washington DC

2010-03-10T07:54:00.002-07:00

Once gain, homosexual activists have used the court to accomplish by judicial fiat what they could not do by the ballot box.

On Tuesday, homosexual marriage became legal in the District of Columbia.

In December, Washington DC Mayor Adrian Fenty, signed legislation authorizing the city to issue same sex wedding licenses. This decision was supported by the Washington DC Superior Court. When this decision was appealed, the US Supreme Court turned a deaf ear to it.

Along with DC there are now five states which allow same sex marriage.

The common ground in these states: the voters have never approved of it.

In fact, whenever voters have been permitted to exercise their right to vote on the issue, it fails.

In Colorado, voters approved a constitutional amendment defining marriage as an act between a man and a woman in 2006. The vote was 58-42 percent.

Our prediction: DC homosexual couples will have their day for a while, but if and when a vote comes, it will be overturned.

A Tax Increase Is A Tax Increase-Thank Goodness for TABOR

2010-03-08T14:19:00.002-07:00

Former State Senator Mark Hillman succinctly opined in his latest on why taxes increases are truely tax increases..

Make sense? Believe it or not some Coloradans don't see it that way.

Here is Hillman's article in the Denver Post:

The anti-taxpayer majority on the Colorado Supreme Court soon will have another chance to stand the constitution on its head, thanks to a remarkably unambiguous ruling by the Colorado Court of Appeals.

In an opinion written by Judge Sean Connelly, a three-judge panel ruled that the Colorado Department of Revenue cannot increase the severance tax rate applied to coal mining without a public vote.

Adopted in 1977, the severance tax is paid by companies that extract minerals, oil or gas from the ground and is calculated by multiplying the quantity extracted by a statutory rate that accounted for changes in the Producer Price Index. Originally, the tax rate for coal was set at 36 cents per ton and had increased to 54 cents by 1992.

When Colorado voters adopted the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR), the Department of Revenue concluded that it was precluded from further increases unless it obtained voter approval.

In 2006, a state audit suggested that the Department could increase the rate and that it was obligated to do so under state law. An advisory opinion from the attorney general's office concurred, citing a 1995 Supreme Court case that concluded voter approval was not necessary for statutes that existed prior to TABOR. Accordingly, the department increased the coal tax to 76 cents per ton.

Once the rate increase was imposed, the Colorado Mining Association and several of its members filed suit, claiming that when TABOR passed, such tax rate increases were barred. After all, TABOR is a constitutional amendment, therefore superior to any statute, and specifically requires voter approval for "any . . . tax rate increase."

Denver District Court Judge Larry Naves sided with state government.

Ironically, Judge Naves didn't hang his hat on the pre-existing statute argument, but ruled instead that increasing the tax rate from 54 cents to 76 cents was not a tax rate increase.

Fortunately, the Court of Appeals, in a refreshingly brief seven-page opinion, ruled that a tax rate increase was precisely what it appeared to be and found that "TABOR precludes increasing the coal severance tax rate without voter approval."

The opinion, written by Connelly, a 2008 appointment by Gov. Bill Ritter, offers a wonderfully succinct conclusion:

"(1) TABOR prohibits increasing tax rates without voter approval.

"(2) Applying the statutory formula increased the coal severance tax rate without voter approval.

"(3) Therefore, TABOR was violated."

Such a simple approach, Connelly wrote, "is appropriate because we must look to the intent of the voter as (TABOR) is an initiated constitutional provision."

The court "must consider how the typical voter would interpret 'tax (rate) increase,' " he continued.

Such fidelity to the law and to the voters is sure to rile the high court, which just one year ago ruled in 45 tortuous pages that the state legislature could change the way school districts calculate property taxes, thereby increasing tax revenues by $117 million in just the first year, without seeking voter approval as required by TABOR.

In that Orwellian decision, Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey wrote:

• "(L)egislation requiring local districts to provide a share of jointly funded programs does not amount to the imposition or levy of a tax on those districts by the state." Translation: requiring a school board to raise taxes is not a tax increase.

• The state constitution should "be interpreted as a whole with effect given to every term contained therein." But within just a few pages, she dismissed TABOR's provision requiring voter approval of a "tax policy change directly causing a net revenue gain to any district" as an "undefined catch-all phrase" that "cannot be applied" if it has only a "de minimus impact." She later argues that "any district" doesn't mean any district.

• That the legislature's decision to increase property tax revenues was not a tax increase but a "reflection," a "recognition," an "implementation," a "stabilization" and a "clear statutory direction."

When the state Supreme Court gets hold of the severance tax case, rest assured that Mullarkey and her anti-taxpayer majority will explain again that "up is down," "round is square," "more is less" and that the plain language of the constitution doesn't really mean what it so obviously says.
Mark Hillman is a wheat farmer in Burlington and a former state senator. Contact him at www.markhillman.com.

Marijuana Use and Kids

2010-03-08T13:54:00.002-07:00

Most Coloradans know that our state is embroiled in a medical marijuana disaster.

In 2008, Colorado voters approved the legalization of marijuana possession for medicinal use. What they didn't bargain for was the disaster it has become.

Last week, the issue came to a head at the Colorado State Legislature.

Speaking before a state senate commmittee, a young recovering heroin addict spoke how marijuana use in young people increased their likiehood of future drug use.

Bingo.

As I have written here before, for nearly 5 years I directed the downtown Denver Rescue Mission. Most of the addicts we saw that came through our doors began their drug addictions smoking pot.

In today's Denver Post article on this issue "many members of the law enforcement community, the growth of the state's medical-marijuana industry is a plague that threatens to increase marijuana use of all kinds among teens and young adults — with disastrous results for the state.

"The revenue generated from the marijuana industry," state Attorney General John Suthers wrote to lawmakers in a letter opposing a bill to regulate dispensaries, "will not cover the societal costs we will all incur."

Medicinal marijuana use should be repealed by voters in 2012.

Losing Jobs In Colorado

2010-03-05T10:37:00.002-07:00

The Democratic majority in the Colorado legislature does not get it when it comes to jobs creation.

In the energy sector, Colorado had a booming coal and natural gas industry. There is still plenty of the stuff left. Why are we not expanding and encouraging companies to explore? Good jobs will follow.

Governor Ritter's election ushered in an era of job killing measures for Colorado's existing energy economy. Instead, our state has tried to grab the elusive tail of renewable energies.

We are seeking millions of dollars into largely unproven "alternative" energy sector. Don't get me wrong, I would be for wind, solar, etc if there was a real market for these energies. There is not at this time. I still need petroleum for my car, natural gas for my home heater and electricity from coal-powered plants.

Alternative energy options are too expensive right now.

Below is an excellent summation of the illusion of renewable energy.

Why increasing the Renewable Portfolio Standard is bad for Colorado

Senate Republicans stood up for jobs, the environment and consumers in one fell swoop by opposing a Democrat proposal that mandates utilities rely more heavily on taxpayer subsidized energy sources.

“This proposal may as well be called Colorado’s own ‘cap and tax’ bill because it is going to strangle our state’s economy and our pocketbooks,” said Sen. Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs. “Economic growth does not come from political mandates; it comes from increases in productivity.”

House Bill 1001 would mandate large utilities to get 30 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2020, mainly wind and solar. The Democrat controlled Senate approved the measure on a party-line vote, defeating nearly a dozen GOP amendments. The GOP warned that raising the Renewable Portfolio Standard would kill jobs, increase pollution and hike up energy bills.

As the state is forced to rely on renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, Republicans say thousands of jobs in the traditional energy sector will be put at risk. “Proponents of these mandates ignore the potentially thousands of good paying jobs in coal mines and gas fields that, as ‘disfavored technologies’, will be destroyed by the restrictions imposed by government,” Cadman said.

Republicans also railed against the bill for a provision requiring solar installation employees obtain labor union certification. “With unemployment hitting record numbers, it is astounding that Democrats would want to lock out a significant number of Coloradans from these positions,” said Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction. “The union carve out in this proposal is reminiscent of the sweetheart deal Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson secured for his state in the national healthcare bill.”

Consumers also have cause for concern. “As utilities struggle to keep up with the mandate, their added costs are going to inevitably be passed along to consumers,” said Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley.

Renfroe offered an amendment to HB 1001 that would have exempted households with income at or below the federal poverty level from higher energy bills incurred by the renewable energy mandates. Democrats defeated the proposal. “This vote against poor, at-risk families just proves that Democrats are bent on implementing their radical agenda, despite the strain it will put on the budgets of some of our most vulnerable populations,” Renfroe said.

Teachers Save the Day? Maybe...

2010-02-25T14:59:00.002-07:00

Our forefathers and foremothers could not have imagined a time when children would be shot at their local school.

Today's Denver Post trumpets the heroic role of teachers during the shooting incident at Deer Creek Middle School earlier this week.

Thank you. Without a doubt, Dr. "B", math teacher David Benke's actions saved the lives of other children.

I would add in one other factor: prayer and God's protection. Ultimately, good trumped evil in this one.

Our forefathers and foremothers would have thanked God too and not just the training of local teachers.

Obama's New Health Care Proposal

2010-02-22T09:53:00.002-07:00

More of the same?

Does the President not see news that most American believe health care reform is a low priority right now?

Okay, give him credit for his persistence. Here we go again.

Here are the details.
What do you think?

A Sensible Roadmap for America's Future

2010-02-09T12:53:00.002-07:00

Last Sunday, syndicated columnist George Will penned an op-ed which evaluated Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan's Roadmap for America.

You need to read this.

Most Americans are against the tide of red ink/out of control government spending in Washington, acts which threaten America's survival as a robust world power.We're all smart enough to know that you cannot spend your way out of debt. Its been tried and its failed.

Congressman Ryan's map offers cures for America's most pressing problems by focusing on economic vitality, diminished public debt and health and retirement security.

Sounds good to me.

Compared to what we are hearing both the Colorado State Legislature, the US Congress and the White House, this plan is a breath of fresh air for both our nation and state.

Democrats Roll Back Colorado Tax Exemptions

2010-02-02T12:27:00.002-07:00

The Massachusetts Miracle message has not resonated yet with Colorado's Democratic state leaders.

The message: less government spending, lower taxes and reduced deficits.

On Monday, Democrat-led state house of representives rolled back a bucket full of tax breaks for Colorado businesses.

I guess denial is a form of bliss.

According to the Speaker of the House, Terrance Carroll (D-Denver), "We're asking big business to pay their fair share so that we don't have to keep balancing the budget on the backs of teachers, police officers and firefighters, senior citizens and the neediest who depend on our safety net," said House Speaker Terrance Carroll, D-Denver. "It's only been the GOP and their special-interest cronies who have been complaining because we're rolling back corporate welfare and special-interest tax loopholes

Here is the reality check for Representative Carroll and his Democratic cronies- reduce tax exemptions for businesses and those that can leave the state will. These companies will not pay more taxes. Rumor has it that Utah is eagerly courting Colorado businesses.

Reality check number two is that businesses hit by these exemption roll backs will cut production, reduce jobs and pass increased tax costs to the consumer.

Again, liberal ideology does not translate into effective governance. Perhaps, we need a Massachusetts Miracle here in Colorado.

To read more, visit the Denver Post article here.

Previewing Obama's State of the Union

2010-01-26T12:09:00.003-07:00

On Wednesday, President Obama will deliver his first State of the Union address to Congress.

Most commentators, despite their political affiliations and pedigrees will agree that President Obama has had a rough first year.

There have been other American presidents who have had hard first years too and were able to turn their presidencies around- Ronald Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt are a couple that come to mind.

Mr. Obama has been handicapped by governing inexperience and a leftist ideology which has hamstrung his ability to deliver his election promises so far. That bill with the American voters is coming due quickly (see Massachusetts).

Here is a link to what many liberal Americans are saying right now about the direction the President needs to go. The full text is here:

A lot of commentators on the left think the three-year spending freeze President Barack Obama will announce in his State of the Union speech is a mistake of historic proportions.

The plan is intended to save $250 billion over 10 years and would affect 17 percent of the federal budget, according to administration officials. Military and homeland security spending, international aid and entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare would not be affected.

Obama's decision shows "he'll govern like a hybrid of John McCain and Herbert Hoover for the rest of his term to curry favor with the deficit maniacs," said Firedoglake's David Dayen.

The Moderate Voice's Kathy Kattenburg is another blogger who invoked the 31st president, who failed to pull the nation out of the Great Depression. In a post titled Herbert Hoover Returns to the White House, she raised these questions: "Why is he planning to announce a Republican-style spending freeze in a deep recession? Does he truly imagine Republicans in Congress will support his initiatives now? Why isn't he solving problems and helping people instead of running scared from his own oft-stated beliefs?"

Others are comparing the move to President Franklin Roosevelt cutting back on government spending in 1937. "The results were catastrophic. The economy tanked. And so did the fortunes of the Democratic Party. Predictably, Republicans won 79 seats in the 1938 midterms," Jed Lewison warned on Daily Kos.

"Instead of delivering his State of the Union address this week, Barack Obama may as well hold up a big sign that says, 'I want Democrats to lose Congress,'" a post by desmoinesdem on the MyDD blog complained.

"Perhaps the worst thing about this is how it cedes the ideological ground to the Republicans," added Jonathan Zasloff on The Reality-Based Community.

Some liberal critics of a freeze on domestic discretionary spending are using Obama's own words against him. They point out that in presidential debates with McCain, who called for an across-the-board spending freeze, Obama likened the idea to "using a hatchet when you need a scalpel."

Obama's freeze wouldn't be as wide-ranging as the one McCain pushed. It's more like an overall spending cap, so funding for certain programs considered wasteful -- farm subsidies are often mentioned -- could be slashed while spending for health care and education gets increased. But Congress would have to agree on where to cut and, as The Washington Post's Ezra Klein pointed out, even wasteful programs have powerful supporters on Capitol Hill.

"It's a lot easier for Congress to change the mix than reject the overall freeze. But a freeze is very hard to do right, particularly in tough economic times. Doing it wrong would be a catastrophe," Klein cautioned.

If there's too much wiggle room in Obama's freeze, Daily Kos' Lewison wrote in an update after learning details of the proposal, it could end up "looking like a major political gimmick."

The president will speak to the nation Wednesday night -- just a week after Republican Scott Brown's upset victory in the Massachusetts Senate race doomed Obama's Democratic super majority in the Senate. Mother Jones blogger Kevin Drum wonders whether Obama is pivoting from health care reform to fiscal restraint too fast -- making the spending freeze proposal look like "a panicky and transparent attempt to recover from the Massachusetts tsunami."

Failing to Teach Our Kids

2010-01-21T16:08:00.002-07:00

In today's Denver Post, head Post opinator Dan Haley hits the nail on the head.

See the article here.

At issue is the botched state attempt to land millions of federal dollars for public education. At play was nearly 400 million dollars for Colorado, which was a slice (big one) from a huge federal pie/grant of funding designed to improve public education.

The problem is that the state failed to include in its application a key piece: "improving the K-12 teacher tenure process by tying teacher evaluations to student achievement."

Simply, Colorado Democrats in the state legislature blinked in challenging the Colorado Teachers Association (CTA). The CTA has historically been one of the main funders of Democratic political activity in Colorado. They would have fired many bullets at this idea and vehemently opposed any linkage between teacher tenure and student achievement.

So, in our opinion, Governor Ritter and his Democratic legislative allies made a political calculation that they were better off keeping the CTA happy and the political donations coming than improving our kids classroom experiences.

Our kids will be the one to suffer.

Tiger Woods, Brit Hume and Christianity

2010-01-09T08:48:00.002-07:00

Last week, former Fox News Anchor now senior news analyst Brit Hume stood Washington, DC on its ear when he made one of the most politically incorrect comments of the year: that Jesus Christ was the only solution to Tiger Woods immense personal problems.

The atheists, pc purveyors and every other anti-Christian group howled.

Speaking on the Fox News Sunday program, Hume candidly and accurately offered his solution for the problems besetting arguably the greatest golfer ever. Woods needed to put down his alleged Buddhist beliefs and embrace the forgiveness offered by Christianity. As an American, Brit Hume had that right. And personally, I agree with him.

In Matthew 10:22, Jesus taught that the world would hate those who followed him. In post-Christian and politically correct 21st century America, there's is plenty of anti-Christian animus. No one should be surprised. The anti-dote? More witness of Jesus Christ.

The Senior Washington correspondent for Politics Daily has come to Hume's defense and I find his remarks refreshing. While I don't agree completely with his conclusions, I find his comments accurate enough to be quoted here.

Here's the link and the entire text below.

Thirty years ago, as she accepted her Nobel Peace Prize, Mother Teresa told the story of a group of American professors who'd come to see her doing the Lord's work in Calcutta. Before taking their leave, they asked for a bit of wisdom to take home with them. "Smile," she replied, "for the smile is the beginning of love."

Mother Teresa's contention was that the first duty of a person who believes in Christ is to show others that you are happy -- that Christianity is working for you. This is the initial step in bearing witness to faith. A second is to enunciate that faith aloud. This would seem to be a requirement of those who follow Jesus; after all, he instructed his followers to give their testimony "to the ends of the Earth."
But the secular world can be as resistant to hearing the "good news" of the gospel as it was in Jesus' time, and few places in modern America are more secular than a big-city newsroom. Just ask Brit Hume, who had the temerity to offer a brief affirmation of his own faith this week -- and was promptly pilloried for it, especially in the media.

In case you missed it, Hume was on a panel of pundits talking about Tiger Woods' troubles. Noting that the great golfer once publicly identified himself with Buddhism, the faith of his mother, Brit Hume said: "I don't think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. So my message to Tiger would be, 'Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world.'"

It was a pretty mild pitch, as these things go, but only if God-talk is familiar to you. It was clearly quite jarring to many of Hume's colleagues. In a typical reaction, Jay Bookman of the Atlanta Journal Constitution asserted that "faith is a private matter between that person and God, and is not a matter to be judged by some pompous TV anchor." In case Hume was misunderstood, Bookman subsequently called him "rude and crass" and guilty of "bad manners." MSNBC anchor David Shuster maintained that Hume had somehow "denigrated" and "diminished" Christianity. Even knowledgeable religion writers were nonplussed by Hume. USA Today religion writer Cathy Grossman asserted on her blog that the Fox commentator was "talking trash."
Others used the occasion for ad-hominem attacks on Fox News, Hume, and conservative Christians. (A few of these bon mots were clever: My friend E.J. Dionne passed along a quip making the rounds that Fox's new mantra should be: "We report, you convert.") But good natured ribbing seemed the exception. Many of Hume's critics tended to be mean, misinformed, and all-too-willing to engage in the very intolerance they were decrying.

Leading the charge was the Huffington Post, which makes sense in today's environment because it's even more partisan than Fox News -- and on the other side of the political spectrum. But an ideological point of view seems an inadequate excuse for the kind of invective on display at HuffPo. In one post, Hume was blasted for being "sanctimonious" and "distasteful" and "inflammatory." This much was true: HuffPo was certainly inflamed."Beware the Brit Humes in Your Office," blared the headline from another Huffington Post blogger. This one, penned by business columnist Eve Tahmincioglu, included the following passage: "The fact that a journalist -- and I use that term loosely as it pertains to Hume -- would go on a national news show and put down another high-profile individual's faith should tell all of us that religious bigotry, and bigotry as a whole, is a growing problem in this country."

The most steamed scribe may have been Tom Shales, the prominent television writer at The Washington Post. Shales complained in his column that Hume's comparative riff "sounded a little like one of those Verizon vs. AT&T commercials -- our brand is better than your brand -- except that Hume was comparing two of the world's great religions, not a couple of greedy communications conglomerates.""Further," Shales added, "is it really his job to run around trying to drum up new business? He doesn't really have the authority, does he, unless one believes that every Christian by mandate must proselytize?" Shales went on this way at some length, gratuitously (and inaccurately) insulting Calvin Coolidge along the way. Hume's "madness" and "off-the-cuff, off-the-wall" comments were, Shales insisted, destined to be "one of the most ridiculous" public statements of the year."First off, apologize," Shales instructed Hume. "You gotta."

Hume most definitely did not apologize. In fact, he was booked again on Fox News, this time as a guest, telling Bill O'Reilly that "if you speak the name Jesus Christ – and I don't mean to make a pun here – but all hell breaks loose." For those of us who knew Brit Hume before his conversion to Christianity, this droll observation was vintage Brit. It didn't do much for his critics, however. Jon Stewart, who prides himself on his sense of irony, mocked Hume for playing the victim, apparently not realizing that in his sneering segment Stewart confirmed what Hume was saying, which is that you could prescribe almost anything for Tiger Woods without making yourself the target – anything but a spiritual solution.
Certainly no one pushed back when commentators on nearly every network offered up the junk science diagnosis of "sex addiction" for Tiger Woods. You just couldn't tell Tiger to get his ass in church. Lisa Miller, writing in Newsweek, put it this way: "I'm not at all sure why the liberal left is always so shocked that evangelical Christians want other people to become Christians."But even Hume's rare defenders, such as Miller, couldn't countenance his overt comparison of Christianity to Buddhism. This is obviously politically incorrect, and it probably ought to be. I get that. In an era of worldwide sectarian violence, much of it propagated by religious fanatics who shriek "God is great," before killing themselves along with innocent strangers, the emphasis ought to be on ecumenism, not sectarianism.
That said, it's obvious that Hume has no particular animus for Buddhism; he was mainly using it as a rhetorical launching pad. Still, Woods is not known to closely follow any spiritual system, and practicing Buddhists didn't appreciate being used as a foil in Hume's brief sermon. But a funny thing happened when journos called prominent scholars of Buddhism for comment: They tended to confirm Hume's underlying point about the Eastern faith.

Stephen Prothero, a Boston University professor on Buddhism, told Tamara Lush of the Associated Press: "You have the law of karma, so no matter what Woods says or does, he is going to have to pay for whatever wrongs he's done. There's no accountant in the sky wiping sins off your balance sheet, like there is in Christianity." Added James William Coleman, a professor of Buddhist studies at Cal Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif. "If you do what [Tiger Woods] has done, it comes back and hurts you."

In other words, although Hume may have been inartful, he was not necessarily inaccurate: Redemption is a concept flowing out of the Judeo-Christian tradition rather than Eastern thought, although, again I concede that truth is not always a defense to insensitivity. (And, as my esteemed colleague David Gibson noted, polling suggests that American Buddhists are less likely to step out on their spouses than Protestants. So one alternate lesson would be that Tiger Woods ought to embrace his mother's Eastern religion more faithfully.)

Hume's own faith journey.
I first met Brit Hume in the early 1990s when I covered the Clinton White House for The Baltimore Sun and Brit was the senior correspondent for ABC News. He was already an established presence in Washington journalism with an impressive resume, a hefty salary, and the diffident presence of a man confident in his own abilities. He'd sit in the front row in the White House briefing room or on the press plane doing crossword puzzles, seeming not to take the anxieties of the day too much to heart. He was known for a laconic sense of humor that could be earthy at times. One example comes to mind. The 1996 train trip to Chicago for Bill Clinton's second nominating convention was interrupted by the sex scandal of a Clinton campaign adviser named Dick Morris. Hume regaled his colleagues with an imagined scene in which Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, who stayed at the Jefferson Hotel -- where Dick Morris had some of his liaisons -- called the front desk to complain that "the couple with the dog is making noise again." (It was an in-joke, obscure even then, that exaggerated on some of the claims made by Mr. Morris' hired escort).

My point is that Brit Hume didn't take himself too seriously. Once, because the men's rooms in the White House briefing room were occupied and Brit was preparing for a broadcast, I saw him putting on makeup by using the glass reflection on a vending machine. He looked back at me and shrugged, and said with a grin, "Helluva way for a grown man to make a living, isn't it?"

But he always took our craft seriously, which the writers on the beat appreciated especially because Brit had started in print journalism, first at a newspaper in Hartford and then briefly for United Press International before landing at the Baltimore Evening Sun. At a Washington seminar, he met Ralph Nader, who talked him into probing corruption at the United Mine Workers. It was a fortuitous pairing: Hume's work on the UMW culminated in a well-received book, an assignment to write a piece for The Atlantic Monthly, and a job offer with legendary muckraking columnist Jack Anderson.

Eventually, Hume landed with ABC. A solid reporter, he'd initially had trouble learning the ropes of looking natural in front of the camera. By the time I knew him, he'd mastered it, first on Capitol Hill and then at the White House. In 1991, he'd won an Emmy for his coverage of the Persian Gulf War and American Journalism Review twice named him in the "best in the business" at covering the presidential beat. In other words, nobody ever questioned Hume's journalistic chops -- until he went to Fox News.

I didn't know his politics, although I knew he'd had friction with ABC anchorman Peter Jennings. (Much later, Hume told Howard Kurtz of The Washington Post, that he pushed back on an assignment about how the first President Bush "isn't doing anything" by countering "Has it ever occurred to you that this guy's a Republican and Republicans don't believe that government is the solution to all the country's problems?")

In the next administration, Hume chafed under what he thought was a blind spot on the part of the ABC brass, Jennings included, when it came to the flaws of Bill and Hillary Clinton and he eventually jumped to Fox. Interestingly, although he had once lost his temper at Hume in a Rose Garden press conference, President Clinton made a point of saying he thought Hume's coverage was, well, fair and balanced. This happened on Dec. 13, 1996 at Hume's farewell White House news conference for ABC News when Clinton surprised us all by suddenly saying, "Brit, let me say before you leave, I know this is your last White House press conference ... but over the last several years, I think all of us think you have done an extraordinary, professional job under Republican and Democratic administrations alike, and we will miss you. And we wish you well, and congratulations on your new position."

Fourteen months later, however, tragedy struck Brit Hume and his family. On Feb. 22, 1998 his son and namesake, Alexander Britton Hume Jr., committed suicide. Sandy Hume, as he was known, was 28 years old, an up-and-comer in Washington journalism. He'd been drinking heavily one night, was arrested by the U.S. Park Police for driving under the influence, had tried to strangle himself in his cell, and then, inexplicably released by authorities, had gone home and shot himself.
Such a horror is not something you ever get over. But you have to go on, and Brit Hume was able to do so, by his own account, because of the people who reached out to him in God's name. Nearly 1,000 sympathy cards arrived, from strangers as well as friends.

"I read them all," Hume told Christianity Today. "My mailbox would be stuffed with them night after night. I'd weep over some of them. Some of them were prayer cards, some of them would tell me a tree had been planted somewhere. I felt that I was seeing the face of God. I felt people's support and love. To me it was a miracle. I've been trying to face up to the implications of believing in Christ and believing in God ever since."

It only stands to reason, then, that out of this crucible, Brit Hume would want to share that miracle with others who are hurting -- with Tiger Woods, for example. And so, channeling Mother Teresa and not Tom Shales, Hume's first duty is to smile, as painful as that must be some days. His second duty, as he sees it, is to share the reason he's able to smile. So why would anyone begrudge him that?
Well, one reason is excess partisanship. If you're a hater, all you need to see are the words "Fox News" or "Brit Hume" then you are against whatever he's for. I don't get that kind of thinking, and don't have much to say to those who engage in it -- but that isn't the only factor that made some people uncomfortable about Hume's homily. Like Sandy Hume, I'm a second-generation journalist, and old-school besides. There's a phrase we used to recite, a mantra, if I may mix my religious references, and it is very simple: "No cheering in the press box."

A Christian must bear witness to the very ends of the Earth, the Book of Acts tells us. A reporter ought to keep his opinions (and his religious beliefs) to himself. Two noble creeds that are occasionally at odds. Brit Hume came down on one side the other day, and seemed comfortable doing it. I submit that his critics would have more credibility if they toned down their own press box cheering – and their booing as well.

Denver Has More Pot Dispensaries Than Starbucks

2010-01-05T13:08:00.003-07:00

No kidding here.

What a badge of honor. Denver is now known by those who advocate and use pot as the cannabis heaven of America.

According to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuane Laws, Denver has 390 pot dispensaries which have filed for tax status from city and county of Denver.

Statewide, Colorado has only 208 Starbuck coffee shops.

Compare that to Los Angeles, with four million residents, which has one dispensary for every 4,065 residents. Denver’s population is a mere 598,707, but has one dispensary for every 1,535 residents

How about a cannabis latte to go?

Health Care Taxes Will Impact You

2010-01-05T13:01:00.002-07:00

Part of the "sell" job of Obama care was the promise that most middle-class Coloradans would be be severly impacted.

Now, new information is leaking out which torpedoes this misnomer.

Here is the latest story.

The devil is always in the details and we know very little about the details of this health care monstrosity.

Guiding Principles for 2010

2010-01-04T14:11:00.003-07:00

Here are our guiding principles for 2010. What are yours?

-Believe and teach that there is a good God who loves us, sent His Son to die and save us, and who has a wonderful plan for our lives.

-Teach that the universe is meaningful and not random chance.

-Teach that the rule of law is essential.

-Promote and defend the value of stable families, which build stable communities which in turn create prosperous and moral communities.

-Firmly establish and maintain private property rights and laws.

-Delay gratification and teach that thrift is good.

Five 2010 Predictions

2010-01-04T13:38:00.004-07:00

Happy New Year!

How many resolutions did you make for 2010 and have already broken?

2010 will be an interesting year on many fronts. Here are a couple of predictions:

-The Great Health care debate will continue. Despite the Great Nebraska "Payoff", John Q. Public is white-hot with anger. There will be a price at the voting box in November for our political leaders disregard of their constituents will.

-The war in Afghanistan will grind on. More troops will not solve this thorny problem. It will take years to turn around one of the most backward nation's in the world. I doubt we have the national will and patience to absorb the cost.

-The American economy will continue to struggle and be shackled under a heavy load of government taxes and regulations. Most Americans are still capitalists, though they may not know it. At least, we have all benefited to some degree under our free market economy. Under Obama, it will become an endangered species.

-There will be a tax revolt at some point, maybe not in 2010, but the seeds are being sown right now. The Bush tax breaks which have benefited many Americans sunset this year. In the future,. Americans will have higher taxes and less money to pay them.

-Obama, congressional and local elected Democrats will pay a price this fall. American voters are angry right now. The HOPE and CHANGE many of them though they were getting never showed up. Democrats will be big losers in the November election.

Return the Nebraska Gift

2010-01-04T13:31:00.002-07:00

Happy New Year!

In Sunday's Denver Post, Colorado Attorney General Jon Suthers hit the nail on the head regarding the "Great Nebraska Payoff" ie the buyout of US Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson.

In order to secure Nelson's vote, the Democratic leadership in the US Senate inserted a provision to exempt Nebraska from its future financial share of Medicaid-which will expand greatly under Obama Care. The other 49 states would be required to pick up the tab for new Nebraska medicaid recipients.

We think that this action is not only dirty politics at its worst but is illegal.

Here is Suthers entire article. This is an issue that should concern Coloradans from both sides of the political fence.

The Great Nebraska Sell-Out

2009-12-21T13:28:00.003-07:00

With all due respect to my Nebraskan friends, your US Senator Ben Nelson sold out.

NOw 49 other states will pay for Nebraska's medicare costs for new enrollees.

Call it a bribe, pay off, hush money or good old Chicago politics, but Senator Ben Nelson blinked, compromised his "values" and sold his vote for health care.

Here's the story.

Abortion? Federal dollars (yout tax dollars) will still pay for abortions.

Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., who pushed through the restrictions in the House-passed bill, also rejected Nelson's deal. He called it "not acceptable" because it "would allow the federal government to subsidize insurance policies with abortion coverage." He said he intends to keep working to find a solution that would allow him to ultimately vote for the health care bill.

Senate Health Care Bill Creates New Marriage Penalty

2009-12-17T11:36:00.003-07:00

Another bad element of the Senate Health Care bill has come to light. Not only will there be at least 17 new taxes to fund this monstronsity but married couples will also be penalized.

The Washington Times reports that Senate Democrats' health care bill would create a new marriage penalty by imposing a tax on individuals who make $200,000 annually but hitting married couples making just $50,000 more.

Here are the details. Sorry that this is long but the facts need to be known:

1. The new tax would rise from 1.45 percent to 1.95 percent for singles making $200,000 a year and couples making $250,000. Congress earlier this decade tried to reduce the marriage penalty in the income tax code by adjusting the standard deduction for single taxpayers and married couples and expanding the 15 percent tax bracket for couples filing joint tax returns.

2. Two single people, each making $30,000 per year, would pay $1,320 per year combined for private health insurance if the Pelosi bill was in effect now. But if they were to marry, they would then pay $12,000 a year (the estimated cost for private insurance for those who are not subsidized). This couple would be required by law to each year pay more than $10,000 in additional cost for health insurance under the House bill if they get married! The Senate bill works the same way.

3. The system works this way because it subsidizes those who make less than 400 percent of the poverty level. That benchmark is $86,640 per year for two people living together unmarried, but it is $58,280 for two people who are married — a window of $28,360, from $58,280 to $86,240, where two people are far better off living together unmarried as compared to being married.

4. This discriminatory system will have a big impact on people at lower income levels, too. They will realize that if they marry and improve their earnings, they’ll quickly reach a point where their health insurance premiums will skyrocket, increasing by over $10,000 a year. Only half of those insurance premiums will be tax deductible. This huge added cost will provide a powerful incentive to not marry and to also keep their income below certain levels.

5. There are powerful incentives in the bills for businesses to discontinue providing health insurance, which will force millions of couples into the individual insurance market. Once there, these individuals will receive their former health insurance benefits only if their combined income is below 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Many millions of couples will then see their insurance costs go up by that same $10,000 figure — if they stay married —a cost they won’t pay if they

Contact your US Senator now and voice your opinion.

Disaster for America

2009-12-15T18:15:00.002-07:00

The latest news out of Washington, DC is that the Democrat-led US Senate is poised to vote in the affirmative for Obama Care.

It will be a disaster for our nation and for families in Colorado.

Here are a couple of reasons:

-You will be forced to buy health insurance or face severe IRS penalities.

-Your taxes and costs will increase. The simple economic fact is that as businesses are saddled with increased government taxes for health care, they will pass on the cost to you. By the way, your taxes are going to increase too.

-For your tax "investment" you will ultimately receive a dubious product. Its so clandestine that the full scope of this new program remains in the dark for average citizens to review. This is bad news.

My summation is not based on right or left, Republican versus Democrat but on its cost to our nation. If this passes we will rue the day our leaders did this.

Two responses. First, our elected leaders are ignoring the will of their constituents. In every state, the polls show that Americans get it and that this deal is a bad one. Thus, every US senator who votes for it needs to be out of office in their next election cycle. Second, contact your US Senator now.

Here is the list.

A Tiger Moment

2009-12-03T17:59:00.002-07:00

It is easy to rush to judge others, particularly when its someone who by the world's standards as everything in access.

Life has been good so far for Tiger Woods until this weekend. Now, that glass house is shattered.

Jesus encountered a shattered woman who had been caught in adultery. Jesus had several options. He could have confirmed the accusations of her accusers and acquised to her punishment, which in the Jewish culture of that time would have been death by stoning. Some of her accusers likely had stones in their hands. He also could have ignored the woman and left her to her fate at the hands of the mob. Or, he could take a third option. He took the third one.

In John 7:53-8:11, scripture records Jesus' response: Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. "If any of you is without sin, let him be the first one to throw a stone at her."

Judgement and retaliation are easy. Forgiveness is not. Let's hope that Tiger and Mrs. Tiger find reconciliation.

Illuminating the World

2009-12-01T11:48:00.002-07:00

Illuminating the World
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12 NIV)

In 1879, Thomas Edison would make on of the greatest inventions ever. Edison was not the first light bulb inventor, but he would be the most successful one. His story of inventing a workable incandescent light bulb for indoor use is remarkable. In the period from 1878 to 1880 Edison and his associates worked on at least three thousand different theories to develop an efficient incandescent lamp in the basement laboratory of Edison’s home. While other inventors would perfect Edison’s lamp, his invention would literally bring light to the world.

In 1882, the first Christmas tree was lit by the use of electricity. Edward Johnson lighted up a Christmas tree in New York City with eighty small electric light bulbs. It should be noted that Edward Johnson created the first string of electric Christmas lights that were then mass produced around 1890. By 1900, department stores started using the new Christmas lights for their Christmas displays.

For many, Christmas is all about bright lights. While colorful lights adorn trees and homes, their use symbolizes a deeper message of the season-a hopeful light in a dark world. Today, while Edison’s bulb illuminates the homes of mankind and Johnson’s outdoor bulbs cover Christmas trees, it’s Jesus Christ who illuminates the hearts of humanity. Jesus said in John 8:12, that “I am the light of the world.”

So, what light do you believe in?

Whenever you are challenged by an environment that is corrupt and ungodly, you have an opportunity to let your light shine before those in that culture. We may have little control of those around us or of events which dominate the headlines. But what we do have control over is letting Christ work through us, illuminating those around us. The more corrupt a culture, the brighter your light should shine.

Christians Unite With Manhatten Declaration

2009-11-25T09:49:00.002-07:00

Last Friday, 152 Christian leaders across America from the Catholic, Orthodox and Evangelical traditions signed a 4700-word document entitled “The Manhattan Declaration”. The statement, drafted by national Christian scholars including Robert George (Princeton University) and Timothy George (Samford University), affirms three key truths from American history. They are:

1.the sanctity of human life;
2.the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife;
3.the rights of conscience and religious liberty.

In an interview with Mike Huckabee Saturday, Chuck Colson, a member of the drafting committee, stated: “We pledge to one another that we will not compromise or be a party to a compromise to the fundamental principles on which the faith is based and on which our country is based as well.” Colson committed to Jesus’ command, to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's” (Matt 22:21), and quickly added: “under no circumstance will we render to Caesar what is God’s.”

He went on to say that the community of faith is taking a stand for what is just and good, and those signing the document are prepared to pay the price. Colson quoted from Martin Luther King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, “An unjust law is no law at all.” On Friday’s BreakPoint, Colson stated: “The Manhattan Declaration is a wake-up call—a call to conscience—for the church. It is also crystal-clear message to civil authorities that we will not, under any circumstances, stand idly by as our religious freedom comes under assault.”

This document is unprecedented in American church history. This document is not a political statement though many will try to spin it that way. Its neither right or left, Democrat or Republican. Its simply a unified call by believers from all Christian traditions to confront our toxic culture with biblical absolutes.

Yet, despite what many secular historical revisionists are teaching our children, faith played a huge role in the formation of the values which anchor our nation.

Christian thought has shaped the Western world for centuries. It was Christian ideas that swept into practice such noble ideas as the rights of all humans; the right of property; the right of conscience; the right of tolerance; and the right religion. Our world will be much different if these values slip away.

If you would like to sign the Manhatten Declaration, visit here.

Morality Without God?

2009-11-16T15:10:00.002-07:00

WORLD Magazine editor Marvin Olasky has a superb dialogue Dartmouth University professor Walter Sinnott-Armstrong on whether there can be any morality with God.

Here is the article.

I say no. Without God, one man's morality can become an other's tyranny. Case in point-Hitler and the Jews.

Teach the Bible in School? Of Course...

2009-11-13T09:54:00.002-07:00

Since President Obama is on a roll with holding conferences to address thorny issues, let me suggest another one: convene a conference to address the volatile issue of religion in public schools. In particular, let's talk about teaching the Bible again in public schools.

I happened to believe that teaching students the Bible in public schools is a good idea. We are making this debate too complicated.

Now I know this debate can lead to great passion, but let's use a little common sense.

Here's why.

First, its a key source for the historical founding of our nation. Every point made in the 1776 Declaration of Independence was preached from a church pulpit before 1770. Understanding the biblical concepts of liberty, property and justice is crucial for students in their studies of the beginnings of our nation.

Second, the Bible is filled with all sorts of different literature that students can study. There's historical passages, poetic passages, didactic ones, apocalyptic and wisdom literature all wrapped into one magnificent book.

Third, professors from many of America's leading universities-Yale, Princeton, Rice, Berkeley and Stanford have consensus that incoming college students need to be well-versed in the stories, themes and words of the Bible. The context- they cannot understand Shakespeare, Milton or Wordsworth.

Fourth, biblical knowledge is key to understanding today's pop culture. Here's the deal. Take Stephen Colbert's irreverent humor on Comedy Central. Or the devilishly clever title of the band White Stripes release, Get Behind Me Satan. There are many movies and other cultural expressions embedded with biblical themes or twisted ones too.

Finally, in a 2008 sociological publication, research showed that regular church attendance positively affected students academic performance. There are several ways to interpret this data, but I choose to see this in the light of the benefit gained from biblical literacy as it is applied to life.

Everyone wins with biblical teaching in school. Christian families will feel positive and hopeful that these elective courses on the Bible will improve the school environment while other parents who want their kids to be high achievers just might start taking them to church....

Your thoughts?

Making Sense of Fort Hood

2009-11-09T09:48:00.002-07:00

Like me, I am sure you were appalled at the murders which occurred at Fort Hood last week. It's incomprehensible to me that an American would turn his weapon upon fellow unarmed soldiers and randomly murder them.

There is a great danger lurking here for our nation. Its not jihadists or radical islamists. Its not our policies in Iraq or Afghanistan. It is more insidious than these. It is the anger we could seed into the lives of our children. History shows that rage always worsens with succeeding generations (see Bosnia, etc.).

You may not want to hear this, but most Muslims are not evil. We may not agree with their religious tenants, but that does not make them terrorists.

The tough challenge about Fort Hood is that we must practice discernment and not racial profiling. Scripture tells us to be discerning and in particular, on the lookout for the presence of evil. As believers, when we see evil we are to react
to it.

Major Hasan, the Army psychiatrist accused of the Fort Hood murders, committed an act of evil. He needs to be tried in a court of law and if found guilty, held accountable for his actions. This is the appropriate action.

Uncontrolled anger fueled by fear is the wrong response to Fort Hood. We don;t need to nuke Muslims in the Mideast or drag peaceful Muslims from their homes. Racially profiling innocent Muslims is a throw back to some of the darker chapters of American history.

A Mandate for Action-Being a Gideonite

2009-11-09T09:26:00.005-07:00

I am not sure what storms or life challenges you face today. Perhaps its a terminal illness. Perhaps its the loss of a job or mountains of debt. Perhaps its the end of a marital or friendship relationship. The fact remains that life is filled with storms, circumstances that can blow all of us off course.

I love the story of Gideon, the mighty Jewish warrior found in the pages of the Old Testament. Here was a guy from the smallest Jewish tribe, who found himself and his nation outnumbered and overwhelmed by fierce enemies.

In the Old Testament book of Judges, chapters 6-8, Gideon meets God who tells him to trust in Him. Gideon obeys and jumps into the deep end of the pool, trusting that God would provide the victories needed to deliver his people.

You can read the outcome of God's provision in Judges chapter 7. The takeaway for us today is this:

-God is just as trustworthy today as He was in Gideon's time.

-There is no storm to big or strong that God cannot provide a way for you to navigate through it.

-Overwhelming odds are no reason to give up what we know to be true. If Gideon had accepted defeat he would have never seen God work a miracle.

Whatever obstacles you face today, remember that God will go before you into your battle. Your response: to trust Him and jump in.

God Can Change Any Heart-40 Days of Life National Campaign

2009-11-06T10:22:00.005-07:00

This is a must read story of a former abortion clinic's directors journey to God. Let me preface this one by affirming that God is in the business of redeeming dark human souls. Redemption and reconciliation is God's number one priority. Also, there is a great nation-wide effort to pray outside of abortion clinics touted as the "40 Days for Life Campaign." More below.

Here is the story.

For more information on the National 40 Days for Life Campaign, click here.

Unemployment Soars Hitting Families Hard

2009-11-06T10:15:00.002-07:00

The latest national unemployment report is awful.

See the story here.

If your family where unemployment is ripping through you, there is not much immediate hope.

Our political leaders here in Colorado (Gov Ritter and crew) and in Washington, DC have acted obtusely in managing our economy, keeping taxes low and creating jobs.

In the long-run, government spending never spurs an economic recovery. The engine of our economy fires away when small businesses have the ability to create sustainable jobs.

The fact remains that sustainable job creation occurs when job creators have excess capital, low taxes and a profit incentive to produce. To our detriment, many Americas are clueless about the workings of our historic market economy.

Maine Affirms Traditional Marriage Definition

2009-11-04T08:45:00.002-07:00

Defying the predictions of many, Maine voters repealed a law that had legalized homosexual marriage in this northeast state. In recent months, other New England states-New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut had joined Massachusetts in allowing gay partners to marry.

Gay marriage has now lost in every single state -- 31 in all -- in which it has been put to a popular vote. Gay-rights activists had hoped to buck that trend in Maine -- known for its moderate, independent-minded electorate -- and mounted an energetic, well-financed campaign.

However, pro-marriage forces under the banner of "Yes on 1" won the day.

Here is the story.

A couple of points to consider:

-Gay marriage has now lost in every single state -- 31 in all -- in which it has been put to a popular vote.

-Those who would argue that Jesus would have endorsed gay marriage argue from silence. Scripture is clear on the definition of marriage-Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-5.

-Colorado passed a state constitutional amendment in 2006 defining marriage between one man and one woman.

-A vote for traditional marriage is a vote for our freedoms and liberties. As we preserve the family we preserve one of the historic hubs of freedom in our nation...

Abortion Alive and Well in Obama Care

2009-11-02T14:33:00.002-07:00

Despite repeated attempts by pro-life legislators on both sides of the aisle, taxpayer funding for abortion is back with a vengeance in ObamaCare proposals.

Thus far, all 17 proposed amendments that would prohibit taxpayer funding for abortion in ObamaCare have been defeated, and pro-life Congressman Bart Stupak, a Democrat from Michigan, said of the House's 2,000-page bill (H.R. 3962), "Language in the bill still does not do enough to prevent federal funding from going to abortion services.

"I am disappointed the Capps Amendments has remained intact (in the House bill), mandating abortion services for the first time in the nation's history."

Here are some more details and facts:

-In the Senate version, the 10% of doctors who submit the most reimbursements for Medicare patients will have their pay docked by five percent. This inevitably will lead to rationing of care for seniors, and make "death panels" inevitable as doctors strain to stay below the threshold.

Finally, Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-Minn.) describes the House bill this way: "This 2,000-page bill includes a job-killing employer mandate, an individual mandate that requires Washington bureaucrats to define what kind of coverage is acceptable, burdensome tax increases, Medicare cuts, and a huge expansion of Medicaid that will break already strained state budgets."

Let your congressional representatives hear your voice!

The Origins of Halloween

2009-10-28T10:03:00.002-06:00

This weekend a lot of us will be dressing up and playing ghosts and goblins. I am not trying to spook anyone, but I think as believers we should know the origins of Halloween.

Here is a fact sheet we wrote about Halloween...

Origins Of Halloween

For a proper understanding of the modern American celebration on October 31st, we must look at three early celebrations that have come together to form today's Halloween.

The first of these precursors to Halloween goes all the way back to pre-Christian Ireland and Scotland to a celebration of the Druids or Celtic priests. The Celtic year began on November 1st with the festival of Samhain. On the eve of Samhain, October 31st, laughing bands of young people disguised in grotesque masks carved lanterns from turnips and carried them through the villages. It was sort of a harvest festival, and in addition, it was thought of as a festival of the dead. The druids believed it was on that night when the earth comes into closest contact with the spiritual world; and consequently ghosts, goblins and witches supposedly destroyed crops, killed farm animals and wreaked havoc on the villagers. As these spirits of the dead roamed around, villagers lighted bonfires to either drive them away or to guide the spirits of the dead back to their homes.

The second precursor to Halloween goes back to the Dark Ages in central Europe. There, the Christian church destroyed many of the temples of various pagan gods and goddesses, such as Diana and Apollo. However, this pagan worship was never completely eradicated and took on the form of witchcraft. One of the most important aspects of witchcraft is a number of celebrations each year which are called "Witches' Sabbaths." One of the highest of the Witches' Sabbaths is the High Sabbath or the Black Sabbath of Witches on October 31st. Much of the Halloween folklore of today such as black cats, broomsticks, cauldrons and spells come from the Black Sabbath.

The third precursor to Halloween goes back to the early Roman Catholic Church. The church had appointed certain days to honor each saint and basically ran out of days in the year for all their saints to have a day, so they decided to have one day to remember all the saints. They called it All Saints' Day. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III changed All Saints' Day from May 13th to November 1st, and in the year 834, Pope Gregory IV extended this celebration to the entire Roman church. This event was called Allhallowmass, and as you might suppose, there was a celebration on the evening before on October 31st, called All Hallow E'en, "all hallow" meaning all of the hallowed ones. As you might guess, the contraction of hallow and e'en is where the word Halloween is derived.

The modern custom of going door to door begging for candy while dressed in costumes called "trick or treating," goes back to the pagan new year's feast in Ireland. The spirits that were thought to throng about the houses of the living were greeted with a banquet. At the end of the feast, villagers disguised as souls of the dead, paraded to the outskirts of the village leading the spirits away. This was done to avoid any calamities the dead might bring. Another way the villagers tried to appease the dead was to set out bowls of fruit and other treats so the spirits would partake of them and leave them in peace. Later when the belief in ghosts and goblins declined, youths dressed up as ghosts and goblins and threatened to play tricks on those who failed to be generous with treats.

The jack-o-lantern, also known as will-o-the-wisp, fox fire and corpse candle, among other things, was believed to be a wandering soul which could not find refuge in either heaven or hell because of a particularly evil deed committed in its lifetime. The Finns believed that it was the soul of a child buried in the forest. A corpse candle is said to be a small flame moving through the air in the dark and is believed by the superstitious to be an omen of the observers imminent death.

According to ancient folklore from many places, a will-o-the-wisp wanders about swamp areas, enticing victims to follow. These strange fires were also known as "foolish fire," because only a fool would follow them. Today's pumpkin face is symbolic of that mocking spirit. It is always wise to look into any customs associated with holidays and be aware of their roots.

Maine Evenly Split on Historic Marriage Vote

2009-10-22T15:57:00.003-06:00

Latest polling from Maine show residents equally split two weeks ahead of a historic vote which will decide if marriage is redefined in that state.

Here is the story.

What's important here is not whether Mainites will vote for legitimizing homosexual marriage, but whether they will choose to redefine marriage.

In 2006 Coloradans added a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman, 57-43 percent.

Medical Marijuana Law a Front for More Marijuana Use?

2009-10-22T13:17:00.002-06:00

I love social do-gooders. Much of the time I am one myself.

But, Colorado's medical marijuana law, passed with good intentions to help chronically illl Coloradans has gone bust.

Find this story here.

In 2000, Colorado voters approved Amendment 20 which legalized small amounts of cannabis to be used by patients under the care of a physician. The rationale- many Coloradans with serious illnesses would finally get relief with medical marijuana. Right.

Most of us knew what would eventually happen. Word would get out and the fraudulent schemes would occur. In essence, marijuana use would be legalized in Colorado. Now, the number of Coloradans claiming a need for it is soaring!

My opinion. This law needs to be repealed.

H1N1 Vaccine Shortages-How Did This Happen?

2009-10-22T13:06:00.002-06:00

This may have been the biggest under reported story yesterday.

However you slice it, the government has botched up the H1N1 flu virus supply line.

If you missed this story, here it is...

Montana judges smack down parental rights

2009-10-13T13:06:00.002-06:00

Montana is not Colorado but its close.

This story should chill you particularly if your a parent.

What a Montana court has done is stand on its head the right of natural parents to have sole claim on their child. Instead, there is legal precedence for third parties to make a parenting claim on a child.

This is not new news in Colorado. Colorado law allows an individual (non-parent) to petition for parental responsibilities when he or she has had physical care of the child for at least six months.

What we object to is a court determining that a non-parent's claims to parenting time trumps those of a fit natural parent...

This is a bad decision that needs to be overturned.

2009-10-12T11:06:00.002-06:00

One of the slickest statistics to rope in are marriage stats. Our friends at the Institute for American Values have develop a new tool that we will use in our work here in Colorado....Maggie Gallagher explains more below.

How do you measure a marriage culture?

The Institute for American Values, in conjunction with the new National Center for African-American Marriage and Parenting has just released a new "Marriage Index" that for the very first time in American history creates a tool to measure the health of marriage in America.

It's a brilliant conceptual idea, long overdue. This is a GDP for marriage, a way to statistically sum up complex trends in a way that allows us to capture a core truth: Is marriage getting weaker or stronger?

The report (available at www.americanvalues.org) begins by asking key questions: "What helps us the most to thrive, as individuals and as a society? Money or marriage? Assets or relationships? Here's what we know: A large body of research suggests that the status of our marriages influences our well-being at least as much as the status of our finances."

So why, the report's authors ask, do we work so hard to create a consensus measure of our leading economic indicators and not our marriage indicators?

The leading economic indicators are not mere dry statistical artifacts; they are a living part of our intellectual, social, media and political culture. "These indicators are generally accepted by elites and by the broad public as both accurate and important. As a result, they matter. We read about them in publications and hear about them on TV. Policymakers and opinion shapers pay attention to them. If they are improving, we tend to rejoice. If they are declining, we tend to fret, and ask, 'What can we do?'"

But these authors point out: "There is no equivalent effort to focus on marriage. ... Consequently, policymakers and opinion leaders rarely seem to care about marriage trends, or even notice them."

Until now.

The Marriage Index is the product of a bipartisan group of scholars and leaders who selected five indicators as fundamental. What are these five?

(1) A marriage rate measure -- the proportion of adults under age 54 who are married. (The focus on younger Americans is in order to avoid conflating longer life and more widows with the decline of marriage.)

(2) A divorce measure -- the proportion of first marriages that are still intact.

(3) A marital happiness measure -- the proportion of married people who say their marriage is "very happy" (because quality matters, too).

There are also two child-centered measures:

(4) The proportion of babies who are born to married people.

(5) The proportion of all children who live with their own two married parents.

These last two are to many of us the most important. "Why devote two-fifths of a Marriage Index to children?" the authors ask. "These last two indicators concern more than just children: Fundamentally, they reflect the link between adults and children that marriage is designed to create and secure. At its essence, marriage is a social institution that, when it's working, meets social needs -- and perhaps the greatest of these needs is supporting the helpless offspring that result from the sexual union of two people."

So how are we doing on marriage? No one will be surprised to hear the answer: not well. Overall, since 1970 the combined Five Leading Marriage Indicators dropped from 76.2 percent to 60.3 percent.

But the news is not all bad. Since 2000, three of the five leading marriage indicators have actually stabilized or begun to improve: The proportion of first marriages that are intact plunged from 77 percent to under 60 percent between 1970 and 2000; it actually climbed three-tenths of a percent since 2000. The proportion of children living with their own married parents similarly ticked up half a percentage point. And the proportion of marriages that are "very happy" has been stable. We can learn to do better.

Of course, the very best scientific indicators will capture only a portion of why we really care about marriage. Maps are not roads. But that is precisely why they are useful.

Letterman and Marriage- Do the Right Thing Dave..

2009-10-09T11:44:00.003-06:00

David Letterman has a lot to learn about being married. We all do.

Let me say first off, that I am no marriage expert and I am not judging David Letterman or his wife.

Suffice to say, perfect marriages don't exist. Marriage is often a tough relationship between two flawed people. Don't let anyone tell you that there is a perfect marriage, because short of this side of heaven, marriage is a work in progress. Even the best marriages have their moments of failure, doubts, disagreements, etc.

So what about Letterman? Here is my advice to the late night comic:

Being married is not akin to having an affair. Toss out the jokes. The loser in all of this is your young son, Harry. Be a man Mr. Letterman. Admit your mistakes and seriously repair the relationship (if she will let you) with your son's mother...

Obama and the Nobel Prize-I Have Hope!

2009-10-09T11:18:00.003-06:00

Once again, the great thing about Obama is that he gives hope to little guys like me!

Wow, not only is our President the messiah, the great communicator, world leader, rock star and soon, to star in his own movie series but now a Nobel Peace Prize winner.

I am still not sure what he has done to garner the award, but hey, style and sizzle carry the day. Substance does not.

All of this in only 9 months in office. I cannot possibly imagine what we will accomplish with the rest of his term!

Maybe, the Norwegians got some of our stimulus monies...?

Lessons for Colorado from California

2009-10-05T11:11:00.003-06:00

Apologies to any Californians who may see this blog. I am a native Californian, but boy am I glad to only visit now not live there.

Let me just say that the bubble has burst in the Golden State. Pick your poison- wildfires, bankrupt state government, no economic growth, thousands of former homeowners, 12 percent unemployment rate, political gridlock, etc., etc. The list goes on and on.

California could become the first failed state in our nation's history. Another Obama bail-out/buy-up could be coming!

There are four lessons to be learned here in Colorado from the California implosion. Here they are:

1- The coming tax revolt. It will happen soon. Americans will rebel at some point and place and it will spread like wildfire. The Colorado lesson: Keep taxes low. Don't try and trick Coloradans by saying that new taxes are just "fairness fees."

2- The brain drain. Entrepeneurs (if any are still left) and job-creators are leaving California like rats from a sinking ship. The reason: stifling business taxes and regulations. The trickle up economic theory does not work. A poor man will never create a robust job for someone else. Colorado lesson: Create and maintain a healthy business climate with low business taxes and regulations. Remember that real jobs are created by folks who have a passion for a product and a profit motive to succeed.

3- Help the helpless and forego the clueless. I love helping the helpless and unfortunately today there are many of these folks. However, we have a growing cadre of the clueless, many of whom are well-educated but utterly dense when it comes to how life really works. Many of these folks wind up sticking to entities which advocate for issues that either don't work, are contrary to the laws of nature or are simply too expensive. Colorado lesson: The Guv and the legislature need to keep the temperature of the electorate front and center and not make public policy based on shrillness or political payoffs. Many of the clueless can be ignored.

4- Not everyone needs a handout or deserves a government solution. For years, Californians have spent public dollars creating huge entitlements and public dependencies. Now, that bill is coming due. With decreased tax revenue (see #1 and #2 above), the state government can no longer pay its bills. This is the worst conclusion-it would have been better off for families who now depend on these entitlements to have not had government support than to now cut them off. Colorado lesson: Its easy for politicians to promise goodies in exchange for votes. The problem is is that when revenue streams dry up, many families are left high and dry.

Colorado Democrats who currently rule the political roost here and many of the same proclivities of governance as their California cousins who have run that state into the ground. Let's pray that they follow a different path.

Your Tax Dollars at Work Stimulating the Economy

2009-10-05T11:04:00.002-06:00

Before you read this let me make a couple of comments.

First, I love helping people who need help. Second, I love to see new jobs created, families prosper and Americans have most of their earned money in their wallet.

What you see below is a shame. Its a shame because of the title. This program will not create many jobs if any at well. After all, isn't that what a stimulus is supposed to do? This is nothing more than more government spending...At best, it is disingenuous.

Now, some people will get good services from private providers. But, don't call it something that it is not.

American Recovery Reinvestment Act of 2009 Communities Putting Prevention to Work Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-DP09-912ARRA09
CFDA Number(s): 93.724 -- Prevention and Wellness--Communities Putting Prevention to Work

Executive Summary: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), signed into law February 17, 2009, is designed to stimulate economic recovery in various ways, including preserving and creating jobs and promoting economic recovery, assisting those most impacted by the recession, stabilizing State and local government budgets in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive state and local tax increases, and strengthening the Nation’s health care infrastructure and reducing health care costs through prevention activities. The Recovery Act includes $650 million for evidence-based clinical and community-based prevention and wellness strategies that support specific, measurable health outcomes to reduce chronic disease rates. The legislation provides an important opportunity for states, cities, rural areas, and tribes to advance public health across the lifespan and to reduce health disparities. The CDC will support intensive community approaches to chronic disease prevention and control in selected communities (urban and rural), to achieve the following prevention outcomes:

Increased levels of physical activity;
Improved nutrition (e.g. increased fruit/vegetable consumption, reduced salt and trans fats);
Decreased overweight/obesity prevalence
Decreased smoking prevalence and decreased teen smoking initiation; and
Decreased exposure to secondhand smoke.
Background: In the United States today, seven of ten deaths and the vast majority of serious illness, disability, and health care costs are caused by chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Key risk factors–lack of physical activity, poor nutrition and tobacco use–are major contributors to the nation’s leading causes of death. More than 75% of health care expenditures in the United States are spent to meet the health needs of persons with chronic conditions (www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/overview.htm). Many Americans die prematurely and suffer from diseases that could be prevented or more effectively managed. communities in

A Common Sense Colorado Solution to Health Care

2009-09-30T10:13:00.003-06:00

This story makes sense.

We need some sense right now regarding the health care debate and practical solutions. While our political leaders fight in D.C. about Obama care, Coloradans are enjoying new health care options in local Walmart stores or other storefronts.

Here is an encouraging story about the burgeoning growth of health care clinics in retail store outlets here in Colorado.

Increasingly, retail store health clinics (found in many Walmarts and Walgreen's) are offering low cost services which fill one of the major gaps in our current health care system.

The gap- access to reasonable pay as you go primary health care, like shots, care for broken bones, fever, etc.

Our political leaders need to take note. It shows American ingenuity and innovation without government interference.

What I like even more about these services is that the government has no role in them. Let free market entrepreneur's establish these services where customers receive quality care and a reasonable profit can be made.

The winners: Colorado families.

Colorado Republicans Claim They Are Back-We'll See...See My Checklist!

2009-09-25T17:31:00.002-06:00

We will see if Colorado "R's" are back.

Colorado Republicans have taken their lumps over the last three election cycles. But, according to insiders, a fresh wind of hope, direction and palatable ideas are re-invigorating the GOP.

From my angle, I hope so. But, to make dreams become a reality, there is a short checklist that should be discussed before any victory laps:

-Money. Colorado Dems have a seemingly un-ending stream of money from a dedicated core of big-monied sympathizers. Unless the Republicans can trump the money gusher with superior candidates and ideas, they will be outspent and lose.

-On message. The "R's" have lacked a palatable statewide message on key issues like health care, taxes, jobs, education, transportation, etc. I think you get the picture. To their credit, good folks like State Senator Mike Kopp and others have tried to get the party apparatus on the same page saying the same thing. But, its not gained traction yet. No message equals no wins in 2010.

-Unity. There's an old Colorado proverb that goes like this- there are four parties in Colorado: Democrats, Independents, Liberal Republicans and Conservative Republicans. The bottom line is this: the Focus on the Family "R's" must make peace with the liberal and libertarian "R's" and decide that they do have common ground. Dems have exploited this breach for years, playing both sides off each other.

-Independents. They are now the majority party in Colorado. To win, the "R's" must address their concerns which are: health care, good jobs, the environment, education and fiscal restraint. If your ideas don't play here there will not be wins in 210.

2010 could be the year of the return of conservatism in Colorado. But it will only be carried in by a unified, on message Republican party...

Lack of Common Sense: Florida Teacher Finger Prints Her Students!

2009-09-25T17:27:00.002-06:00

There's nothing like being accussed of something you did not do particularly when you are a youngster.

This is one of those see it to believe it stories....Click here.

I was not aware that teachers were really undercover law enforcement agents.

The teacher should have been fired.

Problems with New Health Care Lite

2009-09-17T15:14:00.002-06:00

Democratic Montana Senator Max Baucus, a genuinely good and thoughtful man, has offered a new healthcare alternative.

Unfortunately, it still sounds like and looks like a duck.

The issue: the resurrection of the "co-op" versus the public health care option. Senator Baucus wants to replace the government option with a community based co-op system. This system has been tried before.

It's DNA is this: regional groups of employers and community leaders would use Federal subsidies to setup a health care co-op. They would then negotiate costs and services with local health care providers. They also would build a membership base many of whom would be poorer families buying policies with new federal subsidies. These members would in turn own the co-op. Costs would be controlled by emphasizing preventive and primary care versus expensive emergency room services.

Sound good? Not so fast. Here are some historic problems with co-ops. Problem one- since co-ops will not be mandatory, it will take years for these entities to gain enough membership to have any cost-cutting power in the marketplace. Problem two- they will attract patients who have expensive medical needs and are unable to secure coverage elsewhere. Finally, it will likely cost more money and procure less medical services that traditional plans.

These historic problems remain.

Sounds like another bad idea for your family.

World's Tallest Man Looking For A Wife

2009-09-17T08:47:00.005-06:00

A quick sidebar fun story:

Let me preface this one by saying that marriage not only transcends race, ethnicity, age and economic status, but now height.

A towering Turk was officially named the world's tallest man last week. Measuring in at 8 feet 1 inches, Sultan Kosen, from Mardin, Turkey is looking for love.

He reports that in the past women were scared of him because of his height. Now, according to Kosen, "hopefully, now that I am famous, I'll be able to meet lots of girls and get married."

Any takers? If so, carefully considered how tall the kids could be...

Public Health Care and Abortions: Do You Trust the Fox in the Hen House?

2009-09-14T13:25:00.003-06:00

In Colorado, our constitution prohibits public tax dollars being used on abortions. Its common sense and should remain so.

Currently, there is also a federal ban on using tax dollars to fund abortions.

However for years, liberals have wanted a public health care option that would include funding abortions with your tax dollars. And they are about the business of undoing these current restrictions.

That same storm is raising its ugly head again in Congress. Despite denials by the abortions rights crowd to contrary(akin to asking a fox in the hen house if the chickens are safe), Obama himself has affirmed that he wants health care reforms to cover reproductive services.

Congresswoman Louise Capps, a Democrat from California has introduced an amendment to one of the House bills that would allow abortions to be paid for with beneficiary premiums rather than federal dollars. This plan also requires private insurers who want to participate in government subsidized policies to offer two plans- one that would cover abortions and another one that would not. But that is a shell game and either way you slice it, directly or indirectly your tax dollars are going to pay for abortions.

So who is telling the truth?

So my question- do you trust the fox in the hen house to tell you if the chickens are well?

Colorado Budget Woes Pinch State Services

2009-09-09T12:00:00.002-06:00

We have a dilemma in Colorado. Click here for the Denver Post's latest article. The subject du jour is how state services will affect Colorado's poor and needy.

For years, many of us foretold of this day. It has now arrived. There are some very tough choices for us and our leaders.

Here is the nexus: Colorado's state expenses are higher than our current tax revenue.

My point today is not to play "gotcha" or "I told you so" but to offer three sober solutions plus a bonus idea.

Here they are:

Option One: Cut expenses at the risk of snipping state services that many Coloradans have come to be dependent upon them. These soft programs are not constitutionally protected for annual funding hikes(like public education funding and Amendment 23 guaranteed) and are subject to funding cuts. A good example is the proposed cut of a nursing unit in Grand Junction which will save the state gov $1.3 million but will also displace many fragile patients. The folks at home are not going to like this one.

Option Two: Take a page from the federal government or the state of California playbooks and continue spending and hope someday that Santa Claus, the federal government or a lucky star falls into the state coffers eliminating the debt. Unlikely, because rat holes simply get bigger.

Or Option Three: Take a page from the book of business common sense and enact policies that will increase tax revenue, like cutting corporate taxes and lowering other tax rates on job producers and taxpayers. Less taxes means more income that will be spent on new jobs which creates spending which in turn creates more dollars for the state treasury.

Finally, the bonus option: offer private charities incentives to expand their services to Colorado's needy. A century ago, public compassion was done excellently through private charities. These entities are more often than not well equipped to offer excellent care for those in need.

We need a stiff wind to blow away the fog which is blinding our state's leadership.

Give Obama A Break

2009-09-08T14:33:00.003-06:00

Some folks on the right are acting like Barack Obama is Darth Vader. Maybe in time he will become the masked crusader for the evil empire.

But for now let's give him a chance. While the latest White House gaffe over positioning the President's desire to speak to public school students is yet another faux pas in a string of public relations fumbles, the President deserves an opportunity to speak to kids in a voluntary forum.

Many Presidents of have inspired students with the timeless challenge to succeed and for the most part their words inspired many students. There was Kennedy's speech in the 1960's; Carter in the mid- 1970's; Reagan in the '80's, etc., etc.I heard all of them and never considered their political orientation much.

Back in those days, our nation buried elections and the political aftermath the day afterwards. There were no 24 hour cable news channels and we all went back to being Americans. No one was talking then about the next presidential election 4 years down the road. Unfortunately, we now live in the future where many Americans are professional political partisans, earning a living by ripping the other side a new one.

Okay, I am a social conservative. I don't agree with Obama's leftist policies but it doesn't mean that I don't want him to inspire students as the President of the United States. Like it or not, he is the elected President of our nation for the next 4 years. He does have a compelling story which will inspire many young people. Now, I don't want schools to force students to watch it but it shouldn't be castigated either.

Relax, let him speak.

Honest Requiem on Ted Kennedy's Passing

2009-09-07T11:43:00.002-06:00

Ted Kennedy's passing last week ends an era. The media tried to spin his passing as the end of a legendary statesman career, one built on his championing causes for the "little guy." But was this assessment true or was it yet another media spin job obfuscating Kennedy's real agenda and life?

One group of "little guys" that got no help from Kennedy were the unborn.

Many Catholics were appalled at Kennedy's policies and beliefs and deeply bothered that Kennedy was provided a full public Catholic funeral. And frankly, most of his ideas were no in adherence to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Reverend Thomas Euteneuer is the President of Human Life International. As a Catholic priest he accurately summarizes Kennedy's life. Here it is:

Human Life Internationale's Statement on the Passing of Senator Edward Kennedy.

We must, as a matter of precept, pray for the salvation of heretical Catholics like Senator Edward Kennedy, but we do not have to praise him let alone extol him with the full honors of a public Catholic funeral and all the adulation that attends such an event. There was very little about Ted Kennedy's life that deserves admiration from a spiritual or moral point of view. He was probably the worst example of a Catholic statesman that one can think of. When all is said and done, he has distorted the concept of what it means to be a Catholic in public life more than anyone else in leadership today.

Obviously we don't know the state of Senator Edward Kennedy's soul upon death. We don't pretend to. We are told by the family that he had the opportunity to confess his sins before a priest, and his priest has said publicly he was "at peace" when he died. For that we are grateful. But it is one thing to confess one's sins and for these matters to be kept, rightfully, private. It is another thing entirely for one who so consistently and publicly advocated for the destruction of unborn human beings to depart the stage without a public repudiation of these views, a public confession, as it were.

It is up to God to judge Senator Kennedy's soul. We, as rational persons, must judge his actions, and his actions were not at all in line with one who values and carefully applies Church teaching on weighty matters. Ted Kennedy's positions on a variety of issues have been a grave scandal for decades, and to honor this "catholic" champion of the culture of death with a Catholic funeral is unjust to those who have actually paid the price of fidelity. We now find out that President Obama will eulogize the Senator at his funeral-an indignity which, following on the heels of the Notre Dame fiasco, leaves faithful Catholics feeling sullied, desecrated and dehumanized by men who seem to look for opportunities to slap the Church in the face and do so with impunity simply because they have positions of power.

It is not enough for Kennedy to have been a "great guy behind the scenes" as we have seen him referred to even by his political opponents. It is also not praiseworthy to put a Catholic rhetorical veneer on his leftist politics that did nothing to advance true justice as the Church sees it or to advance the peace of Christ in this world. Every indication of Senator Kennedy's career, every public appearance, every sound bite showed an acerbic, divisive and partisan political hack for whom party politics were much more infallible than Church doctrines. Whatever one's political affiliation, if one is only "Catholic" to the extent that his faith rhymes with his party line, then his Catholicism is a fraud.

As the Scriptures remind us, there is a time for everything under the sun. This, now, is the time for honesty about our Faith and about those who are called to express it in the public forum. If we do not remind ourselves of the necessity of public confession for public sins such as Senator Kennedy was guilty of, then we are negligent in our embrace of the Faith and we are part of the problem. As Pope Benedict has reminded us recently, charity without truth can easily become mere sentimentality, and we must not fall into that error. A Catholic show of charity for the family must not eclipse the truth that is required of all with eyes to see and ears to hear.

Senator Kennedy needs to be sent to the afterlife with a private, family-only funeral and the prayers of the Church for the salvation of his immortal soul. He will not be missed by the unborn who he betrayed time and time again, nor by the rest of us who are laboring to undo the scandalous example of Catholicism that he gave to three generations of Americans.

Minneapolis Tornado and the ELCA's Embrace of Homosexuality

2009-08-26T09:49:00.002-06:00

I am not a meteorologist, but a tornado struck the Minneapolis area this week while the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) was voting to allow homosexual clergy to actively minister to it's congregations.

Coincidence? Maybe.

But it makes you pause and wonder if there wasn't a message and a forewarning in that storm. Ironically, the ELCA may be inviting a divisive internal storm upon itself, much as the Episcopalian Church of America did a decade or so ago when it went down the slippery slope of homosexual clergy.

The dagger at the throat of the ELCA is not really whether homosexuals should be clergy or not but that of scriptural authority. While some ELCA apologists will claim that homosexuality is better understood now (and should be allowed)than it was when the Bible was written, the lurking danger is the reduction of scriptural authority. Here comes the slippery slope.

What other historic Christian theologies will now be reinterpreted in light of "modern revelations"-the inerrancy and authority of scripture; the deity of Christ; the sufficiency of the atonement?

Frankly, there are more pressing issues right now for Christendom than the ordination of homosexual clergy. The Church is commanded by Jesus Christ to be a light to world: the preaching of the Gospel, the making of disciples, the promotion of justice and equality, the care of the poor and sick, etc., etc.

Noted evangelical Christian author and pastor John Piper opined that:
"The tornado in Minneapolis was a gentle but firm warning to the ELCA and all of us: Turn from the approval of sin. Turn from the promotion of behaviors that lead to destruction. Reaffirm the great Lutheran heritage of allegiance to the truth and authority of Scripture. Turn back from distorting the grace of God into sensuality. Rejoice in the pardon of the cross of Christ and its power to transform left and right wing sinners."

Amen.

Teach the Bible in Public Schools? We Use To...

2009-08-17T16:05:00.002-06:00

Most Americans don't remember that the Bible used to be the prima-learning text for all American school children.

Historically, biblical teachings have formed the core bedrock of our nation's heritage. A study by the American Political Science Review on the political documents of the founding era, which was from 1760-1805, discovered that 94 percent of the period's documents were based on the Bible, with 34 percent of the contents being direct citations from the Bible. The Scripture was the bedrock and blueprint of our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, academic arenas and heritage until the last quarter of a century.

Today's USA TODAY offers a reasonable discussion on resurrecting the Bible as a source of literature and history for the public classroom.

I like the idea. Here are a couple of compelling reasons to bring back the Bible:

1-The Bible's timeless message pushes back the hopelessness of secularism. From a simple historical perspective, understanding the Bible's influence in the foundations of America is very important.
2-Having a versatile knowledge of the biblical themes and words aids students, particularly in understanding other great literary works such as Shakespeare, Milton, Wordsworth and Sidney.
3-Finally, research repeatedly shows that regular church attendance positively affects students and their academic performances.

Your thoughts?

Colorado's Economic Reality

2009-08-11T09:43:00.002-06:00

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has not pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?"

Powerful words from 1 John 3:17.

In today's economic climate, many of desperate needs. Jobs have been lost, mortgages unpaid, and financial chaos is consuming many Coloradans.

Today's Denver Post contains a good article chronicling the plight of many Coloradans battle to find work and pay life's bills.

Perhaps today, there is someone or a family you know who could use a loan, a job, a bag of groceries or just some compassion.

Young Americans Still Want to Marry

2009-07-30T12:15:00.002-06:00

News flash!

Young Americans still want to marry! With all things considered, that is good news.

Let's be honest though. The American marriage culture has taken a beating over the last few years. From the lingering cloud of low-fault divorce, the ongoing battle over homosexual marriage to a general disenchantment of marriage by the under 30's crowd, marriage in America is a bit wobbly.

However, Washington Times reporter Cheryl Wertstein has penned an informative article on the refreshing news that young Americans still want to be married or plan to be married somewhere in the future.

Here it is.

The bottom line-Americans still want to marry.

"Calibrate" Equipment Not Words

2009-07-30T11:16:00.002-06:00

According to Webster, when you calibrate something, you are: "fixing, checking or correcting an item or machine."

You don't calibrate words.

President Obama, apologize when you misspeak. We all do it. Don't calibrate your words. It makes your apology appear very insincere.

Careful What We "Fix?"

2009-07-30T11:03:00.002-06:00

Like most Americans, I would concur that our current health care system needs reform. I don't like the $1500 per month premium nor the 80/20 payout after my family's $3k cap. Oouch to my wallet. And to top it off, whenever I call for a little customer service, I get someone who cannot speak English or cannot find my account.

Over and over, the Canadian health care model is held out to by many reformers be a shining example of patient care and fiducial responsibility. Really?

Here's a thought. If the Canadian system is so good then why do thousands of Canadians motor south to the USA for immediate care? And, why do Mexican immigrants stop here and not continue onward to our northern neighbor?

These facts give me pause. Perhaps, our health care system is not all that bad when compared to other places...

The Next Frontier in American Marital Evolution

2009-07-27T11:23:00.002-06:00

After the homosexual and transgenderedc communities, the polyamorists will be next.

Haven't heard of them yet? Here's the story and the definition of who they are.

Health Insurance is Not Health Care

2009-07-27T10:18:00.002-06:00

Most Americans mix the two up.

Let's be clear. Access to health care is not health insurance. Let me explain.

Health insurance occurs when a group of people pool their money together to help pay for the costs of health care. But, health care was never designed to give the payer a free ride from health care costs. You use it to help pay in part your costs for health care. Great health insurance does not guarantee great health care.

Today, free health insurance has become an entitlement in the minds of many Americans. This notion has sprouted legs in our culture because many businesses, in order to retain good employees, either have given their employees free health insurance as a perk or have limited the cost. But still, its not free. Either the employee pays it or the employer pays it.

On the other hand, health care is not health insurance. Yet, like every other aspect of our nation's economy, it is a business which many people make their livelihood on. A profit motive here is not necessarily a bad thing. With the profit incentive comes research and development for new life saving drugs and clinical procedures. In my last blog, I wrote about a friend whose father has pancreatic cancer. Several years ago, this would have been a death sentence. Now through extensive research and development (fueled by profits), new drugs and therapies are extending his life.

Here are two facts about the future impact of a public health care option funded by the government:

1- Quality health care will diminish. The government plan will pay health care providers less money for their services, reducing the profit incentives. Plus, the government option will eventually put private insurers out of business. Less pay means fewer docs and other health care providers. Privately owned hospitals will also contract or be bought out by a government run option similar to the current VA system. Once again, see Canada if you want a peek about hospitals under government operation.

2- Taxes will increase. Conservatively, the additional tax burden on American taxpayers will exceed 1 trillion dollars each year if Obama's plan is implemented. This is a cost our families cannot afford to bear.

I am all for helping fellow Americans access quality health care. Helping the helpless is a big deal for me. Reforming our broken health care system is a family issue, something that the Rocky Mountain Family Council deems as vital to our families. But, helping the clueless is a different story.

Obama Care and Its Impact on Your Family

2009-07-23T11:13:00.002-06:00

I want to give the President a chance to explain his health care plan. I agree that our current system is too expensive, too complicated and uncovers many Americans.

But please, a government solution? If you want to build your confidence in the proposed public option, take a peek at other current government businesses like Amtrak and the US Postal Service. Makes me feel safe!

Who is President Obama kidding?

Last night's prime time Presidential news conference was another foray into the fogbank. I am sorry but the man makes no sense. He has had his chance. I don't think he has read his own plan. Obama either does not know his own plan; lives in a parallel universe; has no understanding of a free market economy or simply thinks he can fake us all out.

Here are a few ideas to ponder:

-Competition will not happen. If private companies (who have to show a profit) have to compete with a public option (who does not have to show a profit), they will fail. Employers, when faced with the cheaper public option, will cancel their current health care plans and put employees in the cheaper public option.

-Cost. No one really has an answer for it. Not even Obama. Most estimates are probably too conservative. Few government run plans come in on time and at budget. The economic reality is that our nation cannot afford this program. Who do you think will pay for it?

-Quality of care. Eventually, health care decisions will be made by a government agent who will decide who gets what care and when. The days of your doctor diagnosing your condition and prescribing immediate care will end (for more info on this one visit Canada). Also, forget about your privacy. All medical records under the public option will be put on a CD and be housed in some office in Washington, DC. This one scares me.

-The development of new drugs and treatments. A good friend's father has advanced pancreatic cancer. Until recently, this was a death sentence. However, thanks to ongoing research and development over the last 20 years, new anti pancreatic cancer drugs are now available to put the cancer into remission. What drives research and innovation is not just the desire to find a cure but the financial reward for finding a life-saving drug. It's called the profit incentive and its the little secret behind a free market economy (See point #1). There will be no incentives for private companies to do research and to find those future drugs that will save people 20 years from now. Obama care will snuff this out.

-Finally, control. Do you want the government to control your health care decisions. I don't think that's what most American bargained for when they voted for Obama in November of 2008. But this is what "the change we can believe in" is coming to be. If the government takes over health care, one sixth of the American economy will be under its control.

Here is my bottom line: the current system is broken and in need of reform. The Obama plan will not solve any of the issues only worsen the system.

Here is an excellent link and analysis of the Obama plan.

Getting "High" in Denver

2009-07-23T10:59:00.002-06:00

I will confess that I live near the "Mile High" city of Denver. It used to be that "mile high" proudly referred to the elevation of Denver, rooting for the Broncos, cool nights, close proximity to the Rocky Mountains, clear majestic views and all of the other good things that go with living at altitude.

However, its taken a new meaning. A smoky "haze" is now descending on the Mile High City. Here is the latest story on the medicinal use of marijuana.

The elected officials in Denver are caught up in this haze. It seems like the only adults in town right now are the Feds and local law enforcement (the folks that deal everyday with drug addicts).

Yesterday, the ubiquitous Denver Post ran a less than heartily followup story on medicinal marijuana. Unfortunately, the majority of confidential Denver registry of folks who claim pain and need medicinal marijuana are males with an average age of 24.

Sounds like a scam to me!

Here's the key quote the Denver Post (which I agree): "Pardon our skepticism, but that profile seems tilted awfully heavily toward young Coloradans."

Really. Here's more: "It's one thing for people who are at the end of their lives or who are truly suffering to find some relief in the use of marijuana. It's another entirely if people who want to see marijuana legalized are using medical marijuana provisions and friendly doctors to do an end run around drug laws."

This Denver law needs to be repealed. Clear away the haze!

Is There Hope for the American Marriage?

2009-07-15T12:28:00.002-06:00

This was the title of a July 2nd article in TIME magazine (which I normally do not read).

This is an interesting article particularly from a reliably liberal news magazine like TIME. My parents used to get the old TIME magazine while I was growing up before it morphed into what it is today.

Here is the link to this article.

Here are a couple of thoughts.

First, I find it a bit humorous that the TIME staff would even be interested in such a topic. Afterall, TIME has been at the forefront championing homosexual marriage. They have led the party that is celebrating the advent of open homosexuality and its practices in our country.

Second, my skeptisicm is rooted in my piqued interest as to the true intent of this article. Its either a celebratory "I told you so" postmortem on traditional marriage or its a mea culpa that they have taken a bridge too far.

Third, Caitlin Flangan's premises (the authoress)are surprisingly accurate and conservative in tone. "There is no other single force causing as much measureable harship and human misery in this country as the collapse of marriage. It hurts children, it reduces mother's financial security, and it has landed with particular devastation on those who can bear it least: the nation's underclass." Wow. Right on...

Fourth, the marriage gap. Flanagan hits the nail on the head here. There is a growing marriage gap threatening our nation today. She is right on when she chronicles the plight of the underclass, who are uncoupling parenthood with marriage. One of the greatest predictors of poverty are under-educated single women having children. These fragile families are destined for the ash hill of public substinence. For the "priviledged" the marriage trend today is to battle middle-age boredom with realtional trysts which bring the wrecking ball to their families and children---see Governor Mark Sanford et al.

Fifthly, and this is the a-ha moment of the article. Quoting noted feminist researcher and author Sara McLanahan, she states that "Growing up without a father has a deep psychological effect on a child. The mom may not need that man, but her children do." Wow.

Perhaps there is a third reason for this article. Could it be that the folks who have tried to demolish marriage for decades are seeing the light?

Obama and Homosxuals-Update # 2

2009-07-02T15:13:00.002-06:00

Several months ago when we did our first "Obama and Homosexuals" update, we told you that we would continue this frequently and as new information came out.

Homosexuals are a major constituent group of the Democratic party. In recent weeks, homosexual activist groups have been clamoring to Obama for support payback. Frankly, it has gotten nasty.

Here is the latest since June 1st.

-The Obama White House has proposed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. If passed, this bill would add gender and sexual orientation to hate crime laws.

-Urging Congress to repeal the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

-Ensure national adoption rights for homosexual couples.

-Passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. This bill would expand it protections to cover sexual orientation and gender identity.

-Repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy towards homosexuals. This is controversial and will take time. Homosexuals would then be allowed to serve openly.

Ritter's Car Tax HIts Home

2009-07-01T17:18:00.001-06:00

It's here. If you have not seen it yet, you will. Just wait until your annual car renewal license bill comes and it will be huge.

All of this courtesy of Guv Ritter and his Democratic allies in the state legislature.

Below is an excellent op-ed piece from our good friend and State Senator Kevin Lundberg on this issue. Read it and weep.

Senate bill 108 is a quarter of a billion dollar (per year) car tax. Some are calling it Bill Ritter's Car Tax.

Never in my legislative experience have I seen such a reaction from the people of Colorado after a law has taken effect. For the last several weeks hardly day goes by without at least one constituent calling me at home to complain about SB-108.

Not only do they resent the more than doubling of the cost of registering an older car, but the penalties for late registration are an incredible shock. It is a mandatory, one size fits all formula of $25/ month, up to four months ($100) for any late registration. This applies to even the little trailer you may have around that you rarely use.

How would you react if you expected a nominal ($10-30) registration cost and are handed a bill for well over $100? This late fee even applies for the months before the bill became law! Many people with multiple older vehicles or motorbikes have told me they may never register them. Others have threatened to go to another state.

But wait... there's more. SB-108 also set up a system for tolling existing roads and several new bureaucracies for administering these taxes, fines, and tolls. For all of these reasons not one Republican, in either house, voted for SB-108. We spent long hours in the Senate and the House arguing against this new car tax, but in the end the governor had the votes from his own party to pass both houses and then he signed it with great fanfare.

In the next session I will be introducing a bill to repeal parts of SB-108. I trust that the people will have, by that time, convinced enough legislators in the governor's party to agree to get rid of at least the worst parts of the Bill Ritter's Car Tax.

For more information about SB-108 go to: http://www.rscc.us/ActionAlerts/Index.html.

Elections have expensive consequences.

Colorado "Stimulus" Czar Makes $146,034

2009-06-24T15:13:00.002-06:00

I have no beef with Don Elliman but I do have a big one with whoever hired him as Colorado's "stimulus" czar.

Here's the story.

In a time of budget deficits and less expenditures, Colorado now has a "stimulus" czar. I am sure that Mr. Elliman has busy days. After all, he oversees all budgets of state agencies and monitors how Colorado uses federal stimulus funds.

You can't tell me that there is someone already in the system who could do this?

This story seems to be exhibit A on wasteful government spending. Or, perhaps its one of those "shovel-ready" jobs Obama promised.

Sign me up!

Obama Giving Benefits to Federal Homosexual Employees Partners

2009-06-17T12:41:00.002-06:00

Today, President Obama will put pen to paper and extend federal health care benefits to the partners of homosexual government employees. In doing so, he hopes to appease homosexual groups which supported his election.

This move comes in reaction to high pressure from homosexual groups who form a loud and financially lucrative group in the Democratic coalition. In recent weeks, homosexual activists have grown increasingly frustrated with what they perceive is a lack of action by the Obama administration on their issues. When Obama failed to lift the current military ban on openly homosexuals serving in the military, the tipping point had come.

The target point here is the Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program. Via executive order, Obama will order that these benefits be made available to homosexual partners of federal employees.

Again, the tidal wave of homosexual activism continues forward in America. Here in Colorado, Governor Bill Ritter signed a similar measure. Homosexuals and their political allies argue that these are rights they should have-that true equality cannot be achieved unless our society gives them equal rights and recognition previously enjoyed by heterosexual married couples.

It's important to remember these arguments in the face of this tidal wave:
-Marriage has always been seen as the socially acceptable relationship between a man and a woman.
-Society and the state have a vested interest in promoting and maintaining high numbers of successful marriages. Marriages provide the procreation of future generations; reduce unmarried infidelity and paternity; promote the creation and distribution of wealth; reduce sexually transmitted diseases et al.
-Thus, the distribution of "benefits" is so important. Because of society's and the state's vested interest in marriage, family benefits were distributed to encourage marital and familial stability.-Homosexual marriage provides none of these benefits other than the fulfillment of adult needs.
Here is the story.

Obama's act is in essence a de facto recognition of homosexual unions as marriage. This downward slide will continue and the fight is not over.

Elections have consequences.

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David Letterman Offers Mea Culpa

2009-06-16T15:04:00.004-06:00

Earlier today, Daivd Letterman offered his mea culpa issuing an apology to Governor Sarah Palin and her daughters about his offensive joke last week.

The point here is that this joke broke new ground in television decency.
Whether you are Democrat or a Republican, liberal or conservative,we must agree that any joke about a woman being raped is beyond the pale. There is no room for this type of comment in ou culture.

As a father of two teenage daughters, I was deeply offended. My wife and I work hard to teach our children well about sexuality and the appropriate place for it in their lives. Granted, my daughters never saw the show, but many young women did.

Our nation is awash in a sea of nastiness and crudeness. The toxicity level of our discourse is appalling.

If my grandmother was still alive she would have driven to New York and washed Letterman's mouth out with soap.

Obama Health Care for Your Family

2009-06-16T09:55:00.002-06:00

President Obama's announced number one domestic priority is to require healthcare of all Americans. His main vehicle to accomplish this goal: a government run health care program ala Canada and socialist Europe. Yikes...There is a reason why Canadians now come south of the border for their healthcare needs...

I did some digging and here's what it may look like if it passes Congress:

-Cost. The Obama campaign estimates his health care reform plan will cost between $50 and $65 billion a year when fully phased in. He assumes that it will be paid from savings in the system and from discontinuing the Bush tax cuts for those making more than $250,000 per year.I doubt the cost- it will be higher.

-Its broken into three parts: 1. Quality, Affordable & Portable Health Coverage For All 2. Modernizing The U.S. Health Care System To Lower Costs & Improve Quality, and 3. Promoting Prevention & Strengthening Public Health.

-Savings. Obama claims that his health care reform plan will save the typical family up to $2,500 every year. Yet, specifics are hard to find.

-Obama’s key components here include:

•Establishing a new public program that would look a lot like Medicare for those under age-65 that would be available to those who do not have access to an employer plan or qualify for existing government programs like Medicaid or SCHIP. This would also be open to small employers who do not offer a private plan.
•Creating a “National Health Insurance Exchange.” This would be a government-run marketing organization that would sell insurance plans directly to those who did not have an employer plan or public coverage.
•An employer “pay or play” provision that would require an employer to either provide health insurance or contribute toward the cost of a public plan.
•Mandating that families cover all children through either a private or public health insurance plan.
•Expanding eligibility for government programs, like Medicaid and SCHIP.
•Allow flexibility in embracing state health reform initiatives.

This Democratic proposal is all about access—getting just about everyone covered. Getting everyone into this unsustainable system will then make things even more unsustainable creating an imperative for a second wave of real cost containment when the feel good list of cost containment proposals now in their plans falls short. My sense is that most Democratic health policy experts already know this but see no other political alternative.

If this thing passes, get ready for some new terms: Cost containment (limiting medical practices; required medical coverage for your kids;

Tiller's Abortion Clinic Closes

2009-06-09T13:46:00.002-06:00

I can't say that we will miss George Tiller.

Earlier today, the family of slain abortion doctor George Tiller announced that his infamous clinic would close. See the whole story here.

Apparently, no one else was willing to pick up Tiller's scalpel. That alone should tell us all we need to know about the practices of George Tiller. While the liberal media has made Tiller out to be an iconic hero, my take is different.

George Tiller intentionally killed viable babies in later term abortions. His practice was gruesome by best accounts. While some may think his action are heroic, thousands of unborn Americans died at his hands. His death practice ushered darkness into his clinic and community. When one engages in practices that contradict the law's of nature's God, chaos ensues.

George Tiller is no hero. George Tiller has had to explain his actions to the ultimate Judge of life and death.

The Battle Continues for Life-The Tiller Legacy

2009-06-03T09:27:00.002-06:00

Today's Denver Post op-ed (Wednesday, June 3rd) suggests that the abortion battle needs to tone down in the wake of the murder of the infamous Kansas abortion doctor George Tiller.

I would agree with the Post that this scorching debate need not become a shooting war, but the issue cannot be buried either. What the Post is subtly suggesting is that pro-lifers go away and accept the status quo. I say no.

Right now, abortionists hold the upper hand. Abortion is the law and legal in all 50 states. Our current Colorado state legislature is led by an pro-abortion majority. However, that does not make it right. In 1857, the United States Supreme Court concluded that Dred Scott, a black freeman, did not have the same constitutional rights as any of his white equals. Eventually, this law was rescinded and deemed by history as misguided. Similarly in 1973, our nation's highest court was wrong again, extracting the constitutional right to an abortion. This too in time will be overturned.

Pro-lifers, despite the liberal media barrage, need to be encouraged. National polling shows that most Americans lean towards life, seeing abortion as the last option. While the media wants to spin the story about the alleged damage done to the pro-life movement, I would take a different position. The kind of heinous abortion services that Dr. George Tiller was offering is evaporating. Most Americans remain offended that viable, unborn children are being killed.

More than ever now, the practice of late-term abortions needs to be outlawed. Let's start here in Colorado. That action will be the legacy of George Tiller.
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More on Tiller

2009-06-01T13:04:00.003-06:00

A good friend sent me this note. I think it hits the nail on the head...

I wonder how this issue will be spun by the media and politicians. I don’t condone vigilante justice, but these things just seem to work themselves out. Even God-hating unbelievers understand the ‘live by the sword, die by the sword’ credo. Throughout Scripture and in the world today, evil unbalanced people are often killed by other evil unbalanced people. I will not miss Dr. Tiller, and I hope his clinic closes. The unfortunate fact is that abortion is legal. And, it is not right to murder someone for doing something legal, no matter how abhorrent it may be to you. We must find a peaceful way to end this horrible practice in our nation.

Am I the only person who sees the irony in the fact that a man who killed innocent viable unborn babies in a horrific way for a living was serving as an usher in a church!?! I’ve been praying that God will wake His Church up. Dr. Tiller was a man who needed to be changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Had that occurred, he would have stopped killing innocent children, and cared for them and their mothers instead, similar to Norma McCorvey (Jane Roe). Repentance, love and acts of contrition are marks of true belief. When the church begins to love justice, and to care for the innocent and those in the margins, our culture will change – one person at a time. We need to stop going to church – and start being the church. We can’t reach guys like George Tiller or Warren Hern by yelling at them, hating them, condemning them or threatening them. We need to show them compassion, to engage them in a dialogue, and to be welcoming positive examples of Jesus for them. I’m not sure how to do it, but when we figure out how to do that, something will change in this situation.

I think that some day, legal abortion will be viewed in the same way as whaling or Nazi concentration camps. Both of them were legal, and served a purpose that an entire culture and and nation thought was important. History has proven them both to be wrong, abhorrent and needless. Likewise, the objects of their slaughter are necessary, beautiful and important parts of God’s creation. Through abortion, we have slaughtered many wonderful world-changing people before they ever lived out their purpose. God weeps at this sin, and at our nation’s tolerance and promotion of it.

Perhaps one child who Dr. Tiller would have aborted today will be born instead, to live out a wonderful life, fulfilling their purpose in changing the world as God intended. And perhaps George Tiller decided on Sunday morning that he would follow Jesus and close his abortion clinic first thing Monday morning, and that God will have mercy on his soul. That is my prayer.

Tiller Murder Escalates Abortion Crisis

2009-06-01T09:56:00.002-06:00

I guess ignorance is bliss.

I spent this weekend with about 250 Cub Scouts and their parents miles away from reality and the news.

I am sure by now that you have heard the news on the murder of abortion doctor George Tiller. Read the story here.

Obviously, we deplore this act of violence. You cannot be pro-life and engage in murderous acts. Violence only begets more violence. This act makes a key point: when mankind violates God's ordained statutes of life chaos ensues. Death births more death. While "justice" may have been served in the minds of some, what really happened is simply an evil human act. Pray for our pro-life friends and agencies. I believe that they will be targeted now by the pro-abortion forces in our nation.

Here's a sample of what some abortionists are already clamoring for: "Already organizations such as the National Organization for Women are blaming the tragedy on the pro-life movement. NOW has labeled the murder as an act of "politically-motivated domestic terrorism" and has called on the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to put their full resources behind the effort to "root out and prosecute...the criminal enterprise that has organized and funded criminal acts for decades."

Pray that the "abortion war" does not become a shooting war....

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." Philippians 1:27

Memorial Day: More than B-B-Q's, Parades and Ball Games

2009-05-22T13:06:00.002-06:00

"We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here."

Those are words from Lincoln's Gettysburg address in 1863 on the heels of that bloodly Civil War battle.

Unfortunately, most Americans are at best hazy about the meaning of Memorial Day. For most, its a day off from work to enjoy around the b-b-q or at a ballpark. But there's a higher purpose which is memorialized: devoted, simple, sacrificial service by millions of Americans for their nation.

Some of these servants bled on battle fields will others came home and died in their beds. Yet they all share a common fibre, a thread of connectivity. They wore the cloth of their nation.

This weekend, pause a moment and consider the work of our heroes and the values many died for. Let your children know about this rich heritage of service and sacrifice.

For without it, our nation would not exist.

Governor Ritter Approves Special Rights for Homosexuals

2009-05-21T16:25:00.002-06:00

In what's becoming an annual event, Colorado's Demnocrat-controlled legislature approved more special rights for homosexuals.

This year's addition was Senate bill 88, which will provide health and employment benefits to state employees with homosexual partners.

This week, Ritter went along with it and signed it under the darkness of night.

The tragedy about this whole episode is that in 2006, Colorado voters resoundingly defeated these benefits when they rejected Referendum I.

In the subsequent years, Democrats have attempted to quietly end-run the will of the voters and legislative these benefits.

Here's the latest episode.