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| Thank you FreakingNews.com |
From the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Monday, October 31, 2016
Monday, May 4, 2015
Florida Professor Bullies Christian Student
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Sunday, April 26, 2015
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Liberty Counsel Defends Natural Marriage
For immediate release, Feb. 24, 2015
St. Louis, MO - Liberty Counsel defended natural marriage as the union of one man and one woman in two amicus briefs filed today in support of Arkansas and Missouri marriage laws before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis.
"The issue before this Court and courts across this country is whether the divine creation of natural marriage as the union of one man and one woman will be recognized by fallible judges, or whether judicial tyranny will manifest itself in print," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "The judiciary is really what is on trial in the minds of the people. Marriage is objectively a union of a man and a woman. If the people lose confidence in the courts then judges lose their authority. Those are not my words. They are the words of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O-Connor in the 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey abortion opinion. Courts must rely on the executive to enforce their orders, and unlike the legislature, courts cannot make new law. The authority of courts rests upon the confidence of the people who trust judges are interpreting the law according the constitution and text under review. When judges veer too far away from this straightforward duty, the people lose confidence, and when that happens, their persuasive authority is undermined," concluded Staver.
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Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.
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Tuesday, January 27, 2015
An open letter to Dave Agema, MIGOP National Committeeman
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
iraccombs@gmail.com
517.784.20179
Prominent Black Pastor and RNC African American Council Member Calls For Resignation of
Michigan NationalCommitteeman
An open letter to Dave Agema, MIGOP National Committeeman
To: Dave Agema, MIGOP National Committeeman
From: Bishop Ira C. Combs, Greater Bible Way Temple,
RNC African American Council Date: January 20, 2015
RNC African American Council Date: January 20, 2015
Dear Mr. Agema:
I am a pastor of a majority African-American church based in Jackson, Michigan. I have been a pastor here for 35 years. During this same period of time, I have been a tireless advocate of limited government, free market principles, traditional family values, individual freedom and strong defense. One of the means in which I have advocated these constitutional principles is as an active member and leader in the Michigan Republican Party and Republican National Committee.
I served under President George Bush as head of the Faith-Based Initiatives here in Michigan for the entire eight years of Bush's tenure as President. I currently sit on the Board of the RNC African American Council and am a member of the Directors for the Detroit, Michigan GOP African Engagement Initiative.
Out of love for our nation and concern for the Republican Party's ability to win African American voters, I have concluded that your being in the position of MIGOP National Committeeman should not continue. In light of the fact I yet believe you share my love for this country and dedication to our Party platform, I am recommending your resignation as our Michigan National Committeeman.
I am personally proud of your numerous personal accomplishments during your time in the military and service to our country. Moreover, I am eager to acknowledge, that as a State Representative, you were among the most conservative and dependable of election officials in our State. Under your leadership, the Michigan Republican Party has learned much about the legitimate threat of Jihadism to our way of life, as well as so many other critical truths you have addressed. For the season that you served as an elected official, the MIGOP was strengthened by your contributions.
However, your tenure as RNC National Committeeman has been marked by recurrent and worsening alienation of African American and Arab alike. You have disparaged people who have been diligently committed to our party and have made it very difficult for us to carry out the task of winning people to this party who, for the past 70 years or more, have perceived the Republican Party as hostile to civil rights and social equality, even though we know the GOP was instrumental in the passing the landmark Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, respectively.
Yet, perception is reality. The perception you have created of the Republican Party by repeatedly posting racist and divisive commentaries, with no true reason or academic rationale, is beyond comprehension. That you have painted yourself as a victim, refusing to demonstrate any level of humility and empathy even towards your allies in the party who are mystified, demonstrates that you have become a political myopathy to the party and our nation, willing to sacrifice even your own significant contributions to the same.
Your acts have become impulsive and counter-productive to the party's mission and the position you hold as National Committeeman. You have, beyond a shadow of a doubt, proven that, if nothing else, you are sickened with prejudice and cultural incompetence, void of common sense and civility toward people who do not share your ethnicity.
There is no place in our party for this kind of extremism. Truthfully, I pray for a day when this kind of extremism is eradicated from all political parties, that we might have a more civil national dialogue.
Finally, please cease trying to hide behind Allen West, for posting what Mr. West correctly identified as the most racist article he had ever seen. Allen West is a public figure who has no current official role in the Republican Party, but is more aptly considered a part of media. He can afford to take those risks. He has no official role; you, on the other hand, as National Committeeman do. That you decided to sacrifice our Party to seek attention is inexcusable.
Let us close this chapter of controversy with a final parcel of nobility which is your voluntary resignation.
Copies of this letter are being provided to the RNC Chair, the MIGOP Chair, the Vice Chairs of the MIGOP, the Executive Committee of the MIGOP and to the press. I beg of you to resign in such a way that there shall be no permanent destruction upon your own career and no further damage to the Party of Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.
With Regards,
Bishop Ira Combs, Jr.
Greater Bible Way Temple
Guest Opportunity
Bishop Ira Combs, Jr. is available for interviews.
Bishop Ira Combs, Jr. is available for interviews.
Source: Bishop Ira C. Combs, Greater Bible Way Temple,RNC African American
Friday, January 16, 2015
Supreme Court Will Rule on Marriage Case.
| Supreme Court will Rule on Marriage Case. |
Washington, DC -Today, the Supreme Court agreed to review a federal appeals court decision that upheld natural marriage laws in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Liberty Counsel filed an amicus brief at the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of the American Family Association of Michigan, which was one of the coauthors of the Michigan marriage amendment.
In the ruling affirming natural marriage laws, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals based its decision on Baker v. Nelson, stating that it was still good law. In the Baker decision, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that a law defining marriage as one man and one woman did not violate the U.S. Constitution, the United States Supreme Court ruled that there was no federal question, and Bakerbecame precedent.
The Supreme Court has upheld marriage as a foundational social institution that is necessarily defined as the union of one man and one woman:
"Marriage is not merely a creation of any one civilization or its statutes, but is an institution older than the Constitution and, indeed, older than any laws of any nation. Marriage is a natural bond that society or religion can only 'solemnize,'" said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel.
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About Liberty Counsel
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Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.
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Thursday, August 14, 2014
Prominent Black Lansing Michigan Pastor Renounces Past Support of Gay Marriage
Media Contact:
Stacy Swimp
Prominent Black Lansing Michigan Pastor Renounces Past
Support of Gay Marriage
Detroit, Michigan, August 14, 2014 |Christian News Service| --
One of Lansing, Michigan's most prominent Black pastors, Bishop David Maxell, had been quoted in the press in May of 2012, as saying that he agreed with homosexuals and lesbians who say that so called gay marriage is a "civil right."
Maxwell, Pastor of Eliezer Temple Church in Lansing, Michigan, has also served as head of Mayor Virg Bernero's Office of Faith-based Initiatives, was quoted as saying:
"Many of my comrades in the faith community have a struggle and cannot separate the theology with the civics of the president executing fairness and equity for all persons, It's a civil right. The sad thing about it is: You would have thought that the African-American pastoral or theological community would have sensitivity when they themselves have struggled civil rights-wise."
Maxwell, after having attacked Black pastors against gay marriage, praised President Barack Obama's support of gay marriage.
Maxwell also praised President Obama for promoting an agenda to redefine marriage as other than between one man and one woman, "I think the president is to be commended. He did not allow his own Christian philosophy or theology to dominate his presidential responsibility."
However, in a recent letter, Bishop Maxwell has clearly changed his mind regarding his support of marriage redefinition and his criticism of predominantly Black churches as being "homophobic."
"After reading statements attributed to me in a recent article, of which did not completely state my position on same sex marriage, and may lead some to view my statements as an endorsement of sort of same sex marriage. I am compelled to set the record straight," said Maxwell.
Bishop Maxwell, who had strongly supported gay marriage as a civil right in 2014, now says that "the ban on gay marriage is based upon its immorality."
Maxwell is also now calling for all Christians to take a stand against the LGBT agenda to redefine marriage stating, "It is incumbent that like-mined people of faith take a public stand against the practice of same sex marriage and exercise our constitutional right to advance legislation that will cover all loopholes, and legally shut the door on same sex marriage in our state and nation."
In 1975 Esther Phillips sang a song "What a Difference a Day Makes," the lyrics state, "What a difference a day made, twenty four little hours. Brought the sun and the flowers where there used to be rain. My yesterday was blue dear. Today, I'm a part of you dear."
There is indeed a story in every song we sing.
Bishop Maxwell, who used to be a part of the LGBT advocacy demographic, has apparently found this position to be blue and is now happy to be a part of the Christian evangelical demographic, who choose to believe the Bible - that marriage is between one man and one woman.
(Side note: Bible or not, it makes natural, biological sense to the animals as well.)
Minister Stacy Swimp of Greater Bibleway Temple, Jackson, Michigan, and Founder of the Michigan Based Revive Alive Missional Ministry, is Spokesperson for a national coalition of Black Pastors and Christian ministers who have taken a stand for traditional marriage and have filed an amiscus brief in support of traditional marriage- represented by the Thomas More Law Center.
"Bishop Maxwell had made himself an apostate," said Swimp. "An enemy of the cross. However, it appears that the Word of God has finally settled into his heart and he has repented from his former stance against God's family. Hopefully, he will not again be swayed again, by selfish ambition and political favors, to turn his back against God."
Source: Revive Alive Missional Ministry
Friday, August 1, 2014
IRS Poised to Target Churches
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 1, 2014
 |
| Image by George Hodan |
| IRS Poised to Target Churches |
Washington, DC – The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is poised to start targeting churches.
The IRS is reportedly bowing to the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF), settling a lawsuit after the IRS promised to monitor churches for politicking. The settlement is being held up by Father Patrick Malone and Holy Cross Anglican Church, which filed an opposition to the motion to dismiss without prejudice. If FFRF dismisses the lawsuit without prejudice, the atheist organization can renew the lawsuit if the group deems the IRS is not targeting churches. “No church has ever lost its tax-exempt status for opposing or supporting a candidate for political office. Churches and pastors may speak on biblical and moral issues. Pastors can educate about the candidates’ viewpoints. Pastors can encourage people to vote and can assist them in getting to the polls,” Staver pointed out. “Pastors and churches must be empowered to confront the assaults on our culture, our faith, and our freedom,” says Staver. “German political scientist Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann coined the expression ‘spiral of silence.’ Noelle-Neumann began her career working for a newspaper during Hitler’s years, where she found that people conceal their views when they think they are in the minority or may face reprisal for their beliefs. We saw how the spiral of silence had devastating results in Nazi Germany. We need to stop the spiral of silence in America,” Staver said. “As pastors and churches begin to stand up and speak out against evil and injustice, the spiral will unravel and justice will prevail.” This year Liberty Counsel has distributed over 35,000 copies of its Silence is Not an Option DVD to pastors throughout Florida and Texas, as part of Liberty Counsel’s Pastors & Patriots Initiative. This is the first of an estimated over 150,000 DVDs that will be sent to pastors between now and November, encouraging pastors to address biblical and moral issues and educating pastors about the IRS rules on political and lobbying activity. In addition, Liberty Counsel is conducting meetings with pastors and Who Will Stand? rallies at churches across the country. Visit www.WhoWillStandRally.com. Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics. Matthew 5:13-16 New International Version (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. |
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Governor Jay Inslee’s first step in implementing a carbon tax
David Roberts of Grist magazine (an environmental rag) believes Inslee will have to use executive orders to get his way, which he has just shown he is willing to do. Roberts says, "He wants to act, but he's got no Republicans in the legislature on his side, so if he gets anything done, it's going to be through executive powers."
The task force Inslee just created by executive decree is filled with his political allies and industries that will financially benefit from a carbon tax. They are a bunch of second-string puppets Inslee can hide behind while acting as first-string puppet for the “green” agenda of Tom Steyer — the liberal billionaire that is pumping millions of dollars into our state to elect environmental extremists.
......."
Calculate cost, click here.
"Together, we can make sure our family, friends and all Washingtonians are educated so Inslee doesn’t hurt us with a massive gas tax increase.
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We need to spread the word so that others know the burden Inslee will put on our families."
From the Shift Team
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Earth Day 2014
Earth Day 2014
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
April 22, 2014
The United States is proud to join countries around the world in celebrating the 44th annual Earth Day.
I still remember participating in the very first Earth Day back in 1970. It helped to unleash a wave of grassroots activism that ultimately led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and landmark laws like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. This Earth Day we need to consider new ways to unleash a new wave of activism to tackle today’s long list of environmental challenges from the existential threat of climate change to the cause of the oceans.
Climate change’s impacts aren’t far off in the future – they are here and now. We're increasingly seeing events like those that scientists have long predicted. Extreme droughts are hammering crop production, forcing farmers out of business and driving up grocery bills. More intense floods and storm surges are causing billions in property damage. The coasts are swiftly eroding, rendering home after home uninhabitable or uninsurable. We still have a short window of time to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, but the science tells us that window is closing.
This year’s Earth Day focus is cities, and the fact is, how the world’s cities respond to our climate change challenge will make a huge difference. Roughly 5.2 billion people are projected to live in the world’s urban communities by 2050. Building codes and electricity requirements, public transportation systems, and land management will help determine whether we meet this global challenge. The Department of State is committed to doing our part to help bring about greener cities around the world. We are working to deploy renewable energy technologies; build recycling infrastructure; safeguard wildlife, forests and wetlands; and help communities better protect their water resources.
There is another issue that demands our attention this Earth Day: the state of our oceans. We can’t care for the Earth without protecting the ocean that covers nearly three-quarters of it. With global overfishing, record pollution, and ocean acidification, our oceans are in trouble. That’s why I am convening an international ocean conference at the State Department in June to leverage the shared efforts of governments, the private sector, civil society leaders, and global stakeholders.
Earth Day’s history is proof that the steadfast determination of millions is powerful enough to change the course of history. We have our own history to write together, cleaning up global communities and protecting natural resources for generations to come.
I still remember participating in the very first Earth Day back in 1970. It helped to unleash a wave of grassroots activism that ultimately led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and landmark laws like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. This Earth Day we need to consider new ways to unleash a new wave of activism to tackle today’s long list of environmental challenges from the existential threat of climate change to the cause of the oceans.
Climate change’s impacts aren’t far off in the future – they are here and now. We're increasingly seeing events like those that scientists have long predicted. Extreme droughts are hammering crop production, forcing farmers out of business and driving up grocery bills. More intense floods and storm surges are causing billions in property damage. The coasts are swiftly eroding, rendering home after home uninhabitable or uninsurable. We still have a short window of time to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, but the science tells us that window is closing.
This year’s Earth Day focus is cities, and the fact is, how the world’s cities respond to our climate change challenge will make a huge difference. Roughly 5.2 billion people are projected to live in the world’s urban communities by 2050. Building codes and electricity requirements, public transportation systems, and land management will help determine whether we meet this global challenge. The Department of State is committed to doing our part to help bring about greener cities around the world. We are working to deploy renewable energy technologies; build recycling infrastructure; safeguard wildlife, forests and wetlands; and help communities better protect their water resources.
There is another issue that demands our attention this Earth Day: the state of our oceans. We can’t care for the Earth without protecting the ocean that covers nearly three-quarters of it. With global overfishing, record pollution, and ocean acidification, our oceans are in trouble. That’s why I am convening an international ocean conference at the State Department in June to leverage the shared efforts of governments, the private sector, civil society leaders, and global stakeholders.
Earth Day’s history is proof that the steadfast determination of millions is powerful enough to change the course of history. We have our own history to write together, cleaning up global communities and protecting natural resources for generations to come.
The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.
Microsoft decision to build $1.1B data center in Iowa thanks to House Democrats’ failure to act
SENATOR JANÉA HOLMQUIST NEWBRY
13TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT - WASHINGTON STATE SENATE
360-786-7624 | 800-562-6000 | P.O. Box 40413 Olympia, WA 98504-0413
Holmquist Newbry: Microsoft decision to build $1.1B data center in Iowa thanks to House Democrats’ failure to act
OLYMPIA… On Friday Redmond-based Microsoft announced it will build a $1.1 billion data center in West Des Moines, Iowa that will be one of the company's largest data centers in the country. The announcement to build the 1.16 million-square-foot facility came after Iowa approved granting Microsoft a $20.3 million sales tax rebate that would be available through 2021.
Sen. Janéa Holmquist Newbry, one of the state’s leading advocates for job creation, called the decision to locate outside of Washington disappointing, but predictable after House Democrats failed to hold a vote on Senate Bill 6550, which would extend a highly successful tax incentive to technology firms willing to build data centers in Washington.
“Sometimes it’s no fun being right,” said Holmquist Newbry, R-Moses Lake, who serves as chair of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. “Washington’s data center incentive is a proven economic-development tool that has benefited the entire state, but especially our rural communities. I was joined by data center developers, mayors, port developers, trade unions and others in warning that if we didn’t provide stability and predictability to this industry, other states would.
“The decision by Microsoft to locate one of its largest facilities in Iowa is a harbinger of things to come thanks to the failure of House Democrats to act.”
SB 6550 would have extended the expiration date, from 2015 to 2025, on the sales-and-use tax exemption for technology companies that purchase eligible server equipment and power infrastructure for eligible computer-data centers. It also would narrow the eligibility to exclude small container servers, known as IT-Pacs, to help guarantee the incentive would be used primarily by employers creating new, well-paying construction, electrical and high-tech jobs. The measure passed the Senate with a broad, bipartisan vote of 35 to 13, but died in the Democrat-controlled House Finance Committee.
According to a report in the Des Moines Register, the Microsoft data center project would translate to about $8 million annually in property taxes the city would collect from Microsoft once the data center is complete. The project will also create 84 direct Microsoft jobs, 66 of which must have a wage of $24.32 an hour. That wage is 120 percent of local prevailing wage.
“Those jobs could have gone to Quincy, Yakima or Pasco,” said Holmquist Newbry. “Iowa can’t compete with Washington when it comes to our quality workers or our clean, abundant and affordable energy; the difference maker was clearly that Iowa was willing to give the industry long-term certainty on its tax burden, while House Democrats in this state refused to do the same.”
Holmquist Newbry pointed out that Washington has been down this road before, losing out on hosting data centers for Facebook, Google and Amazon, among others, when the tax incentive was allowed to lapse in 2011. At that time, Microsoft cut back on plans for expansion in Washington and moved its servers to Texas, citing Washington’s tax burden as the main reason for the move.
Thanks to House Dems, Quincy, Pasco, Yakima lose out re Microsoft jobs, click here.
Thanks to House Dems, Quincy, Pasco, Yakima lose out re Microsoft jobs, click here.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Liberty Counsel Fights for Fair Play on Behalf of Christian Club
April 11, 2014:
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| Liberty Counsel Fights for Fair Play on Behalf of Christian Club |
Ocala, FL - Liberty Counsel filed a suit defending the constitutional rights of students who are members of Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Lake County, Florida. Officials of Mount Dora High School have repeatedly discriminated against the Christian, student-led club, not granting it equal access to school facilities given to other student clubs, including the following:
The federal Equal Access Act and the First Amendment prohibit discrimination against public school clubs. “Equal Access means exactly what it says – equal access to every school facility used by other clubs,” said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. “This includes the use of classroom facilities, intercom systems, bulletin boards, yearbook, financial sponsorship, and any other benefit afforded to secular clubs.”
Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has inspired young people towards integrity, service, teamwork, and excellence. Club or “Huddle” events include Bible studies and school and community programs, such as food drives and One Way 2 Play. OW2P is a program confronting the problem of student drug use by instilling values, encouraging goal-setting, and establishing accountability through positive peer pressure. “FCA is instilling community responsibility, leadership, morality, and character development in the hearts of young people. Why Mount Dora High School refuses to support this kind of club is beyond absurd,” said Staver. Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono legal assistance and representation on these and related topics |
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Is the GOP Suicidal?
Is the GOP Suicidal?
By Matt Barber
Leave it to the Republican Party to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
While nearly every poll definitively affirms that Democrats are in deep doo-doo come November, and as leftist talking heads like Chris Matthews have already conceded a likelihood that Republicans will take the Senate in the 2014 mid-term elections, many of the GOP’s highest profile personalities obtusely refuse to take yes for an answer. They’re evidently hell-bent on disenfranchising the party’s pejoratively tagged “social issues” majority.
Stupid, stupid and stupid.
From mealy mouthed moderate establishment-types like Chris Christie, to dovish libertine libertarians like Rand Paul, it seems a majority of the GOP rock stars are scared gutless to set a single yellow-nailed pinky toe on the fevered culture war battlefield. They say it’s time to raise the white flag on traditional values.
Guys, I’m here to tell you, the “social issues” aren’t going away. But keep up this fatalistic nonsense and the GOP’s Christian-conservative base just might. Morality-minded Americans are sick of it, and we will choose fidelity to principle over surrender to ill-perceived “pragmatism” every time.
Take presidential wannabe Rand Paul. This guy, who, by all appearances, was shaping up to be a thoroughbred in the 2016 primary horserace, may have just snapped a leg before the gates have even chimed open.
In a recent interview with the uber-liberal online rag, Vocative.com, Paul could hardly wait to take a matchstick to the official Republican Party “social issues” platform (i.e., the sanctity of marriage, natural human sexuality and morality, ending the abortion holocaust, religious liberty, the Second Amendment and the like.)
Said Paul:
“I think that the Republican Party, in order to get bigger, will have to agree to disagree on social issues. The Republican Party is not going to give up on having quite a few people who do believe in traditional marriage. But the Republican Party also has to find a place for young people and others who don’t want to be festooned by those issues.”
In other words, the Republican Party must become a wussified version of the Democratic Party.
Democrat-lite.
Rand, Rand, Rand. This is the same failed, tired, reach-out-to-the-needy-
There’s an interesting aside to Paul’s Vocative.com interview. My friend and nationally syndicated talk radio host Steve Deace made an interesting point in a recent email.
Wrote Deace:
“By the way, the website that Rand Paul did the interview with when he talked about needing to agree to disagree on social issues has stories titled ‘Shame Free Guide to Hookups’ and ‘Five Questions for the Creator of Direct Your Own Porn.’
“Can you imagine if Obama, or any national Democrat figure for that matter, gave an interview on public policy to a website that produces such content? Every conservative group in the country would be decrying how this is more evidence of America’s moral decline,” said Deace.
It’s also evidence, frankly, of the GOP’s moral decline and loss of its historical moorings, courage and resolve to stand firm on the transcendent, non-negotiable issues of life, liberty and the natural family, marriage and human sexuality.
If the big ol’ dumb elephant continues on this ill-fated trajectory, I can guarantee that the Christian-conservative base will abandon it, as it has abandoned us. Although we’d rather take the Ronald Reagan approach and reform the party from within, I can promise you that we will, if that becomes a lost cause, form a new, principled, conservative “values voters” third party.
If that happens, Democrats will rule the roost indefinitely.
Now that is scary.
In his email, Deace offered some wise counsel to Rand Paul and others who are squeamish on the “social issues.”
“Here’s what a libertarian like Rand Paul could say,” he advised. “Until somebody can prove their definition of ‘rights’ doesn’t cost somebody they’re already God-ordained rights, the burden of proof remains. And right now we’re seeing these new ‘rights’ costing people their free speech and religious freedom rights that were established at the founding of this republic. And that’s something Americans of all persuasions on the marriage issue should be opposed to.”
As I’ve noted before, Ronald Reagan often spoke of a “three-legged stool” that undergirds what I call “complete conservatism.” The legs symbolize a strong national defense, strong free-market principles and strong traditional social values. For the stool to remain upright, it must be supported by all three legs. If you snap off even one leg, the stool collapses under its own weight.
Why the GOP establishment seems determined to snap off the traditional social values leg, thus collapsing the entire Republican Party stool, defies all explanation.
Back in January I praised Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus for making several public pronouncements in defense of the “social issues”-conservative Republican Party platform in general and the unalienable rights to both life and religious liberty in particular.
Reince, you may want to have a sit-down with your party leadership and tell them to get their head in the game. If they don’t, we, the GOP base, may just decide to take our ball and go home.
Understand this: We “social issues” conservatives (read: complete conservatives) will never stop playing the game. But if the Republican Party doesn’t quit moving the goalposts, we may just have to go stake out a new playing field.
Matt Barber is founder and editor-in chief of BarbWire.com. He is an author, columnist, cultural analyst and an attorney concentrating in constitutional law. Having retired as an undefeated heavyweight professional boxer, Matt has taken his fight from the ring to the culture war. (Follow Matt on Twitter: @jmattbarber).
By Matt Barber
Leave it to the Republican Party to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
While nearly every poll definitively affirms that Democrats are in deep doo-doo come November, and as leftist talking heads like Chris Matthews have already conceded a likelihood that Republicans will take the Senate in the 2014 mid-term elections, many of the GOP’s highest profile personalities obtusely refuse to take yes for an answer. They’re evidently hell-bent on disenfranchising the party’s pejoratively tagged “social issues” majority.
Stupid, stupid and stupid.
From mealy mouthed moderate establishment-types like Chris Christie, to dovish libertine libertarians like Rand Paul, it seems a majority of the GOP rock stars are scared gutless to set a single yellow-nailed pinky toe on the fevered culture war battlefield. They say it’s time to raise the white flag on traditional values.
Guys, I’m here to tell you, the “social issues” aren’t going away. But keep up this fatalistic nonsense and the GOP’s Christian-conservative base just might. Morality-minded Americans are sick of it, and we will choose fidelity to principle over surrender to ill-perceived “pragmatism” every time.
Take presidential wannabe Rand Paul. This guy, who, by all appearances, was shaping up to be a thoroughbred in the 2016 primary horserace, may have just snapped a leg before the gates have even chimed open.
In a recent interview with the uber-liberal online rag, Vocative.com, Paul could hardly wait to take a matchstick to the official Republican Party “social issues” platform (i.e., the sanctity of marriage, natural human sexuality and morality, ending the abortion holocaust, religious liberty, the Second Amendment and the like.)
Said Paul:
“I think that the Republican Party, in order to get bigger, will have to agree to disagree on social issues. The Republican Party is not going to give up on having quite a few people who do believe in traditional marriage. But the Republican Party also has to find a place for young people and others who don’t want to be festooned by those issues.”
In other words, the Republican Party must become a wussified version of the Democratic Party.
Democrat-lite.
Rand, Rand, Rand. This is the same failed, tired, reach-out-to-the-needy-
There’s an interesting aside to Paul’s Vocative.com interview. My friend and nationally syndicated talk radio host Steve Deace made an interesting point in a recent email.
Wrote Deace:
“By the way, the website that Rand Paul did the interview with when he talked about needing to agree to disagree on social issues has stories titled ‘Shame Free Guide to Hookups’ and ‘Five Questions for the Creator of Direct Your Own Porn.’
“Can you imagine if Obama, or any national Democrat figure for that matter, gave an interview on public policy to a website that produces such content? Every conservative group in the country would be decrying how this is more evidence of America’s moral decline,” said Deace.
It’s also evidence, frankly, of the GOP’s moral decline and loss of its historical moorings, courage and resolve to stand firm on the transcendent, non-negotiable issues of life, liberty and the natural family, marriage and human sexuality.
If the big ol’ dumb elephant continues on this ill-fated trajectory, I can guarantee that the Christian-conservative base will abandon it, as it has abandoned us. Although we’d rather take the Ronald Reagan approach and reform the party from within, I can promise you that we will, if that becomes a lost cause, form a new, principled, conservative “values voters” third party.
If that happens, Democrats will rule the roost indefinitely.
Now that is scary.
In his email, Deace offered some wise counsel to Rand Paul and others who are squeamish on the “social issues.”
“Here’s what a libertarian like Rand Paul could say,” he advised. “Until somebody can prove their definition of ‘rights’ doesn’t cost somebody they’re already God-ordained rights, the burden of proof remains. And right now we’re seeing these new ‘rights’ costing people their free speech and religious freedom rights that were established at the founding of this republic. And that’s something Americans of all persuasions on the marriage issue should be opposed to.”
As I’ve noted before, Ronald Reagan often spoke of a “three-legged stool” that undergirds what I call “complete conservatism.” The legs symbolize a strong national defense, strong free-market principles and strong traditional social values. For the stool to remain upright, it must be supported by all three legs. If you snap off even one leg, the stool collapses under its own weight.
Why the GOP establishment seems determined to snap off the traditional social values leg, thus collapsing the entire Republican Party stool, defies all explanation.
Back in January I praised Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus for making several public pronouncements in defense of the “social issues”-conservative Republican Party platform in general and the unalienable rights to both life and religious liberty in particular.
Reince, you may want to have a sit-down with your party leadership and tell them to get their head in the game. If they don’t, we, the GOP base, may just decide to take our ball and go home.
Understand this: We “social issues” conservatives (read: complete conservatives) will never stop playing the game. But if the Republican Party doesn’t quit moving the goalposts, we may just have to go stake out a new playing field.
Matt Barber is founder and editor-in chief of BarbWire.com. He is an author, columnist, cultural analyst and an attorney concentrating in constitutional law. Having retired as an undefeated heavyweight professional boxer, Matt has taken his fight from the ring to the culture war. (Follow Matt on Twitter: @jmattbarber).
Friday, March 7, 2014
Liberty Counsel Files Brief in Support of Little Sisters of the Poor Against ObamaCare
Liberty Counsel
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT - 800-671-1776 or Media@LC.org
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT - 800-671-1776 or Media@LC.org
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| Liberty Counsel Files Brief in Support of Little Sisters of the Poor Against ObamaCare |
Washington, DC –
Calling the HHS mandate “extortion,” Liberty Counsel filed an amicus brief on behalf of the Little Sisters of the Poor.
Unlike the requirements of other laws regulating employee benefit programs, the mandate imposed under ObamaCare does not permit employers to discontinue offering health insurance coverage and thereby avoid the mandate and the penalties. The only escape for employers is to go out of business. “Subjecting employers to such extortion is antithetical to the free exercise of religion,” said Staver. He continued,
“President Obama has never told the truth about ObamaCare in general or the abortion mandate in particular. Religious freedom is not confined to church walls. Those deeply held religious beliefs are the same in the workplace as they are in the sanctuary. How terrible that President Obama is telling Little Sisters of the Poor that in order to continue helping the poor and needy, they have to violate their religious belief about the sanctity of human life and kill innocent children.
Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono legal assistance and representation on these and related topics.
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Liberty Counsel
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT - 800-671-1776 or Media@LC.org
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT - 800-671-1776 or Media@LC.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 6, 2014
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| Pelletiers Tell Their Story to Massachusetts Legislators |
Boston, MA – Today the Pelletiers will meet with members of the Massachusetts Legislature to share their 13-month ordeal with the Department of Children and Families (DCF). DCF has unlawfully taken custody of their daughter, Justina, and has withheld medicine, education, and the free exercise of religion, and still refuses to give up custody.
“DCF needs to return custody to Justina Pelletier’s parents and should be held accountable for the tragic abuse inflicted by this incompetent agency on the family,” said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. “Liberty Counsel will not be satisfied until DCF is completely out of the picture and full custody is returned to Justina’s parents.”
“Inmates in Massachusetts are entitled to regular visits, education, clergy, and medical care. Justina has been treated worse by DCF than incarcerated felons. She has a one-hour, supervised visitation per week, no education, no clergy, and abysmal medical care,” said Staver. “DCF has knowingly violated the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, because the agency has refused to provide Justina with any education for two academic years, let alone the education to which she is entitled to receive because of her learning disability. For 13 months, DCF has refused to allow any clergy to visit Justina. And on top of it all, DCF has lost track of 134 children in its custody. How can you trust a government agency that acts like this? Someone should be held accountable,” said Staver.
Liberty Counsel is working with various legislators to modify the Massachusetts law so that DCF is incapable of doing this again.
Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono legal assistance and representation on these and related topics |
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