Occupy-Child-Abuse, Mandatory Reporting & Joe Paterno

Stupid, stupid Penn State ‘students.’ Blinding themselves to the potential destruction of innocent lives, in favor of Saturday football scores?

Riots on campus? Grow up & shut up, you ridiculous Occupy-Child-Abuse dolts!

According to reports, one time Penn State Defensive Coordinator Jerry Sandusky enjoyed a 15 year window of opportunity (1994-2009) to molest young boys during which “two PSU administrators…stepped aside [after being] charged with failing to notify authorities of a 2002 incident reported by an eyewitness.”

People ---

If. Child. Abuse. Is. Even. Suspected.

One MUST REPORT it!!

Mandatory reporting includes the duty of “Teachers & other school personnel” to report. Statutes also allow for “permissive reporting” – wherein a citizen is not mandated to report, but does so out of moral & ethical conscience. “A report must be made when the reporter, in his or her official capacity, suspects or has reasons to believe that a child has been abused or neglected.”


This includes Pennsylvanians who are required to report “when a person, who in the course of employment, occupation, or practice of a profession, comes into contact with children, has reasonable cause to suspect, on the basis of medical, professional, or other training and experience, that a child is a victim of child abuse.”

Evidence of this ‘scandal’ suggests that Mr. Paterno knew of the abuse, or had heard of suspicions and did NOT fulfill his mandatory obligations to make an official report to authorities. He & his cohorts are therefore COMPLICIT is perpetuating the secrecy wherein the cancer of childhood sexual abuse seethes.

From at least 1994-2009 – 15 years -- children were being harmed. People in positions of authority knew, and did nothing to stand between evil and the innocent. Lose their careers? They should only be so lucky…

~~~

Hey, what's the problem?

I've been over @ Z's blog . (She always has something going on over there.) Lately, the discussion was about outsourcing: actions which forced (or didn't force) American businesses offshore. Democrat/Republican policies? Unions? Corporate Greed? A commenter friend over there insisted that our troubles are rooted in the nasty, horrible monster of Corporate greed & the equally demonic Bush Trade policies. So I asked myself, and then him, what's the real problem in our country?

I'm no philosopher, but I did comment & offer what I believe part of the answer is, as to what's the "problem" in our country.

For better or worse, I feel like sharing today, so here goes:

This is a complex issue [why America is in the shape she's in].

I submit that, in part, the issue is one of expectations. The government REGULATES companies, to force them to 'clean up after themselves;' Unions get in lock-step - driving up wages (b/c 'Fred' can't be expected to actually WORK for such a small pittance). And then they EXPECT the Company NOT to respond by providing fewer jobs for people who EXPECT more $$$...

But now the 'worker' is entitled, see? (Because the Gov't/Unions/lawyers said so - "nyah, nyah" - AND b/c their kids HAVE to have the 3rd Generation ITouch, X-box 360, etc., etc.) After all, they're American kids & they're entitled, even if their parents can't afford it; and never mind if I can't afford my kids -- "I'll have another one if I want, b/c the Gov't will take care of me" (true quote in my office years ago), b/c I'M ENTITLED...

Right?

NO! It's insanity, this pervasive ENTITLEMEMT attitude - on EVERY level of our society! If corporations are guilty of greed, then they're NO MORE GUILTY than American GOVERNMENT, no more guilty than UNIONS, no more GUILTY than American Media, lawyers, no more GUILTY than families, than the INDIVIDUAL who brings home the millions, OR the INDIVIDUAL who covets the millions of the latter.

See, when you reduce it all down, friend...when you siphon off all the surface arguments, the irrelevant (but arguably important) issues...what you distill it down to the very heart of the matter, what we have is a SPIRITUAL PROBLEM.

We are a nation so far afield of our moral & spiritual center (aka GOD) that we don't even recognize that the LACK of God in our discussions is an issue, never mind the open HOSTILITY toward anything sacred. And the simple fact is, ultimately there's only one remedy...

I know, friend...your response is gonna be some schtick about 'separation of church & state.' Go ahead...you'll just prove my point further...

And now, we have a President of our nation-far-afield who drops 'under God' from the Pledge, and repeatedly eliminates 'endowed by our Creator' when quoting our Founding Documents...and yet, and still, almost half of our country asks, "Hey, what's the problem?"

That's (also) the problem.

~~~

(Anti)apology tour at Joe's

Hi friends~

Something has been niggling at the back of my brain...A few weeks ago @ Joe’s blog, he was entertaining a lively discussion about AZ Senator Jon Kyl’s visit w/ president BHO. Joe expressed his exasperated opinion about BHO’s political chicanery, and I agreed by quoting Joe in my comment. One would think that would be that. Well, no.

See, bloggers who’ve read any of my stuff, know my Christian world-view. I’m quite clear about it, & don’t even hint at apology (I hope). Sure, there are mockers & scoffers, etc. Only in Joe’s spirited discussion, one of the former fashioned her mockery into a weapon. She tried using my faith against me - to neutralize my ability to take a passionate stance on the issue of the day.

Were I younger, more naïve & eager to please, I might have acquiesced to the guilt laid upon me, apologized & hoped we could be more amicable. But not now, with the benefit of a bit of age under my belt, & just a smidge more maturity than I had @ 17. Or 23.

So, nothing-doing this time…The following is what happened (It’s what I’ve come to, & it might be just a little dangerous. But hey, ‘danger’ sounds like a nice middle name; he## of a lot better than ‘politically correct’):

Commenter:
I don't think "heaven" listens to people with such mean-spirited hearts and who denigrate God's creations.Whether you like it or not, Miss Susannah, Mr. Obama is God's creation. How loving of you to trash His creation from the bottom of your loving Christian heart. LOL!

My response:
Interesting, Joe. Some folks don't understand that being a Christian does not neuter one's ability to make assessments of character based on observable fact; that discerning character is neither an attempt to judge/condemn one of "God's creations", nor does it "denigrate" or "trash" the soul of said creation. It's simple honesty.

Folks like our friend here would rather Christians be weak, flaccid, impotent wimps who won't speak the truth for fear of being criticized or disliked. They'd rather we just shut up & go to church, or something.

Sorry, but there's a guy I've read about who made a big mess out of a Temple when he saw people doing wrong, & screamed at people - calling them what they were - when they made a mockery of Truth.

Call me crazy, but I'm guessing people wanted Him to shut up & go read the Torah or something. I'm also betting that Heaven was indeed listening that day - with a keen ear - and rejoicing.

And you know...I'm hoping against hope...I wanna be like that guy.

~~

Some day I want to be more like Jesus; more willing to act with a mind for defending Truth over defending my ego, with a heart for seeking Justice instead of self-preservation.

Folks can try as they might, pushing us back against the wall of complacent Christianity, but for those of us who are no longer wallflower Christians, there’s no turning back. And there will be no apology, either.

~~~

Primary Perspectives: 'do over'

Some things are important enough to repeat.

I've had discussions lately wherein it would've helped if the person with whom I was exchanging comments had known a little more about me & why I blog. These recent talks were w/ a pacifist who is naive enough to think that violence against women must be physical in order to be real, insidious & systemic. (Sounds like a blockhead kind of man, no?) Thus, this do-over of my very first blog piece - September 27th, 2008. (Pay close enough attention, & you'll even hear why this blog calls itself GTBI.)

“I admit it! I’m a conservative republican evangelical Christian – unashamedly so…”

Such was my ‘coming out’ to some precious liberal friends recently. This, my official debut, came after doing a bit of personal inventory with the changing political winds at my face. Later, I reiterated my proclamation to some of my closest friends (who were probably thinking, “This is news?”), just because it felt so good to say. These aren’t words that I would have so emphatically written or said before. But now, somehow candor is essential. It's time to speak some things.

It started with a discussion that led into a bit of politico-speak wherein the Governor of Alaska & the Republican nominee for Vice President, Sarah Palin, was being derided. I listened with interest, but didn’t tip my hand, and later left the conversation with gnawing unfinished business. After I screwed up my courage, because there is no coming back from such things, I composed a crisp email, detailing my ‘outage’ to the original conversants, who I trusted enough to not deride me too. Below is a bit of what I wrote them that next day:

Girls, I know we're coming from different places, but let me tell you what she represents to me...Sarah Palin is a woman who - for the first time ever on the national stage - represents me. She's not an angry woman trying to be a man; not a woman who claims to champion my views, but who is so far out of step w/ me that she may as well be on Pluto. She is a woman who loves & respects her man, loves her children, loves being a mother. She is not afraid to be smart & savvy, but won't beat you about-the-head-neck-&-face w/ it. She is unapologetically committed to her faith, & she is conservative politically...So, why start a web log over this? Because I was watching the day her candidacy was announced - and was absolutely stunned. An eerie déjà vu draped itself over my shoulders, and I felt like I was looking in a mirror. Finally - a real woman (who could actually be me), with the potential of being Vice President of the country. A real woman who cares about the things I do - not someone who screams far-left hyperfeminist propaganda & then swears she's speaking for me.

Why write here & now? Because I’ve been writing for some time with a sense of discovery and anticipation, and with a notion that perhaps I have something to say. And because that day, I experienced a shift in perspective.

I'm not sure who'll win this thing, but the pundits are right. Governor Palin’s candidacy is a 'game-changer,’ -- for me, anyway. Primarily, she gives me real hope that conservative women now have a voice in the Women's Conversation of our time; that the Left no longer has a monopoly on "issues that women care about." She is a role model for thousands of women - who now see & know that you don't have to be abrasive & shrill in order to be tough & strong.

That's why they've been trying to kill her voice, kill her reputation, kill her credibility - literally kill it, before (shhhhhh!) any other women get the Big Idea that the feminist agenda has challengers...The media part of it has been beastly, and yes, quite personal. Because when the media tear her apart, they're tearing apart women like me.

So, there you go. Many thanks to Governor Palin for the shift in perspective. And thanks to the other Sarah Palins in my life, some who’ve helped me chart a course since before I have memory. Thanks to those who abrade my conscience, encourage my struggles, cheer my victories, and give me opportunities to serve in kind. You’re helping me live fully, helping me hone our voice and perhaps discover some big ideas.

~~

So thanks for indulging another do-over. Some things are just important enough to repeat.

~~~

"10 X 10"

So…considering my last post, I think it may be time to gain some perspective.

Have you ever done a spontaneous inventory of what’s most important to your life? Me either, until my friend Linda asked a favor the other day. (“Favor”: heh, heh.) She invited me to the rare privilege of contributing to a ‘pilot’ program of ministry to young girls/teens. Her project was conceived a year ago , has been in embryonic stages, & is now emerging more fully formed: “Read My Lip-gloss.” Linda has a faithful team of skilled people who are fully committed to nurturing girls & giving them practical tools to become Godly, courageous women, in spite of the culture that surrounds them. What a treasure to be even a small part of this operation!

The ‘favor’ which was asked of me? It’s a “10 x 10” rubric; a scenario in which I place myself, then share with Linda my written response:

You’re a woman on a bus, riding comfortably, when a young teen gets on, taking the empty seat beside you. She introduces herself & tells you where her stop is. You know that 10 minutes hence, she’ll get off & you won’t see her again. For whatever reason, you feel an urgency to impart the 10 most important things that you believe she’ll need to know, to carry her through the rest of her life. You don’t have time to plan & you don’t have time to poll your friends. When this girl gets off the bus, she’ll be gone forever. You will either have used the opportunity of 10 minutes, or you’ll have lost it.

As a woman, what will you tell her? What 10 essentials can you absolutely NOT let her get off that bus without hearing? What really matters, to you, in life?

After getting off the phone with Linda, I went to my living room w/ a scratch pad & my favorite pen (Paper-mate, Write Bros., blue). No kids around (amazing!). Otis was not barking (perfection). I gave myself 10 minutes. What follows is my spontaneous “10 x 10”:

1) Choosing a relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important decision you will ever make in your life, bar none. No exceptions.

2) God has a perfect plan for your life. This doesn’t mean you will be perfect, but you can always rely on His perfection.

3) You are who God believes you are, not what media, peers, or Hollywood tries to tell you. God made you exactly as He wants you – for His purpose & His glory.

4) Rejoice then! Because you are His Masterpiece!

5) Sexual virtue is an immeasurable blessing to a future marriage. It provides a foundation of trust, respect & dignity like no other intangible can.

6) Release self-imposed guilt; allow shame to dissolve in His mercy. God can redeem anything, & is fully able to make all things new.

7) You can be a tough, strong woman without being harsh and shrill.

8) American Feminism lied. Though some of it brought progress for women, the “sexual revolution” has resulted in devaluation & degradation of femininity such that womanhood is hardly viewed as uniquely special, & has lost esteem in our society.

9) Womanhood is uniquely special & worthy of high esteem. Our marriages, children & entire culture suffer when we deny this fact.

10) God has created you with perfect giftedness. Be flexible & malleable to the embrace of the Holy Spirit, & God will surprise you with the ways your gifts are used, for His glory, across the measure of your life.

Good-bye, dear girl. God speed.

The times upon us are chaotic & frightening. Changes are advancing that threaten us with calamity. We feel impotent. We feel angry, strapped, crippled, helpless. We can’t seem to gain a grasp on the truth…

It’s time to take inventory, friends, because Truth is constant. Above, you have the Truth of my life. I believe it, & I stand firm in it. No “change” will shake me from it, so help me Lord Jesus. In the end, if that's all I have left, it’ll be enough. I will stand, waiting to be surprised by God’s use of my gifts, until the full measure of my life meets its end.

Thank you, dear Linda, for my 10 minutes. It was indeed a privilege.

~~~

Alan Keyes: Have people gone mad in this country?

Received this today via email from my Dad. The clip is from several months ago, but Dr. Keyes is right on! (Given our especially precarious fiscal situation currently, pay special attention to what he says from minute 3:17 to the end...)

Alan Keyes was a featured speaker at a fundraiser for the Triple A Crisis Pregnancy Center in Hastings, Nebraska, on February 19, 2009, where a reporter from KHAS-TV interviewed him about his thoughts on Obama.

With conviction, Alan firmly stated that Obama is a radical communist (which he is) and a usurper (which he has done since he hasn't produced an original birth certificate). And that Obama supports infanticide--the killing of babies born alive after botched abortions.



The story was later picked up by Keith Olberman of MSNBC who spent time on the show calling Alan Keyes names in order to diminish the importance of what Alan said. Alan must have hit a nerve. Go Alan! Sign the Pledge for America's Revival at http://www.americasrevival.com/pledge.php

BTW, thanks Dad!

~~~

Clarion Call for Morality.

So, it started like this:
I was visiting my friend Z’s blog , & having a lovely time catching up on posts, enjoying the comments. One piece focused on the Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC) story, & a lively discussion had developed. Just when I was getting comfortable, a fellow – we’ll call him Duck – pipes up, claiming b/c of Sanford’s (& others’) disgraceful behavior, that the “family values crew” (conservatives) had been uncovered as “a bunch of hypocrites”.

Thinking this could amusing, I bantered back with my own fun:
“Just because you're (Sanford, et. al.) a watch-maker who can't tell time doesn't make the watch obsolete.”

By then, Z’s friend Duck had already replied to the group, & it was becoming less like fun:

Duck's comment~ “The point you miss is that you have lost the high ground & are going to be labeled hypocrites so that your ‘family values’ noise can be stopped once and for all.
The days of the religious right questioning anyone's values are OVER. You are in the process of being completely marginalized as a political entity.”

Did you get that, friends: family values noise - stopped once & for all?
Excuse me? I don't know where y'all are from, but here, we're likely to say, "Them's fightin' words."

Oh, my friend Ducky...This is gonna be fun after all! I'm just gettin’ warmed up:

Sus quoting Duck~ "The days of the religious right questioning anyone's values are OVER."

Sus’ comment~
"So, should we not question one's values when a father rapes his child. Nancy Pelosi & her NAMBLA friends don't think so...

Should we not question one's values when a mentally incapacitated person is 'put out of their misery' in the name of euthanasia (which would save the govt. a BUNCH on health care - since they’re so desperate to take it over). They'll be able to cull the population quick w/ that kind of logic. Bye, bye, Grandma.

Should we not question their values?

Should we not question the values of groups of people who want to get married including their cats, oh, & Bubbles the Chimp too? After all, they have their Civil Rights, you know.

God forbid we question anyone's values!

Shouldn't human existence be a free-for-all, anyway? No questioning values here...

If it feels good - go ahead, do it. If you're inconvenienced in ANY WAY, plow over the next guy to get what you want...kill that baby in the girlfriend's uterus. Better yet, find out the gender, then decide whether to kill it – if it’s not the sex you want. Obama says it's okay to kill her even as she's being delivered through the birth canal. And if she happens to survive the trauma of attempted murder? Obama says leave her for dead.

Should we not question THAT??

By all means, if YOU'RE put-upon in any regard, it’s your RIGHT to do what pleases you best. And SHAME on the person who tries to call you into question. Shame, shame, shame on THEM!

Yeah. You're right, Duck; don't let anyone question your values. No guilt, no responsibilities, no obligations, no pesky consequences.

Nobody questioning values...No conscience, no heart, no soul, no life. Yes, our society would be much better then."

Three diatribes later, Mr. Duck ends here:

“And make no mistake about it, you are being marginalized. Everyone else has had it with your act.”

Well Duck, we’ll just see about it, won’t we? What I see is your side's smugness (or simple misguided arrogance, I sometimes can't tell which) emboldens 'us', & certainly me. As for being quiet about injustice, & the sickness of immorality that is eating our nation alive…as for toning down the Truth, just b/c folks on your side start calling names? Sorry, dahlin’.

As we say around here, “Bring it on. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”

~~~

Ann Coulter: Dr. George Tiller & the 'Culture of Death'

So. How's this for reframing the context of murder?

Memo to Pro-Abortion Liberals: Sometimes a DOSE OF YOUR OWN MEDICINE is painful, but really - it is for your own good.

(minute 3:28-4:15, 4:40 to end)


Go get 'em, Annie...

~~~

Blessed be Long-Lost friends, Grandpas & Ties that Bind.

Everybody ought to have a friend like Lisa. We met as freshman college roommates – sight unseen, & were as different as night & day. She was the “Jersey Girl” & I the “Southern Belle” (in her mind, anyway). We were foreigners: she from just outside New York City, & I from semi-rural North Carolina. Her side of our dorm room boasted posters of wide-mouthed Mick Jagger & Keith Richards, to my gently gazing Amy Grant.

Lisa knew that weekends started on Thursday & how to tap a keg. I knew the maze of stacks in the Library, like so many lab rats down in the science building. We were vastly different: our backgrounds, accents, sense of ‘style’, friends, study habits…yet, we roomed together all 4 years, & she was ultimately one of the best friends I’ve ever had.

How do you explain something like that? How do you explain that even now, after we’ve not seen each other in something like 9 years, we could pick up the phone & still understand each other? Still know where each of us is coming from?

First, God’s hand was/is in the relationship. God knew EXACTLY what kind of influences I (dare I say 'we') needed in my life, & who would be best one(s) to help me grow...

Second, there was a mutual respect in the sharing of differences. We learned, stretched, & grew through & because of each other.

Third, once we got through the multiple layers of differences, we understood that we were standing on common ground. We each cared deeply about “traditional, foundational values, virtue & spiritual things”. Underneath diverging exteriors, we both "got it". We both understood what & Who was important. (See my final comment from 5-29 post.)

A few days ago, she sent me an email. Maybe she was checking to see if we’re both still on that same common ground. Maybe she needed some encouragement, fearing that our country may be unrecognizable in the near future. Nonetheless, the following is what she sent (edited for length & clarity). It was too good not to share:

“Emails to Grandpa”
John is a 63 year old business owner whose dream of retiring @ 65 is vanishing. The stock market crash & new taxes on the horizon, have told him he’ll be working for several more years.

John’s granddaughter Ashley recently graduated college. She drives a new car, wears stylish clothes, loves restaurant hopping & texting her friends. She campaigned hard for Obama, & gloated broadly to the rest of the (Republican) family after the election. She boasted that the world would be much better now that Obama is President.

Recently, Ashley came up short of cash & her bills were due. As in the past, she e-mailed her Grandfather for help. Here is his reply:

Dear Ashley,

We love you & are sympathetic to your plight. As you know, times have changed. Because of President Obama’s stimulus plan, your Grandmother & I have been forced to a new economic plan of our own…We have always been highly productive, wage-earning, then business-owning tax payers. We’ve lived comfortably as a result of our frugality, having forgone fancy vacations, new cars, etc. We worked hard & were looking forward to retiring soon. Our plan changed.

Ashley, President Obama is drastically raising our personal & business taxes, so he can ‘share’ our money with other people. Do you know what this means? Less income; which means cutbacks on business & personal expenses. We’ve even been forced let our receptionist of 18 years go today. We can't afford her now. That’s just the business side. We’ve had to make personal changes, too. In the past, we were free to give you thousands of dollars for tuition, meals, rent, clothing, etc. With your Obama vote, you’ve chosen to support a stranger’s family with our $$ instead of ours.

Remember you told me I was foolish to vote Republican, that Mr. Obama would be the people's president, & help every American live a better life? Even though your email was to me, I suggest you call 202-456-1111 for the $$ you need now. It’s the direct number for the White House. I’m sure the People’s President will be happy to send you a check, or transfer some money. Tell him to call me for the account numbers; I know them by heart.

What Obama voters don't realize is that the "government" money he wants to 'redistribute' (to illegal aliens & non-taxpaying Americans) is collected from people like your Grandmother & me.

Remember you told me, "Only the richest of the rich will be affected"? Guess what, honey? Your Grandmother & I are the richest of the rich! We didn’t used to be, but with Mr. Obama’s formulas, we’re rich! As you know that’s not the reality we live, but didn’t you say during the campaign “some people will have to carry more of the burden so all can prosper”?

You understand what that means, right? Less money for us, for everything. Including granddaughters. Congratulations on your choice for "change"! Remember we love you. Call us soon!

Love, Grandpa.
PS: How was your trip to Jamaica? We’d love to go some day.

Rich, isn’t it? Yes, Lisa & I are both still on the same wavelength…It’s a great reminder that though we don’t talk much, our principles & priorities will always be the tie that binds. We both still “get it”.

Everyone should have a friend like Lisa. Everyone needs to be challenged, to stretch, grow, & see things in a different way. While some would consider a friend like her “long lost” in their life, I don’t. I’m still hearing fresh news from her in far off places. With people like her out there in the world, I have hope we’ll eventually be okay.

~~~

Same-Sex 'Marriage' & Supreme Courts: II

My new friend Shaw asked me some interesting questions in her comment to 5-27-09's “Thanks CA Supreme Court”:

She says,
“I don't understand why you would label couples as ‘cheaters’ when they were married legally…before Prop 8 was passed. How do you reckon they ‘cheated’?”

My friend continues,
“And you [would] label the legal same-sex marriages in IA, MA, VT, NH, and ME as ‘cheaters’ too?”

These are very interesting questions, deserving of a sincere & thoughtful answer. So Shaw, this one’s for you & thanks for being a catalyst.

My use of “cheaters” in the 5-27 post is part euphemistic, part literal. “Cheaters” evokes images of games, the purpose of which was to simplify & illustrate a complex concept. In a literal sense the word “cheaters” does not apply, as Shaw points out, because those who got ‘married’ where same-sex ‘marriage’ is/was legal haven’t technically ‘cheated’.

My contention is, however, that same-sex ‘marriage’ itself cheats our culture in a most profound way. It has created a moral & spiritual crisis by attempting to redefine the most elemental, Sacred relationship in our society, thereby enfeebling our entire culture. The questions remind me of an editorial I wrote in 2004, just after the MA Supreme court circumvented the people of MA & made same-sex 'marriage' legal.

Defining Marriage

Marriage is a historical social & religious institution between one man & one woman. Its origin precedes our society & has universal global significance. It was not created by any branch of the American government, nor by our great Constitution. It crosses all cultures & has extended back through human existence for thousands of years.

Now, a Massachusetts courtroom has decided that this archetypal institution is ill defined, & has declared it invalid. The arrogance here is astounding. If it weren’t so audacious, it might even be comical. But it is not funny, & it is not okay. This court asserts that the historically rooted institution of marriage will not ‘pass Constitutional muster’ because it discriminates (like a clock salesman calling foul on the 24-hour day, saying it discriminates against the time-challenged).

For years, special interest groups & their lawyers have cited ‘separation of church & state’ to tease out Faith from the public arena at every turn. Now they’re using legal marriage – where State & Faith meet - to contort our society with their own prejudicial agenda. The State, which has pried out all things sacred, is now presuming authority to force civil “rites” into the sacred. The State, essentially, is assuming the power to define & override Sacrament.

It is time to speak up. The cultural movement represented in the Massachusetts courtroom accomplishes its work through the back door of the Constitution. No lawmaker or voter is ever consulted when law is created in a courtroom. In essence, we citizens are stripped of our representative and individual voices. We are left mute and powerless while outrageous counterculture ideas are made law. The good news is that the same Constitution that has been so egregiously manipulated is the same great document which guarantees each & every one of us a voice. It is now time to be heard.

So the voices of California were heard, finally. And their Court decided, this time, to abstain from silencing them. Hallelujah!

Our friend is right, though: other states have voiced differently. If we’re talking about legality, then gay ‘married’ people haven’t cheated the law in those states. But if we’re talking about morality & the spiritual health of our nation, then the ones we’re really cheating are ourselves.

And then there’s God.

~~~

Thanks CA Supreme Court; I think.

Congratulations are in order for California! (I think.)

Their state Supreme Court actually held to the people’s will, sort of.

On Tuesday, May 26th, The Foundry reports, “the California Supreme Court disappointed advocates of same-sex marriage by concluding that Proposition 8 was a valid exercise by California voters of their right to amend their constitution. Today’s decision means Prop. 8 stands as an important victory for the 7 million Californians who worked hard to protect marriage as the union of husband & wife..."

Don’t remember Proposition 8? A little history then…See, one of the best Unintended Consequences of November’s election was that a “ban on gay marriage [aka Proposition 8] passed in CA, AZ & FL.” The delicious irony is that the Left’s insatiable drive to elect Mr. Obama led to the success of Prop. 8. It won “largely due to the turnout of African Americans -yes, Obama voters largely- who are not up for any kind of massive shift to the left, it seems.”

The price of the measure's success, however, has been high. The Foundry reminds us: “many individuals and institutions that supported Proposition 8 have been targeted for reprisals and intimidation. Some Prop 8 supporters have been pressured out of their jobs; some have had their businesses targeted…churches have been vandalized…and suspicious white powder was sent to certain Mormon temples. [Also] some individuals who supported Prop 8 have even received death threats.”

Which brings me to Unintended Consequence of November’s election #2 & the “I think” part of the Court’s decision: “The election of Mr. Obama has sewn up a seam between the Far Left fringe & the left-of-center. The Far Left has…poured in torrents onto the Culture War battlefield…Their actions have been worse than vandalism & protesting, friends. It's domestic terrorism…Do they believe they're entitled, because they identify w/ the most left-wing presidential candidate we've ever seen?” It’s a question that at least bears some thought, if not outright endorsement.

Meanwhile back at the Court, while the Justices were magnanimous enough to yield to the will of the people from hence forward, they ruled as valid “the 18,000 same-sex marriages performed before Prop 8 passed.” So, while the will of the people was heard in part, it seems that the Court has left some cards on the table. With the world watching, they were forced to play by the rules of the game (We won!), but then allowed cheaters to win anyway (I think).

Where does that leave us, folks? Still on the battlefield; with a war for the essence of our culture – the very soul of our dear nation - in front of us.

But today, let’s say a big THANKS to the California Supreme Court! As for the “I think;” we’ll just address that tomorrow…

~~~

Memo: We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation.

Holy Week...Turkey, 4-6-09
Memo to the world:


Our President has decided: “We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation (or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation), we consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are, bound by ideals and a set of values…”

Upon exactly which ‘ideals’ and ‘set of values’ does he think our nation is based? It is historical FACT that our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian values. (I’ll spare you the litany of historical documents with God’s fingerprints all over them.)

Our President goes on, “…what we’re seeing, in both countries [USA & Turkey], is the promise of a secular country that is respectful of religious freedom, is respectful of rule of law, respectful of freedom; upholding these values & being willing to stand up for them on the international stage…if we are joined together…then I think that we can have an extraordinary impact.”

The ‘promise’ of a country that is respectful of religious freedom, rule of law, etc.? Is our country not already precisely that? (Oh, I left out ‘secular’? Maybe that’s what he’s after…)

As for ‘extraordinary impact’… if Mr. Obama had been to church even once since he took office, he may recall scripture that assures us when we cut ourselves off from God, our ‘impact’ disappears. It was true of the Jews, it’s true of me individually, & I believe it’s true in the corporate & national sense also.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

I’m sorry Mr. President. You may NOT rewrite the history of our country like this. You may NOT speak for our entire nation, erasing our past, cutting the roots of our historical faith, snapping the tender shoots that are struggling for sunlight & strength. You may NOT prune as you see fit the future of the faith of our nation.

This is not a matter of debate. Historical facts are facts. Subjectively speaking, I am incensed with you over this, & will not allow it to go unchallenged.

If anyone doubts my last post: “Sharia Law, coming…” please review the video above. Our President has just opened the door. I believe bluepitbull (commenter on Sharia piece) might be right. One of our next Supreme Court justices may just be one who’s fully willing & able to rule on Sharia.

After all, “we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation,” & we must be ‘respectful’ of all. Sure, kind of like the poor young woman in the video below.

You wanna know who summed this up best? My 10 year old son. After watching the news story (no commentary from his adoring mother), he bunched up his nose & said, “I thought he goes to church?”

Right.

~~~

Sharia Law: Coming soon to a country near you.

Have you wondered what our friends the Brits have gotten themselves into by allowing Sharia Law into their legal system ? Ever wondered what the implications for women would be if it were to be allowed in the US? I was inspired into a little research by USA_Admiral .

Do the research yourself & find that Muslims in Britain have pushed for decades to get Sharia law infused into the legal system. They finally wore down ‘the establishment’. In an apathetic climate, I dare say it’s an easy slide to a rise in theocratic ‘power’. And where does it go after that?

Ladies, especially you who value the power that our society affords you, I beg you to ask yourself if political correctness & pacifism is worth this: CAUTION-disturbing video

If Mr. Obama (& even Pres. Bush) still wish to insist that Islam is a religion of peace, then where is the OUTRAGE in the 'peaceful' Muslim community? Where is the United Nations resolution demanding that terrorist groups & Islamo-fascists cease this perversion of their faith? Where are the moderate, clear-thinking clerics? The American Feminists?? Listen. Carefully. Do you hear it? I don't either. Silence...

Nobody’s willing to say it; & if they do, they’re afraid of becoming a Benazir Bhutto. With this threat seething in terrorist-phile nations & slinking through modern Western societies, we desperately need heroes – people willing to publicly challenge Islamic theocrats who stoke, plot & finance terrorism. Our own Presidents have, & still are, denying the threat.

Benazir Bhutto was a hero, a martyr (if you will) for civilized society.
Here’s another one. She gets precious little news coverage (or none @ all), but her voice is strong & unequivocal ~~ Zohreh Arshadi: Ms Arshadi was a practicing lawyer in Iran prior to her forced exile to Europe. She is currently an advocate in France and is active in human rights and especially of the rights of women. She has been especially active in
defense of the rights of women in Iran.

In the excerpts from her article “Islamic Republic of Iran and Penal Codes”, she articulates Islamic Penal codes (i.e., Sharia Law). The Islamic Revolution of the 1970’s caused the “Restructuring [of] society on the basis of violence and sexual apartheid…What the clerics ruling Iran call an Islamic society and government denotes an underlying model that in two decades has brought about huge upheavals in the political, cultural, legal and ideological structures of Iranian society. This model can best be described by its two principal features: An administration based on naked repression and violence, and a society based on inequalities of gender, religion, politics and reinforced by a steadily widening class divide.

The theoretical foundation of the Islamic Penal Codes is a social model based on sexual apartheid….a belief that women are deficient in their natural and “innate” potentials and abilities, including their psychological-makeup and intellectual capacity. Second, a belief in a social and family order where men must be guardians over women, and women must submit. Third, a belief in an unequal system of rights…The Islamic Penal Codes are based on violence in its most primitive forms. These not only authorise organised state violence, but encourage male violence against women within the family and in society.”

Ms. Arshadi itemizes the legal Codes (Books, Chapters, Articles) which “give legal shelter to sexual apartheid”: We have…had women removed from the courts as legal specialists. Their absence in legal procedures and criminal courts means that misogynist and biased views of the law are put into practice with greater severity and force, and occasionally even added to, by male attorneys and judges most of whom are also priests. The Islamic punishments have encouraged a culture of violence against women, especially within the family and has spilled into violence against children…The fact that men receive a lighter punishment if they commit a violence against women undoubtedly encourages such violence. We saw how women could be killed with impunity...Stoning to death for adultery, although technically admissible for both sexes, has also been carried out mainly against women. Newspapers are full of accounts of wives, sisters, daughters, and children murdered...The family has become an institution of violence.

These are laws which in their entirety are more in keeping with a society still in the age of barbarism. At a time when most countries are banning the death penalty to have punishments such as cutting of hands, and feet, stoning to death, cutting off of tongues and gouging out eyes on the statutes is totally unacceptable.”

We need more heroes. This woman, living in exile from her own country, knowing the danger she brings upon herself, is willing to speak. We need more of her.

We. Need. More. Heroes.

Research. Think. Speak.

Be one.

~~~

Memo to DCCC: I don't want Obama to succeed either...

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has launched an assault against Free Speech. Make no mistake, their current 'online petition' against Rush Limbaugh is nothing but an effort to lay groundwork for resurrecting the Fairness Doctrine. But my friends, I'll say it here - and run no risk of Big Brother stifling my political speech (yet...) - I'm with Rush. I don't want President Obama to succeed. That may seem rather unpatriotic. Trust me, I'm one of the more patriotic people that I know (& I know some real red-white-&-blues). However, at this point, I believe I'm taking the most patriotic position.

Hear me...I'm not saying that I want our government to come crashing down. I'm not saying I want Mr. Obama to fail as a President in the eyes of the world, or even in the eyes of our people. What I am saying (& what Mr. Limbaugh was saying, too) is that I want his agenda to fail. Oh, how I want his agenda to fail...

I want his anti-capitialist, income-redistribution-socialist, pro-abortion, dismantle-traditional-marriage, environment-before-common-sense, foreign appeasement , terrorist-assuaging agenda to fail...and fail miserably. That would be best for our country. I desperately want what's best for our country.

There, I've said it . Enjoy your afternoon.

~~~

One True Hope.

From the front page of the newspaper to the deep, hidden corners of the human heart a cry is going up. It's the searching, longing cry of a culture and, in fact, a world in crisis. Where is the hope? Where is the peace? Where is the purpose and meaning for life here in the real world? The answer lies beyond the reaches of governmental policies and great humanitarian efforts, as needed and good as they may be. It lies in a lowly manger, a cruel cross, and an empty tomb. For it is here that we see the kingdom of heaven bursting onto the scene of what has often been called the "real world." Charles Colson calls it "a shining kingdom that reaches the darkest corners of every mind. A kingdom of deathless hope, of restless virtue, of endless peace."

God has heard our cry, He has sent His Son Jesus Christ, and "heaven has come to the real world."
Now is the time for those of us who embody this kingdom to defend the truth, overcome evil with good, and live lives that proclaim and display heaven in the real world. God Bless you!
~Steven Curtis Chapman, artist's note from Heaven in the Real World, 1994

God is so tender and good, friends, & He is speaking to us this very day. I re-found this CD two days ago. It was written in 1994, but the message for this very moment is pristinely clear:


“Where is the hope? I meet millions who tell me that they feel demoralized by the decay around us. Where is the hope? The hope that each of us has is not in who governs us, or what laws are passed, or what great things we do as a nation. Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people, and that’s where our hope is in this country, and that’s where our hope is in life...”
~ Charles Colson

I saw it again today in the face of a little child * Looking through the eyes of fear & uncertainty * It echoed in a cry for freedom across the street & across the miles * Cries from the heart to find the missing part *

*** Where is the hope, where is the peace? * That will make this life complete * For every man, woman, boy & girl * Looking for heaven in the real world ***

To stand in the pouring rain & believe the sun will shine again * To know that the grave is not the end * To feel the embrace of grace & cross the line where real life begins * And to know in your heart you’ve found the missing part *

*** There is a hope, there is a peace * That will make this life complete * For every man, woman, boy & girl * Looking for heaven in the real world * Heaven in the real world ***

** It happened one night with a tiny baby’s birth * God heard creation crying & He sent heaven to earth **

*** He is the hope, He is the peace * That will make this life complete * For every man, woman, boy & girl * Looking for heaven in the real world * Heaven has come to the real world * Heaven has come, come to the real world * He is the hope, He is the peace * Jesus is heaven, heaven in the real world *

~~~

Afterthoughts.

Many thanks to my friend for being willing to put herself on record with her convictions. Sandy is not a blogger (though, arguably now she is), so I applaud her courage!

Poverty, illegitimacy, weakening of marriage, & educational failure rates are only a few of the issues she brought up, yet they are some of the most complex problems that we face in America. Sandy rightly states that neither Republicans nor Democrats have faced them squarely. (Note that some of my dearest family & friends are Democrats. While I do favor one approach over the other, these are not issues over which either party has a claim to victory; clearly.)

While contemplating these issues, their etiology & their solutions, here’s what comes to my mind:
Reinstate the notion of God’s presence in our public conversations & forums. Reclaim morality. Protect life. Reinforce & encourage traditional marriage as a foundational element of society. Promote literacy & educational achievement. Lift away the learned helplessness that comes from reliance on government for the sustenance of life - by encouraging business expansion, which provides broader workforce, which affords broader financial opportunity.

What to do, then? Get involved in your local public school, whether you have a child there or not. Read with a child. Teach an adult to read. Support local businesses (or start one) & farmers. Get involved with philanthropic & faith based organizations. Serve someone else – don’t wait for government to do it. Claim, or reclaim, your faith. Find out – if you don’t know – what your faith says about morality, & claim that too. Support your church – or start visiting if you don’t have one. Pray. Then vote. Then pray again.

~~~

"Read My Lipstick"

Oh my goodness. May I please tell you about my day yesterday? It started in the hair salon, where my friend Mark & I were talking about “Get the Big Idea”. I explained the theme I’ve been wrestling with, & Mark’s eyes lit up. He proceeded to tell me that a group of women he knows have started an operation to energize women to ‘stand up & be counted in the culture war of our country’ (sounding familiar?). Their operation has a catchy name. It’s called “Read My Lipstick” (any bells ringing now?).

As it happened, I was leaving the salon to travel with my Mom to Elon University to the Sarah Palin rally (yippee!! More on that later…). Before I left, Mark handed me a small grocery bag full of small campaign-like buttons. The buttons had the name of their operation in attractive, catchy graphics & their web address in small print.

So off I go to the Rally, where I happily distribute my cache of buttons to delighted women (& even some men). Within 30 minutes, my little bag was empty. The Rally was super, as you know I’d say. (But it really was; very exciting!) When I returned home, I pulled off my button & went to the website scrolled on the bottom. “Read My Lipstick” is an organized movement, friends. I was almost astounded at what I saw. The press release on this site expresses the same theme that has been on my heart, & captures the essence of the original inspiration for “Get the Big Idea”.

I’m almost astounded that the themes are so clear & common, yet arising independently. I can still scarcely believe how yesterday’s events played out: the trip to the salon coinciding with the Rally, the buttons that ‘happened’ to be on-hand, & the crossover of themes. These seemingly serendipitous events have borne substance that feeds my spirit. It’s like the galvanizing encouragement of hearing voices floating across the wind, when you fear you’re stranded in the valley. It’s the hope that spurs your search for them, the joy of recognizing their language as your own, & the assurance that settles deep in your soul when you find that you are, indeed, not alone.

I’ll be keeping up with "Read My Lipstick" as it develops, & I invite you to do the same. Be encouraged, friends. We’re not stranded in the valley. There are voices floating across the wind. Listen.

~~~

Women of privilege. Tough questions.

Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; & from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48

Tall order?

What does it mean to be a Christian woman in America?

Does our American-ness give us a unique perspective on God?

Does our Christianity give us a unique perspective on life?

Working backward:

Does our Christianity give us a unique perspective on life? Yes. It’s Grace, & freedom through Grace. Freedom to be exactly who we’re supposed to be for the Glory of God.

Does our American-ness give us a unique perspective on God? Yes. Indeed, it does. Stay with me…

If you own the computer through which you view these words, if you’re sitting in a comfortable place, safe from enemies; if you are a woman & you can read (at all), then you’re among a privileged minority of women in the world. American women have these privileges simply because of where we live. Regardless of our socio-economic status, level of education, etc., American women are collectively – by comparison to the rest of the globe – privileged.

We’re part of a nation that elevates women through education, opportunity in the marketplace, access to healthcare for ourselves & our families, & freedom to worship freely without fear of torment. Those who claim ownership of American ‘women’s issues’ will beg to differ with me, but that’s their right. (Get it?)

And yet we don’t realize, don’t truly understand, how deeply fortunate we are; & that this ‘fortune’ is from God. Even as I write, I confess that I don’t have a working understanding of women’s experiences around the world. A Thousand Splendid Suns was enough for me. At least in my head, I get it.

At a Beth Moore event a few years ago, a friend & I scanned the sea of 20,000 women’s faces & asked each other, “What would God do if all these women claimed His will in their lives? What would He do in our churches, our communities, in our country? What a movement of God’s power we would see, & it could be through women!” It was a humbling, awesome prospect.

What does it mean to be a Christian woman in America? Our American-ness, if we’re paying attention, gives us a unique perspective on what God can do with us & our privilege, if we yield it to Him. First, we have to claim it. We have to step out of ourselves, our yearning to complain, our materialism, & acknowledge our blessings. God has mercifully allowed us privilege & blessing in order that we may be a blessing, a force for good in the world. We must be willing to step out of ourselves, step up to our blessing & humbly approach God. When we begin to do that, I believe He will use us to be a blessing in our homes, our communities, our country, & ultimately in our world.

Tall order? Yes. What a privilege.

~~~

Just say it.

Remember in my first post, when I told you that I’ve decided it’s time to say some things? I wasn’t referring to jumping on a stump & shouting through a bullhorn. Though if that’s your style, be my guest. For me, those opportunities come more quietly. I’ve decided it’s time to pay closer attention, & act when I feel that tightening in my gut. Here’s an example of what I mean:

Dear School Board:

I am a concerned parent of three in your school system. Recently, I learned from another parent (whose child attends Rosy Glow Elem. School) that many teachers exhibit openly partisan support of only one Presidential candidate. This support is present in the form of t-shirts, campaign buttons & stickers worn throughout the instructional day, as well as bulletin board displays favoring one political persuasion, with minimal representation of the other. Children have been taken on field trips to campaign headquarters of one party at the exclusion of the other. And, as a class assignment, they were required to view the coverage of one party’s convention (for purposes of class discussion), but not invited/required to view the other party’s convention. One would hope that in covering issues relative to an historic Presidential election, that our school system would encourage children to develop thoughtful analysis by exposing them to balanced instructional material.

Partisan passions lend a certain zeal the political process, especially during an election season. However, partisan passion should be unequivocally mute in the instruction of public elementary school students. Anything less, and public instruction becomes pure indoctrination, as in the examples above. I hope you'll agree that indoctrination does nothing to foster clear, independent thinking and logical reasoning in the growing minds of elementary school children.

This school system has served my children very well to date, but news of what is being allowed at Rosy Glow is unnerving. In my opinion, it requires that you address it immediately. We are proud of a school system that fosters independent thought and a balanced approach to learning. Regarding the above situation (as it was explained to me), this system is doing a disservice to its children and parents.

Thank you for your kind consideration of my concerns. And thank you for all that you do for the schools to equip teachers and embolden students to face a world of diverse and difficult challenges.

Sincerely…

The response of this fine school board was swift, though my voice had been quiet; and I am thankful. Based on reports, I trust that the issue has been handled sufficiently.

Friends, when you are fortunate enough to recognize injustices around you, act. When you see unfairness, speak. I’m not only referring to injustice in Africa or the Middle East; global things. The thought of trying to effect change there overwhelms me. I’m not large, loud or significant enough a human being to do anything about that. My voice seems to get lost in the cacophony of politics, or even just in the wind.

BUT, where I do have a voice loud enough to be heard, I’ve decided it’s time to speak. I encourage you to, also. You don’t have to be harsh or obnoxious. When you see an injustice that catches in your gut – and you all know what I mean – decide what you want to say, & find the best ear. Be firm, be calm, be respectful. Then just say it.

~~~