Something Slimy in The Bay State

For the record, I don’t know tons about the Senior Massachusetts Senator, Ted Kennedy.  I am too young to remember how he got off scott-free when he was drunk-driving and drove his mistress girlfriend off a bridge and killed her.  I am also too young (and not that interested) in learning all the various ways he has acted corruptly throughout his policital career.  If the people of Massachussets want to be shepherded by a crook, well, that’s their prerogative.  And yes, I do recognize the irony of the fact that I currently reside in California, home of Nancy Pelosi.

When I worked in DC for a semester there was a common saying on the Hill; “Democrats are evil and Republicans are stupid.”  Ever since that time I have kept an observant eye on the political manueverings of the Democrats and have witnessed the unfortunate truth of that dictum.  Again this morning I learned about something that deserves some illumination because it may affect more than just those in The Bay State. 

When Al Franken stole the MN senate seat last month  the democrats gained a super-majority number of Senators (60) and because of this can vote as a unit and pass any number of bills despite Republican opposition.  Of course the current measure of interest is the Health Care Reform bill which the President hopes will pass during this next session of Congress.

Unfortunately MA senator Ted Kennedy was recently diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.  For obvious reasons he will need to quickly abdicate his seat as Senator, thus putting in jeapordy the Democrats super-majority status.  So, Senator Kennedy’s solution to ensure this doesn’t happen?  Change the MA state law so that the Governor can supersede the people and quickly appoint a new Senator of his choosing under these conditions. 

It doesn’t take a second-grade education to see through that manuever.   The administration did promise a new transparency …  This is politics, I suppose.

But here’s where it gets extra slimy – The current MA law requiring a special election in these cirmustances (which could take anywhere up to 5 months) was put into place BY TED KENNEDY back in 2004 when a Republican (Mitt Romney) was governor of MA.  That was when (then)MA Senator John Kerry was running for president and Kennedy and  the Democrats wanted to ensure that Romney didn’t have the authority (as most Governors do) to appoint a Republican into the vacant seat should Kerry win.

So, let’s recap.  In 2004 Ted Kennedy doesn’t like the law because it MIGHT favor Republicans, so he changes it.  Then, 5 years later when his own law might turn around and bite his party in the butt, he decides to change it again!  THIS MAN HAS NO PRINCIPLES!  And did I mention he is a senior member (read: REPRESENTATIVE) of the Democratic party.

In other words, LAWS DON’T MEAN ANYTHING unless they benefit those in power, and our elected officials should feel free to change the laws at their discretion based on their own political self-interest.  Forget about passing laws and amending constitutions for the benefit of the people … of course human nature is corrupt and will go to great lengths to secure power.  Our forefathers knew this.  That’s why they adopted a system of governance called democracy which is supposed to protect the people from those in power. 

I’m sick and tired of watching events like this unfold with little to no attention from the media and zero repurcusions for the men/women who supposedly work for us.  We the people would do well to start paying attention to maneuvers like this.  Not to be overly dramatic, but if we don’t demand some integrity soon it will soon be too late.

Oh Canada, Oh Canada …

8/20 – UPDATE:  The new incoming President of the Canadian Medical Association, Dr. Anne Doig, says their system needs a complete overhaul.  It is not benefiting the patients … and basically all of their research from overseas says the only way to provide for a healthy medical system is to increase privatized competition.  Which is the exact OPPOSITE thing Obama is trying to do with our system. 

Someone tell me again why we aren’t learning from the mistakes of those who have gone before us down the road of socialized medicine?

____________________________________________________

Given the President’s press conference tonight in efforts to plead with the American people to socilaize our medicine, I thought this video was extrememly enlightening. 
 
Bottom line, the health care in Canada is TERRIBLE.  And yet, that’s the model that Obama is trying to convince us to adopt.
 
The video is 20 minutes long, but very enlightening.  The people of Canada have quite a different perception of their health care system than we are led to believe in the States.

Click here to see the video:  http://www.youtube.com/stevencrowder

Having grown up in a military family where we used the “government health care” I can tell you that this kind of a system is certainly not the ideal. 

Can someone please name for me ONE government run program they feel is highly effective (more so than a privatized company)?!?
 
Here’s something that I found this morning that actually makes sense.  We are constantly told that “Republicans are just complaining but they don’t have any solutions.”  Here’s one I found that actually made a bit of sense.  All of this was from the website:  www.healthtransformation.net

 Six Straightforward Steps to Better Healthcare

To create a system that delivers more choices of higher quality health care at lower cost we need to take the following six straightforward steps:

1. Stop Paying the Crooks. First, we must dramatically reduce healthcare fraud within our current healthcare system. Outright fraud – criminal activity – accounts for as much as 10 percent of all healthcare spending. That is more than $200 billion every year. Medicare alone could account for as much as $40 billion a year. (Please visit HealthTransformation.net for the information about our latest CHT Press book, Stop Paying the Crooks, edited by Jim Frogue.)
2. Move from a Paper-based to an Electronic Health System. As it stands now, it is simply impossible to keep up with fraud in a paper-based system. An electronic system would free tens of billions of dollars to be spent on investing on the kind of modern system that will transform healthcare. In addition, it would dramatically increase our ability to eliminate costly medical errors and to accelerate the adoption of new solutions and breakthroughs.
3. Tax Reform. The savings realized through very deliberately and very systematically eliminating fraud could be used to provide tax incentives and vouchers that would help cover those Americans who currently can’t afford coverage. In addition, we need to expand tax incentives for insurance provided by small employers and the self-employed. Finally, elimination of capital gains taxes for investments in health-solution companies can greatly impact the creation advancement of new solutions that create better health at lower cost.
4. Create a Health-Based Health System. In essence, we must create a system that focuses on improving individual health. The best way to accomplish this is to find out what solutions are actually working today that save lives and save money and then design public policy to encourage their widespread adoption. For example, according to the Dartmouth Health Atlas, if the 6,000 hospitals in the country provided the same standard of care of the Intermountain or Mayo health clinics, Medicare alone would save 30 percent of total spending every year. We need to make best practices the minimum practice. We need the federal government and other healthcare stakeholders to consistently migrate to best practices that ensure quality, safety and better outcomes.
5. Reform Our Health Justice System. Currently, the U.S. civil justice system is the most expensive in the world-about double the average cost in virtually every other industrialized nation. But for all of the money spent, our civil justice system neither effectively compensates persons injured from medical negligence nor encourages the elimination of medical errors. Because physicians fear malpractice suits, defensive medicine (redundant, wasteful treatment designed to avoid lawsuits, not treat the patient) has become pervasive. CHT is developing a number of bold health-justice reforms including a “safe harbor” for physicians who followed clinical best practices in the treatment of a patient. You can learn more at HealthTransformation.net.
6. Invest in Scientific Research and Breakthroughs. We must accelerate and focus national efforts, re-engineer care delivery, and ultimately prevent diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease and diabetes which are financially crippling our healthcare system.

The Last Thing We Need is a Plan That Raises Taxes and Eliminates Jobs

Clearly, the last thing America needs is more taxes on job producers, whether it is in the form of a national energy tax, automatic tax increases in 2010 when the 2003 tax relief measures expire, or a healthcare plan that will raise taxes, eliminate jobs, and allows Washington bureaucrats to make decisions that ought to be made by individual Americans together with their families and doctors.

President Obama has a choice tonight, as does America.

We can make health and healthcare into a major source of job creation, economic revival, and improved health and well-being for every American.

Or we can make it into a government-run system that will destroy our economy along with our health.

To learn more about our plan for reforming health without raising taxes, eliminating jobs or raising the deficit, please visit www.HealthTransformation.net.

Death of CCM

I found these two articles very interesting.  I’ve been thinking about this topic for a long time, and typically find myself siding with David Acuff’s point of view.  Truthfully, I’d never heard anyone take Amanda’s position.  I have to admit, I kind-a agreed with Amanda.

What do you guys think?

———————————————————————————————
Christian Music Industry is Dying, Will Film Follow?

by S David Acuff  

I think it’s time we checked in with the CCM industry because as I’ve stated in ourChristian Film Wakeup Call – as it goes with the Christian music industry, so it will be with the Christian film industry.  It’s just that they are 20 years up the road from us along the journey.

But before I do that, I wanted to clarify one thing that separates Wired4Film from other Christian Filmmaking sites: We are not promoting the Christian Film Industry.

Gasp!  I know, let me explain.

Bob Briner is the author of a seminal piece of writing that is one of the first books any Christian Professional needs to read called Roaring Lambs.  It is simply a call to action for the Christian Community and explains how to be Salt and Light in the Secular world.  In it he chides us:

“We have created a phenomenal subculture with our own media, entertainment, educational system, and political hierarchy so that we have the sense that we’re doing a lot.  But what we’ve really done is created a ghetto that is easily dismissed by the rest of society.”

Today, there are some well intentioned voices out there calling Christian filmmakers to arms to build a Christian Film Media Empire or “Replacement Industry” which will in the end serve to broaden the Christian ghetto that Briner speaks of. 
Wired4Film is not about funneling filmmakers into the Christian Film industry.

Wired4Film is a movement to create paths out of the “ghetto” or what Phil Cooke calls the “Christian Bubble” and into the marketplace to be that salt and light that Christ has called us to be. 

To acknowledge that we are wired for a purpose: Filmmaking.  And that purpose is not to preach to the choir.  As Jesus said in Matthew 9:12, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”  So it’s not to preach to the secular world either.  It’s to heal them and tend to them and make them whole.

In early 2007, during Fox’s “On The Lot” series, this convo was overheard (and recorded) in a chatroom:
Member #1:  Hope you enjoy [my film]!  And let me know what you think.  I am a Christian Film  maker from Liberty University

Member #2: what is a christian filmmaker?

Member #3: If it’s anything like Christian Rock, it’s a film maker that sucks.

I don’t know about you, but I had to laugh at that one.  Because I know exactly where Member #3 — who went by the screen name “bocephus” — was coming from.

So is Christian Film going to be the answer to our cinematic woes?  Or will it be part of the problem?  Well, here is where we look to the Christian Music Industry.

Currently, I’m in the process of reviewing Phil Cooke’s book,The Last Televangelist: Why the next generation could care less about religious media  – I haven’t finished it, but even so, it’s already on my top 5 list of books along with Bob Briner’s that Christian Filmmakers need to grab hold of, read, and fully comprehend.

Here is an excerpt called “What About Christian Music?”:

In the July/Aug 2008 issue of Collide Magazine, Scott McClellan wrote a feature story based on music producer Charlie Peacock’s assessment that the Christian music industry is dying.  According to Peacock, the five most important issues are:

1) The major labels aren’t in danger of going under anytime soon, but they’ll be forced to depend on dwindling revenue from their song catalogues

2) The term CCM, or Contemporary Christian Music, will go away.

3)  Christian music that matters won’t have any affiliation with the Christian Music industry but instead will be written, recorded and released in the mainstream.

4) Worship music serves a purpose within the church, which guarantees its survival

5) The big names from CCM’s glory days (Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, etc.) will survive but many artists from the last decade will be left looking for a reason, roaming through the night to find their place in the world.
While, as McClellan states, the charges aren’t exactly blasphemy, they did set off quite the controversy within the industry.
David Sessions, editor of Patrol, an online music and media magazine (patrolmag.com) agreed: “The best thing that can happen is for people to forget entirely that they once specified whether their music was ‘Christian’ or ‘mainstream.’ That divide has been the single most damaging idea to Christianity in the modern world.”

Peacock echoed that indictment: “Anyone who has studied CCM knows that it’s front-loaded with a very specious strategy that is, the creation of a youth-oriented music to counteract the undesirable youth-oriented music of the culture at large. [That strategy] probably looked righteous in the beginning but proved very flawed.”

If it didn’t work for Christian Music, why would it ever work for Christian Film?  This section continues…
McClellan covers both sides of the issue, but the article does point to a deep divide in the world of Christian Music.  Should it continue to exist as a niche industry?  Should Christians move more into mainstream music?  Can the business model hold up – should it?

In a feature story in Christianity Today magazine on the issue…Mark Joseph points out:

“…Think of it this way: Would a plumber advertise himself as a ‘Christian plumber’ if he wanted to serve both believers and non-believers?  Perhaps, but then many non-Christians with clogged toilets might not hire him because of that designation.  But if he simply presents himself as a “plumber” — still intending to do a great job and prepared to discuss his faith with any interested clients — he’s likely to get more business, earn a better living, and interact with more non-believers.  Using ‘Christian’ as an adjective – whether you’re a plumber or a musician – is little more than a weapon, used to beat back people who might otherwise be interested in the service or product offered, but upon hearing that it is ‘Christian’ are no longer interested.”

Recently I was editing at the Billy Graham Evangelical Association (which was awesome by the way in their respect for high-end production value) and overhead some people giving kudos to the FIREPROOF filmmakers because their entire film crew was made up of Christians. 

Someone else agreed that that was the way to go, especially on Spiritually sensitive shoots, but I don’t buy that.  For one, I don’t buy that God is limited to only working through Christians.  It simply isn’t so.  And I’ve been on many many shoots of a spiritual nature and brought along non-Christian production members who were deeply moved by the experience and thanked me later for including them.

See, I thought that’s what our job was…not to insulate from the world, but to connect with them.  To me, that’s what “love your neighbor” is all about.  Bringing them on set to see Christ being modeled. 

Welcome to our industry where “show it, don’t tell it” is the golden rule!

I’m gonna be honest…if I need an amazing Director of Photography, I’m looking for one that can handle the job.  It’s important that the personalities mesh, but I’m not concerned if he or she is a Christian or Buddhist or Atheist.  If they are a professional they’ll do a bang-up job.  And if I’ve bathed the shoot in prayer before hand, that person will catch a glimpse of Christ somewhere along the way.  

So, let’s take a good hard look at Charlie Peacock’s CCM assessment, because it is the writing on the wall for the Christian Film Replacement Industry as well.

We’ve been warned.

OPPOSING VIEWPOINT

By Amanda Llewellyn

Just read S David Acuff’s article and realized that most people, including him don’t get it about Christian film or Christian music. The problem is that it is a platypus. A collection of unrelated parts that does very well in its own environment. It is not meant to survive outside of that bubble and therefore, it usually doesn’t. That does not mean that you should go about destroying the platypus’ environment either and perhaps, as is the penchant of many people, you would want to preserve the unique just because it is unique.  

The other issue is the whole “preaching to the choir” myth. It is a myth and one that is consistently propagated by those that are actually in the choir. So, the choir, it is then logically assumed, should put in earplugs for the second or third time that they hear the pastor’s sermon? Why go to church in the first place when all you are doing is talking about the same ol’ thing…Bible, Jesus, etc? I seem to recall that Jesus thought that “preaching to the choir” was so important as to make a contract with Peter. Yes, repeating three times not only redeemed the three-time denial of Peter but was also a way to making contracts with people in ancient Israel. Jesus said, “Feed my sheep!” Isn’t that just the same thing? Why have we made it so distasteful to do so? Shouldn’t people be fed when they want to be fed? I don’t hear him saying, “Feed the goats!” Sheep…Feed-The-Sheep. 

Now comes the final gripe and then I will go away to sit in the choir. It isn’t that you have an entire crew of Christians; it is that you give the Christian a “second look.” What is the second look? Well, I know a LOT of talented Christians in the industry that don’t have the resumes or the contacts of their “secular” counterparts because there are certain films and projects that they can’t, don’t or won’t work on. Why? Because they actually are silly enough to be trying to walk out their beliefs in their work. What truly kills me is that then, a Christian when they do get an opportunity to produce or have a certain sphere of influence, then look down on their brothers as not being good enough! What arrogance that is and yet you see it all the time. Why not Christian Nepotism? Ron Howard does it! The Jewish Community has done it for YEARS! The Gay Community? Yep, they have done it so well that now their lifestyle is positively mainstream. I am not looking down on these folks. I am congratulating them on their success. Christians? Not on your life. Nope, they won’t do it because they don’t want anyone to: A. Find out that they really are a Christian. B. Think that they are truly committed thus hurting any further chances. C. Think that they are showing any favoritism to other believers thus exposing their “fundamentalism.” D. All of the above. Why not give that qualified brother or sister a second look? Because, like everyone else in Hollywood, they believe that they have ostensively, made it on their own. They are just as infected with pleasing other men than everyone else is in this town. 

I know, it is a strong indictment against my brothers and sisters but it is true nonetheless. And if you are honest with yourself, you know it too. You have seen it up close and in action. No, I am not saying hire someone that is unqualified, but I am saying to hire someone that is good, may not have the resume with “American Pie” on it but is a believer that needs a break. And what could be wrong with that? 

I just find it maddening sometimes to see what Christians have done to each other in this business. Even before I was saved I promised myself NEVER to step over anyone’s dead body to get a job. I have not ever done that in all the years I have been in showbiz. Not everyone can say that, nor do I say that I have never been tempted to do so but, we really do need to stick together and to hire each other when we can and to show that crazy Jesus love to each other in front of those that don’t know Jesus. I find that to be the best evangelism tool in the box!  

The movies? Well, you can’t control who watches those things and after about the 20th time someone tracks you down and sends you an email about how your film was the final thing that brought them to repentance and into a relationship with Jesus, you let all of the other comments just roll off of your back. I don’t think that many secular films can say that, can you? And ultimately, Jesus isn’t going to ask about your box office receipts, is He?

 

 

And then the end shall come …

Okay people – not that we can really do anything about this,  but I just want to make sure we’re all aware of what’s happening and how the stage is being set RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES.

While I’m not the utmost expert on the end times, I have studied quite a bit.  Popular belief has been that there will be some form of one-world government and one-world currency.  The idea for a one-world currency is taken from Revelation 13:16 which indicates that buying and trading goods will be regulated by the figure most recognize as the anti-christ.  Obviously a one-world currency is not mandatory for this to happen, but would make regulation of the world economy much easier. 

The idea that the end times will contain a one-world government is a little more fluid.  Taken from Biblical prophecies in Daniel and Revelation, the title “one-world” is a little misleading.  Most Biblical scholars believe the prophecies indicate a rebirth of the Roman empire – today known as the resurrected European Union (which contains all of the same countries originally under ancient Roman authority).  The prophecies don’t seem to indicate that the Asian, African and (South and North) American governments will all be part of this union.   I found this website that seems to summarize the idea of a one-world gov’t fairly well.

ANYHOW  — here’s what’s happening THIS WEEK that I want everyone to know about: 

Making International news this week, the US Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner, said the idea of a one-world currency is “modest and evolutionary” in response to the worldwide economic meltdown.  This happened on March 27th before the Council on Foreign Relations.

The US is setting the stage to submit itself to foreign rule.  Obama’s appointee for the State Dept Legal Advisor is Harold Koh, who as the Dean of Yale Law School is an advocate for transnational law.  Transnational law ultimately renders the US Constitution irrelevant when US law contradicts laws set by an “international body of law” (which has yet to be defined).  In other words, we’re appointing leaders of our country who don’t believe in US sovereignty as a nation.

And (just FYI) the technology for implantation of id’s or “wearing” your identification is here.  Just another opportunity for the practical fulfillment of Revelation 13:16-17.

It doesn’t take a genius to connect the dots here … yes, this could be conjecture and conspiracy theorist-ish, but seeing as the Bible’s already predicted this will happen, I’m guessing there’s plenty of truth here.  The US doesn’t appear to have a lot of influence during the end times.  We’re not even really mentioned in all of the prophetic timeline of events, which is odd, since we’re currently THE reigning world power.  If the end times were going to happen now, it doesn’t make sense that the US wouldn’t be involved.  Whereas a partnership between Germany, Iran and Russia IS predicted in Revelation as part of the end times.  Those nations are currently bosom buddies.  Yet, I digress … Let me try to paint a picture:

• With the current collapse of the US economy and the rise in interest for a one-world currency, it won’t be long before the dollar is defunct and the US is no longer a Superpower, superceded by the European Union on a world stage. 
• The economic collapse will continue and create a desperation in the people for the need for global rule and “solutions.”  There has been major rioting in London at the G20 global conference this week by people who are already feeling the desperate economic times.   Keep in mind that scripture prophesied this: Rev 6:6 “And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”
• A new “international body of law” is formed, largely consisting of the European Union.  The US has already legally bowed down and submitted itself to the authority of this “international body” and we will sit by and watch helplessly as the EU makes laws against Israel and sides with Islam.
• The anti-christ will rise to leadership through this “international body” and unite the world, bringing momentary peace and stability to a global climate on the verge of chaos.

So, what are we to do? …  Well, I’m not really sure.  I think knowledge is power at this point.  Let’s not be caught unaware.  Scripture continually tells believers that we need to “have patient endurance,” “use wisdom and discernment,” and “have ears to hear” when it comes to understanding what is going to happen in the end times.  Practically, I think it’d be a good idea for us to consider learning how to grow our own food – since we know for a fact that believers will be unable to buy/sell/trade during the end times.  That might not happen for 30 years.  Or it might happen in the next 5 years.  We’ll see.   But personally I am screwed if it happens soon.  I don’t know the first thing about gardening or hunting. 

All I’m saying is, “don’t be caught with your pants down.”  Pay attention people.

Unfortunately, this is not an April Fools Day joke.

Crimes and Punishments …

“He who walks with the wise will grow wise.  He who walks with fools will suffer harm.”  -Jewish Proverb

Here’s a list you won’t find in the news:  all the Democrats Obama has tried to place in top positions across the country.  

Some of the following have “withdrawn” their nomination once it was discovered they were … er … I forgot the politically correct term for ”criminals”.   None of them are being held accountable for their actions.  Some have actually been confirmed into their positions and are now leading our government.

• Nancy Killefer - Nominated for “First Chief Performance Officer”
• Tom Daschle (Democrat and Senate Majority Leader) – Nominated for “Health and Human Services Secretary”
• Judd Gregg  -Commerce Secretary try #1.
• Bill Richardson - Commerce Secretary try #2.
• Gary Locke – 3rd nomination for Commerce Secretary.  *Note – by this time it’s gotten so bad that even the NYT had to say that Locke has a “largely scandal-free resume.”  As in, he’s only been involved in SOME scandals, so he’s probably going to be honest most of the time.
• Eric Holder – Attorney General
• David Ogden – Deputy Attorney General
• Timothy Geithner – Actually got the office of Treasury Secretary in spite of failing to pay his taxes.  Please note the irony that he is in charge of the government organization presiding over our money.
• Vivek Kundra – Named as “Chief Information Officer.”  This article is tricky.  You have to read all the way to the bottom to realize what he’s ACTUALLY guilty of doing.
• Gary Gensler – the former Goldman Sachs employee and derivatives cheerleader who President Obama nominated to head the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
• Kathleen Sebelius - Nominated for head of US Dept of Health and Human Services.
• Rep. Charles Rangel – Chairman of the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee
• William Lynn – Deputy Defence Secretary (this isn’t a criminal nomination, but one in which Obama broke his own rules for appointment)
• Jon Cannon – Obama’s nomination for #2 at EPA.
• Christopher Hill – Ambassador to Iraq
• Ron Kirk – US Trade Representative
• Shauna Daly – Counsel Research Director (another non-criminal appointee to a position made up by Obama, but basically this girl is a 29 year old with no legal experience who is known only as a ”dirt-digger” on anyone who opposes Obama.  She is now placed in one of the most powerful legal offices in the land.)

This is to say nothing of the Chicago political machine that produced Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich who literally committed their crimes while the nation watched helplessly.  The media couldn’t deny how dirty these guys were, but they quickly pardoned Obama from all associations therein.

Here’s a blog (from before several of these nominations happened) that details all of these nominees and their crimes very succintly.

Rhetorical question:  What do you think the media’s response would be if ANY of these nominations came from Bush?

Rhetorical questions #2-5:  Why is there very little public outcry about these nominations?  Have we just arrived at a place of apathy where we simply accept that government officials are corrupt?  These crooks are the ones we are now trusting to delegate 1.4 trillion dollars of OUR money to “the people?”  Why do most (if not all) of these men and women still have their government job?

And most importantly – why don’t we see any of these people on THIS site?!?

From the mouth of a prophet …

“Owners of capital will stimulate the working class to buy more and
more of expensive goods, houses and technology, pushing them to take
more and more expensive credits, until their debt becomes unbearable.
The unpaid debt will lead to bankruptcy of banks, which will have to
be nationalized, and the State will have no option than to take the
road which will eventually lead to communism.”
-Karl Marx, Das Kapital, 1867

Sean Penn’s Contradistinction

Now, I know that this whole Prop 8 business is a very touchy subject here in Hollywood, and I’m not particularly interested in re-hashing that conversation.

However, I do have a bone to pick on this issue.  Not that this is the be-all-end-all of the conversation or that it proves those who voted “no” on Prop 8 are all name-calling, brainless, hypocrites … but I think it’s quite fair to point out a REALLY ironic and absurd statement by the reigning “No on H8″ spokesman, Sean Penn.

At the Oscars a few weeks ago Penn made the following statement:

“… And finally, for those, two last finallies, for those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone. And there are, and there are, these last two things. I’m very, very proud to live in a country that is willing to elect an elegant man president and a country who, for all its toughness, creates courageous artists …”

First, let’s all agree what a bold  thing it was for Penn to share his contempt and intolerance in a room full of people who agree with him. And to those who would defend him, yes, I actually believe Penn might have the chutzpah to share that in a room full of people who wouldn’t agree with him.  However, Penn’s courageous boldness is not what I wish to call into question … rather the integrity of his judgment toward those who wish to reserve the word ”marriage” to describe the union between a man and a woman.

Vice-President Joe Biden made the following statement during his debate with Sarah Palin on October 2 of last year:

“In an Obama-Biden administration, there will be absolutely no distinction from a constitutional standpoint or a legal standpoint between a same-sex and a heterosexual couple,” said Biden, referring to his Democratic partner, Barack Obama.

 Asked if he would support gay marriage, Biden said: “No. Barack Obama nor I support redefining from a civil side what constitutes marriage.” *

(Insert sound of record screeching)  Wait a second.  So, errrr, Sean Penn, ummm, do you believe that this “elegant man” whom the country has elected President should also ”sit and reflect and anticipate their[his] great shame and the shame in their[his] grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support?”

We live in a free country where Penn is able to make exorbitant amounts of money with which he may support communist dictators and in which he may make grandiose speeches full of contempt for anyone who might disagree with him.  I’m all for his American-given right to be intolerant of other people’s beliefs (well, truthfully, I’d rather he didn’t have the right to be able to openly promote communism, but that’s a whole new subject matter!), but I would really appreciate a little bit of integrity from Mr. Penn and those who were crying and cheering during his speech when displaying their indignance. 

In your next speech, Sean Penn, please feel free to retract your affirmation of Obama’s elegance and let the President know how ashamed his grandchildren will be for his stated positions.   

*Note:  Biden tried to backpedal when he went on Ellen two weeks later and called Prop 8 “regressive” and “unfair” and that he and Barack Obama opposed a similar vote nationwide.  In other words, they are not in support of redefining the word “marriage”, but they’re also not in support of creating a constitutional amendment for the protection of the word “marriage.”

**Second Note:  There is a long history of legislative and popular support for the traditional concept of marriage. In the 1990s, President Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage under federal law as the legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife. This act passed the House of Representatives by 342 to 67 and the Senate by 85 to 14.   More recently, [uber-liberal] U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor recently noted that “preserving the traditional institution of marriage is a legitimate state interest.”

Where have all the protesters gone?

One of my ritual enjoyments each week-end for the past several years was going to my favorite Vons and seeing all the anti-war protesters on the street corner of Laurel Canyon and Ventura.  Sunshine, free time, and some liberal vitriol are three key ingredients in any successful SoCal Saturday.  And these guys were persistent little buggers — a group of about 30 or so almost every single week-end, declaing their opinions loudly and proudly with “Impeach Bush” and various “Boo Iraqi War” signs.  Observing our consitutional rights in action (particularly here in LA) was a sight not to miss.  Nay – I doubt you could if you tried, seeing as there was an almost constant symphony of car horns honking as they drove by, demonstrating an entire community’s  support “against the war”.

However, I’m a little bit puzzled as of late.  Can anyone explain to me where all the passion has gone? 

You see, since Obama has taken office, he has not only NOT ended the war in Iraq, but he has INCREASED the number of soldiers sent to the middle east, giving orders for an additional 17,000 troops to deploy to Afghanistan.   (Side note – Consequently, we will not be informed of the ginormous cost to the US for the deployment of these soliders, as is the custom of the Mainstream Media during times of a Republican presidency.  Not that I’m particularly concerned with that.  What’s a few more billion dollars? …)

Regarding Iraq, Obama is following the advice of the war generals, just as Bush had been doing.  In fact, I would venture that it’s almost EXACTLY the same plan Bush would have maintained for withdrawing troops from Iraq while leaving a smaller US contingent in place to keep the peace.  So, let’s recap … we’re following the exact same war trajectory we’ve been on for the last six years and INCREASING the war to include fighting in a whole new country.  And yet the protesters are nowhere to be found??

In addition to my perplexity at the local level, what I find quite ironic is the national silence by the Code Pink ladies and all the other “anti-war protesters” who made a constant nuisance of themselves at Bush’s press conferences, etc.  Why aren’t they showing up at Obama’s press conferences?  Where’s the news coverage?  Are 17,000 of our sons and daughters being shipped off to battle not as emotionally engaging because its 2009?  Or is there some other reason? …

Over and over and over again for the last 6 years we’ve been subjected to hatred-filled cries from the Democrats over how evil Bush was/is …  Because of the war.  That’s why they hated him, right?  That’s what they’ve been telling us for so long.  So, am I wrong in asking the question, “why don’t you feel the same way toward Obama?”  It’s not that I’m really against war protesters.  War is a tough subject and worthy of debate.  However, what I’d like to point out is the ironic lack of message integrity by our friends on the left.  Don’t think for a moment that Laurel and Ventura wouldn’t have been HOPPIN’ had Bush made the decision to send 17K troops to Afghanistan.   I think it’s an obvious and fair statement that these people weren’t really against the war as much as they were against the Republican commanding the war. 

What’s my point?  So, the democrats were against Bush … tell us something new.  My objective with this post is to demonstrate that the liberal protest and hatred for Bush is almost entirely groundless and contempt without cause.  If they truly hated Bush “because of the war,” then it is reasonable to assume they would feel the exact same way toward Obama.  These people have ZERO principles and I absolutely can not respect that.

To all you liberal/democratic protesters:  If you are truly against the war in Iraq (or just war in general), then bring back the signs.  Bring back the shouting.   I miss the honking.   I think our new President deserves your vehemence and frustration at the same (or even increased) level you so enjoyed demonstrating toward Bush.  Only then, will I (and the rest of America) respect you and take you seriously.  Heck, I’ll even spring to provide you some “Impeach Obama” signs.

FITNA

Hey guys – please watch this.  It’s a short film highlighting the violence demanded of Muslims within the Quran, and the subsequent vision and goal of the leaders of the Muslim religion.
 
FITNA:  http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/024988.php
(sorry – I don’t know how to imbed videos yet)

A few things to keep in mind. 

• We are constantly being told by the media that Islam is a “religion of peace”. 
• We are constantly told that this is a very, very small “fringe” segment of the Muslim population.
• Arguments are often used in defense of Islam, such as “you could pull out small texts from the Bible and make it look like Christianity is also violent,” or “what about the Crusades!?”
• Why bring this up anyway?  You’re just trying to incite hatred towards this group of people.

Here are some of my immediate responses:
A)  While it is agreed and accepted that not everyone who is a Muslim supports this behavior, it is another thing entirely to say that this religion stands for “peace”.  Clearly, the core Islamic doctrines promote violence and hostility toward anyone who disagrees with it.  I think it would be more accurate to say that non-violent Muslims are not “pure” according to the basic tenet of their faith and beliefs.
B) If these many acts of violence are, indeed, acts of a lunatic minority, then where are the majority of Muslims standing up and fiercely opposing these actions?  I would dare say that if any Christian behaved in such a way, there would be quick and hostile denunciations by the entire Christian community.  Yet, you don’t see this kind of response from the Muslim community at large.  Why not?
C)  Yes, I agree, that taken out of context you could manipulate the Bible to make it seem as if Christianity promoted violence.  However, my response is ”please demonstrate where are the violent acts by Christians against other religions?”  The best example that can be used is the Crusades, which happened anywhere from 700-900 years ago.  And NOONE defends the Crusades.  If Christianity’s core tenets were promoting violence against other groups, then I would think it probable that we would see many more acts of violence by Christians worldwide.
D) Why do I bring this up?  What can be done about it anyway?  I think first, we need to arm ourselves with TRUTH.  We can not hide behind the idea of “tolerance and diversity” and allow those who are completely (and violently) against us to come in and live amongst us.  That’s lunacy.  Secondly, for those who read and are followers of Christ, we must be aware of the larger/spiritual war that rages behind these actions.  I find it fascinating that “the Jews” are the group most hated by Muslims, with Christians following at a close second.  Why??  We are naiive to believe that Satan is not behind such attacks.
 
Here are a few of my questions to those who continue to purport that Islam is a religion of peace?

• Where are the women’s rights groups (NOW, etc) that are fighting for equal (and non-violent) treatment of women in that society?
• Where are the gay-rights groups, fighting the religion as a whole for its unilateral treatment of homosexuals?  I dare say that if ONE gay person were murdered in America in the name of Christianity, then we would have federal restrictions upon our churches within the year.  Where are all the opposers of “hate crimes” when it comes to opposing Islamic practices?
• Why is there such a refusal by the media to acknowledge the violence behind the core tenets of Islam?  Why are the American people continually given the propoganda that Islam is a “religion of peace?”  

This short is 15 minutes and was produced by a guy in the Netherlands who has seen his country and his government literally taken over by pro-Muslim/anti-democracy groups.
 
Another example:  Last year Great Britain passed a law allowing Sharia law in the UK.  Short explanation:  Muslim groups are allowed to operate/live in UK under their own laws and governance, which sometimes even contradicts with UK’s laws. 

There is also a very clear agenda for infiltrating America with the same strategy that is being used in European countries.  I read about it in Glen Beck’s book (which I can’t source here), but here is a good source I found that was from July of last year.  Here’s an OP-ED piece, which is FICTIONAL, but I think it’s a pretty prophetic view of what’s to come.
 
Bottom line:  we must be aware of what is going on around us and be bold enough to ask the right questions when we are confronted with propaganda about Islam, “the religion of peace”.