Supreme Court Strikes Down D.C. Gun Ban

The United States Supreme Court made a historical decision this week in support of the 2nd amendment right to bear arms.  The court’s 5-4 ruling struck down the District of Columbia’s 32-year-old ban on handguns as incompatible with gun rights under the Second Amendment.

Even though this ruling is a victory for those who love the constitution, it is frightening that it was a 5-4 decision.  In reading the minority opinions in this case one would wonder if these justices had ever studied constitutional law or any form of American History.  Their opinions are based in current political rhetoric and not founded in constitutional fact.

Even the writings of the majority opinions are somewhat shaky.  The main reason of thinking was this:  the original framers included the 2nd amendment right of the people to bear arms so as to defend themselves from violent crime.  No doubt this is a good reason, but not the reason the founding fathers required this amendment. 

The 2nd amendment was put there to allow a free people to remain free.  Those first Americans did not trust government.  They knew what it was like to be under the domineering fist of a tyranical government.  They knew that an unarmed populace was subject to tyranny.  An armed people would remain a free people.  Let us never forget this; the first step to tyrany is to disarm the people. 

Think about the power of the court when making your presidential vote this fall.  Just one more liberal judge could change the future of America!  We need judges who are lovers of the constitution - not political operatives!

Are You Ready for Nulcear Power?

Contrary to popular belief, nuclear power, is the cleanest and safest form of electrical energy available.  It has the least negative impact on the environment.  So why are we not using more nuclear energy?  There are several reasons but it basically comes down to two main reasons.  One, is that fossil fuels are, have been, cheaper.  We have an addiction to coal and oil in this country.  So, in spite of the absolute fact that fossil fuels have tarnished our environment with air, water and land pollution, not to mention the multitude of thousands of people who have died, we continue to be dependent on fossil fuels.  Why?  Because it is cheaper. 

Also, the second reason for the large abstinence from nukes would be fear.  The movie China Syndrome and Russia’s Cherynobol are used to continue this fear mongering.  Many see nuclear waste products as a reason not to use nuclear power.  I see it  just the opposite.  What other large scale power source, that will not have adverse impact on the environment, can contain 100% of its waste product?  100% of the waste from nuclear power can be contained and managed. 

Don’t you think the time is now to think nuke?

Here is an excellent blog that compares nuke to coal:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.appvoices.org/images/galleries/MartinCountyNastySpill.jpg&imgrefurl=http://nextbigfuture.com/2008/04/coal-is-more-deadly-and-dangerous-than.html&h=768&w=1024&sz=206&hl=en&start=75&tbnid=h8SCgl6c4Vy7hM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3DNuclear%2Bpower%2Bwaste%26start%3D60%26imgsz%3Dxxlarge%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

Myanmar Disaster

As of this post, the news is reporting over 10,000 dead from a cyclone in one major city alone.  At least 3,000 more are missing.  Let’s join in prayer for this devasted country.   What else can we do to help these people?

Marion Jones - My Latest Hero

Marion Jones cheated.  She lied.  She attempted to cover it all up.  At first she was just like so many other elite athletes who have done the same thing.  But, Marion has done something very different.  She confessed her wrongs…publicly, completely and with humility.  She has voluntarily given back her medals.  She has stepped back from the sport.  She has remorsefully apologized to all she has hurt, on national t.v. and with genuine brokenness.  This takes real courage.  If only Barry Bonds, Mike Vick, Floyd Landis and many others would have the courage to do the same thing. 

Yes, Marion is my new hero.  She has exhibited true courage.  We could all learn something from her.  We all make mistakes.  We all have endless pride that seeks to do anything to cover up our failings.  Learn from Marion.  Be human.  Revealing is the first step to healing.

Thanks Marion for your greatest victory of all.  Winning in the human race.  May we all have the courage to follow your example.

Change Your World

“Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault, in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe….”  Philippians 2:14-15

Last Sunday at NewSong many people accepted the challenge to go 21 days straight without complaining.  The above bracelet is worn to remind us of what we are speaking.  When we find ourselves complaining, grumbling, gossiping, being critical or negative, we are to switch the bracelet to the other wrist and start the 21 day count over again.  This idea began in a small congregation in Kansas City, MO where Will Bowen is the pastor.

This exercise is proving to be extremely revealing as to how much we whine and complain.  The power for change will not be found in this bracelet, but in the Spirit of God who will empower us to be transformed and not just modified.

I am certain that old habits don’t just go away.  The only way to overcome a bad habit is to create a new habit that swallows up the old one.  Do anything for 21 days straight and it will be with you for life

I have found that many people are now struggling with what really constitutes a complaint and what is simply a statement of fact.  Legalism will not guide us in this spiritual endeavor, but rather we must listen to the Spirit of God who will guide us into all truth.  If this little bracelet will work as a reminder that we need to be listening closer to the Spirit of God and surrendering to His direction, it will have been a huge success!

There is so much power in our words!  You are speaking your reality!  What is it that you are speaking?  Blessing or curse?  Speak what it is that you want!  Use the power of your words to change your world!  Take the challenge!  You CAN do it!

Life in a Post Christian Age

District pulls plug on speech (Valedictorian's speech unwelcome by ACLU)
Las Vegas Review-Journal ^ | Jun. 17, 2006 | ANTONIO PLANAS
Posted on 06/19/2006 3:08:08 PM PDT by FerdieMurphy
Foothill valedictorian criticizes decision to censor her proclamation of faith

She knew her speech as valedictorian of Foothill High School would be cut short, but Brittany McComb was determined to tell her fellow graduates what was on her mind and in her heart.

But before she could get to the word in her speech that meant the most to her — Christ — her microphone went dead.

The decision to cut short McComb's commencement speech Thursday at The Orleans drew jeers from the nearly 400 graduates and their families that went on for several minutes.

However, Clark County School District officials and an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union said Friday that cutting McComb's mic was the right call. Graduation ceremonies are school-sponsored events, a stance supported by federal court rulings, and as such may include religious references but not proselytizing, they said.

They said McComb's speech amounted to proselytizing and that her commentary could have been perceived as school-sponsored.

Before she delivered her commencement speech, McComb met with Foothill administrators, who edited her remarks. It's standard district practice to have graduation speeches vetted before they are read publicly.

School officials removed from McComb's speech some biblical references and the only reference to Christ.

But even though administrators warned McComb that her speech would get cut short if she deviated from the language approved by the school, she said it all boiled down to her fundamental right to free speech.

That's why, for what she said was the first time in her life, the valedictorian who graduated with a 4.7 GPA rebelled against authority.

"I went through four years of school at Foothill and they taught me logic and they taught me freedom of speech," McComb said. "God's the biggest part of my life. Just like other valedictorians thank their parents, I wanted to thank my lord and savior."

In the 750-word unedited version of McComb's speech, she made two references to the lord, nine mentions of God and one mention of Christ.

In the version approved by school officials, six of those words were omitted along with two biblical references. Also deleted from her speech was a reference to God's love being so great that he gave his only son to suffer an excruciated death in order to cover everyone's shortcomings and forge a path to heaven.

Allen Lichtenstein, general counsel for the ACLU of Nevada, had read the unedited version of McComb's speech and said district officials did the right thing by cutting McComb's speech short because her commentary promoted religion.

"There should be no controversy here," Lichtenstein said. "It's important for people to understand that a student was given a school-sponsored forum by a school and therefore, in essence, it was a school-sponsored speech."

Lichtenstein said that position was supported by two decisions by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in 2000 and 2003.

Both cases involved graduation ceremonies and religious speeches given by commencement speakers. In the 2003 case, Lichtenstein said, the plaintiff even petitioned the Supreme Court to have the decision reversed, but the request was denied.

In 2003, the Clark County School Board amended district regulations on religious free speech, prohibiting district officials from organizing a prayer at graduation or selecting speakers for such events in a manner that favors religious speech or a prayer.

The remainder of the amendment allows for religious expression during school ceremonies.

Where students or other private graduation speakers are selected on the basis of genuinely neutral, evenhanded criteria and retain primary control over the content of their expression, however, that expression is not attributable to the school and, therefore, may not be restricted because of its religious (or anti-religious) content," it states.

"To avoid any mistaken perception that a school endorses student or other private speech that is not in fact attributable to the school, school officials may make appropriate neutral disclaimers to clarify that such speech is not school sponsored."

District legal counsel Bill Hoffman said the regulation allows students to talk about religion, but speeches can't cross into the realm of preaching.

"We review the speeches and tell them they may not proselytize," Hoffman said. "We encourage people to talk about religion and the impact on their lives. But when that discussion crosses over to become proselytizing, then we to tell students they can't do that."

McComb, who will study journalism at Biola University, a private Christian school in La Mirada, Calif., doesn't believe she was preaching. She said although some people might not like the message of her speech, it was just that, her speech.

"People aren't stupid and they know we have freedom of speech and the district wasn't advocating my ideas," McComb said. "Those are my opinions.

"It's what I believe."